tires Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

This indicator has two f unctions:Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the rear brakes, axles, and
tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a chime will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake system. You will also see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW’’ or
‘‘CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II). If it comes on at any other time,
it indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
automatic seat belt tensioners, or
side curtain airbags. You will also see
a ‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page . This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
You will also see a ‘‘PASSENGER
SIDE AIRBAG OFF’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). For more inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2. 76
350
76 7632 33
77
Instrument Panel Indicators
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator Side Airbag Of f Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
U.S. Canada U.S. Canada

If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service.
For more inf ormation, see page .
Pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If this
indicator comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the SH-AWD
system. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
SH-AWD SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). Take your vehicle to a dealer to
have it checked. For more
inf ormation, see page .
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high.
You will also see a ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF
TEMP. HIGH’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
).
If the indicator blinks while driving,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. 336
360
76
272
77
76 SH-A WD Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.

This monitor shows how much
torque is being delivered to each
wheel. For more inf ormation, see
page .Whenthetirepressuremonitoris
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown.
You can see the pressure of each tire
in this monitor. If one or more tires
are low, inflate them to the correct
pressure. For more inf ormation, see
page .
277
272
Multi-Inf ormation Display
SH-AWD T orque Distribution
Monitor Tire Pressure Monitor
74
U.S.
Canada

To apply the parking brake, push the
parking brake pedal down with your
f oot. To release the parking brake,
push on the pedal again. The parking
brake indicator on the instrument
panel should go out when the
parking brake is f ully released with
the engine running (see page ).61
Parking Brake
Inst rument s and Cont rols
151
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires. A beeper will
sound if the vehicle is put into gear
with the parking brake on.

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
saf ety systems could make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can af f ect
the handling and stability. Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Non-Acura wheels can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and are not
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Acura components could seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, and reliability. Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
256

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Front door and seat-back pockets
Console compartment
In addition, the trunk pass-through
allows you to carry longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages. Trunk Utility pocket
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
257
TRUNK
SEAT-BACK POCKETS GLOVE BOX UTILITY POCKET
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT FRONT DOOR POCKET

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the SH-AWD system, the
vehicle stability assist (VSA) system,
the tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS), and f acts you need if you
are planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .262
.......................
Starting the Engine .263
Check Starting System ..................................
Message .264
..............
Automatic Transmission . 265
............................
SH-AWD System .272
...........................................
Parking .273
.............................
Braking System .274
................
Anti-lock Brakes(ABS) . 275
Tires Pressure ....
Monitoring System (TPMS) .277
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .281
...........................
Towing a Trailer .283
Driving
Driving
261

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and the
trunk are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page , and).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 17
119
111
122 123
59 68
76
Preparing to Drive
262

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator in the
instrumental panel and the
appropriate tire position indicator on
thetirepressuremonitoronthe
multi-inf ormation display (see page)tocomeon. For example, if you check and f ill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure
indicator to come on. Or, if you
check and adjust your tire pressure
in cooler conditions, and drive into
extremely hot conditions, the tire
maybecomeoverinflated.However,
the low tire pressure indicator will
not come on if the tires are
overinf lated.
When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly underinf lated. The
multi-inf ormation display also shows
a ‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message (see page ). You should
stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure as indicated on the
vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
Refer to page for tire inflation
guidelines.
278 279
325
CONT INUED
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
277

Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly.If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure and tire monitor indicators
will come on. Replace the indicated
flat tire with the compact spare tire
(see page ).
When all tire pressures are normal,
the multi-information display will
show ‘‘TIRE PRESSURE OK
SYSTEM FUNCTION NORMAL.’’
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold, and
set to the recommended inf lation
pressure as specif ied on the vehicle
placard and in the owner’s manual
(see page ).
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire.
When any of the tires has low
pressure, the multi-inf ormation
display shows a ‘‘TIRE PRESSURE
ERROR SYSTEM FUNCTION
NORMAL’’ message (see page ).
After you replace the flat tire with
the spare, the low tire pressure
indicator stays on. This is normal;
the system is not monitoring the
spare tire pressure. Manually check
the spare tire pressure to be sure it
is correct.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible.
336
326
72
Changing a T ire with T PMS T ire Pressure Monitor
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
278