lights Acura RL 2006 Owner's Guide

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, and local
regulations. Check with your local
recreational vehicle dealer f or the
requirements in your area, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Saf et y Chains
T railer L ight s
Trailer Brakes
Towing a Trailer
Driving
343

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits. The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition,
and the lights and brakes on the
trailer are working properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
A dditional T owing Equipment Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
344

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

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µ
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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

The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic headlight adjusting
system that adjusts the vertical aim
of the low beam headlights
automatically. Refer to page for
more inf ormation.
The high beam headlights were
properly aimed when your vehicle
was new. If you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk or pull a
trailer, readjustment may be
required. Adjustment of the high
beam headlights should be
perf ormed by a dealer or other
mechanic. 140
Lights
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight/Daytime
Running L ight Bulb
372
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.

CONT INUED
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out (see
page ).
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the
battery cover (see page ), then
remove the battery hold-down by
removing the two nuts with a 10
mm wrench. Then caref ully slide
the battery toward the engine to
access the bulb.2.
3.
1.
362
391
Lights
Maint enance
373
NUTSBULB
BATTERY HOLD-DOWN

Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover. Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Push the bulb in slightly, and turn
it counterclockwise.
Reinstall the battery in the reverse
order of removal, and reinstall the
cover on the battery. Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out (see
page ).
If you are replacing a driver’s side
bulb, slide the battery toward the
engine to get more clearance (see
page ).
2.
1.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.
362
391
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Bulb
374
SOCKET
BULB

Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover (see
page ).
(Passenger’s side)
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
windshield washer reservoir. If you are replacing a driver’s side
bulb, slide the battery toward the
engine to get more clearance (see
page ).
Reinstall the battery and the
battery cover.
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover. 1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.
4.
362
391
CONT INUED
Lights
Replacing a Front Position/Side
Marker L ight Bulb
Maint enance
375
BULB
HOLDING CLIP

Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two mounting bolts
and remove the holding clip with a
f lat-tipped screwdriver.
Caref ully push up the side under
cover into the bumper.
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the battery and the
battery cover.
Reinstall the windshield washer
reservoir. (Passenger’s side)
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover.
1.
2.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Replacing a Front Fog L ight Bulb
376
BOLTS
CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.

Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the f og lights to test the
new bulb.
Reinstall the two mounting bolts
on the side under cover and
tighten them securely. Put the
holding clip back on the side
under cover and push on the
center until it locks (the center is
flushwiththehead).
3.
4. 5.
6.
8. 7.
Lights
Maint enance
377
BULB