sensor 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

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

This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade in
Canadian models.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace. The temperature sensor is located in
the f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road sur-
f ace, engine heat, and the exhaust
f rom the surrounding traf f ic. This
can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h).This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show
slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper red mark. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system. The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
319 Fuel Gauge
Temperature Gauge
Outside Temperature Indicator
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols65
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

The automatic lighting f eature is
controlledbyasensorlocatedontop
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle f or an extended period (a
weekormore).Youshouldalsoturn
of f the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or the engine of f f or a
long time. This will prevent the
battery f rom discharging.
Daytime Running L ights
(Canadian Models)
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols70
LIGHT
SENSOR

Adjust the outside mirrors with the
adjustment button on the driver’s
door armrest:Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving.
The inside mirror can automatically
darken to reduce glare. To turn on
this feature, press the button on the
bottom of the mirror. The AUTO
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When it is on, the mirror darkens
when it senses the headlights of a
vehicle behind you, then returns to
normal visibility when the lights are
gone. Press the button again to turn
of f this sensor.1.
2. Adjusting the Power Mirrors
Mirrors
Inst rument s and Cont rols96
SELECTOR SWITCH
SENSOR
INDICATOR
AUTO BUTTON

The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes. In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
Because of the sensors f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back. To use the ski sleeve:
Pull down the rear seat armrest.
Open the trunk pass-through
cover by sliding the knob down-
ward and pulling on the cover.
The ski sleeve allows you to carry
skis or other long objects saf ely
without soiling or damaging the
interior of your car. It attaches to the
trunk pass-through.
1.
CONT INUED
Ski Sleeve
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Heaters, Ski Sleeve
101
KNOB
LID

...............
Climate Control System . 120
.......
Fully-automatic Operation . 122
.......
Semi-automatic Operation . 123
.......
Fully-automatic Operation . 127
.......
Semi-automatic Operation . 128
........................
Rear Ventilation .132
Sunlight Sensor/ ............
Temperature Sensor . 133
................................
Audio System .134
AM/FM/Cassette/CD Changer ........................
Audio System .134
.................
Operating the Radio . 135
.................
Adjusting the Sound . 138
............
Audio System Lighting . 138
Operating the Cassette .....................................
Player .139
............
Tape Search Functions . 140
.....
Operating the CD Changer . 143
CD Changer Error .............................
Indications .150 AM/FM/Cassette/CD Changer/
Satellite Digital Radio Audio ................................
System .151
.................
Operating the Radio . 152
.................
Adjusting the Sound . 155
............
Audio System Lighting . 155
....................
Radio Frequencies . 156
........................
Radio Reception .156
..............................
Digital Clock .158
Operating the Cassette .....................................
Player .159
............
Tape Search Functions . 160
Caring f or the Cassette .....................................
Player .163
.....
Operating the CD Changer . 164
.......
Protecting Compact Discs . 171
CD Changer Error .............................
Indications .172
...............
Satellite Digital Radio . 173
.........
Operating Satellite Radio . 174
Receiving Satellite Radio ....................................
Service .177
...........
Remote Audio Controls . 178
.......................
Thef t Protection .180
............................
Security System .181 ...............................
Cruise Control .182
HomeLink Universal ...........................
Transceiver .186
...............
Customer Assistance . 186
.
Important Safety Precautions . 186
..................
Training HomeLink . 187
Training with a Rolling Code ....................................
System .189
...........................
Erasing Codes .191
............................................
OnStar .192
3.5 RL without Navigation System
U.S. 3.5 RL with Navigation System
3.5 RL without Navigation System U.S. 3.5 RL with Navigation System
Comf ort and Convenience Features
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures119

Theclimatecontrolsystemhastwo
sensors. A sunlight sensor is located
in the top of the dashboard and a
temperature sensor is next to the
steering column. Do not cover the
sensors or spill any liquid on them. Sunlight Sensor/T emperature
Sensor
Climat e Cont rol Syst em
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures133
SUNLIGHT SENSORTEMPERATURE SENSOR

Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body.
Check the f loor coverings f or
dampness. Carpeting and f loor
mats may remain damp f or a long
time, especially in winter. This
dampness can eventually cause
the f loor panels to corrode.
Two f actors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your car:
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Acura. You can
help keep your car f rom corroding
by perf orming some simple periodic
maintenance: Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is
especially important in areas that
useroadsaltinwinter.Itisalsoa
good idea in humid climates and
areas subject to salt air. Be careful
of the ABS wheel sensors and
wiring at each wheel.
Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.
Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirtandroadsaltthatcollectsin
hollows on the underside of the
vehicle stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
Removal of paint and protective
coatings f rom the exterior and
underside of the vehicle.
1.
2.
Corrosion Prot ect ion
Appearance Care305