Acura RL 2009 Owner's Manual

on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
It only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator.
508
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
418
2009 RL

The CMBS does not activate if the
speed dif f erence between the two
vehicles is less than 10 mph (15
km/h). CMBS may also not
activate if you turn the steering
wheel to avoid the collision.
When the CMBS activates, the brake
lights also come on.
The collision mitigation brake
system (CMBS) can assist you when
there is a possibility of your vehicle
hitting the vehicle in f ront of you. It
is designed to reduce the speed of
your vehicle before an unavoidable
collision occurs and, if possible, to
alert you to a potential collision while
thereistimetopreventit.Hereisa
brief description of what the CMBS
can do:
When your speed is above 10 mph
(15 km/h), the CMBS radar
sensor in the f ront grille can sense
a vehicle ahead of you. When your
vehicle gets too close to the
vehicle ahead of you, the system
mayactivateawarningbeep,
causing automatic application of
the brakes, and causing the
e-pretensioners to tighten the
f ront seat belts (see page ). The CMBS consists of a radar
sensor in the f ront grille, a brake
actuator in the engine compartment,
an indicator on the instrument panel,
seat belt e-pretensioners on the f ront
seats,andanon/off switchonthe
dashboard.
24
If equipped
Overview
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
419
RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE
ACTUATOR SEAT BELT
e-PRETENS
IONERS
2009 RL

The radar sensor is located under
the Acura emblem in the f ront grille.
If the radar sensor cover is covered
with mud, dirt, dead leaves, wet
snow, etc., or if you put a sticker on
it, the CMBS will automatically shut
of f , and the CMBS indicator on the
instrument panel will come on. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK CMBS
RADAR SENSOR’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display f or about 5
seconds.Always keep the radar sensor cover
clean. If it gets dirty, clean it with
water or a mild detergent. Never use
chemical solvents or polishing
powder.Do not allow anything to impact the
radarsensorortheradarsensor
cover. If either of these parts
receives a strong impact, turn off the
system by pressing the CMBS of f
switch, and have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. If the f ront
grille ever needs to be repaired,
consult a dealer f irst.
If the radar sensor cover or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
There are three bolts on the sides of
the radar sensor. Do not tamper with
these bolts, or you may cause the
system to malf unction.
Radar Sensor
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
420
RADAR SENSOR COVER
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)
2009 RL

The radar sensor may not always
scan as intended. Here are two
examples:Thetiresarenotcorrectly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page ), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page ). Your vehicle is tilted because of a
heavy load in the rear or from
modif ications to the suspension.
Do not overload your vehicle (see
Carrying Cargo on page ), and
do not make any modif ications to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modif ications on page ). 395
393
480 480
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
421
When the CMBS is on, the radar sensor
constantly scans f or vehicles ahead of
you. This means that driving on a road
with a f ew or no vehicles could cause a
CHECK CMBS RADAR SENSOR
message to appear on the multi-
inf ormation display. This is normal
and not a cause f or concern.
2009 RL

If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with an audible and a
visual alarm.The audible alarm is a constant
beeping sound; the visual alert is an
amber colored BRAKE message that
f lashes on the multi-inf ormation
display. If these alarms come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).To turn the CMBS off, press the
CMBS OFF switch on the dashboard
f or about 1 second. When you do this,
a beeper sounds, a CMBS indicator
on the instrument panel comes on,
and a CMBS OFF message appears
on the multi-information display. To
turn the system back on, press the
switch again for about 1 second.
Collision Alarm CMBS OFF Switch
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
422
CMBS OFF SWITCH
2009 RL

The CMBS will automatically
recover when these conditions are
improved.
Any of the conditions below can
cause the CMBS to shut of f . When
the system shuts off, the CMBS
indicator in the instrument panel
comes on, and a CHECK CMBS
SYSTEM message appears on the
multi-inf ormation display f or about 5
seconds.
An abnormal tire condition is
detected (wrong tire size, f lat tire,
etc.).
Extended of f -road or mountainous
driving.
Driving your vehicle with the
parking brake applied.
Driving your vehicle in bad
weather(rain,fog,snow,etc.).
A dirty emblem on the f ront grille.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the CMBS is
turned on if it was on previously.
Automatic Shut Of f
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
423
2009 RL

The CMBS indicator normally comes
on under these conditions:When you manually turn of f the
system.
When the system shuts off
automatically.
When you drive in bad weather
(rain, snow, f og, etc.). When the VSA system indicator
comes on (see page ).
When you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position, the CMBS
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go of f . If the
indicator comes on at any other
time and a CHECK CMBS
SYSTEM message appears on the
multi-inf ormation display, there is
a problem with the CMBS. You
can still drive your vehicle, but
CMBS will not be operating. Have
your vehicle checked by a dealer.
If anything covers the f ront grille
(dirt, mud, dry leaves, wet snow,
etc.).
This indicator comes on f or several
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It also
comesonandstaysonwhenyou
turn the CMBS off by pressing the
CMBS OFF switch.
To turn the CMBS back on, make
sure the vehicle is stopped and the
ignition switch is in the ON (II)
position, then press the CMBS OFF
switch f or about 1 second. 435
CMBS Indicator
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
424
CMBS INDICATOR
2009 RL

A vehicle cuts in f ront of you and
brakes suddenly.
When you accelerate rapidly and
approach the vehicle ahead of you
at high speed.Driving in heavy, stop-and-go
traffic.
The vehicle ahead of you is a
motorcycle or other small vehicle.
Immediately af ter you drive of f .
The CMBS may not activate under
some conditions. Here are a f ew
examples:
The distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead of you is too
short.
A vehicle cuts in f ront of you at a
slow speed.
CONT INUED
Limitations
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
425
YOUR VEHICLE
YOUR VEHICLE
2009 RL

Even with little or no chance of a
collision, the CMBS may activate
under these conditions:
A vehicle suddenly crosses in f ront
of you. When you approach or pass a
vehicle ahead of you that is
turning lef t or right in an
intersection.
When you change lanes quickly,
then overtake the vehicle ahead of
you.
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
426
YOUR VEHICLE
YOUR VEHICLE
The CMBS is not designed to detect
pedestrians.
2009 RL

When you pass a low bridge at
high speed.When you approach train tracks at
the bottom of a hill and you do not
apply the brakes.Because of the road condition
(curved, winding, etc.) or the state of
your vehicle (turning angle, lane
position, etc.), CMBS can sometimes
mistake a stationary object (light
pole, traf f ic sign, etc.) as a vehicle
ahead of you and temporarily
operate. This is normal.
When you go over a sharp-edged
speed bump at high speed.
When you go over areas of
construction on the road surface.
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
427
LOW BRIDGE
RAILS YOUR VEHICLE
SIGN, POLE, etc.
2009 RL