Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA), in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or Acura Automobile Division,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Saf ety Hotline toll-f ree
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain
other inf ormation about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
380

µ
Î
Î
Î
Î





*
T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order in any of three ways:
Detach and mail the order f orm on the right half of this page
Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.
(credit card orders only)
Valid only f or sales within the United States. Canadian owners should contact their authorized Acura dealer.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
381
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Publication
Form Number 61SJA00
61SJA00EL 61SJA30
31SJA600
31SJA700
31SJAM00
31SJAQ00 ACU-R Form Description
2005 Acura RL
Service Manual Base Book 2005 Acura RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2005 Acura RL
Body Repair Manual
2005 Acura RL Owner’s Manual
2005 Acura RL Navigation Manual 2005 Acura RL
Maintenance Journal
2005 Acura RL Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired Price
Each
$77.00
$47.00
$44.00
$42.00
$29.00
$12.00
$12.00 FREE
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL HANDLING CHARGE Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax TOTAL MATERIAL
$6.95
Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation.
www. helminc. com

µµ
µ
(


%
)
$
%

.
"

#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
382
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

....................................
Accessories .255
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch .....................................
Position) .115
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 156
.....................................
Acura Link .208
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .107
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 305
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 25
............................
Air Conditioning .162
.........................................
Usage .163
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .326
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .248
......................................
Antif reeze .308
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 275
...................................
Operation .275
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 199
Anti-thef t Steering Column ............................................
Lock .115
.........................................
Ashtrays .157
................................
Audio System .171
Auto Control Mode, Starting ........................................
Engine .263 .......................
Automatic Lighting .105
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 201
..............
Automatic Transmission . 265
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .366
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 310
.......................................
Shif ting .265
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .265
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 265
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 270
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 348
............................
Jump Starting .343
..............................
Maintenance .331
..........................................
Cover .322
............................
Specif ications .367
..............................
Bef ore Driving .247
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 21
.........................
Beverage Holders .154
..................................
Booster Seats .51 Brakes
Anti-lock Brake ........................
System (ABS) .275
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 248
...........................................
Fluid .311
.......................................
Parking .151
.................
System Indicator . 61,350
........................
Wear Indicators .274
.............................
Braking System .274
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 248
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .109
......................
Brights, Headlights .104
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .320
.......................
Front Fog Lights .318
...............
Front Position Lights . 317
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 317
.................................
Headlights .314
............................
Specif ications .367
............
Turn Signal Lights . 316,320
.....................................
Built-in-key .128
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .314
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

............................
Capacities Chart .366
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .257
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .196
.......................
CD Error Message .197
...................................
CD Changer .187
................................
Ceiling Lights .160
........................
Certif ication Label .364
.................................
Chains, Tires .329
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .337
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .306
......................................
When to .291
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,348
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 262
.....................................
Child Saf ety .36
..............................
Booster Seats .51
...................................
Child Seats .43
Important Saf ety ...............................
Reminders .36
..........................................
Inf ants .41
..........................
Larger Children .50
.........................................
LATCH .45 ......................
Risks with Airbags .37
.............................
Small Children .42
.........................................
Tethers .49
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 37
.......................................
Child Seats .42
.........................................
LATCH .45
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 49
................
Childproof Door Locks . 118
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts .321
...............
Climate Control System . 162
........................
CO in the Exhaust .371
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 263
......................
Compact Spare Tire .336
.................
Console Compartment . 155
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 378
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .308
....................................
Checking .253
.........................
Proper Solution .308
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .371
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 64
............
Cruise Control Operation . 201...................................
Cup Holders .154
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 378
.........................
Customize Settings .78
..................
Door/Window Setup . 94
.........
KEYLESS ACCESS Setup . 88
.............................
Lighting Setup .91
.................................
Meter Setup .82
..............................
Position Setup .85
........................
Setting to Def ault .80
.................................
Wiper Setup .99
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 58
..............
Daytime Running Lights . 106
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .64
.................................
Dead Battery .343
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 380
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window . 110
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 168
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .366
....................................
Dimensions .366
.............
Dimming the Headlights . 104
Index
D
C
II

