Acura RL 2002 3.5 Owner's Manual

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Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or
‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable f or most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed f or
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
perf ormance in winter driving.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Wheels:
Tires:
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure you use an identical style
aluminum alloy wheel that originally
came on your Acura. Replacement
wheels are available at your Acura
dealer. The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the car.
Tire size and construction can af f ect
wheel speed and may cause the
system to work inconsistently.314 Winter Driving
Wheels and T ires
Tires
Maint enance258
16x7JJ
P225/55R16 94V
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If you mount snow tires on your
Acura, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
areclear.Checkwiththetiredealer
f or maximum speed recommen-
dations.Because your Acura has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices on the
front tires. Use traction devices only
when required by driving conditions
or local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires.
Metal link-type ‘‘chains’’ should not
be used. No matter how tight they
seem to be installed, they can come
into contact with the body and
suspension, causing serious damage.When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with them installed. If
youhearthemcomingincontact
with the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Make sure the cables are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Snow T ires
T ire Chains
Tires
Maint enance259
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your car’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the car.
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Check the operation of your car’s
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsaf e condition by reducing your
car’s visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Lights
Maint enance260
F FRRO ON NTT F
FOOG G L
LIIGGH HT
T L
LO
OW W B
BEEA
A M
M H
HE
EA
A D
DL
LIIGGH HT
T
T
T U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
L//
P
P A
A R
RKKIINNG G L
LIIGGH HT
T S
SI
IDD E
E M
M A
AR
RKKEER
R L
LIIGGH HT
T
H
H
I
IGGH H B
BEEA
A M
M H
HE
EA
A D
DL
LIIGGH HT
T
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Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Fog lights
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate light
Side marker lights
High-mount brake light
Daytime running lights (Canadian
models)
If youfindanybulbsareburnedout,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determinewhattypeof replacement
bulb is needed. 313
Lights
Maint enance261
H H
I
IGGH H-
-M
M O
OUUNNTT B
BRRAA K
KEE L
LIIGGH HT
T
B
BA A C
CKK--U
UP P L
LIIGGH HT
T
L
LI
ICCE EN
NS SEE P
PL
LAA T
TE
E
L
LI IGGH HT
TS
S
S
STTO
OP P/
/T
T A
A I
ILL L
LIIGGH HT
TS
S
T
T
U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
L L
LIIGGH HT
T
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Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.Open the hood.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
cartoyourdealertohaveitreplaced. Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by
an Acura technician or other
qualif ied mechanic. 1.
2.
3.
Lights
Maint enance
Headlight A iming
Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
262
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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à
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the bulb is right side
up and the nubs on the bulb base
f it in the indentations in the
headlight assembly. Pivot the hold-
down wire back in place and clip
the end into the slot. Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘ .’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Your car uses halogen fog light
bulbs. See page f or inf ormation
on replacing a halogen bulb.
4.
5. 6.
7.
262
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
263
W WE
EA
A T
TH
H E
ER
R S
SEEA
A L
L
C
CO ON NNNEEC
CT TO
OR R H
HO
OL LDD -
-D
D O
OW WN N W
WIIRRE E
B
BU
UL LBB
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à
Put the light assembly into the
bumper. Tighten the mounting
bolt. Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Turn on the f ront
f og lights to test the new bulb. Install the rubber seal over the
back of the f og light assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘ .’’
Use a wrench to loosen the light
assembly’s mounting bolt.
Remove the light assembly f rom
the bumper.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot the wire
out of the way and remove the
bulb.Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the bulb is right side
up and the nubs on the bulb base
f it in the indentations in the f og
light assembly. Pivot the hold-
down wire back in place and clip
the end into the slot.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance264
W WE
EA
A T
TH
H E
ER
R S
SEEA
A L
L
B
BO OL LTT
C
CO
ON NNNEEC
CT TO
OR R
B
BUUL LBB
H
H
O
OL LDD -
-D
D O
OW WN N W
WIIRRE E
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To remove the f ront turn signal/
parking light bulb, push it in
slightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the
side marker bulb, pull it straight
out of its socket.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Pull the inner f ender cover back.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left. Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
placebypushingonthecenter. Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
1. 2. 3.
4.5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
265
H H
O
OL LDD I
INNG G C
CLLIIPP
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Open the trunk.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Undo the f astener on the side of
the trunk lining by pushing on the
center of the f astener’s head until
it pops in. Pull the lining back. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillights, back-
up light, or turn signal.Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
1.
3. 2.4.
5.
6.
7.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance266
F FA
A S
STTE
EN
NE ER
R
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Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
Reset the f astener by pushing on
the pointed end until it pops back
almost f lush with the f ingers on
the housing.
Put the f astener in the hole in the
side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is f lush with the head). Reinstall the socket. Turn it
clockwise until it locks.
Install the new bulb in the socket. Remove the bulb by pushing it in
slightly and turning it counter-
clockwise. Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
1.
2.
8.
9. 3.
4.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance267
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