service Acura RL 2007 Owner's Guide

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release lever located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Your
vehicle’s on board diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is detected
a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the multi-info rmation
display. Turn the engine off, and
confirm the fuel fill cap is installed. If
it is, loosen it, then retighten it until
it clicks at least once. The message
should go off after several days of
normal driving once you tighten or replace
the fuel fill cap. To scroll to
another message, press the INFO
button. The ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message off.
If the system still detects a leak in
the vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel fill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page . 1.
444
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Opening and Closing the Hood
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
329
HOOD RELEASE LEVER
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Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. Reach between the hood and the
f ront bumper with your f inger.
Slide the latch handle up. To close the hood, lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then f irmly press down on
the f ront edge of the hood. Make
sure it is securely latched.
3.
2.
Service Station Procedures
330
LATCH
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Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower
mark, see on
page .
Wait
a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Look
at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see on page .
4.
1.
2.
3. 395 398
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant Check
A dding Engine Oil
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
331
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
LOWER MARK UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK
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Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Refer
to
on page for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle. Try
to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehic le uses extra
fuel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Always
maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages. See (page ).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
388
388For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
332
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Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly. If
you have a flat tire, the low tire
pressu re and tire monitor indicators
will come on. Replace the indicated
flat tire with the compact spare tire
(see page ).
Each
tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when the
vehicle is cold, and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as
sp ecified on the vehicle placard and
intheowner’smanual(seepage ). 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. Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualif ied technician.
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. 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. 415
432
Changing a T ire with T PMS
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
366
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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.
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
376
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform 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. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .380
....................
Maintenance Minder . 381
....................
Maintenance Record .391
..............................
Fluid Locations .393
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 394
........................
Adding Engine Oil .395
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 396
..............................
Engine Coolant .398
....................
Windshield Washers .400
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 400
....................................
Brake Fluid .402
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 402
....................................
Timing Belt .403
.............................................
Lights .404
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 411
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 411
.....................................
Floor Mats .412
.................................
Wiper Blades .413
...........................................
Wheels .415
...............................................
Tires .415
...................
Checking the Battery . 423
.............................
Vehicle Storage .425
477
Maintenance
Maint enance
379
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To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
380
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
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One
of the most convenient and
important features of the multi-
info rmation display on your vehicle
is the maintenance minder.
Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life.
The system also displays the code
for other scheduled maintenance
items needing service.
To see the remaining engine oil life
displayed on the lower right corner
on the multi-information display as a
percentage, turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position, and press the
SEL/RESET button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the engine oil
lifeappears(seepage ). The remaining engine oil lif e is
displayed according to the table
shown below.
Calculated Engine Oil Lif e (%)
100% 91% 90% 81%
80% 71%
70% 61%
60% 51%
50% 41%
40% 31%
30% 21%
20% 16%
15% 11%10% 6% 5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%)
100% 90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15%
10% 5%
0%
73
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maint enance
381
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
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ÝÛÝÛ
The
message will be canceled if the
or buttononthesteeringwheel
is pressed. Press the or button
to see the message again.
When the remaining engine oil life is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-info rmation
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ message along with the
maintenance schedule code
indicating the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change.
Refer to page and for a
complete list of the maintenance
main items and sub items. Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e. The message
‘‘OIL LIFE’’ along with the
percentage of oil lif e remaining and
the maintenance item code(s),
appear on the lower part of the multi-
inf ormation display.
389 390
Maintenance Minder
382
MESSAGE
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM REMAINING
ENGINE OIL LIFE
MAINTENANCE
ITEM CODE (S)
MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEM (S)
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