Acura RL 2002 3.5 Owner's Manual

328
01/09/28 20:18:14 31SZ3660_331

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*
The f ollowing publications covering the operation and
servicing of your vehicle can be obtained f rom Helm
Incorporated, either by f illing out the attached f orm or,
f or credit card holders, calling the toll-f ree phone number
on the f orm. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356.
Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
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Publication
Form Number 61SZ305
61SZ306
61SZ306EL 61SZ330
31SZ3660
31SZ3760 ACU-R Form Description
1996-2001 Acura 3.5 RL Service Manual
2002 Acura 3.5 RL
Service Manual Supplement 1996-2002 Acura 3.5 RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 1996-2002 Acura 3.5 RLBody Repair Manual2002 Acura 3.5 RLOwner’s Manual
2002 Acura 3.5 RL
Navigation Manual
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Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation.
01/09/28 20:18:26 31SZ3660_332

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#
) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
330
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
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from the shipping address shown above.
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()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
01/09/28 20:18:37 31SZ3660_333

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .184
................................
Accessories .184
.
Additional Safety Precautions .185
............................
Modif ications .185
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .78
.............
Accessory Power Socket .108
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .228
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9,43,45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .241
.................
Air Conditioning Filter .252
..............
Air Conditioning System .114
..............................
Maintenance .251
.................................
Usage .116,121
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .114
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .253
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .156
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .316
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .275
......................................
Antif reeze .231
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .56, 199
...................................
Operation .199
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 156Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .77
..........................
Anti-thef t System .157
..........................
Appearance Care .273
............................................
Armrest .89
.........................................
Ashtrays .110
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 155
................................
Audio System .128
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .114
.........................
Automatic Lighting .64
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .41
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 158
..............
Automatic Transmission . 192
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .312
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 238
.......................................
Shif ting .192
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 192
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 192
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 195Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .54, 296
............................
Jump Starting .290
..............................
Maintenance .246
............................
Specif ications .313
..............................
Bef ore Driving .177
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,40
...........................
Beverage Holder .104
...................................
Body Repair .280
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 198
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 178
....................
Bulb Replacement .266
...........................................
Fluid .239
.......................................
Parking .102
.................
System Indicator . 54,299
........................
Wear Indicators .197
.............................
Braking System .197
........................
Break-in, New Car .198
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 66
........................
Brights, Headlights .63
Index
A B
I
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Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .266
..............................
Brake Lights .266
............................
Ceiling Lights .269
........................
Courtesy Lights .269
.................................
Fog Lights .263
........
Front Side Marker Lights .265
.................................
Headlights .262
.........
High-mount Brake Light .267
.................
License Plate Lights .268
............................
Specif ications .313
...............................
Trunk Light .270
....................
Turn Signal Lights .265
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .262
..................................
Cancel Button .75
............................
Capacities Chart .312
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .49
............................
Carrying, Cargo .186
Cassette Player
............................................
Care .148
...........................
Operation .133,145
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
..................
CD Changer .136,149,151 ................................
Ceiling Lights .111
........................
Certif ication Label .310
............................................
Chains .259
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .229
......................................
When to .218
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .283
............
Changing Engine Coolant .233
...
Charging System Indicator .54,297
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .190
.....................................
Child Saf ety .20
.......................................
Child Seats .24
............
Tether Anchorage Point .39
..................
Childproof Door Locks .82
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .109
...................................
Cleaner, Air .241
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .275
...................................
Carpeting .276
......................................
Exterior .274
.........................................
Fabric .276
.......................................
Interior .276
.......................................
Leather .276
...................................
Seat Belts .276
...........................................
Vinyl .276
....................................
Windows .277 ................................
Wood Trim .277
...............
Climate Control System .114
.........................
Clock, Setting the .102
.....................
Code, Audio System .136
........................
CO in the Exhaust .318
........................................
Coin Box .106
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .191
..............................
Compact Spare .282
.................
Console Compartment .106
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .324
.............
Controls, Instruments and .51
Coolant
........................................
Adding .231
....................................
Checking .182
.........................
Proper Solution .231
...................................
Replacing .233
...................
Temperature Gauge .60
....................
Corrosion Protection .279
............................
Courtesy Lights .117
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .318
............
Cruise Control Operation .158
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .324
Index
C
II
01/09/28 20:18:49 31SZ3660_335

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,52
................
Daytime Running Lights .65
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .327
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .71
......
Def rosting the Windows .120,124
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .239
....................................
Dimensions .312
...............
Dimming the Headlights .63
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .238
..................................
Engine Oil .181
..........................
Directional Signals .66
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .197
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .230
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .78
....................
Lockout Prevention .79
..............................
Monitor Light .57
......................
Power Door Locks .78
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
.....................................
Drive Belts .252
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5 ...........................................
Driving .189
....................................
Economy .183
.........................
In Bad Weather .204
................
In Foreign Countries .317
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .97
..............................
Economy, Fuel .183
............
Emergencies on the Road .281
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 290
...........
Brake System Indicator . 299
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 283
.....
Charging System Indicator . 296
..................
Checking the Fuses . 302
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 295
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 297
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 300
..................
Overheated Engine . 293
.........................
Emergency Brake .102
......................
Emergency Flashers .70
......................
Emergency Towing .306
.......................
Emissions Controls .318
..............
Emissions Testing,State . 321Engine
............................................
Belts .252
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 60
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .55, 297
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,295
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 227
...............................
Overheating .293
............................
Specif ications .313
............................
Speed Limiter .194
.......................................
Starting .191
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 194
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .316
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 318
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .319
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior,Cleaningthe .274
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .276
Index
D
E
F
III
01/09/28 20:18:55 31SZ3660_336

