warning Acura RL 2005 User Guide

See page f or important saf etyinf ormation and a warning about how toproperly position the head restraints. 16
Your vehicle has adjustable head
restraints on the f ront seats.
The head restraints help protect you
and your passengers f rom whiplash
and other injuries.
Theyaremosteffectivewhenyou
adjust them so the back of the
occupant’s head rests against the
center of the restraint.
The head restraints adjust f or height.
The tilt of the f ront head restraints is
also adjustable. You need both hands
to adjust the restraint. Do not
attempt to adjust it while driving. To
raise it, pull upward. To lower the
restraint, push the release button
sideways, and push the restraint
down. To adjust the tilt, pivot the
f ront head restraint to the desired
position.You can raise the rear head
restraints by hand.
To lower the rear head restraints f or
better visibility, press the rear head
restraint tilt button on the ceiling
console.
Head Restraints
Seats
120
FRONT
RELEASE BUTTON REAR
REAR HEAD RESTRAINT
TILT BUTTON

µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors. Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied technician. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
To see the label, remove the battery
cover (see page ). 332
CONT INUED
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Checking the Battery
Maint enance
331
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all passengers get
out of the vehicle while you
change the tire. Open the trunk, and f old the trunk
floor forward.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and
remove the spacer cone. Then
take the spare tire out of its well.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
337
SPARE TIRE
TRUNK FLOOR
TOOL CASE JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood,
turn of f the engine. Wait until
you see no more signs of steam
or spray, then open the hood. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
360
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
345
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, or if you see a ‘‘CHECK ENGINE
OIL LEVEL’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, the oil pressure
has dropped very low or lost
pressure. Serious engine damage is
possible, and you should take
immediate action. If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, or if you
see a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, the battery is
not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a dealer or a service station
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
305
360 253
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
348
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

µ
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example: The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading Treadwear
Traction AA, A, B, C
368

µ
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. Grade
C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance that all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinf lation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire f ailure.
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Temperature A,B,C
T echnical Inf ormation
369

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 310
..................................
Engine Oil .253
........................
Directional Signals .104
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 274
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .307
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking . 116
..................
Lockout Prevention . 116
.......................
Monitor Indicator .60
....................
Power Door Locks . 116
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 368
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .86
...........................................
Driving .261
....................................
Economy .254
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .124
..............................
Economy, Fuel .254
..................................
Emergencies .335
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 343
...........
Brake System Indicator . 350
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 337 .....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 354
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 109
............................
Jump Starting .343
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 348
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ................................
Manually .351
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.......................................
Towing .360
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .109
......................
Emergency Towing .360
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 118
.......................
Emissions Controls .371
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 374
Engine ............
Check Starting System . 264
...............
Compartment Covers . 304
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .341
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 349
.........................................
Oil lif e .291
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,348
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 305...............................
Overheating .345
............................
Specif ications .367
............................
Speed Limiter .270
.......................................
Starting .263
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 270
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .248
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 371
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .372
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.........................................
Features .161
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 249
Filters ...............................................
Oil .306
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 109
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 337
.....................................
Floor Mats .322
Index
E F
INDEX
III

ÎÎ
Fluids..........
Automatic Transmission . 310
..........................................
Brake .311
..........................
Power Steering .312
..................
Windshield Washer . 310
.....................................
Fog Lights .106
........................
Four-way Flashers .109
............................
Front Airbags .11, 27
......................................
Front Seat .119
....................................
Adjusting .119
.......................................
Heaters .142
...................................
Airbags .11, 27
...........................
Air Ventilation .143
.................................................
Fuel .248
.........................
Check Fuel Cap .250
......................
Fill Door and Cap .249
...........................................
Gauge .68
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
................
Octane Requirement . 248
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ................................
Manually .351
...............................
Oxygenated .248
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .249
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .354 ................
Gas Mileage Improving . 254
.........................................
Gasoline .248
...........................................
Gauge .68
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
................
Octane Requirement . 248
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .249
................
Gas Station Procedures . 249
.............................................
Gauges .68
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 68
...............................................
Fuel .68
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .284
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 265
......................................
Glove Box .153
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .284
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 314
........................
Hands Free Link .231
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 109Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting System ......................................
(AFS) .107
........................................
Aiming .314
..................
Automatic Lighting . 105
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 106
..................
High Beam Indicator . 64
....................
Lights On Indicator .62
..........
Low Beams, Turning on . 104
.......................
Reminder Chime .104
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 314
..........
High beams, Turning on . 104
...................................
Washer .102
............................
Head Restraints .120
...............................
Heated Mirror .123
...................................
Heater, Seat .142
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 264
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .204
.......................
Hood, Opening the .251
................................................
Horn .101
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 364
Index
G
H
I
IV
TM

CONT INUED
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 338
.......................................
Jack, Tire .337
................................
Jump Starting .343
................................................
Keys .113
................
Keyless Access System . 127...............
Keyless Access Remote . 128
...........
Keyless Memory Settings . 134
.......................
Label, Certif ication .364
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 104
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .21
........................
Lights On Indicator .62
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .314
.......................................
Indicator .59
......................................
Position .104
................................
Turn Signal .104
.....................................
Load Limit .283
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 115
Locks .....
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 115
........................
Childproof Door .118
............................
Fuel Fill Door .249
..................................
Glove Box .153
...............................
Power Door .116
.........................................
Trunk .117
......
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 121
........................
Low Coolant Level .253
Ignition
............................................
Keys .113
.........................................
Switch .115
............
Timing Control System . 372
......................
Immobilizer System .114
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........................................
Indicators .60
ABS (Anti-lock Brake ............................
System) .62, 275
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .61, 274
................
Charging System . 60,348
.............................
Cruise Control .64
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .64
...................................
High Beam .64
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 62
......................................
Low Fuel .64
................
Low Oil Pressure . 60,348
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .65, 277
.......................................
Message .66
......................................
SH-AWD .65
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .61
...............................................
SRS .61 Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .63
..
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) . 63
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .41
......................................
Inf ant Seats .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 49
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 325
.................................
Inside Mirror .122
.............................
Inspection, Tire .326
............................
Instrument Panel .59
......
Instrument Panel Brightness . 109
................
Interf ace Dial . 163,171,208
...............................
Interior Lights .160
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
J
K L
INDEX
V