ACURA RL 2012 Owners Manual

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The brake pedal
assist f unction increases the f orce
you apply to the brake pedal during
an emergency stop. When the brake
pedal assist is activated, the e-
pretensioners (if equipped) tighten
f ront seat belts (see page ). The
anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard (see page ).
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels. Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. 24
416Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
415
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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.510A 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
417
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µ
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. 24
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Overview
418
RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE
ACTUATORSEAT BELT
e-PRETENSIONERS
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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.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. 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.
CONT INUED
Radar Sensor
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Driving
419
RADAR SENSOR COVERBOLTS
(Do not tamper)
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Certain conditions may cause the
radar aim to be temporarily out of
proper range, such as the f ollowing
two examples:
If the radar sensor cover or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer. Do not allow anything to impact the
radarsensorortheradarsensor
cover. If either of these parts
receives a strong impact, switch the
system of f by pressing the CMBS
OFF button, and have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. If the f ront
grille ever needs to be repaired,
consult a dealer f irst.
Thetiresarenotcorrectly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page ), and that the tires are
thecorrectsizeandingood
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 ).394
392
482
481
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
420
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When the CMBS is on, the radar sensor
constantly scans f or vehicles directly
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.
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CONT INUED
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
421
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e-pretensioner The radar sensor
detects a vehicle.Braking Audio & Visual
WARNING
Stage one
Stage threeDistance between vehiclesCMBS
Stage two
Retracts the driver’s
seat belt gently a few
times, providing a
physical warning.
Forcef ully 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’’
f lashes 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
VEHICLEVEHICLE
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.
CONT INUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
Automatic Shut Of f CMBS OFF Button
Driving
423
CMBS OFF BUTTON
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When the VSA system indicator
comes on (see page ). The CMBS indicator normally comes
on under these conditions:
When you manually switch of f the
system.
When the system shuts off
automatically.
When you drive in bad weather
(rain, snow, f og, etc.).
If anything covers the radar
sensor cover (dirt, mud, dry leaves,
wet snow, etc.). The CMBS will automatically switch
on again if the conditions that caused
it to switch of f are improved.
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 button.
To switch 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
button f or about 1 second.435 CMBS Indicator
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
424
CMBS INDICATOR
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