window Acura RL 2000 3.5 Owner's Manual

Protectin
g Childre n

I f Yo u Mus t Driv e wit h Severa l
Childre n
Your car has three seating positions in the back seat where children can
be properly restrained.
If you ever have to carry more than
three children in your car: Place the largest child in the front
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear a seat belt
properly (see page 35). Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page 12). Have the child sit upright and well
back in the seat (see page 17). Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page 15). I
f a Chil d Require s Clos e
Attentio n
Many parents say they prefer to put
an infant or small child in the front
passenger seat so they can watch the
child, or because the child requires attention.
Placing a child in the front seat
exposes the child to hazards from
the passenger's front airbag, and
paying close attention to a child distracts the driver from the
important tasks of driving, placing
both of you at risk.
If a child requires physical attention
or frequent visual contact, we
strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front. Additiona
l Safet y Precaution s
Use childproof door locks to
prevent children from opening the
doors. Using this feature will
prevent children from opening the doors and accidentally falling out (see page 85).

Use the main power window
switch to prevent children from
opening the rear windows. Using

this feature will prevent children
from playing with the windows,
which could expose them to
hazards or distract the driver (see
page 106).

CONTINUED

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Carbo
n Monoxid e Hazar d
Your car's exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly. Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
The car is raised for an oil change. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust. The car was in an accident that
may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as follows:
1. Select the Fresh Air mode. 2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

Instrument
s an d Control s

This section gives information about the controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 52
Indicator Lights................................ 53
Gauges.............................................. 58
Speedometer................................ 58

Tachometer.................................. 58
Odometer...................................... 59

Trip Meter/Outside Temperature Indicator............ 59
Temperature Gauge.................... 60 Fuel Gauge................................... 60
Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 61
Controls Near the Steering Wheel........................................ 62

Headlights.................................... 63

Automatic Lighting..................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............. 65

Instrument Panel Brightness..... 66

Turn Signals................................. 66

Fog Lights.................................... 67 Windshield Wipers...................... 68
Windshield Washers................... 70

Hazard Warning........................... 70

Rear Window Defogger.............. 71
Steering Wheel Adjustments..... 71
Steering Wheel Controls ................ 73 Cruise Control.............................. 73
Remote Audio Controls .............. 76
Keys and Locks................................ 77 Keys............................................... 77
Immobilizer System..................... 78
Ignition Switch............................. 80
Power Door Locks....................... 81
Remote Transmitter.................... 82
Childproof Door Locks............... 85

Trunk............................................86
Glove Box..................................... 87

HomeLink Universal Transmitter......... 88
Customer Assistance.................. 88

Important Safety Precautions.... 88

Training the Transmitter............ 89
Training With a Rolling Code System....................................... 91
Erasing Codes.............................. 92

Seat Adjustments............................. 93
Driver's Seat Adjustments.......... 93
Driver's Lumbar Support............ 95

Front Passenger's Seat

Adjustments............................. 95

Head Restraints........................... 95

Armrest............................................. 96
Mirrors.............................................. 98

Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 98

Driving Position Memory

System......................................... 100

Seat Heaters................................... 102

Ski Sleeve........................................ 103

Power Windows............................. 105

Moonroof........................................ 106

Parking Brake................................ 108

Digital Clock................................... 108
Sunglasses Holder......................... 110
Beverage Holder............................111

Console Compartment.................. 112

Coin Box......................................... 112
Sun Visor......................................... 113
Vanity Mirror................................. 113
Accessory Power Socket.............. 114 Cigarette Lighter........................... 115

Ashtrays.......................................... 116
Ceiling Lights................................. 117
Courtesy Lights............................. 118

Instrument s an d Control s

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l

The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switch for the hazard warning lights is on the dashboard to the
right of the steering column.
The controls under the left air vent are for the cruise control, instrument
panel brightness and the VSA

System.

The switches for the rear window defogger and fog lights are under
the audio system.
The steering wheel adjustment switch on the side of the steering
column allows you to tilt and
telescope the steering wheel.
Instrument s an d Control s WINDSHIEL
D
WIPERS/WASHER S
HAZAR
D WARNIN G
LIGHT S
HEADLIGHTS
/
TUR N SIGNAL S
VEHICL
E
STABILIT Y
ASSIS T SYSTE M
OF F SWITC H

