steering Acura RL 2009 Owner's Manual

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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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
2 2
2
3
1
2
4
2009 RL

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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
: On model with Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) (6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Side Airbags
(9) Side Curtain Airbags
(10) Door Locks
(11) Front Seat Belt Tensioners/
Seat Belt e-pretensioners
2009 RL

The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are: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.
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.
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
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.
Airbags can pose serious hazards.
12
2009 RL

See page f or how to adjust the
f ront seats.
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.
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 ).
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.
Adjust the driver’s seat as far to the
rear as possible while allowing you to
maintain f ull control of the vehicle.
Have a f ront passenger adjust their
seat as far to the rear as possible.
148
156
Protecting A dults and Teens
Adjust the Front Seats
2.
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.
2009 RL

Adjust the driver’s head restraint so
the center of the back of your head
rests against the center of the
restraint.
Have passengers with adjustable
head restraints adjust their restraints
properly as well. Taller persons
should adjust their restraint as high
as possible.
Reclining a seat-back so that the
shoulder part of the belt no longer
rests against the occupant’s chest
reduces the protective capability of
the belt. It also increases the chance
of sliding under the belt in a crash
and being seriously injured. The
farther a seat-back is reclined, the
greater the risk of injury.
See page f or how to adjust the
seat-backs.
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.
156
Protecting A dults and Teens
A djust the Head Restraints
Adjust the Seat-Backs 4.
3.
16
Reclining the seat-back too far
can result in serious injury or
death in a crash.
Adjust the seat-back to an
upright position, and sit well
back in the seat.
2009 RL

Î
ÎYour 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’’ (see page ).
32
34 29
: On models with CMBSCONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
27
(15)
(14)
(13)
(11) (13)
(12)
(11) e-pretensioner Control Unit
(12) Front Impact Sensors
(13) Side Impact Sensors (Second)
(14) Rear Safing Sensor
(15) Side Curtain Airbags
2009 RL

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 .136
Windshield Wipers and
.....................................
Washers .137
.......
Turn Signals and Headlights .140
.................................
Fog Lights .142
.........
Daytime Running Lights .142
Automatic Lighting Off
...................................
Feature .143
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .144
...............
Hazard Warning Button .146
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .146
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .147
......
Steering Wheel Adjustments .148
.............................
Keys and Locks .150
......................
Immobilizer System .151
..............................
Ignition Switch .152
....................................
Door Locks .153
..............................................
Trunk .154
......
Emergency Trunk Opener .155 ................
Childproof Door Locks .155
...............................................
Seats .156
...........................................
Mirrors .161
Driving Position Memory
........................................
System .163
................
Keyless Access System .166
.......................
Front Seat Heaters .181
Front Seat Heaters and Seat
.................................
Ventilation .182
Rear Seat Heaters ...................
(Canadian models) .184
............................
Power Windows .185
.......................................
Moonroof .188
...............................
Parking Brake .191
.........
Interior Convenience Items .192
..................................
Glove Box .193
.....................
Beverage Holders .194
.............
Console Compartment .195
..................................
Sun Visors .196
............................
Vanity Mirror .196
........
Accessory Power Sockets .197
..................
Front Door Pockets .197
..............
Power Rear Sunshade .198
..............
Integrated Sunshades .199
...............................
Interior Lights .200
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
2009 RL

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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text. If equipped.
:
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR KEYLESS ACCESS
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW FUEL 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.68)
(P.69)
(P.71)
(P.21,62)(P.68)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.34,63)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM INDICATOR
VSA
ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR(P.35,63)
(P.65) (P.65)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE
AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR(P.64)
SH-AWD INDICATOR (P.66)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE/TPMS INDICATOR(P.66)
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM
(AFS) INDICATOR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
INDICATOR
(P.65) /
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKE
SYSTEM (CMBS) INDICATOR (P.69)
(P.69,144) (P.66,319)
(P.62,506)
(P.62,507)(P.62,506) (P.435)
(P.65,435)
(P.64,417)
(P.63,508)
(P.67,429)
2009 RL

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.This indicator has three f unctions:
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more inf ormation, see
page . It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
Take your vehicle to a dealer to have
it checked. Without VSA, your
vehicle still has normal driving ability,
but will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. For more
inf ormation, see page . This indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. For more
inf ormation, 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 ).
1.
2.
3.
78 78142
140
142
316
435 435
435
On models without adaptive cruise control (ACC)
Instrument Panel Indicators
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator Fog L ight Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Cruise Main Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
2009 RL