..........................
Fan, Interior .118,123
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .179
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner .241
.......................
Air Conditioning .252
...............................................
Oil .229
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .70
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .283
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .238
..........................................
Brake .239
................................
Differential .239
..........................
Power Steering .240
..................
Windshield Washer .237
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception .129,139
........................................
Fog Lights .67
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in .317
..........................
Four-way Flashers .70
..............................
Front Airbags .9,43
.................................................
Fuel .178
......................
Fill Door and Cap .179
...........................................
Gauge .60
................
Octane Requirement .178 ...............................
Oxygenated .316
........................
Reserve Indicator .57
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving .183
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .302
..........................................
Gasohol .316
.........................................
Gasoline .178
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .57
...........................................
Gauge .60
................
Octane Requirement .178
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
................
Gas Station Procedures .179
.............................................
Gauges .58
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .60
...............................................
Fuel .60
...............................
Speedometer .58
.................................
Tachometer .58
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .207
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 192
..............................
Glass Cleaning .278
........................................
Glove Box .88 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .207
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 262
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 70
Headlights ....................
Automatic Lighting .64
............
Daytime Running Lights . 65
..................
High Beam Indicator . 57
....................
Lights On Indicator .55
.........................
Reminder Chime .63
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 262
...................................
Turning on .63
..............................
Head Restraints .88
.....................
Heating and Cooling .114
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 191
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 63
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 267
HomeLink Universal ...............................
Transmitter .162
....................................
Hood Latch .241
.......................
Hood, Opening the .180
..................................................
Horn .62
.................................
Hydroplaning .205
Index
G H
IV
01/09/28 20:19:00 31SZ3660_337

CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .310
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .74
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System .319
........................
Immobilizer System .75
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
Indicators, Instrument
.............................................
Panel .53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .28
......................................
Inf ant Seats .28
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .253
...................................
Inside Mirror .91
.............................
Inspection, Tire .255
............................
Instrument Panel .53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .66
...........................
Interior Cleaning .277
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .284
.......................................
Jack, Tire .284 ................................
Jump Starting .290
..................................................
Keys .74
.......................
Label, Certif ication .310
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .66
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .40
...................................
Learning Key .75
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .276
........................
Lights On Indicator .55
.........................
Lighter, Cigarette .109
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .262
........................................
Ceiling .111
.....................................
Courtesy .112
.......................................
Indicator .53
.........................................
Parking .63
..................................
Turn Signal .66
.....................................
Load Limit .187
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .77
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .77 ..........................
Childproof Door .82
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179
....................................
Glove Box .85
.................................
Power Door .78
...........................................
Trunk .83
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover .90
........................
Low Coolant Level .182
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .57
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .54,295
Lubricant Specif ications
..........................................
Chart .312
.........................................
Luggage .186
..................................
Maintenance .213
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 225
.................................
Record .223-224
......................
Required Indicator .61
..........................................
Saf ety .214
.............................
Schedule .218-222
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 55,297
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 93
...............................
Meters, Gauges .58
Index
I
J K
L
M
V
01/09/28 20:19:09 31SZ3660_338

...................
Methanol in Gasoline .316
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .91
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .300
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position .193
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .178
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .310
...................
Radiator Overheating .293
...
Radio/Cassette Sound System .128
...........................
Readiness Codes .298
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .264
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .90
............................
Rear Ventilation .126
............................
Rear View Mirror .91
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .71
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs .87
.............................
Reminder Lights .53
.......................
Remote Transmitter .79
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element .241
.............
Air Conditioning Filter . 252
..............................
Paint Touch-up .275
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 66
........................
Park Gear Position .193
...........................................
Parking .196
...............................
Parking Brake .106
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 54,299
.................................
Parking Lights .63
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 320
.............................
PGM-FI System .319
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 275
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .28
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 35
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .39
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 178
.........................................
Odometer .59
...............................
Odometer, Trip .59
Oil ........................
Change, How to .229
......................
Change, When to .218
......................
Checking Engine .181
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54,295
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .228
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 80Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .310
............................................
OnStar .167
.........................
Opening the Trunk .83
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 317
..............................
Outside Mirrors .91
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 59
....................
Overheating, Engine .293
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 225
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .316
Index
N
O P
R
VI
01/09/28 20:19:16 31SZ3660_339

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..........................
Engine Coolant .233
................
Engine Oil and Filter .229
..........................................
Fuses .302
................................
Light Bulbs .262
....................................
Schedule .216
................................
Spark Plugs .243
...........................................
Tires .257
.............................
Wiper Blades .249
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .42
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .182
..................
Reverse Gear Position .193
................................
Rotation, Tire .256
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .327
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .50
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii .....................................
Seat Belts .8,40
...............
Additional Information .40
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .18
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner .41
.............
Child Seat Anchor Plate .39
.....................................
Cleaning .277
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .40
................................
Maintenance .42
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .40,54
................................
Replacement .42
...................
System Components .40
...............
Use During Pregnancy .18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .15
....................................
Seat Heaters .95
....................
Seat Position Memory .93
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .86
................
Security Alarm System .157
...............................
Serial Number .310
...........................
Service Intervals .218
...........................
Service Manual .329
.........
Service Station Procedures .179
..........................
Setting the Clock .102
Shif ting the Automatic
.............................
Transmission .192
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .192 ........................
Shif t Lock Release .195
....................................
Side Airbags .45
How The Side Airbag Indicator ............................
Light Works .47
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .45
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .265
...............................
Signaling Turns .66
.........................................
Ski Sleeve .96
.....................................
Snow Tires .259
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners .274
................................
Sound System .128
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .282
............................
Specif ications .313
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing .243
....................
Specif ications Charts .312
................................
Speed Control .158
...................................
Speedometer .58
.......................................
Spotlights .111
Index
S
VII
01/09/28 20:19:23 31SZ3660_340