Acura RL 2002 3.5 Workshop Manual

Your f ront and side airbag systems
are virtually maintenance-f ree, and
there are no parts you can saf ely
service. However, you must have
your car serviced if :Any
airbag that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Do
not try to remove or replace any
airbag by yourself . This must be
done by an Acura dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop. Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury. See page f or f urther inf ormation
and precautions relating to your
airbags.Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision.
If rain or spilled water
soaks into a seat-back, it can
prevent the side airbag system
f rom working properly.
Take your car to an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inf late when you need them. 185
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Airbag Service
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Your airbags ever inf late.Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason. Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing anAcura dealer.
Do not expose t he f ront seat -backs to water.
T he SRS indicat or light alert s you t o a problem.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety48
01/09/28 19:32:49 31SZ3660_051

High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as f ollows:
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Set the f an speed to high.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the climate control system as
shown below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety49
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
01/09/28 19:32:59 31SZ3660_052

Î
These labels are in the locations
shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious
injury. Read these labels caref ully.
If a label comes of f or becomes hard
to read, contact your Acura dealer
f or a replacement.
U.S. models onlyU.S. models Canadian models
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Saf ety L abels
50
RADIATOR CAP
SUN VISOR
HOOD DASHBOARD The U.S. car model
01/09/28 19:33:16 31SZ3660_053

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute 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 Def ogger .71
....
Steering Wheel Adjustments .71
...............................
Keys and Locks .74
..............................................
Keys .74
....................
Immobilizer System .75
............................
Ignition Switch .77
......................
Power Door Locks .78
...................
Remote Transmitter .79
..............
Childproof Door Locks .82
...........................................
Trunk .83
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .84
....................................
Glove Box .85
............................
Seat Adjustments .86
.........
Driver’s Seat Adjustments .86
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support .88 Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .88
..........................
Head Restraints .88
............................................
Armrest .89
.............................................
Mirrors .91
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors .91
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .93
....................................
Seat Heaters .95
.........................................
Ski Sleeve .96
..............................
Power Windows .98
.......................................
Moonroof .100
...............................
Parking Brake .102
..................................
Digital Clock .102
........................
Sunglasses Holder .104
...........................
Beverage Holder .105
.................
Console Compartment .106
........................................
Coin Box .106
........................................
Sun Visor .107
................................
Vanity Mirror .107
.............
Accessory Power Socket .108
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .109
.........................................
Ashtrays .110
................................
Ceiling Lights .111
............................
Courtesy Lights .112
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols51
01/09/28 19:33:22 31SZ3660_054

Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols52
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01/09/28 19:33:28 31SZ3660_055

Î
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ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols53
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01/09/28 19:33:36 31SZ3660_056

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .This light has two f unctions:
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition. This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt. The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car. This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit af ter
you have fully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page .
1.
2.
295
296
299
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorParking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
54
U.S. Canada
01/09/28 19:33:49 31SZ3660_057

This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
See page .This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system
or automatic seat belt tensioners.
For complete inf ormation, see page
.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page .
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. If you turn the
ignition switch to ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0) without turning of f the
light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door.
This indicator will also come on
when the light switch is in AUTO
and the lights turn on automatically.
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control. 45
47
75
297
158 Immobilizer System
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Side A irbag Indicator
Lights On Indicator
(U.S. models only)
Cruise Control Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols55
01/09/28 19:34:05 31SZ3660_058

This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
cartoyourdealertohaveitchecked.
With the light on, your car still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned of f the Vehicle
Stability Assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
If this light comes on and stays on at
any other time, or it does not come
on when you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), there is a problem with the
VSA system. Take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. Without
VSA, your car still has normal
driving ability, but will not have VSA
traction and stability enhancement.
See page f or more inf ormation
on the VSA system. This indicator has three f unctions:
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). See page
f or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
1.
2.
3.
201
201 199
201
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator
56
U.S. Canada
01/09/28 19:34:18 31SZ3660_059

This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page f or
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
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.
The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn 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. 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
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition
switch ON (II). 63
65
260
Canadian models only
High Beam Indicator
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Low Fuel Indicator
Door and Brake L amp Monitor
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
BRAKE LAMP
01/09/28 19:34:32 31SZ3660_060