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 310
..................................
Engine Oil .253
........................
Directional Signals .104
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 274
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .307
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking . 116
..................
Lockout Prevention . 116
.......................
Monitor Indicator .60
....................
Power Door Locks . 116
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 368
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .86
...........................................
Driving .261
....................................
Economy .254
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .124
..............................
Economy, Fuel .254
..................................
Emergencies .335
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 343
...........
Brake System Indicator . 350
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 337 .....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 354
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 109
............................
Jump Starting .343
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 348
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ................................
Manually .351
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.......................................
Towing .360
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .109
......................
Emergency Towing .360
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 118
.......................
Emissions Controls .371
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 374
Engine ............
Check Starting System . 264
...............
Compartment Covers . 304
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .341
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 349
.........................................
Oil lif e .291
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,348
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 305...............................
Overheating .345
............................
Specif ications .367
............................
Speed Limiter .270
.......................................
Starting .263
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 270
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .248
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 371
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .372
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.........................................
Features .161
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 249
Filters ...............................................
Oil .306
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 109
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 337
.....................................
Floor Mats .322
Index
E F
INDEX
III

ÎÎ
Fluids..........
Automatic Transmission . 310
..........................................
Brake .311
..........................
Power Steering .312
..................
Windshield Washer . 310
.....................................
Fog Lights .106
........................
Four-way Flashers .109
............................
Front Airbags .11, 27
......................................
Front Seat .119
....................................
Adjusting .119
.......................................
Heaters .142
...................................
Airbags .11, 27
...........................
Air Ventilation .143
.................................................
Fuel .248
.........................
Check Fuel Cap .250
......................
Fill Door and Cap .249
...........................................
Gauge .68
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
................
Octane Requirement . 248
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ................................
Manually .351
...............................
Oxygenated .248
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .249
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .354 ................
Gas Mileage Improving . 254
.........................................
Gasoline .248
...........................................
Gauge .68
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
................
Octane Requirement . 248
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .249
................
Gas Station Procedures . 249
.............................................
Gauges .68
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 68
...............................................
Fuel .68
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .284
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 265
......................................
Glove Box .153
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .284
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 314
........................
Hands Free Link .231
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 109Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting System ......................................
(AFS) .107
........................................
Aiming .314
..................
Automatic Lighting . 105
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 106
..................
High Beam Indicator . 64
....................
Lights On Indicator .62
..........
Low Beams, Turning on . 104
.......................
Reminder Chime .104
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 314
..........
High beams, Turning on . 104
...................................
Washer .102
............................
Head Restraints .120
...............................
Heated Mirror .123
...................................
Heater, Seat .142
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 264
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .204
.......................
Hood, Opening the .251
................................................
Horn .101
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 364
Index
G
H
I
IV
TM

CONT INUED
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 338
.......................................
Jack, Tire .337
................................
Jump Starting .343
................................................
Keys .113
................
Keyless Access System . 127...............
Keyless Access Remote . 128
...........
Keyless Memory Settings . 134
.......................
Label, Certif ication .364
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 104
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .21
........................
Lights On Indicator .62
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .314
.......................................
Indicator .59
......................................
Position .104
................................
Turn Signal .104
.....................................
Load Limit .283
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 115
Locks .....
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 115
........................
Childproof Door .118
............................
Fuel Fill Door .249
..................................
Glove Box .153
...............................
Power Door .116
.........................................
Trunk .117
......
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 121
........................
Low Coolant Level .253
Ignition
............................................
Keys .113
.........................................
Switch .115
............
Timing Control System . 372
......................
Immobilizer System .114
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........................................
Indicators .60
ABS (Anti-lock Brake ............................
System) .62, 275
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .61, 274
................
Charging System . 60,348
.............................
Cruise Control .64
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .64
...................................
High Beam .64
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 62
......................................
Low Fuel .64
................
Low Oil Pressure . 60,348
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .65, 277
.......................................
Message .66
......................................
SH-AWD .65
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .61
...............................................
SRS .61 Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .63
..
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) . 63
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .41
......................................
Inf ant Seats .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 49
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 325
.................................
Inside Mirror .122
.............................
Inspection, Tire .326
............................
Instrument Panel .59
......
Instrument Panel Brightness . 109
................
Interf ace Dial . 163,171,208
...............................
Interior Lights .160
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
J
K L
INDEX
V