CRUIS E
CONTRO L

REAR WINDO W
DEFOGGE R

FO
G
LIGHT S

HOR
N
INSTRUMEN
T

PANE L

BRIGHTNES S
STEERIN G WHEE L
ADJUSTMENT S

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
Rea r Windo w Defogge r
The rear window defogger will clear fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to turn it on and off. The light in the
button lights to show the defogger is
on. If you do not turn it off, the
defogger will shut itself off after
about 25 minutes. It also shuts off
when you turn off the ignition. You have to turn it on again when you
restart the car.
Car
s wit h navigatio n syste m

Make sure the rear window is clear and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger and antenna wires on the inside of the rear window can beaccidentally damaged. When
cleaning the glass, always wipe side
to side. Steerin
g Whee l Adjustment s

See page 17 for important safety
information about how to properly
position the steering wheel

Your Acura's steering wheel is electrically-adjustable for angle and
distance. The adjustment switch is
on the left side of the steering
column. Always adjust the steering
wheel before you begin driving.

CONTINUED

Instrument s an d Control s

Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
car and be seriously injured in a
crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the car is stopped.

Powe
r Window s
Your car's windows are electrically- powered. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II) to raise or lower any window.
Each door has a switch that controls
its window. To open the window,
push the switch down and hold it.
Release the switch when you want
the window to stop. Close the
window by pulling back on the switch and holding it. DRIVER'
S WINDO W SWITC H
MAI N SWITC H
The driver's door armrest has a master power window control panel.
To open any of the passengers' win- dows, push down on the appropriate
switch and hold it down until the
window reaches the desired position.
To close the window, pull back on the window switch. Release the switch when the window gets to the
position you want.

CONTINUED

Instrument s an d Control s
Closing a power window on
someone's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your passengers are
away from the windows before
closing them.

Powe
r Windows , Moonroo f

The master control panel also con- tains these extra features:
AUT O — To open the driver's
window fully, push the window switch firmly down and release it.
The window automatically goes all the way down. To stop the window
from going all the way down, pull
back on the window switch briefly.
To open the driver's window only partially, push the window switchdown lightly and hold it. The window
will stop as soon as you release the
switch.

The AUTO function only works to lower the driver's window. To raise
the window, you must pull back on
the window switch and hold it until the window reaches the desired

position.
The MAIN switch controls power to
the passengers'windows. With thisswitch off, the passengers'windows
cannot be raised or lowered. The
MAIN switch does not affect the driv- er's window. Keep the MAIN switch
off when you have children in the carso they do not injure themselves by
operating the windows unintentional-
ly. The lights inside the switches come on when you turn the parking
lights or headlights on.
The power window system has a key- off delay function. The windows willstill operate for up to ten minutes
after you turn off the ignition. Opening either front door cancels
the delay function. You must turn
the ignition switch ON (II) again
before you can raise or lower the
windows. There are two switches on the
ceiling near the front ceiling light.
The ignition switch must be ON (II).
To open the moonroof, pull the OPEN/CLOSE switch backward and
hold it until the moonroof reaches the desired position.
Instrument s an d Control s Moonroo
f

OPEN/CLOS E

SWITC H

Su
n Visor , Vanit y Mirro r
Su n Viso r
To use the sun visor, pull it down.
You can also use the sun visor at the side window. Remove the support
rod from the clip and swing the sun
visor toward the side window. In this position, the sun visor can beextended by sliding out the

extension.
Make sure you put the sun visor
back in place when you are getting into or out of the car. Do not use the
sun visor extension over the rear
view mirror. Vanit
y Mirro r

To use a vanity mirror on the back of the sun visor, pull up the cover.
The light beside the mirror comes on when you pull up the cover.

Instrument s an d Control s

EXTENSIO
N

Climat
e Contro l Syste m
The button directs the main
air flow to the windshield for faster
defrosting. It also overrides any
MODE selection you may have made. When you select the A/C
turns on automatically and the system selects Fresh Air mode. For
faster defrosting, manually set the
fan speed to high. You can also
increase air flow to the windshield by closing the side vents in the

dashboard.
When you turn off by
pressing the button again, the system returns to its former settings.
Rea r Windo w Defogge r Butto n
This button turns the rear window defogger on and off (see page 71).
REAR WINDO W DEFOGGE R BUTTO N
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Preparin
g to Driv e

You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice.

2. Check that the hood and trunk are

fully closed.

3. Visually check the tires. If a tire

looks low, use a gauge to check itspressure.

4. Check that any items you may be

carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.

5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 93 ).
6. Check the adjustment of the

inside and outside mirrors (see
page 98 ).

7. Check the adjustment of the

steering wheel (see page 71).

8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that

your passengers have fastened their seat belts (see page 15 ).

10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.

11.Start the engine (see page 179 ).
12.Check the gauges and indicator

lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).

Drivin g