engine Acura RL 2008 Owner's Manual

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These f our systems work
together to control the engine’s
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: air intake,
engine control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
f uel to inject under all operating
conditions.This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manif old. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/f uel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the f uel is
burned.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
The three way catalytic converters
are in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, they convert HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI System Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Emissions Cont rols
Technical Inf ormation
473
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The three way catalytic converters
contain precious metals that serve as
catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converters are ref erred
to as three-way catalysts, since they
act on HC, CO, and NOx.
Replacement units must be original
Acura parts or their equivalent.
The three way catalytic converters
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. They can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near them. Park your vehicle away
f rom high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables.A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converters.
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converters
inef f ective.
Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Keep the engine well maintained.
Three Way Catalytic Converters
474
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTERSTHREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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If you take your vehicle f or an
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4). Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park. Increase
the engine speed to 2,000 rpm, and
hold it there until the temperature
gauge rises to at least 1/4 of the
scale (about 3 minutes).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F. Without touching the accelerator
pedal and let the engine idle f or 20
seconds.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
T esting of Readiness Codes
Emissions T esting
Technical Inf ormation
475
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T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
481
Form Description
2005-2008 Acura RL Service Manual 2005-2008 Acura RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2005 Model Series Acura RL Body Repair Manual
2008 Acura RL Owner’s Manual
2008 Acura RL Navigation System Manual 2008 Acura RL Maintenance Journal2008 Acura RL Quick Start GuideOrder Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SJA03
61SJA03EL
61SJA30
31SJA630
31SJA810
31SJAM30 31SJAQ30 ACU-R
www. helminc. com
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .337
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch
.....................................
Position) .151
............
Accessory Power Sockets .192
......................................
AcuraLink .299
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
Indicator .280
...................................
Operation .282
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .143
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .399
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,27
............................
Air Conditioning .198
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .421
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .328
......................................
Antif reeze .402
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .64,359
...................................
Operation .359
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .241
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .151
.........................................
Ashtrays .193
................................
Audio System .207 Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .347
..........
Automatic Climate Control .205
.......................
Automatic Lighting .141
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .23
.............
Automatic Speed Control .277
..............
Automatic Transmission .349
..........................
Capacity,Fluid.464
...............
Checking Fluid Level .404
.......................................
Shif ting .349
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .349
................
Shif t Lever Positions .349
....................
Shif t Lock Release .354
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .238
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,447
............................
Jump Starting .441
..............................
Maintenance .427
..........................................
Cover .428
............................
Specif ications .465
..............................
Bef ore Driving .327 ..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21
.........................
Beverage Holders .190
.......
BluetoothHandsFreeLink.308
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes
Anti-lock Brake System .....................................
(ABS) .359
.............
Break-in, New Linings .328
...........................................
Fluid .406
.......................................
Parking .187
.................
System Indicator .63,449
........................
Wear Indicators .358
.............................
Braking System .358
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .328
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .145
......................
Brights, Headlights .140
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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Î
CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .334
..................................
Emergencies .431
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .441
...........
Brake System Indicator .449
................
Changing a Flat Tire .436
.....
Charging System Indicator .447
..................
Checking the Fuses .453 .......
Hazard Warning Flashers .145
............................
Jump Starting .441
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .447
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .448
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .450
..................
Overheated Engine .444
.......................................
Towing .459
.........................
Emergency Brake .187
....................
Emergency Flashers .145
......................
Emergency Towing .459
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .154
.......................
Emissions Controls .472
........................
Emissions Testing .475
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .4,60
..............
Daytime Running Lights .142
.......................................
Indicator .65
.................................
Dead Battery .440
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .480
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .146
..............
Def rosting the Windows .204
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .464
....................................
Dimensions .464
.............
Dimming the Headlights .140
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .404
..................................
Engine Oil .333 ........................
Directional Signals .140
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .358
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .401
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .152
..................
Lockout Prevention .152
.................
Monitor Indicator .13,79
....................
Power Door Locks .152
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .466
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .81
...........................................
Driving .345
....................................
Economy .336
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .160
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .415
.........................
Customize Settings .81
...................................
ACC Setup .89
................
Door/Window Setup .122
.......
KEYLESS ACCESS Setup .108
...........................
Lighting Setup .115
.................................
Meter Setup .94
...........................
Position Setup .103
........................
Setting to Def ault .85
...............................
Wiper Setup .133
Index
E
D
INDEX
III
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Engine............
Check Starting System .348
...............
Compartment Covers .398
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .70
.........................
If It Won’t Start .440
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,448
.........................................
Oil lif e .387
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,447
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .399
...............................
Overheating .444
............................
Specif ications .465
............................
Speed Limiter .354
.......................................
Starting .347
...................
Engine Speed Limiter .354
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .328
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .472
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .473
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .200 .........................................
Features .197
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .329
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .415
...............................................
Oil .400
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .145
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .436
.....................................
