roof Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Manual

Protecting Children

If You Must Drive with Several
Children
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). If a Child Requires Close
Attention
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, westrongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front. Additional Safety Precautions
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 (seepage 107).

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

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

Keys and Locks

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.
Transmitter Care

Avoid severe shock to the trans-
mitter, such as dropping or throwing
it. Also, protect it from extreme hotor cold temperatures.
Clean the transmitter case with a
soft cloth. Do not use strong
cleaners or solvents that could harm
the case. Immersing the transmitter in any liquid will harm the trans-
mitter and cause it to not function
properly.
If you lose a transmitter, you willneed to have the replacement
programmed to your car's system by
your Acura dealer. Any other transmitters you have will also need
to be reprogrammed. Childproof Door Locks
The childproof door locks are designed to prevent children seated
in the rear from accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position, the door cannot be opened from the inside
regardless of the position of the lock
tab. To open the door, pull the lock
tab up and use the outside door

handle.

Instruments and Controls
LEVER

Power Windows, Moonroof

The master control panel also con- tains these extra features:
AUTO — To open the driver's window fully, push the windowswitch 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 car
so 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. Moonroof
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.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls
OPEN/CLOSE
SWITCH

Moonroof

To close the moonroof, push the OPEN/CLOSE switch forward and
hold it. The moonroof will not close completely; it will stop about 5.1inches (130 mm) away from beingclosed. Make sure your passengers
are clear of the moonroof, then
release the switch and push it
forward again to close the moonroof completely.
The moonroof has an AUTO function. To open the moonroof fully,
pull the OPEN/CLOSE switch
backward firmly until it clicks, thenrelease it. The moonroof opens
automatically all the way. To stop the
moonroof from opening all the way,
push the switch forward briefly. To open the moonroof partially, pull theOPEN/CEOSE switch backward
lightly and hold it until the moonroof reaches the desired position. The
AUTO function only works to open the moonroof.
TILT-UP SWITCH

When you push and hold the TILT- UP switch, the rear of the moonroof
will tilt up. To close it, push the OPEN/CEOSE switch forward. If
you pull the switch backward and hold it, the moonroof will tilt downand then open. The AUTO function
cannot work with the moonroof in
the tilt up position.
If you try to open the moonroof in
below-freezing temperatures, or when it is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the moonroof panel or motor.

Instruments and Controls
NOTICE

Carrying Cargo

Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and as far forward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions on page 49 . If you can carry any items on a
roof rack, be sure the total weight of the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Acura dealer for further information.

Before Driving

Parking

Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; itdoes not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your car may roll if it is parked on an

incline.

Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the car from moving and putting pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission — making it
easier to move the shift lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage the rear brakes. Parking Tips Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn off the lights.Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter. Check the
indicator on the driver's door to
verify that the security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on

fire.

Driving

Maintenance Schedule

Your authorized Acura dealer knows your car best and can providecompetent, efficient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of automotive service. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
fill out the Maintenance Record. Check your warranty booklet for
more information. We recommend the use of genuine
Honda parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done. These are manufactured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.
U.S. Vehicles:

Maintenance, replacement or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using

parts that are "certified" to EPA standards. According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura recommends that all maintenanceservices be performed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.

Maintenance

U.S. Owners
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if youdrive your car MAINLY under
one or more of the following
conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F (32°C) ] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, orde-iced roads.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

# :
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 207 .
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 243 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 242 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Maintenance

Lights

Replacing Bulbs in the Interior Courtesy Lights
The courtesy lights in the doors and roof come apart the same way. Theydo not use the same type of bulb.
1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens witha fingernail file or a small flat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the

lens.
Door light:

Pry on the top middle of the lens.

Front ceiling light:
Pry on the front edge of the lens

in the middle. Rear ceiling light:
Pry on the rear edge of the lensin the middle. Remove the bulb
cover by pulling it straight down.

CONTINUED

Maintenance
DOOR LIGHT
FRONT

REAR