run flat Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2001, Model line: RL, Model: Acura RL 2001Pages: 333, PDF Size: 4.28 MB
Page 176 of 333

Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Car Condition
Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner Maintenance
Checks (see page 215 ). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C orset the climate control to a higher
temperature to cut down on air
conditioning use. Use the flow-
through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate.
Before Driving
Page 248 of 333

Tires
Tubeless tires have some ability to self-seal if they are punctured.
However, because leakage is often
very slow, you should look closely for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for:
Bumps or bulges in the tread orside of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions. Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord.
Excessive tread wear. Your car's tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When thetread wears down to that point, you
will see a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide band running across the tread. This shows there is less than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread left on the tire. A
tire that is this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see the
tread wear indicator in three or more
places around the tire.
Maintenance
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Page 263 of 333

Lights
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place. Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb
1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens in
the middle with a fingernail file ora small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housing around the lens. 2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Maintenance
VANITY MIRROR LIGHT
TRUNK
Page 276 of 333

Changing a Flat Tire
If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
1. Park the car on firm, level, andnon-slippery ground away from
traffic. Put the transmission in Park. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition switch toLOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
To keep the trunk floor out of the
way, attach the hook into the slot
in the trunk lid.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack. TRUNK FLOOR
HOOK
JACK SPARE TIRE TOOL KIT
Page 280 of 333

Changing a Flat Tire
15.Remove the spacer basket from the trunk well.
16.Remove the center cap before
storing the flat tire in the trunk
well. 17.Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
18.Wrap the spacer cone and spare tire wing bolt with cloth or paperand store them in the trunk well.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
SPACER BASKET
CENTER CAP
WING BOLT
FLAT TIRE
RINGSPACER
CONE
Page 281 of 333

Changing a Flat Tire, If Your Engine Won't Start
19.Slip the hole at the top of the jack over the bracket in the trunk well.
Turn the jack's end bracket to lock it in place. Store the tool kit back
in its place.
20.Unclip the hook from the trunk lid and lower the trunk floor.
21.Store the center cap and spacer basket in the trunk. Make sure the
center cap will not get scratched
or damaged.
22.Close the trunk lid. If Your Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying tostart. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Your car has the ImmobilizerSystem. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 78).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer system indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park or Neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack and tools
securely before driving.
Page 325 of 333

Index
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 256
Brake Lights............................... 256
Ceiling Lights............................. 259
Courtesy Lights......................... 259
Fog Lights.................................. 253
Front Side Marker Lights......... 255
Headlights.................................. 252
High-mount Brake Light.......... 257
License Plate Lights.................. 258
Specifications............................. 303
Trunk Light................................ 260
Tum Signal Lights..................... 255
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 252
Cancel Button................................... 75
Capacities Chart............................. 302
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying, Cargo............................. 176
Cassette Player
Care............................................. 156
Operation............................ 141, 153
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer................... 144, 157, 159
Ceiling Lights................................. 118
Certification Label......................... 300
Chains............................................. 249
Changing Oil
How to......................................... 219
When to....................................... 208
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 273
Changing Engine Coolant............. 223
Charging System Indicator.... 54, 287
Checklist, Before Driving............. 180
Child Safety...................................... 20
Child Seats........................................ 24
Tether Anchorage Point............. 39
Childproof Door Locks................... 85
Cigarette Lighter........................... 116
Cleaner. Air.................................... 231
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 265
Carpeting.................................... 266
Exterior....................................... 264
Fabric.......................................... 266
Interior........................................ 266
Leather........................................ 266
Seat Belts.................................... 266
Vinyl............................................ 266
Windows..................................... 267
Wood Trim................................. 267
Climate Control System................ 122
Clock, Setting the.......................... 109
Code, Audio System...................... 164
CO in the Exhaust......................... 308
Coin Box......................................... 113
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 181
Compact Spare............................... 272
Console Compartment.................. 113
Consumer Information*................ 314
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51Coolant Adding......................................... 221
Checking..................................... 172
Proper Solution.......................... 221
Replacing.................................... 223
Temperature Gauge.................... 60
CoiTosion Protection..................... 269 Courtesy Lights............................. 119
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 308
Cruise Control Operation............... 73
Customer Relations Office........... 314
Page 326 of 333

