steering Acura RL 2006 Owner's Manual

2006 RL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.

Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................................. i
A Few Word s About S

afety........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.......................................................4
Driver and Pass enger Safety

........................................................................\
...............................................7
Prop er use a

nd care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Contro l
s........................................................................\
...................................................59
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
...............................193
How t o
op era
te th

e climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................... .
............. .
295
What gasoli n

e to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................309
The proper way to start the engine, s hift th

e transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.........................................................................347
T h
e Ma int
en

ance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................393
This section covers several prob lems motorists sometime

s experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
.......................................................423
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and technical information.
Warranty

and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)..................................................................... 437
A summary of th
e warr anties coverin
g yo

ur new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
.......................................441
How t o
order manuals an
d othe

r technical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
......................................................................................... I
Service Information S u

mmary
A summary of information you n

eed when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Î
Î
ÎÎ
2:
3:
Canadian models only
Ref er to the navigation system manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
5
MIRROR CONTROLS INSTRUMENT
PANEL BRIGHTNESS
STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS HANDSFREELINK
BUTTONS
HORN
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING
SYSTEM (AFS) OFF SWITCH
VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONSHAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
WINDSHIELD
WIPER/WASHER
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM OFF SWITCH COLLISION MITIGATION
BRAKE SYSTEM (CMBS)
OFF SWITCH PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
HEATED MIRROR
BUTTON CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNAL/
FOG LIGHTS PADDLE SHIFTERS
(P.315)
(P.139)
(P.155) STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS (P.143) (P.279)
(P.230) DISTANCE BUTTON
(P.246)(P.141)
(P.35)
(P.142) / (P.155 )
(P.234)/
(P.237) ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL (ACC)
BUTTONS
(P.71)
SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
SEAT HEATER AND
SEAT VENTILATION
BUTTONS (P.
174 ) /
(P.175)
(P.141)
(P.134)
(P.136)
(P.328) (P.339) MULTI-INFORMATION
BUTTONS
TM
3 2

Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some f eatures do not require any
action on your part. These include a
strong steel f ramework that f orms a
saf ety cage around the passenger
compartment; front and rear crush
zones; a collapsible steering column;
and tensioners that tighten the f ront
seat belts in a crash.
However, you and your passengers
can’t take full advantage of these
f eatures unless you remain sitting in
a proper position and. In fact, some safety
f eatures can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
The f ollowing pages explain how you
cantakeanactiveroleinprotecting
yourself and your passengers.
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
always wear
your seat belts
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
9
(1)
(2)
(2) (4)
(5) (7)
(7)
(11)
(9)
(6)
(8)
(3)
(6)
(10)
(8)
(9)
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats and Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Side Airbags
(9) Side Curtain Airbags
(10) Door Locks
(11) Front Seat Belt Tensioners/ Seat Belt E-pretentioners

The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:To do
their job, airbags must inf late with
tremendous f orce. So while
airbags help save lives, they can
cause minor injuries or more
serious or even fatal injuries if
occupants are not properly
restrained or sitting properly. Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as f ar back f rom the
steering wheel as possible while
allowing f ull control of the vehicle. A
f ront passenger should move their
seat as far back from the dashboard
as possible. The rest of this section gives more
detailed inf ormation about how you
can maximize your saf ety.
Remember, however, that no saf ety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in a severe
crash, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.
They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
A irbags can pose hazards. What you should do:
Airbags do not replace seat belts.
A irbags of f er no prot ect ion in rearimpact s, or minor f ront al or sidecollisions.
12

If you sit too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard, you can be
seriously injured by an inf lating f ront
airbag, or by striking the steering
wheel or dashboard.Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a
comf ortable, upright position,
leaving ample space between your
chest and the airbag cover in the
center of the steering wheel.
Passengers with adjustable seat-
backs should also adjust their seat-
back to a comf ortable, upright
position.
If you cannot get f ar enough away
f rom the steering wheel and still
reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some
type of adaptive equipment may help. Once your seat is adjusted correctly,
rock it back and f orth to make sure
the seat is locked in position.
See page f or how to adjust the
f ront seats.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
allow at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the center of the steering
wheel and the chest. In addition to
adjusting the seat, you can adjust the
steering wheel up and down, and in
and out (see page ).
151
143
CONT INUED
Adjust the Seat-Backs
3.
Protecting A dults and Teens
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
15
Sitting too close to a front
airbag can result in serious
injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.
Always sit as far back from the
front airbags as possible.

