Acura RL 2004 3.5 Workshop Manual

The total time for inflation and
def lation is approximately one-tenth
of a second, so f ast that most
occupants are not aware that the
airbags deployed until they see them
lying in their laps.
Since both airbags use the same
sensors, both airbags normally
inf late at the same time. However, it
is possible f or only one airbag to
inf late.
This can occur when the severity of
a collision is at the margin, or
threshold, that determines whether
or not the airbags will deploy. In
such cases, the seat belt will provide
suf f icient protection, and the
supplemental protection of f ered by
the airbag would be minimal.
Af ter inf lating, the f ront airbags
immediately def late, so they won’t
interf ere with the driver’s visibility,
or the ability to steer or operate
other controls.
During a f rontal crash, your seat
belts help restrain your lower body
and torso. Your airbag provides a
cushion to help restrain and protect
your head and chest.
After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder f rom the airbag’s surf ace.
Although the powder is not harmf ul,
people with respiratory problems
mayexperiencesometemporary
discomf ort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is saf e to do
so.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
48

To get the best protection f rom the
side airbags, front seat occupants
should wear their seat belts and sit
upright and well back in their seats.
Your car is equipped with side
airbags f or the driver and a f ront
seat passenger. The airbags are
stored in the outer edges of the f ront
seat-backs, and both are marked
‘‘SIDE AIRBAG.’’
If you ever have a moderate to
severe side impact, the sensors will
detect rapid deceleration and signal
the control unit to instantly inf late
either the driver’s or the passenger’s
side airbag.
Only one airbag will deploy during a
side impact. If the impact is on the
passenger’s side, the passenger’s
side airbag will deploy even if there
is no passenger.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
How Your Side A irbags Work
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
49

If the light comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you
should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
If the light stays on after the
engine starts.
If the light comes on or f lashes on
andoff whileyoudrive.
Thepurposeof theSRS
indicator light is to alert
you to a potential problem with your
f ront airbags. This light will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your automatic seat belt tensioners
(page );oryoursideairbagsor
passenger’s side airbag automatic
cutof f system (page ).
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
this indicator will light brief ly then
go out. This tells you that the system
is working properly. If you see any of these indications,
your f ront or side airbags may not
deploy, your passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system may not
work properly, or your seat belt
tensioners may not work when you
need them. See your Acura dealer as
soon as possible.
45
49
How the SRS Indicator L ight
Works
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
50
Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags, cutoff
system, or tensioners do not
work properly.
Have your car checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a
potential problem.

This light alerts you that
the passenger’s side airbag
has been automatically shut off. A f ront seat passenger should not
use a cushion or other object as a
backrest. It may prevent the cutof f
system f rom working properly.
If a small-statured adult leans
sideways, or larger adult slouches
and leans sideways into the
deployment path of the side airbag,
the system may also shut of f the side
airbag.
If the side airbag cutof f indicator
light comes on, you should have the
passenger sit upright. Once the
passenger is out of the deployment
path of the side airbag, the system
will turn the airbag back on and the
light will go out. When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the indicator should light
brief ly and go out (see page ). If it
doesn’t light, stays on, or comes on
while driving without a passenger in
the front seat, have the system
checked.
Although Acura does not encourage
children to ride in the f ront seat, this
system is designed to shut of f the
side airbag if a child leans sideways
and the child’s head is in the side
airbag deployment path. It does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags. It means that
thesideairbagcutoff systemhas
activated to prevent the side airbag
f rom deploying.
To reduce the risk of injury f rom an
inf lating side airbag, your car has an
automatic cutoff system for the
passenger’s side airbag. 59
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
Indicator L ight Works
51

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. 211
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 ety52

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.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.
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the vehicle in normal
driving if you maintain your car
properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the under-
side. If you must sit in your parked vehicle,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as f ollows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety53
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.

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
54
RADIATOR CAP
SUN VISOR
HOOD DASHBOARD The U.S. car model

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 .56
...............................
Indicator Lights .57
.............................................
Gauges .63
...............................
Speedometer .63
.................................
Tachometer .63
.....................................
Odometer .64
...................................
Trip Meter .64
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .65
...................
Temperature Gauge . 65
..................................
Fuel Gauge .65
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .66 Controls Near the Steering
.......................................
Wheel .67
...................................
Headlights .68
....................
Automatic Lighting .69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
................................
Turn Signals .71
...................................
Fog Lights .72
.....................
Windshield Wipers .73
..................
Windshield Washers . 75
..........................
Hazard Warning .75
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 76
....
Steering Wheel Adjustments . 76
...............................
Keys and Locks .79
..............................................
Keys .79
....................
Immobilizer System . 80
............................
Ignition Switch .82
......................
Power Door Locks .83
...................
Remote Transmitter . 84
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 87
...........................................
Trunk .88
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
....................................
Glove Box .90
............................
Seat Adjustments .91
.........
Driver’s Seat Adjustments . 91
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 93Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .93
..........................
Head Restraints .94
......................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
.............................................
Mirrors .96
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 96
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .98
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
.......................................
Ski Sleeve .101
............................
Power Windows .103
.......................................
Moonroof .105
...............................
Parking Brake .107
..................................
Digital Clock .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
...........................
Beverage Holder .110
.................
Console Compartment . 111
........................................
Coin Box .111
........................................
Sun Visor .112
................................
Vanity Mirror .112
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 113
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .114
.........................................
Ashtrays .115
................................
Ceiling Lights .116
............................
Courtesy Lights .117
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols55

Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols56
TRUNK RELEASE
BUTTONHOOD RELEASE HANDLE AUDIO SYSTEMCLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HANDLE MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 96)
(P. 83)
(P. 98)
(P. 103)
(P. 88)
(P. 205)
(P.206) (P.
120)
(P. 134, 151)

Î
Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
57
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT
(P.59)
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR
LAMP
BRAKE LAMP INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
CRUISE
CONTROL
INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATORANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
DOOR AND TRUNK
OPEN MONITOR
(P.66)
(P.62)
(P. 59) (P.61)(P.59)
(P.59) (P.60)
(P.60)
(P. 60)
(P. 59)
(P. 58)
(P.61)
(P.62)
(P.59,
323)
(P.58, 325)
(P.58, 321)
(P.58,322)