traction control Acura RL 2009 Owner's Manual

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

CONT INUED
The system accepts these
commands on any screen.
The voice control system needs
appropriate voice commands f or
controlling the climate control, the
audio system, and the compass
system.
If the system cannot recognize
your command because of
background noise, speak louder.
If the microphone picks up voices
other than yours, the system may
not interpret your voice
commands correctly.
If you speak a command with
something in your mouth, or your
voice is either too high or too
husky, the system may
misinterpret your voice commands.
If you are still having trouble with
the voice control system, ref er to
on the
main menu screen. (reads list of the commands
f or the displayed screen) (displays set up screen) (displays the
compass screen) (displays the main
menu)
(displays the
screen)
(to previous screen,
same as CANCEL or BACK
button) (cancels current activity) The voice command help option on
the main menu lists many of the
f ollowing controls. To avoid
distraction while you are driving, the
system can read the commands f or
you.
Thecommandsareaccessibleatany
time while driving and can be read to
you so that you do not need to
memorize all of them.
Help
Set upDisplay map guide
Display menuInformation tripcomputerTrip ComputerBackward
CancelWhat time is it?Calendar Calculator
Repeat voiceVoice command help
Compass System (U.S. model without navigation system)
Global Commands
Voice Command Index
Voice Command Help
Features
307
2009 RL

CONT INUED
Here are the main features of HFL.
Instructions f or using HFL begin on
page .HFL recognizes simple voice
commands, such as phone numbers
and names. It uses these commands
to automatically dial, receive, and
store numbers. For more
inf ormation on voice control, see
UsingVoiceControlonpage .
Bluetooth
is a registered trademark
of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Bluetooth is the wireless technology
that links your phone to HFL. HFL
uses a Class 2 Bluetooth, which
means the maximum range between
yourphoneandvehicleis30feet(10
meters).
Your vehicle is equipped with
BluetoothHandsFreeLink(HFL).
HFL uses Bluetooth
technology to
link your cell phone to your vehicle.
With HFL, you can place and receive
calls through your vehicle’s audio
system, without the distraction of
handling your cell phone. To use this
f eature, you need a Bluetooth-
compatible cell phone with the
Hands Free Prof ile. For more
inf ormation, and a list of compatible
cell phones, visit
, or call 1-888-528-7876.
In Canada, visit , or call
1-866-78-ACURA. The HFL is
available in English on U.S. models,
andinbothEnglishandFrenchon
Canadian models. To change the
language, see page . 358
356 379
www.acura.com/
handsf reelink www.acura.ca
Voice Control BluetoothWireless Technology
BluetoothHandsFreeL ink
Features
355
2009 RL

The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ).
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety. If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible (see page ).
When the VSA system indicator
comes on, you will also see a
‘‘CHECK VSA SYSTEM’’ message
on the multi-information display.
Without VSA, your vehicle still has
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it does not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
The main f unction of the
VSA system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control f unction. 65
65
VSA A ctivation Indicator
VSA System Indicator
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
435
NOTE:
2009 RL

If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the switch again. It
turns the system back on.
This switch is at the right side of the
lef t vent. Press and hold it until you
hear a beep.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on (see page ),
or the multi-information display
shows a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message with the indicator flashing
(see page ), the VSA system
automatically turns on even if the
VSA system is turned off with the
VSA OFF switch. In this case, you
cannot turn the VSA system of f by
pressing the VSA OFF switch again. 429
433
485
VSA and Tire Sizes
VSA OFF Switch
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
436
VSA OFF SWITCH
2009 RL

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too much tongue
load reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Tongue Load:
T otal T railer Weight:
Towing a Trailer
Driving
437
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
2009 RL

µ
Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle, and the location of
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.
................
Identif ication Numbers .522
................................
Specif ications .524
DOT Tire Quality Grading
......................
(U.S. Vehicles) .526
.................................
Treadwear .526
......................................
Traction .526
.............................
Temperature .527
.................................
Tire Labeling .528
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Required Federal ............................
Explanation .530 .......................
Emissions Controls .532
.....................
The Clean Air Act .532
Crankcase Emissions Control
....................................
System .532
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .532
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .532
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls .533
....................
PGM-FI System .533
Ignition Timing Control
................................
System .533
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ...................
(EGR) System .533
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .533
....................
Replacement Parts .533
Three Way Catalytic .................................
Converters .534
........................
Emissions Testing .535
T echnical Inf ormation
Technical Inf ormation
521
2009 RL

The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading T readwear T raction
526
2009 RL