Acura RL 2009 Owner's Manual

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the
instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer’s staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Congratulations on your selection of the 2009 Acura RL. We are certain you
will be pleased with your purchase of one of the f inest luxury vehicles in the
world.
Introduction
i
2009 RL

Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
def ects or other reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record inf ormation about powertrain perf ormance. The data
can be used to verif y emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may
also be combined with data f rom other sources f or research purposes, but it remains conf idential.
Introduction
WARNING:
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly ref erred to as event data recorders. These
devices record f ront seat belt use, f ront passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the f ailure
of any airbag system component.
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2009 RL

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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
on the vehicle.preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. These signal words mean:
Saf ety L abels
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions
AFewWordsAboutSafety
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
iii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.
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2009 RL

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, and other
convenience f eatures. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
Overview of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
FeaturesBef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
Contents
T aking Care of the UnexpectedWarranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
3
2009 RL

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2:
3:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER DOOR
LOCK MASTER
SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P.11,26)PASSENGER’S FRONT AIRBAG
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION INTERFACE DIAL
COMPASS SYSTEM
AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS
(P.62)
(P.11,26) CEILING
CONSOLE
ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKETS
AUXILIARY INPUT
JACK
HOOD RELEASE LEVER
1:
HOMELINK
BUTTONS
MOONROOF SWITCH
POWER REAR
SUNSHADE BUTTON
REAR HEAD RESTRAINT
TILT BUTTON TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON
(P.163)
(P.153)
(P.185)
(P.154)
(P.334)
(P.188)
(P.198)
(P.158) REAR SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES (P.184)USB ADAPTER CABLE
(P.259)
(P.277)
(P.197) (P.281) (P.205,213,282)
(P.213) (P.204)
(P.161)
(P.405)
(P.385)
(P.387)
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2009 RL

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To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
If equipped.
1:
2:
3:
4: Canadian models only
Ref er to the navigation system manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
5
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM OFF SWITCH COLLISION MITIGATION
BRAKE SYSTEM (CMBS)
OFF SWITCH
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING
SYSTEM (AFS) OFF SWITCH MIRROR CONTROLS
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNAL/
FOG LIGHTS
(P.140,142)
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P.35)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
HEATED MIRROR
BUTTON
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL (ACC)
BUTTONS
MULTI-INFORMATION
BUTTONS
(P.71)
INSTRUMENT
PANEL BRIGHTNESS
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
PADDLE SHIFTERS
(P.137) WINDSHIELD
WIPER/WASHER
FRONT SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
FRONT SEAT HEATER
AND SEAT
VENTILATION
BUTTONS
HEADLIGHT WASHER
SWITCH
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS(P.138)
STEERING WHEEL AUDIO
CONTROLSBLUETOOTH
HANDSFREELINKBUTTONS
HORN
DISTANCE
BUTTON
VOICE CONTROL BUTTONS
(P.145)
(P.148) (P.278)(P.356)
(P.304) (P.328,333)
(P.182)
(P.181)/
(P.316)/
(P.162)
(P.147)/
(P.146)
(P.146)
(P.161) (P.319,324)
(P.409)
(P.422)
(P.436)
2
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2009 RL

6
2009 RL

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This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .13
.....
1.Close and Lock the Doors .13
...........
2.Adjust the Front Seats .15
............
3.Adjust the Seat-Backs .16
...
4.Adjust the Head Restraints .16
5.Fasten and Position the Seat
.....................................
Belts .17
6.Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
...
Additional Safety Precautions .20
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts .21
..
Seat Belt System Components .21 ......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .22
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .23
...........
Seat Belt e-pretensioners .24
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance .25
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .26
......
Airbag System Components .26
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .32
How Your Side Curtain
..........................
Airbags Work .34
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .34
How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .35
How the Passenger Airbag ...............
Of f Indicator Works .35
.............................
Airbag Service .36
...
Additional Safety Precautions .37
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .38
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .38
All Children Should Sit in a .................................
Back Seat .39 The Passenger’s Front Airbag
.........
Can Pose Serious Risks .39
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .41
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .41
...
Additional Safety Precautions .41
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .43
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .43
.........
Protecting Small Children .44
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .45
....................
Installing a Child Seat .46
...............................
With LATCH .47
.........
With a Lap/Shoulder Belt .49
..............................
With a Tether .51
...........
Protecting Larger Children .52
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit .52
..................
Using a Booster Seat .53
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
.........................................
Front .54
...
Additional Safety Precautions .55
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
...................................
Saf ety Labels .57
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7
2009 RL