Index
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 65
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 317
Defogger, Rear Window................. 71
Defrosting the Windows.......128,
132
Differential
Oil............................... 229
Dimensions..................................... 302
Dimming the Headlights................ 63
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 228
Engine Oil................................... 171
Directional Signals........................... 66
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 187
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 220
Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 81
Lockout Prevention..................... 82
Monitor Light............................... 57
Power Door Locks....................... 81
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 304
Drive Belts...................................... 242
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 179
Economy..................................... 173
In Bad Weather.......................... 194
In Foreign Countries................. 307
Driving Position Memory
System......................................... 101
Economy, Fuel............................... 173
Emergencies on the Road............. 271 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 280
Brake System Indicator............ 289Changing a Flat Tire................. 273
Charging System Indicator...... 286
Checking the Fuses................... 292
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 285
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 287
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 290
Overheated Engine................... 283
Emergency Brake.......................... 109
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 296
Emissions Controls........................ 308
Emissions Testing,State............... 311 Engine
Belts............................................. 242
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 60
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 287
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 54, 285
Oil. What Kind to Use............... 217
Overheating................................ 283
Specifications............................. 303
Speed Limiter............................. 184
Starting........................................ 181
Engine Speed Limiter.................... 184
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 306
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 308
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System......................................... 309
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by.........................................18
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 264
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 266
CONTINUED
Page 327 of 333

Index
Fan, Interior.......................... 126, 131
Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 121
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 169
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 231
Air Conditioning........................ 242
Oil................................................ 219
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 273
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 228
Brake........................................... 229
Differential................................. 229
Power Steering........................... 230
Windshield Washer................... 227
FM Stereo Radio
Reception........................... 137, 147
Fog Lights......................................... 67
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 307
Four-way Flashers...........................
70
Front
Airbags.............................. 9,
43
Fuel..................................................
168
Fill Door and Cap....................... 169
Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 168
Oxygenated................................ 306
Reserve Indicator......................... 57
Tank, Filling the......................... 169
Fuel Mileage, Improving............... 173
Fuses, Checking the...................... 292
Gasohol........................................... 306
Gasoline.......................................... 168
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57
Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 168
Tank, Filling the......................... 169
Gas Station Procedures................. 169
Gauges.............................................. 58
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 60
Fuel................................................ 60
Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer.................................. 58
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)........................................ 197
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 182
Glass Cleaning............................... 268
Glove Box......................................... 88
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)........................................ 197
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 252
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 70
Headlights Automatic Lighting..................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............. 65
High Beam Indicator................... 57Lights On Indicator..................... 55
Reminder Chime.......................... 63
Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 252
Turning on.................................... 63
Head Restraints............................... 96
Heating and Cooling...................... 122
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 181
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 63
High-mount Brake Light............... 257
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 89
Hood Latch..................................... 231
Hood, Opening the........................ 170
Horn................................................... 62
Hydroplaning.................................. 195
Page 328 of 333

Index
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 300
Ignition
Keys............................................... 77
Switch............................................ 80
Timing Control System............. 309
Immobilizer System......................... 78
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicators, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53
Infant Restraint................................ 28
Infant Seats....................................... 28
Tether Anchorage Points........... 39
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 243
Inside Mirror.................................... 99
Inspection. Tire.............................. 245
Instrument Panel............................. 53
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 66
Interior Cleaning............................ 267
Introduction......................................... i
Jacking up the Car......................... 274
Jack, Tire........................................ 274
Jump Starting................................. 280
Keys................................................... 77
Label, Certification........................ 300Lane Change. Signaling.................. 66
Lap/Shoulder Belt........................... 40
Learning Key.................................... 78
Leather, Cleaning.......................... 266
Lights On Indicator......................... 55
Lighter, Cigarette.......................... 116
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 252
Ceiling......................................... 118
Courtesy...................................... 119
Indicator........................................ 53
Parking.......................................... 63
Turn Signal................................... 66
Load Limit...................................... 177
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 80
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 80 Childproof Door........................... 85
Fuel Fill Door............................. 169 Glove Box..................................... 88
Power Door.................................. 81
Trunk............................................ 86
Trunk Pass-through Cover......... 98
Low Coolant Level......................... 172
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 57
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 54, 285 Lubricant Specifications Chart........................................... 302
Luggage.......................................... 176
Maintenance................................... 203
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 215
Record................................. 213 - 214
Required Indicator....................... 61 Safety........................................... 204
Schedule.............................. 208 - 212
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 55, 287
Memory, Driving Position............ 101
Meters, Gauges................................ 58
CONTINUED