fuel 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)

Indicator Lights

*The U.S. instrunment panel is shown.Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls

MALFUNCTION

INDICATOR
LAMP
(P.287)
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
(P.55) PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM

INDICATOR*

(P.54)
VSA ACTIVATION

INDICATOR(P.56)
SIDEAIRBAG

INDICATOR (P.55) CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR

(P.55)

VEHICLE STABILITY ASSISTSYSTEM INDICATOR(P.56)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR*(P.56)
LOW OIL

PRESSURE

INDICATOR

(P-54)

CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.54) IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.55) HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
(P.57) LOW FUEL
INDICATOR

(P.57)
DOOR AND BRAKE
LAMP MONITOR
(P.57) SEAT BELT
REMINDERLIGHT (P.54)
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.55)

Indicator Lights

Door and Brake Lamp Monitor
The appropriate light comes on in this display if the trunk or any door
is not closed tightly. If a brake light
does not work, the BRAKE LAMP
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake lights repaired right away.
All the lights in the monitor display come on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 250 ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on theoutside of the vehicle should flash.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon. High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 63 forinformation on the headlight

controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 65 ).
"Daytime Running
Lights" Indicator

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go off if
you turn on the headlights or release the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.

Instruments and Controls
D R L

Gauges

The gauges illuminate when you turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Speedometer

U.S. Models

This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).

Canadian Models

This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).
Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.

Instruments and Controls
TACHOMETER

SPEEDOMETER
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
SELECT
BUTTON

MAINTENANCE

REQUIRED INDICATOR
ODOMETER

FUEL GAUGE

TRIP METER/OUTSIDE

TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
RESET

BUTTON

Gauges

Outside Temperature Indicator
This indicator displays the outside temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade inCanadian models.
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper. Therefore, the
temperature reading can be affected
by heat reflection from the road sur-
face, engine heat, and the exhaust
from the surrounding traffic. This can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h).
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing (32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.
Temperature Gauge

This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal

operation, the pointer should rise

from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot

weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near

the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page 283 for

instructions and precautions on

checking the engine's cooling
system.
Fuel Gauge

This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or
hilly roads.

The gauge stays at the same fuel level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II).

Instruments and Controls

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

Climate Control System

Semi-automatic Operation
You can manually select various functions of the Climate Controlsystem when it is in FULL AUTO.
All other features remain auto- matically controlled. Making any
manual selection causes the wordFULL to go out.

Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Press the A/C button to operate the
air conditioning. Each time you press
the A/C button, the display shows
the mode: A/C ECON, A/C OFF, or

A/C ON.
When you turn the A/C off, the sys-
tem cannot regulate the inside tem-
perature if you set the dial below theoutside temperature. With the A/C
on, use the temperature control dial
to adjust the temperature of the air
flow to a comfortable setting. With the A/C in economy mode, you
will see A/C ECON in the system's
display. Use this mode to get better
fuel economy.
In this mode, you may feel a slight re-

duction in cooling efficiency. If you

want more cooling, select A/C ON or
FULL AUTO.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features

TEMPERATURE

CONTROL DIAL AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON

RECIRCULATED AIR

FRESH AIR