Floor Mats .416
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .404
..........................................
Brake .406
..........................
Power Steering .406
..................
Windshield Washer .404
.....................................
Fog Lights .142
........................
Four-way Flashers .145
............................
Front Airbags .11,29
......................................
Front Seat .155
....................................
Adjusting .155
.......................................
Heaters .178
...................................
Airbags .11,29
...........................
Air Ventilation .179
.................................................
Fuel .328
......................
Fill Door and Cap .329
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .328 Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .450
...............................
Oxygenated .329
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .329
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap .330
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .453
................
Gas Mileage Improving .335
.........................................
Gasoline .328
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .328
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .329
................
Gas Station Procedures .329
.............................................
Gauges .70
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .70
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .380
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .349
......................................
Glove Box .189
...........................
GPS initialization .260
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .380
Index
G
F
IV
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CONT INUED
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .328
.........................................
Odometer .72
...............................
Odometer, Trip .72
Oil
........................
Change, How to .400
......................
Change, When to .387
......................
Checking Engine .333
...............................
Lif e, Engine .387
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,447
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .399
.....
ON (Ignition Switch Position) .151
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .472
............................
Outside Mirrors .158
....
Outside Temperature Indicator .73
....................
Overheating, Engine .444
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .394
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .328
..............................
Paddle Shif ters .351
............
Panel Brightness Control .145 ........................
Park Gear Position .350
...........................................
Parking .357
...............................
Parking Brake .187
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .63,449
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .474
...................................
PAX System .426
.............................
PGM-FI System .473
........................
Power Door Locks .152
...............
Power Socket Locations .192
............................
Power Windows .181
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .19
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions .20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
........................
Protecting Children .38
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .43
.......
Protecting Larger Children .52
.........
Protecting Small Children .44
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .51
.............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating .444 .............
Radio/CD Sound System .207
...........................
Readiness Codes .448
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .414
..........................
Rear View Mirror .158
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .146
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs .155
.......................
Reminder Indicators .62
...........................................
Remote .163
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .400
..........................................
Fuses .451
................................
Light Bulbs .408
....................................
Schedule .387
...........................................
Tires .419
.............................
Wiper Blades .417
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .25
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .333
...............................
Restraint, Child .38
..................
Reverse Gear Position .350
............
Reverse Tilt Door Mirror .159
..........................
Rearview Camera .326
......................................
Roof Rack .342
................................
Rotation, Tire .423
Index
INDEX
O
P
R
VII
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Î
Î
ÎÎ Î................................
Saf ety Belts .10,21
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .480
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .57
..............................
Saf ety Messages . iii
.................
Satellite Digital Radio .217
...................................
Seat Belts .10,21
...............
Additional Information .21
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .23
.....................................
Cleaning .415
.............................
e-pretensioner .24
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .17,22
................................
Maintenance .25
Reminder Indicator and
................................
Beeper .21,62
...................
System Components .21
...............
Use During Pregnancy .19
..................................
Seat Heaters .178
..................
Seat Position Memory .160
.........................
Seat Ventilation .179
......................
Seats, Adjusting the .155 ............................
Security System .276
.....
Sequential Sports Shif t Mode .351
..........................
Paddle Shif ters .351
...............................
Serial Number .462
...........................
Service Intervals .387
......
Service Manual, Purchasing .481
.........
Service Station Procedures .329
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive
.............................
(SH-AWD) .356
..
Torque Distribution Monitor .356
.......................................
Indicator .66
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators .349
........................
Shif t Lock Release .354
..............................
Side Airbags .11,32
How the Side Airbag of f ......................
Indicator Works .35
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .32
................
Side Curtain Airbags .11,34
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .34
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .411
.............................
Signaling Turns .140
.....................................
Snow Tires .424
................................
Sound System .207 Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .435
............................
Specif ications .465
.....................
Specif ication Charts .464
................................
Speed Limiter .354
.......................................
Spotlights .196
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .26
...
Additional Safety Precautions .37
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .34
How Your Airbags
............................
Work .29,32,34
........................
SRS Components .26
..................................
SRS Service .36
.............................
SRS Indicator .34,63
START (Ignition Switch
.....................................
Position) .151
.......................
Starting the Engine .347
...................
Auto Control Mode .347
In Cold Weather at High
..................................
Altitude .347
................
With a Dead Battery .441
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .444
Steering Wheel
..............................
Adjustments .147
...........
Anti-thef t Column Lock .151
......................
Position Memory .160
Index
S
VIII
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Service Inf ormation Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Rear Differential Fluid: Brake Fluid:
Power Steering Fluid:
Transfer Assembly Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
SpareTirePressure:
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only.SH-AWD clutch case
Capacity:
SH-AWD differential case
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement.
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ). Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Front:
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
Rear:
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) (see page ). 2.8 US qt (2.7
)
19.4 US gal (73
)
0.77 US qt (0.73
)
399
406 406
404
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