Acura RL 2002 3.5 Repair Manual

U.S. ModelsCanadian Models
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone. The gauges illuminate when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Gauges
Speedometer
T achometer
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
T TA
A C
CHH O
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R T
TE
EM
M P
PE
ER
RA A T
TU
UR REE
G
GA AU
UG GEE S
SE
EL
LEE C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
O
OD DO
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R
R
REES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
F
FU
UE EL
L G
GAAU
UG GEE
M
M A
AI
INNT TE
EN
NA AN
NC CEE
R
RE EQ
QU UIIRRE ED
D I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R T
T
R
RI IPP M
M E
ET
TE
ER
R/ /O
OU UTTS
SI IDD E
E
T
T E
EM
M P
PE
ER
RA A T
TU
UR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
S
SP
PE
EE
ED
D O
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R
01/09/28 19:34:44 31SZ3660_061

CONT INUED
The trip meter and the outside
temperature indicator use the same
display. To switch the display
between the trip meter and the
outside temperature, press the
Select button. When you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), what you
last selected is displayed.The trip meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters, Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
and the outside temperature display
by pressing the Select button
repeatedly. Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two dif f erent distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press the Reset button until you
hear a beep. Both trip meters will re-
set if the car’s battery goes dead or
is disconnected.
The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Odometer
T rip Meter/Outside T emperature
IndicatorTrip Meter
59
S SE EL
LEE C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
R
RE ES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
01/09/28 19:34:54 31SZ3660_062

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade in
Canadian models.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace. The temperature sensor is located in
the f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road sur-
f ace, engine heat, and the exhaust
f rom the surrounding traf f ic. This
can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h). This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
The gauge stays at the same f uel
level reading af ter you turn of f the
ignition. When you add f uel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
readingafteryouturntheignition
switch back ON (II).
293
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Fuel Gauge
Temperature GaugeOut side T emperat ure Indicat or
60
01/09/28 19:35:05 31SZ3660_063

µYour dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.
Turn of f the engine.
For the f irst 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km) this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you f irst turn the ignition
switch ON (II), and then f lash f or
ten seconds.
Press and hold the select and reset
buttons next to the instrument pan-
el, then turn the ignition switch
ON (II).
Hold the buttons for
approximately ten seconds until
the indicator resets.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance.
If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages . 1.
2.
3.
218 222
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Maintenance Required Indicator
61
S SE EL
LEE C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
R
RE ES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
M
M
A
AI
INNT TE
EN
NA AN
NC CEE R
REEQ
QU UIIRRE ED
D I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
01/09/28 19:35:16 31SZ3660_064

Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switch for the hazard warning
lights is on the dashboard to the
right of the steering column.
The controls under the lef t air vent
areforthecruisecontrol,instrument
panel brightness and the VSA
System.
The switches for the rear window
def ogger and f og lights are under
the audio system.
The steering wheel adjustment
switch on the side of the steering
column allows you to tilt and
telescope the steering wheel.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols62
C CRRUUI ISSE E
C
CO ON NTTR
RO OL L H
H
E
EA
A D
DL
LIIGGH HT
TS
S/ /
T
T U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
LSS
I
IN NS STTR
RU UM M E
EN
NT T
P
P A
A N
NE EL
L
B
BR RIIGGH HT
TN
NE ES
SS S H
H
A
AZ
ZA
A R
RDD W
WA AR
RNNI INNG G
L
LI IGGH HT
TS
S W
WI
INND DS
SHH I
IEE L
LDD
W
WI IPP E
ER
RS S//W
WA AS
SHH E
ER
RS S
F
FO OG G
L
LI IGGH HT
TS
S
R
REEA
A R
R W
WI INND DO
OW W
D
D E
EF
FOOG GGGEER
R
V
V
E
EH
H I
ICCL LEE
S
ST TA
A B
BIILLI ITT Y
Y
A
A S
SSSIISST T S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M
O
OF FFF S
SWWI ITT C
CH H
S
STTE
EE
ER
RI INNG G W
WHHE
EE
EL
L
A
A D
DJ
JUUS STTM
M E
EN
NT TS
S H
H
O
OR RNN
01/09/28 19:35:25 31SZ3660_065

CONT INUED
To change between low beams and
high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will
light (see page ).
The rotating switch on the lef t lever
controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the position turns on
the parking lights, taillights, side
marker lights, and rear license plate
lights. Turning the switch to the
position turns on the
headlights. When the light switch is in either of
these positions, the Lights On
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This light remains on if you leave the
light switch on and turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0). If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver’s door.
57
U.S. models only
Headlights
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols63
01/09/28 19:35:35 31SZ3660_066

The high beams will stay on f or as
long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlight
switch is in. To f lash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go off.The Automatic Lighting f eature
turns on the headlights, all other
exterior lights, and the instrument
panel lights when it senses low
ambient light.
To turn on automatic lighting, turn
the light switch to AUTO at any time.
The lights will come on automatically
when the outside light level becomes
low (at dusk, f or example). TheLights On indicator comes on as a
reminder. The lights and indicator
will turn of f automatically when the
system senses high ambient light.
Thelightswillremainonwhenyou
turn of f the ignition switch. They will
turn of f automatically when you open
the driver’s door. To turn them on
again, either turn the ignition switch
to ON (II) or turn the light switch to
.
Even with the automatic lighting
f eature turned on, we recommend
thatyouturnonthelightsmanually
when driving at night or in a dense
f og, or when you enter dark areas,
such as long tunnels or parking
structures.
On U.S. models
Automatic Lighting
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols64
A A U
UT TO
O P
PO
OS SIITT I
IOON N
01/09/28 19:35:44 31SZ3660_067

The automatic lighting f eature is
controlledbyasensorlocatedontop
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
car f or an extended period (a week
ormore).Youshouldalsoturnoff
the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or the engine of f f or a
long time. This will prevent the
battery f rom discharging.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Daytime Running L ights
(Canadian Models)
65
L LI
IGGH HT
T
S
SE EN
NS SOOR R
01/09/28 19:35:52 31SZ3660_068

The dial on the dashboard to the lef t
of the instrument panel is used to
adjust the brightness of the lights in
the controls and displays. Turn the
dial to adjust the brightness.Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a lef t turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.
To reduce glare at night, the instru-
ment panel illumination dims when
you turn the light switch to or
. Turning the instrument panel
brightness control f ully to the lef t,
past the detent, will return the instru-
ment panel to its f ull brightness.
Instrument Panel Brightness T urn Signals
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
T T
U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
L L
LEE V
V E
ER
R
I
IN
NS STTR
RU UM M E
EN
NT T P
PA
A N
NE EL
L
B
BR RIIGGH HT
TN
NE ES
SS S D
DI
IAA L
L
01/09/28 19:36:01 31SZ3660_069

Turn the f og lights on and of f by
pressing the button. The indicator in
the button lights to show the f og
lights are on.
To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon
as you release it.
You can use the f og lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
They will go of f when you turn the
headlights of f or onto high beam.
With the light switch in the AUTO
position, you can also use the f og
lights when the headlights turn on
automatically. They will go of f when
the headlights turn of f .
U.S. models only
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Fog Lights
67
C Caarrss w
wi itth h n
na
avviigg a
attiioo n
n s
syys stteem m
01/09/28 19:36:09 31SZ3660_070