transmission ACURA RL 2012 User Guide

µ µIf you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shif t lever must be in Park bef ore
you can turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK (0) position, or remove
the built-in key f rom the ignition
switch.
Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
shif t f rom Park to reverse. To shif t
f rom reverse to neutral, come to a
completestopandthenshift.Press
the release button bef ore shif ting
into reverse f rom neutral. To shif t f rom Park to any position,
pressfirmlyonthebrakepedal,and
press the release button on the top
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
of f or starting the engine. To shif t
outofPark,youmustpressonthe
brake pedal and have your foot off
the accelerator pedal. Press the
release button on the top of the shift
lever to move it.405
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR
DtoS
StoD
DtoN
NtoD
RtoNDo this:
Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever release
button.
Press the shift lever release
button.
Move the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ock Release
Reverse (R) Shif ting
Park (P)
404
RELEASE BUTTON
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CONT INUED
Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone. With the shift lever in D or S, you
canalsousethepaddleshiftersto
shif t the transmission up or down.
With the paddle shifters, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a
clutch pedal. For more inf ormation
on driving with the paddle shif ters,
see page .
To shift into the S
position, press the release button on
the top of the shif t lever, and move
the lever to S. This position is similar
to D, except only gears f rom f irst to
fifth are selected. (When shifting up
automatically, the vehicle speed is
higher than when in the D position.)
The S position keeps thetransmission f rom cycling between
fourth, fifth and sixth gears in stop-
and-go driving.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 6 gear) to
keep the engine at the best speed f or
the driving conditions.This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Make sure the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) position. Set the parking brake.
Remove the built-in key from the
keyless access remote (see page
). 1.
2.
407
181 Shif t L ock Release Neutral (N)
Engine Speed L imiter
S Position (S) Drive (D)
Automatic Transmission
Driving
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If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
Push down on the built-in key
while you press the release button
and move the shif t lever out of
Park to neutral.Remove the built-in key from the
shif t lock release slot, then
reinstall the cover. Make sure the
notchonthecoverisonthedriver’s
side. Press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
Insert the built-in key into the shift
lock release slot. Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover to prevent
scratches. Use a small f lat-tip
screwdriver or metal f ingernail f ile
to caref ully pry up the edge of the
cover and remove it from the slot. 3. 4.
5.6.
Automatic Transmission
406
COVERSHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
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CONT INUED
WhenyouaredrivingintheD
position, you can shif t the
transmission up or down manually
with the paddle shifters.
To shif t up or down, use the
(right) or (lef t) paddle shif ter on
either side of the steering wheel.Each time you pull (right), the
transmission shif ts to a higher gear.
Pull (lef t) to downshif t. You will
see the selected gear number on the
instrument panel.
When you pull either paddle shif ter,
the gear position indicator shows you
the selected gear number.Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
brakingwhengoingdownsteepor
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. Using the Paddle Shif ters in the
D position (D-Paddle Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
407
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
PADDLE SHIFTERS
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´ The transmission control system
monitors the accelerator pedal use
and your driving conditions. When
you press the accelerator pedal as in
normal driving, the system judges
that you are driving at a constant
cruising speed without using the
paddle shif ters. Under these
conditions, D-paddle shif t mode is
canceled, and the transmission
automatically returns to drive mode
(D).The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
number of the lower gear several
times, then return to a higher gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You pull one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pressed. Each time you pull either paddle
shifter, the transmission shifts one
gear up or down.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear if you do not accelerate. When the transmission returns to
drive mode (D), the displayed gear
number disappears. Hold the paddle shifter for 2
seconds to return to drive mode (D).You can also shift down two gears at
a time if the selected gear is between
the second and sixth, and the engine
speed is within the appropriate range.
Pull the paddle shif ter twice to select
agear.
If you want to shif t up or down more
than two gears, pull the paddle
shif ter twice, pause, and then pull it
again.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
408
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CONT INUED
With the shif t lever in the S position,
you can select the sequential shif t
mode to shif t gears; much like a
manual transmission using the
paddle shif ters, but without a clutch
pedal. You are trying to downshift from
second to f irst with the accelerator
pedal off.
The transmission downshif ts to f irst
gear and returns to drive mode (D)
when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop or the vehicle speed is
about 6 mph (10 km/h).
If there is a problem in the
transmission while you are driving
with the paddle shifters, the D
indicator f lashes, the D-paddle shif t
mode is canceled, and the
transmission returns to drive mode
(D). When you depress the accelerator
pedal to the f loor, the transmission
will downshif t f rom second to f irst.
Shif ting between f irst and second
gears may occur automatically.
Downshif ting f rom second to f irst
with the accelerator pedal off is not
allowed.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘S’’ and pull either paddle
shif ter, the gear position indicator
displays ‘‘M’’ along with the selected
gear number. To enter the sequential shif t mode,
press the release button on the top
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shif ter. To cancel the sequential shif t
mode and return to the ordinary
automatic transmission, move the
shif t lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shift lever, be caref ul not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the sequential shif t mode,the transmission will not
automatically return to ordinary
automatic transmission.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Using the Paddle Shif ters in the S
position (Sequential Shif t Mode)
Driving
409
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘M’’ INDICATOR
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´
µThe automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
number of the lower gear several
times, then return to a higher gear.
If the vehicle speed decreases
below the redline of the selected
lowergearwhiletheindicatoris
f lashing, the transmission
downshif ts, and the indicator
displays the selected gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear. The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
gear when the vehicle speed reaches
6mph(10km/h)orless. Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. When you are driving, the
transmission downshifts to the lower
gear under the f ollowing conditions:
The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
You press the brake pedal.
The vehicle detects that you are
driving uphill or downhill. To upshif t, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter.
When you accelerate f rom a stop,
the transmission starts in f irst gear,
and shif ts f rom f irst to second
automatically. You must manually
upshif t between second and sixth
gears. Make sure you upshif t bef ore
the engine speed reaches the
tachometer’s red zone.
The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(6,5,4,3,or2).There
is no automatic downshif t when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
410
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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes. Parking T ips
Parking
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The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to S
position, or use the paddle shif ters to
the lower gear (3, 2 or 1) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
Driving on
Hills T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and BrakingDriving on Hills
Driving
441
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Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page . Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; turn the wheel to the lef t to
get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.521
bottom
Towing Your Vehicle
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing Backing Up
Parking
442
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