audio Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Manual

2001 RL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 121
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................167
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .179
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................203
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .263
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................271
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................299
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................313
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................319
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System Owner's Identification Form

Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ 2

Your Car at a Glance
MIRROR CONTROLS

(P.99)
INSTRUMENT PANEL

(P.53)
DIGITAL CLOCK

(P.
109)

CLIMATE CONTROLSYSTEM

(P.122)

AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.136)

DRIVING POSITION

MEMORY

(P.101)

POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES (P.106)
TRUNK RELEASEBUTTON
(P.86) FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
HANDLE

(P.169)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE

(P.170)

Instruments and Controls

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

Emergency Trunk Opener......... 87Glove Box..................................... 88

HomeLink Universal Transmitter......... 89

Customer Assistance.................. 89
Important Safety Precautions.... 89
Training the Transmitter............ 90
Training With a Rolling Code

System.......................................92

Erasing Codes.............................. 93
Seat Adjustments............................. 94 Driver's Seat Adjustments.......... 94
Driver's Lumbar Support............ 96
Front Passenger's SeatAdjustments............................. 96
Head Restraints........................... 96

Armrest............................................. 97
Mirrors.............................................. 99

Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 99
Driving Position Memory

System......................................... 101

Seat Heaters................................... 103
Ski Sleeve........................................ 104

Power Windows............................. 106

Moonroof........................................ 107

Parking Brake................................ 109

Digital Clock................................... 109Sunglasses Holder......................... 111
Beverage Holder............................ 112Console Compartment.................. 113
Coin Box......................................... 113
Sun Visor......................................... 114
Vanity Mirror................................. 114
Accessory Power Socket.............. 115 Cigarette Lighter........................... 116
Ashtrays.......................................... 117 Ceiling Lights................................. 118
Courtesy Lights............................. 119

Instruments and Controls

Control Locations

Instruments and Controls
MIRROR
CONTROLS

(P. 99)
DIGITAL CLOCK

(P. 109)


CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM

(P. 122)

AUDIO SYSTEM (P. 136)
DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
(P.
81)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY

(P. 101)

POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES

(P. 106)

TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON

(P.
86)
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HANDLE

(P. 169)

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 170)

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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.

Instruments and Controls
VEHICLE
STABILITY

ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS

REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER

HORN
FOG
LIGHTS

INSTRUMENT

PANEL

BRIGHTNESS

STEERING WHEEL

ADJUSTMENTS

CRUISE
CONTROL

Steering Wheel Controls

When you push the CANCEL button, or tap the brake pedal, the CRUISE
CONTROL light on the instrument
panel will go out and the car will
begin to slow down. You can use the accelerator pedal in the normal way.
The system remembers the previously-set cruising speed. Toreturn to that speed, accelerate to
above 25 mph (40 km/h), then press
and release the RESUME/accel
button. The CRUISE CONTROL
light comes on, and the car will accelerate to the same cruisingspeed as before. Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completelyoff and erases the previous cruising
speed from memory. To use the
system again, refer to Using the
Cruise Control.
Remote Audio Controls
These buttons let you control some functions of the audio system with-out removing your hands from the
wheel. Refer to page 163 for a com- plete explanation.
Instruments and Controls
AUDIO/CH

BUTTON

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

Comfort and Convenience Features

The climate control system in your
Acura provides a comfortable driving environment in all weather condi-
tions.
The standard audio system has many features. This section de-scribes those features and how to
use them.
Your Acura has an anti-theft audio system that requires a code number
to enable it.
The security system helps to dis- courage vandalism and theft of your
Acura.
Climate Control System................ 122

3,5 RL without Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation........ 124

Semi-automatic Operation........ 125

3.5 RL with Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation........ 129
Semi-automatic Operation........ 130
Rear Ventilation......................... 134
Sunlight Sensor/ Temperature Sensor............. 135
Audio System................................. 136 AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Audio System......................... 136

3.5 RL without Navigation System
Operating the Radio.................. 137

Adjusting the Sound.................. 140

Audio System Lighting............. 141

Operating the Cassette
Player...................................... 141

Tape Search Functions............. 142
Operating the CD Changer...... 144
3.5 RL with Navigation System

Operating the Radio.................. 147
Adjusting the Sound.................. 150
Audio System Lighting............. 151 Radio Frequencies..................... 151
Radio Reception......................... 151Operating the Cassette Player...................................... 153
Tape Search Functions............. 153 Caring for the Cassette Player...................................... 156
Operating the CD Changer...... 157
Loading the CD Changer ......... 159
Protecting Compact Discs........ 161 CD Changer Error
Indications.............................. 162

Remote Audio Controls ............ 163
Theft Protection ........................ 164
Security System............................. 165

Comfort and Convenience Features

Audio System

AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Audio
System

Your Acura's audio system provides
clear reception on both AM and FM
bands, while the preset buttons allow
you to easily select your favorite
stations.

The cassette system features Dolby*
noise reduction, automatic sensing of
chromium-dioxide (CrO 2) tape, and

autoreverse for continuous play.

* Dolby noise reduction manufactured under
license from Dolby laboratories Licensing Corpo-
ration. "DOLBY" and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
The anti-theft feature will disable the system if it is disconnected from the
car's battery. To get the system
working again, you must enter a
code number (see page 164).

Comfort and Convenience Features3.5 RL with Navigation System3.5 RL without Navigation System

Audio System

3.5 RL without Navigation System

Operating the Radio

The ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) to operate the audio system. Turn thesystem on by pushing the PWR/
VOL knob or the AM/FM button.
Adjust the volume by turning the
knob.

The band and frequency that the ra- dio was last tuned to is displayed. To
change bands, press the AM/FM but-
ton. On the FM band, ST will be dis-
played if the station is broadcasting in stereo. ST will flash if you are driv-
ing in an area where the radio signal
is weak. Stereo reproduction on AM
is not available. You can use any of three methods to
find radio stations on the selected
band: TUNE, SEEK, or the Preset

buttons.

TUNE — Use the TUNE knob to tune the radio to a desired frequency.
Turn the TUNE knob to the right to tune to a higher frequency, or to the
left to tune to a lower frequency.
Turn the knob right or left until the display reaches the desired

frequency.

SEEK — The SEEK function searches the band for a station with
a strong signal. To activate it, push ei-
ther side of the SEEK/SKIP buttons (— or +). Push the + button to
scan up from the current frequency,
and the — button to scan down. It
stops when it finds a station with a
strong signal.
Preset — You can store the
frequencies of your favorite radio
stations in the six preset buttons.

Each button will store one frequency

on the AM band, and two

frequencies on the FM band.

CONTINUED

Comfort and Convenience Features