Your airbag system includes:Two side airbags, one f or the
driver and one f or a f ront
passenger. The airbags are stored
in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked ‘‘SIDE
AIRBAG’’ (see page ).
Two side curtain airbags, one f or
each side of the vehicle. The
airbags are stored in the ceiling,
above the side windows. The front
and rear pillars are marked ‘‘SIDE
CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page ).
Two SRS (supplemental restraint
system) f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’
32
34
CONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
27
(12) (15)
(14)
(13)
(11) (13)
(13) Side Impact Sensors (Second)
(14) Rear Safing Sensor
(15) Side Curtain Airbags
(11) E-pretensioners Control Unit
(12) Front Impact Sensors

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .60
............................
Instrument Panel .61
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .62
.............................................
Gauges .70
...................
Temperature Gauge .70
..................................
Fuel Gauge .70
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .71
Controls Near the Steering
.........................................
Wheel .133
Windshield Wipers and .....................................
Washers .134
...................................
Turn Signal .136
....................................
Headlights .136
................................
Fog Lights .138
Adaptive Front Lighting System .........................................
(AFS) .139
...............
Hazard Warning Button .141
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .141
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .142
......
Steering Wheel Adjustments .143
.............................
Keys and Locks .145
......................
Immobilizer System .146
..............................
Ignition Switch .147
....................................
Door Locks .148
..............................................
Trunk .149
......
Emergency Trunk Opener .150 ................
Childproof Door Locks .150
...............................................
Seats .151
...........................................
Mirrors .154
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .156
................
Keyless Access System .159
..................................
Seat Heaters .174
Seat Heaters and Seat .................................
Ventilation .175
............................
Power Windows .177
.......................................
Moonroof .179
...............................
Parking Brake .183
.........
Interior Convenience Items .184
..................................
Glove Box .185
.....................
Beverage Holders .186
.............
Console Compartment .187
..................................
Sun Visors .188
........
Accessory Power Sockets .188
...........................
Rear Ashtrays .189
..................
Front Door Pockets .189
..............
Power Rear Sunshade .190
..............
Integrated Sunshades .191
...............................
Interior Lights .192
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59

Î
Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
:
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR KEYLESS ACCESS
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
SH-AWD INDICATORLOW FUEL INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATORELECTRONICALLY
CONTROLLED
POWER STEERING
SYSTEM (ECPS)
INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY MESSAGE INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.64)
(P.68)
(P.62, 409)
(P.66)
(P.68)
(P.69)
(P.71)
(P.62, 410)
(P.62, 409)
(P.67,320) COLLISION MITIGATION
BRAKE SYSTEM (CMBS)
INDICATOR
(P.69)
(P.66)
(P.67, 394)
(P.64)(P.
21,62 )(P.63,
321)
(P.68)
(P.35,
63)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.64,
323)
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
INDICATOR
(P.66,
237) (P.
66) /
(P.34, 63)
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING
SYSTEM (AFS) INDICATOR (P.69,
139)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM INDICATOR
VSA
ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
(P.
339 ) (P.66) HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR(P.65,
339)

This indicator comes on when you
turn on the f og lights. For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator is in the f uel gauge. It
comes on as a reminder that you
must ref uel soon. You will also see a
‘‘FUEL LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator also comes on with
reduced brightness when the
daytime running lights (DRL) are on
(see page ).
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel (see page ). This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
When you push the ACC button on
the steering wheel, this indicator
comes on green. You will also see
‘‘ACC’’ on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If the indicator comes on orange,
there is a problem with the ACC
system. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ACC SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). Take your vehicle to your
dealer to have it checked. For more
inf ormation, see page .
138
136 234 79
237 79
134
Instrument Panel Indicators
Fog L ight Indicator
L ow Fuel Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Cruise Main Indicator A daptive Cruise Control
(A CC) Indicator
66
LOW FUEL INDICATOR

This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition to the ON
(II) position and goes of f af ter the
engine starts. If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem with
the power steering system. You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK POWER
STEERING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ). If this happens, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, and turn off
the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch this
indicator. If it does not go of f or
comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the ECPS is turned of f , which
could make the vehicle harder to
steer.This indicator comes on when there
is a system message in the multi-
inf ormation display. Press the INFO
button on the steering wheel (see
page ) to see the message (see
page ).
Most of the time, this indicator
comes on along with other indicators
in the instrument panel such as the
seat belt reminder indicator, SRS
indicator, VSA system indicator, etc.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, it indicates that there is a
problem with the system. You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK KEYLESS
ACCESS SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). For more inf ormation, see page.
The indicator comes on when you
run the engine while the vehicle is
not moving. To turn the indicator of f , restart the engine.
78 79 71
172 78
Instrument Panel Indicators
Message Indicator
Electronically Controlled
Power Steering System
(ECPS) Indicator K eyless Access System
Indicator
68