automatic transmission Acura RL 2006 User Guide

If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover next to the
shif t lever. Use a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver or a metal f ingernail
f ile to remove the cover. Caref ully
pry on the edge of the cover. Insert a built-in key into the shif t
lock release slot.
Push down on the built-in key, and
move the shift lever out of Park to
neutral.Remove the built-in key from the
shif t lock release slot, then
reinstall the cover. Make sure the
notchonthecoverisonthedriver’s
side. Press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
To release the reverse lockout,
move the shift lever from neutral
to reverse, then to Park.
3.
4.
5.6.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
319
COVER
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat. When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; turn the wheel to the lef t to
get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
421
3
bottom
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Parking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer, Towing Your Vehicle
Towing Your Vehicle
346

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .348
....................
Maintenance Minder .349
....................
Maintenance Record .359
..............................
Fluid Locations .361
......
Engine Compartment Covers .362
........................
Adding Engine Oil .363
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .364
..............................
Engine Coolant .366
....................
Windshield Washers .368
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .368
....................................
Brake Fluid .369
....................
Power Steering Fluid .370
....................................
Timing Belt .371
.............................................
Lights .372
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .379
.....................................
Floor Mats .380
.................................
Wiper Blades .381
...............................................
Tires .383
...................
Checking the Battery .390
.............................
Vehicle Storage .392
441
Maintenance
Maint enance
347

µµµ
µ
µ µ
Ì Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
Multi-Inf ormation Display. 301
366
368 369
383 372
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
356

Î
Î: The power steering f luid reservoir is located under the right compartment cover.
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
361
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them. If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Windshield Washers
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
368
NOTICE:
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of mileage.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
tube to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality.
Have the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient. 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.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. Using any non-Honda brake f luid 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.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Brake Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
369

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
426
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Capacities
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
193.6 in (4,917 mm)
72.7 in (1,847 mm)
57.1 in (1,451 mm)
110.2 in (2,800 mm)
62.0 in (1,576 mm)
62.4 in (1,585 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
15.8 17.60 oz (450 500 g) ND-OIL8 1.59 US gal (6.0
)
2.27 US gal (8.6)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
2.9 US qt (2.7)
7.6 US qt (7.2)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
0.79 US qt (0.75
)
0.77 US qt (0.73)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity: 6.9 US qt (6.5
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45)
3.3 US qt (3.1
)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear differential fluid
SH-AWD
differential
case
SH-AWD
clutch case
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
1:
2: Approx.
Front
Rear Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. vehicles
Canadian
vehicles 19.4 US gal (73
)
0.16 US gal (0.58
) 2.8 US qt (2.7
)
1
2

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .303
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch .....................................
Position) .147
............
Accessory Power Sockets .188
......................................
AcuraLink .256
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) .....................................
Indicator .237
...................................
Operation .239
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .139
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .363
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,27
............................
Air Conditioning .194
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .384
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .296
......................................
Antif reeze .366
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .64,324
...................................
Operation .323
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .232
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .147
.........................................
Ashtrays .189
................................
Audio System .203Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .311
..........
Automatic Climate Control .201
.......................
Automatic Lighting .137
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .234
..............
Automatic Transmission .313
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .426
...............
Checking Fluid Level .368
.......................................
Shif ting .313
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .313
................
Shif t Lever Positions .313
....................
Shif t Lock Release .318
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,409
............................
Jump Starting .403
..............................
Maintenance .390
..........................................
Cover .391
............................
Specif ications .427
..............................
Bef ore Driving .295
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21.........................
Beverage Holders .186
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes Anti-lock Brake ........................
System (ABS) .323
.............
Break-in, New Linings .296
...........................................
Fluid .369
.......................................
Parking .183
.................
System Indicator .63,411
........................
Wear Indicators .322
.............................
Braking System .322
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .296
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .141
......................
Brights, Headlights .136
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .378
.......................
Front Fog Lights .376
...............
Front Position Lights .375
........
Front Side Marker Lights .375
.................................
Headlights .372
............................
Specif ications .427
............
Turn Signal Lights .374,375
.....................................
Built-in-key .160
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

Î
CONT INUED
..............
Def rosting the Windows .200
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .426
....................................
Dimensions .426
.............
Dimming the Headlights .136
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .368
..................................
Engine Oil .301
........................
Directional Signals .136
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .322
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .365
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking .148
..................
Lockout Prevention .148
.................
Monitor Indicator .13,79
....................
Power Door Locks .148
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .428
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .81
...........................................
Driving .309
....................................
Economy .302
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .156
..............................
Economy, Fuel .302..................................
Emergencies .393
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .403
...........
Brake System Indicator .411
................
Changing a Flat Tire .398
.....
Charging System Indicator .409
..................
Checking the Fuses .415
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .141
............................
Jump Starting .403
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .409
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .410
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .412
..................
Overheated Engine .406
.......................................
Towing .421
.........................
Emergency Brake .183
....................
Emergency Flashers .141
......................
Emergency Towing .421
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .150
.......................
Emissions Controls .432
.............
Emissions Testing, State .435
Engine
............
Check Starting System .312
...............
Compartment Covers .362
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .70
.........................
If It Won’t Start .402Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,410
.........................................
Oil lif e .349
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,409
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .363
...............................
Overheating .406
............................
Specif ications .427
............................
Speed Limiter .318
.......................................
Starting .311
...................
Engine Speed Limiter .318
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .296
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .432
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .433
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .196
.........................................
Features .193
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 297
Index
E F
INDEX
III