lock Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Guide

Indicator Lights

Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).
If this light comes on and stays on at
any other time, or it does not come
on when you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), there is a problem with the
VSA system. Take the car to your dealer to have it checked. Without
VSA, your car still has normal driving ability, but will not have VSA
traction and stability enhancement. See page 191 for more informationon the VSA system. VSA Activation Indicator
This indicator has three functions:
1. It comes on as a reminder that you have turned off the VehicleStability Assist (VSA) system.
2. It flashes when VSA is active (see
page 191).
3. It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
This indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). See page 191 for more information on the

VSA system.
U.S.


Canada

Anti-lock BrakeSystem (ABS)
Indicator

This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the car to your dealer to have it checked.
With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete information, see
page 189.

Instruments and Controls

VSA

A
B S

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the position turns on
the parking lights, taillights, side marker lights, and rear license plate
lights. Turning the switch to the position turns on the
headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the driver's door.

On cars with automatic lighting

When the light switch is in either of these positions, the Lights Onindicator comes on as a reminder.
This light remains on if you leave the light switch on and turn the ignitionswitch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0).
To change between low beams andhigh beams, pull the turn signal leveruntil you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will light (see page 57).
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Instruments and Controls

Controls Near the Steering Wheel
To operate the wipers in mist mode, push the control lever down. The
wipers run at high speed until you release the lever. This gives you a
quick way to clear the windshield.
Wiper Arms Winter Position

The windshield wiper arms have two
parked positions: Winter and
Summer. In the winter position, thearms sit slightly above the edge of
the hood. This reduces the possibili-
ty of damage to the wiper arms or
windshield wiper motor by a build-up of snow and ice.
Adjust the wiper arms to the winter position by grasping either arm near
the pivot. Pull on the arm, parallel to
the windshield, until it locks in the
higher position. Push the arm in theother direction to return the wipers
to the summer position. A heavy build-up of snow or ice on
the wiper arms will cause them toautomatically park in the winter

position.

Instruments and Controls

WIPER ARMS

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Windshield Washers
To clean the windshield, pull back on the wiper control lever. The washersspray until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed while you're pulling the lever, then complete one
more sweep of the windshield after
you release it. Hazard Warning
Push the red button to the left of the
clock to turn on the hazard warning
lights (four-way flashers). This causes all four outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to flash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your car is disabled.

Instruments and Controls
Cars with navigation system

Keys and Locks
Keys

Your car comes with two master keys and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on your car:
Ignition

Doors

Trunk
Trunk pass-through cover
Glove box

The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk, trunk pass-through cover, and glove box locked when
you leave your car and the valet key at a parking facility.
You should have received a key number plate with your keys. You
will need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Keep
the plate stored in a safe place. If you need to replace a key, use only an
Acura-approved key blank.
These keys contain electronic circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the circuits are damaged. Protect the keys from direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity. Do not drop the keys or set heavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away from liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries. Do not try to take them apart.

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Instruments and Controls

KEY

NUMBER

PLATE
MASTER

KEYS

(Black)
VALET

KEY

(Gray)

Keys and Locks
Remote Transmitter

Your car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page 82 for anexplanation of the operation.

Learning Key

You should also receive a small case containing a learning key. It is used
by the Acura dealer to code replace-
ment keys to your car's Immobilizer
System. It must not be used in your
car's ignition switch. Store the learn-
ing key with the key number plate in a safe place. If you attempt to use the learning
key to start your car's engine, it may cause a malfunction in the system
that makes your master and valet
keys unusable. If this happens, you should contact your Acura dealer.
If you need a new key made, take the
key number plate, the learning key, and all other keys that came with
your car to your Acura dealer. Immobilizer System
The Immobilizer System protects your car from theft. A properly- coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch for the engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine's fuel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on for a few seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

The system may not recognize your key's coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code: Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key fob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away from your
vehicle's key and the ignition switch while trying to start the

engine.

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
This indicator will also blink several times when you turn the ignitionswitch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0). Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your car undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Acura dealer.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Industry

Canada Standard RSS-210.

Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is on the right side of the steering column. It has
four positions:
LOCK (0)
ACCESSORY (I) ON (II)
START (III) LOCK (0) — You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch from ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must push the key in
slightly as you turn it. The shift lever
must also be in Park. The anti-theft
lock will lock the steering column
when you remove the key.
If the front wheels are turned, theanti-theft lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the left or to
the right as you turn the key.
ACCESSORY (I) — In this position, you can operate the audio systemand the cigarette lighter.
ON (II) — This is the normal key
position when driving. All features and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch from ACCESSORY to ON.
START (III) — Use this positiononly to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key's coding (see page 78).
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open the driver's door. Remove the key to
turn off the beeper.
Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

Power Door Locks
Each front door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors. Push the switch down to lock all doors, and up to

unlock them.
Each door has a lock tab at the top of
the door. When you push down the lock tab on the driver's door, alldoors lock. Pulling up the lock tab on
the driver's door only unlocks that door. The lock tab on each

passenger's door only locks and

unlocks that door.
To lock any passenger's door when
getting out of the car, push the locktab down and close the door. To lock
the driver's door, remove the key
from the ignition switch and push the lock tab down or push the master switch down, then close the door.
All doors can be locked from the outside by using the key in either
front door. To unlock only the driver's door from the outside, insert the key
in the driver's door lock, turn the key
and release it. If you turn the key and hold it, all doors will unlock. All
four doors will unlock when you unlock the passenger's door with the
key.

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Instruments and Controls
LOCK TAB
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH

Keys and Locks

Lockout Prevention

If you forget and leave the key in the
ignition switch, Lockout Prevention
will not allow you to lock the driver's door. With the driver's door open
and the key in the ignition, both
master door lock switches are disabled. However, if the driver's
door is not open, the master door
lock switches are not disabled. Pushing the switch down on the
open passenger's door will lock all
doors. If you try to lock an open
driver's door by pushing in the lock
tab, the tabs on all doors pop out. Pushing in the lock tab on the
passenger's door only locks that door. Remote Transmitter
You can lock and unlock your car with the remote transmitter. When
you push the LOCK button, all doorslock. You will hear a beep, and the
parking lights, taillights and license
plate lights will flash once. When you push the UNLOCK button
once, only the driver's door unlocks.
The remaining doors unlock when you push the button a second time.
You will hear two beeps, and the outside lights will flash twice, each
time you push the button.
The ceiling lights (if the ceiling light switch is in the center position) and
the door courtesy lights will come on
when you press the UNLOCK button. If you do not open any door, the
lights stay on for about 10 seconds,
then fade out. If you relock the doors with the remote transmitter before 10 seconds have elapsed, the lights
will go off immediately.

Instruments and Controls
LED

UNLOCK
BUTTON
LOCK

BUTTON

TRUNK
RELEASE

BUTTON

PANIC
BUTTON