power steering Acura RL 2004 3.5 Owner's Manual

Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page ).
Two f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision. Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ). Emergency backup power in case
your car’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is ON (II). If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the sensors
will detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the
control unit will instantly inf late the
f ront airbags.
51
45
CONT INUED
SRS Components How Your Front A irbags Work
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
47

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

Your Acura is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brakewearindicators.Theymakea
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’ Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving223

If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .240
.
Important Safety Precautions . 241
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 242
...
Required Maintenance Record . 249
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 251
..............................
Fluid Locations .252
......................................
Engine Oil .253
..................................
Adding Oil .253
....................
Recommended Oil .253
..............................
Synthetic Oil .254
....................................
Additives .254
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 255
.............................
Cooling System .257
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 257
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 259
....................
Windshield Washers .263
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 264
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .265
....................................
Brake Fluid .266
............................
Brake System .266
..............................
Power Steering .266
....................................
Hood Latch .267
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
....................................
Spark Plugs .269
..............................
Replacement .269
............................
Specif ications .272 ...........................................
Battery .272
.................................
Wiper Blades .275
..............
Air Conditioning System . 277
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
.....................................
Drive Belts .278
....................................
Timing Belt .279
...............................................
Tires .279
......................................
Inf lation .279
..................................
Inspection .281
..............................
Maintenance .282
.............................
Tire Rotation .282
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 283
......................
Wheels and Tires .284
..........................
Winter Driving .284
.............................
Snow Tires .285
............................
Tire Chains .285
.............................................
Lights .286
........................
Replacing Bulbs .288
...........................
Storing Your Car .297
355
Maintenance
Maint enance239

Fluid Locations
Maint enance250
RADIATOR CAPENGINE OIL
FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir at least
once a year. Check the level when
the engine is cold. Look at the side
of the reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Brake System
Power Steering
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid, Power Steering
266
MAX MIN UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL

The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.
CONT INUED
A ir Cleaner Element
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Power Steering, Hood L atch, A ir Cleaner Element
Cleaning (Severe Condit ions)
267
PIVOTS
LATCH
ASSEMBLY
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

µµ
µµ µµ
The belts should have the f ollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection.
Alternator belt:
Check the condition of the three
drive belts. Examine the edges of
each belt f or cracks or f raying.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushingonitwithyourthumb
midway between the pulleys. If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts. Power steering belt: Compressor belt:
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the climate
control system.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under nor-
mal conditions. It should be replaced
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) if you
drive primarily in urban areas that
have high concentrations of soot in
the air f rom industry and diesel-pow-
ered vehicles. Replace it more of ten
if air f low f rom the climate control
system becomes less than usual.
Have dust and pollen f ilter replaced
by your Acura dealer. Drive Belts
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance
Dust and Pollen Filter, Drive Belts
278
ALTERNATOR BELT
COMPRESSOR BELT
POWER STEERING
BELT
0.37 0.45 in (9.5 11.5 mm)
0.41 0.49 in (10.5 12.5 mm) 0.31 0.43 in (8.0 11.0 mm)

µ
No. Amps.No. Amps. Circuits Protected
Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 20 A
10 A
20 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
10 A
10 A
20 A
30 A
30 A 16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
20 A
20 A
15 A
7.5 A 20 A
30 A
50 A
40 A
40 A
120 A 40 A
40 A
50 A Front Fog Light
ETS (Electrical Tilt/
Telescope Steering)
Meter
Back-up, Radio
Interior Lights
Wiper Motor
Ignition Switch
Power Window
Heater Motor
Battery
VSA Motor
Rear Window Defogger
Fuse box
Not Used
Brake, Horn
Hazard
Driver Power Window
TCS
VSA
Power Door Lock
Right Headlight Low
Left Headlight Low
Cooling Fan
Lef t Headlight High
Right Headlight High
Condenser Fan
Moonroof
Front Passenger’s Power
Seat
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed330
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the
vehicle f or towing as described
above, and leave the ignition switch
in Accessory (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure the
radio and any items plugged into the
accessory power socket are turned
of f so they do not run down the
battery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed333
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.