brake ACURA RL 2011 Owner's Guide

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading. When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page .
510
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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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.
510 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)
Driving
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If equipped
The collision mitigation braking
system (CMBS ) can assist the
driver when there is a possibility of
colliding with the vehicle in f ront of
yours. It is designed to reduce the
speed of your vehicle bef ore an
unavoidable collision occurs and, if
possible, to alert you to a potential
collision while there is time f or the
driver to prevent it. Here is a brief
description of what the CMBS can
do:When your speed is above 10 mph
(15 km/h), the CMBS is monitoring
the vehicle ahead of you with radar.
When your vehicle is approaching
the vehicle ahead of yours too
quickly, the system may activate one
or more of the f ollowing: a visual
alert, an audible alert, apply the
brakes and e-pretensioners to
tighten the front seat belts first as
a warning, then to prepare for an
impending crash (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 buttononthe
dashboard.
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Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Overview
418
RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE
ACTUATOR SEAT BELT
e-PRETENS
IONERS
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If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with a visual alert or a
combination of a visual alert and an
audible alert.The visual alert is an amber colored
BRAKE message that flashes on the
multi-inf ormation display, the audible
alert is a constant beeping sound. If
one or more of the alerts come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).
Collision Alarm
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Driving
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Î
Î
e-pretensioner
The radar sensor
detects a vehicle. Braking
Audio & Visual
WARNING
Stage one
Stage three Distance between vehicles
CMBS
Stage two
Retracts the driver’s
seat belt gently a few
times, providing a
physical warning.
Forcefully tightens
driver and front
passenger seat belts.
There is a risk of a
collision with the
vehicle ahead of you.
The risk of a collision
hasincreased,timeto
respond is reduced.
The CMBS
determines that a
collision is
unavoidable.
Lightly
applied
Forcefully applied
‘‘BRAKE’’ f lashes
on the multi-
information
display.
A beep sounds
and ‘‘BRAKE’’
flashes on the
multi-information
display.
:
Depending on the circumstances, CMBS may not go through all of the alert stages bef ore initiating the last stage.
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
422
YOUR
VEHICLE
YOUR
VEHICLE
YOUR
VEHICLE VEHICLE
AHEADVEHICLE
AHEAD
VEHICLE
AHEAD
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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 off-road or mountainous
driving.
Driving your vehicle with the
parking brake applied.
Driving your vehicle in bad
weather(rain,fog,snow,etc.).
A dirty radar sensor cover on the
f ront grille.
To switch the CMBS of f , press the
CMBS OFF button 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
switch the system back on, press the
button again f or about 1 second. When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the system will
be in the previously selected on or
off setting.
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Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Automatic Shut Of f
CMBS OFF Button
Driving
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CMBS OFF BUTTON
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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.
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.
A vehicle cuts in f ront of you at a
slow speed, or it brakes suddenly.
When you accelerate rapidly and
approach the vehicle ahead of you
at high speed.
Immediately af ter you begin
driving.
Limitations
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Driving
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YOUR VEHICLE
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As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Themainpurposeof theCMBSisto
reduce the severity of injuries
caused by an unavoidable collision.
While the CMBS may help to alert
you and minimize the severity of a
collision, it may not activate in every
dangerous situation.
Even with the CMBS, it is still your
responsibility to operate the brake
pedal and steering wheel
appropriately, according to the
driving conditions.
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, guard rail, etc.) as a
vehicle ahead of you and temporarily
operate. This is normal. Important Saf ety Reminder
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
428
YOUR VEHICLE
SIGN, POLE, etc.
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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.
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. 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 system indicator blink.When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
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.
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.
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA system indicator blink.
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.
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. 429
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Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA OFF Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
Driving
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See your trailer dealer or rental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies f or the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet. Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
To ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes
Saf et y Chains
Hitches
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
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