brake Acura RL 2006 Owner's Guide

µIf you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone. Make sure the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) position. Set the parking brake.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone. This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal does not work.
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third, f ourth, and f if th gears
in stop-and-go driving.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD or
D, you can get the transmission to
automatically downshif t by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shif t down one,
two, or three gears, depending on
your speed. To release the reverse lockout, make
sure the ignition switch is in the
ACCESSORY(I) position. 1.
2.
3
3
3
Engine Speed Limiter Shift Lock Release
Drive (D )
Automatic Transmission
3
318

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

If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
multi-inf ormation display shows an
SH-AWD message, there is a
problem with the system. Your
vehicle still has normal f ront-wheel
drive with vehicle stability assist
(VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
SH-A WD System, Parking
Parking
Parking T ips
Driving
321

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. Emergency
Brake Assist System gains the
stopping f orce when you depressed
thebrakepedalhardinanemergent
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System
322

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
this def eats the purpose of the ABS.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal as you steer away from
the hazard. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page . When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
411
You should never pump the brake pedal;
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
323
ABS INDICATOR

on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions. It only helps with steering
control during braking. Important Saf ety Reminders A vehicle with A BS may require a longer distance to stop
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability. A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly, A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
324

The CMBS does not activate if the
speed dif f erence between your
vehicles is less than 10 mph (15
km/h). CMBS may also not
activate if you turn the steering
wheel to avoid the collision.The CMBS consists of a radar
sensor in the f ront grille, a brake
actuator in the engine compartment,
an indicator on the instrument panel,
seat belt e-pretensioners on the f ront
seats,andanon/off switchonthe
dashboard.
When the CMBS activates, the brake
lights also come on.
The collision mitigation brake
system (CMBS) can assist you when
there is a possibility of your vehicle
hitting the vehicle in f ront of you. It
is designed to reduce the speed of
your vehicle before an unavoidable
collision occurs and, if possible, to
alert you to a potential collision while
thereistimetopreventit.Hereisa
brief description of what the CMBS
can do:
When your speed is above 10 mph
(15 km/h), the CMBS radar
sensor in the f ront grille can sense
a vehicle ahead of you. When your
vehicle gets too close to the
vehicle ahead of you, the system
mayactivateawarningbeep,
causing automatic application of
the brakes, and causing the
e-pretensioners to tighten the
f ront seat belts (see page ). 23
If equipped
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Overview
Driving
325
RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE ACTUATORSEAT BELT
E-PRETENS
IONER

The radar sensor is located behind
the Acura emblem in the f ront grille.
If the emblem is covered with mud,
dirt, dead leaves, wet snow, etc., or if
you put a sticker on it, the CMBS will
automatically shut off, and the
CMBS indicator on the instrument
panel will come on. You will also see
a CHECK CMBS RADAR SENSOR
message on the multi-inf ormation
display f or about 5 seconds.Always keep the emblem clean. If it
gets dirty, clean it with water or a
mild detergent. Never use chemical
solvents or polishing powder.Do not allow anything to impact the
radar sensor or the emblem. If either
of these parts receives a strong
impact, turn off the system by
pressing the CMBS Of f switch, and
have your vehicle checked by a
dealer. If the f ront grille ever needs
to be repaired, consult a dealer f irst.
There are three bolts on the sides of
the radar sensor. Do not tamper with
these bolts, or you may cause the
system to malf unction. If the f ront emblem or the radar
sensor every needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Radar Sensor
326
EMBLEM
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)

When the CMBS is on, the radar
sensor constantly scans f or vehicles
ahead of you. This means that
driving on a road with a f ew or no
vehicles could cause a CHECK
CMBS RADAR SENSOR message to
appear on the multi-inf ormation
display. This is normal and not a
cause f or concern.The radar sensor may not always
scan as intended. Here are two
examples:
Thetiresarenotcorrectly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page ), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page ). Your vehicle is tilted because of a
heavy load in the rear or from
modif ications to the suspension.
Do not overload your vehicle (see
Carrying Cargo on page ), and
do not make any modif ications to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modif ications on page ). 305
303
384 384
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
327

If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with an audible and a
visual alarm.The audible alarm is a constant
beeping sound; the visual alert is an
amber colored BRAKE message that
f lashes in the multi-inf ormation
display. If these alarms come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).To turn the CMBS off, press the
CMBS OFF switch on the dashboard
f or about 1 second. When you do this,
a beeper sounds, a CMBS indicator
on the instrument panel comes on,
and a CMBS OFF message appears
on the multi-information display. To
turn the system back on, press the
switch again for about 1 second.
Collision Alarm
CMBS OFF Switch
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
328
CMBS OFF SWITCH