..............................
Paddle Shif ters .267
............
Panel Brightness Control . 109
........................
Park Gear Position .266
...........................................
Parking .266
...............................
Parking Brake .151
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 61,350
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 373
.............................
PGM-FI System .372
........................
Power Door Locks .116
...............
Power Socket Locations . 156
............................
Power Windows .145
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .36
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,348
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 366
..........................
Luggage, Storing .257
..................................
Maintenance .289
................................
Main Items .299
........................................
Minder .291
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .298
.................................
Record .301-302
..........................................
Saf ety .290
.............................
Schedule .291-300
...................................
Sub Items .300
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,349
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 124
.............................
Message Display .76
..........................
Message Indicator .66
...............................
Meters, Gauges .68
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 248
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .122
.................................
Modif ications .255
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 256
................................
Moonroof .147-150 ................................................
MP 3 .193
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display . 69
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 248
.........................................
Odometer .70
...............................
Odometer, Trip .70
Oil ........................
Change, How to .306
......................
Change, When to .291
......................
Checking Engine .253
...............................
Lif e, Engine .291
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,348
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .305
.....
ON (Ignition Switch Position) . 115
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .371 ............................................
OnStar .217
............................
Outside Mirrors .123
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 71
....................
Overheating, Engine .345
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 298
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .248
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 266
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 248
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 364
Index
O P
M N
VI

ÎÎÎ
Î
CONT INUED
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .41
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 50
.........
Protecting Small Children . 42
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .49
.............................
Using LATCH .45
...................
Radiator Overheating . 345
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 171
...........................
Readiness Codes .349
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 320
..........................
Rear View Mirror .122
...............
Rear Window Def ogger . 110
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 119
.......................
Reminder Indicators .60
...........................................
Remote .128
Replacement Inf ormation ................
Engine Oil and Filter . 306
..........................................
Fuses .352
................................
Light Bulbs .314
....................................
Schedule .291
...........................................
Tires .325
.............................
Wiper Blades .323 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .23
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 253
...............................
Restraint, Child .36
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 266
......................................
Roof Rack .259
................................
Rotation, Tire .327
................................
Saf ety Belts .10, 21
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 380
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 55
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
...................
Satellite Digital Radio . 181
...................................
Seat Belts .10, 21
...............
Additional Information . 21
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner . 22
.....................................
Cleaning .321
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17,21
................................
Maintenance .23
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .21, 60 ...................
System Components . 21
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
..................................
Seat Heaters .142
..................
Seat Position Memory . 124
.........................
Seat Ventilation .143
......................
Seats, Adjusting the .119
............................
Security System .200
.....
Sequential Sports Shif t Mode . 267
..........................
Paddle Shif ters .267
...............................
Serial Number .364
...........................
Service Intervals .291
...........................
Service Manual .381
.........
Service Station Procedures . 249
........................................
SH-AWD .272
..
Torque Distribution Monitor . 272
.......................................
Indicator .65
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 265
........................
Shif t Lock Release .270
..............................
Side Airbags .11, 30
How the Side Airbag of f ......................
Indicator Works .33
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 30
................
Side Curtain Airbags . 11,32
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .32
Index
INDEX
R
S
VII