Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

2005 RL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents


Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .57
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Features ........................................................................\
................................................................... .161
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................247
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................261
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................289
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................335
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .363
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................377
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................381
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

This owner’s manual should be
considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the
vehicle when it is sold.
The inf ormation and specif ications
included in this publication were in
effect at the time of approval for
printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specif ications
or design at any time without notice
and without incurring any obligation
whatsoever. This Owner’s Manual covers all
models of the Acura RL. You may
f ind descriptions of equipment and
features that are not on your
particular model.
Owner’s Identif ication
OWNER
ADDRESS
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAMEDEALER NO.
ADDRESS
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE

Congratulations on your selection of the 2005 Acura RL. We are certain you
will be pleased with your purchase of one of the f inest luxury vehicles in the
world.Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains
or emits chemicals known to the
State of Calif ornia to cause cancer
and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with one or
more recording devices commonly
ref erred to as event data recorders
or sensing and diagnostic modules.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your dealer’s staf f
is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your vehicle.
Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns. As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
on the vehicle.preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. These signal words mean:
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety L abels
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

Î
Î
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
AUDIO SYSTEM
POWER DOOR
LOCK MASTER
SWITCH INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS
ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKETS
HOOD RELEASE LEVER
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P.124)
(P.116) (P.145)
(P.117)
(P.60)
AIRBAGS
MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
(P.122)
(P.11, 24)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.251)
TRUNK RELEASE
BUTTON
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
BUTTON
POWER REAR (P.217)
(P.204)
MOONROOF SWITCH (P.148)
SUNSHADE BUTTON(P. 158)
(P.120) (P.
265 )
(P. 156 )
(P.171)
(P.
162 )
TILT BUTTON HomeLink BUTTONS
OnStar BUTTONS
(P.249)
REAR HEAD RESTRAINT 1: CEILING CONSOLE
INTERFACE DIAL
(P.163, 171,208)
1

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2:
3:
Canadian models only
Ref er to the Navigation System Owner’s Manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
5
MIRROR CONTROLS INSTRUMENT
PANEL BRIGHTNESS
STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS
(P.104)
(P.109)
(P.102)
HANDSFREELINK
BUTTONS HORN
(P.282)
(P.231)
(P.108)
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNAL/FOG
LIGHTS
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM OFF SWITCH
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING
SYSTEM (AFS) OFF SWITCH PADDLE SHIFTERS
(P.267)
(P.111) (P.198)
(P.123)
VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONSHEATED MIRROR
BUTTON
(P.
123 )
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
WINDSHIELD
WIPER/WASHER
MULTI INFORMATION BUTTONS (P.69) (P.109)
(P.33)
(P.201)
(P.143)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P.142) / SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
SEAT HEATER AND
SEAT VENTILATION
BUTTONS
(P.110) /
TM
3 2

6

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This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features . 9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors . 13
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats . 14
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 15
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 16
5. Fasten and Position the Seat .....................................
Belts .17
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .18
.........
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
.......
Additional Safety Precautions . 20Additional Inf ormation About
.......................
Your Seat Belts .21
..
Seat Belt System Components . 21
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .21
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .22
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 23
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .24
......
Airbag System Components . 24
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .27
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 30
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .32
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 32
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .33
How the Passenger Airbag ...............
Of f Indicator Works . 33
.............................
Airbag Service .34
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 35
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .36
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .36 All Children Should Sit in a
.................................
Back Seat .37
The Passenger’s Front Airbag .........
Can Pose Serious Risks . 37
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .39
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .39
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 40
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .41
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .41
.........
Protecting Small Children . 42
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .43
....................
Installing a Child Seat .44
...............................
With LATCH .45
..........................
With a Seat Belt .47
..............................
With a Tether .49
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 50
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit . 50
..................
Using a Booster Seat . 51
When Can a Larger Child Sit in .........................................
Front .52
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 53
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
...................................
Saf ety Labels .55
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7

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You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passengers
always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly (see page ).
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. Infants and small children
should be restrained in a child seat.
Larger children should use a booster
and a lap/shoulder belt until they
canusethebeltproperlywithouta
booster (see pages ). While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
17
50 53 298
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat BeltControl Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Restrain All Children Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Don’t Drink and Drive
8

Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some f eatures do not require any
action on your part. These include a
strong steel f ramework that f orms a
saf ety cage around the passenger
compartment; front and rear crush
zones; a collapsible steering column;
and tensioners that tighten the f ront
seat belts in a crash.
However, you and your passengers
can’t take f ull advantage of these
f eatures unless you remain sitting in
a proper position and. In fact, some safety
f eatures can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
The f ollowing pages explain how you
cantakeanactiveroleinprotecting
yourself and your passengers.
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
always wear
your seat belt s
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
9
(1)
(2)
(2) (4)
(5) (7)
(7)
(11)
(9)
(6)
(8)
(3)
(6)
(10)
(8)
(9)
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats and Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Side Airbags
(9) Side Curtain Airbags
(10) Door Locks
(11) Front Seat Belt Tensioners