ignition Acura RL 2009 Owners Manual

Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Open the trunk, and fold the trunk
floor forward.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and
remove the spacer cone. Then
take the spare tire out of its well.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
495
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.
2009 RL

When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
Check these things:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Make sure the remote is with you,
inside the vehicle.
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
519
489 500
500
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Emergency T owing
Jump Starting
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
499
2009 RL

In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
Are you using a properly coded
built-in key or remote? An
improperly coded built-in key or
remote will cause the immobilizer
system indicator in the instrument
panel to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
64 403
512
519
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
500
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
2009 RL

Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, or if you see
a ‘‘CHECK EMISSION
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, it means one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may go of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. You will also see a
‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’ message on
the multi-information display.
Tighten the cap until it clicks at least
once (see page ). Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator of f
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving. If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Itcan
take several days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to for
more information (see page ).
387 535
Readiness Code
Emissions T esting
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
507
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
2009 RL

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. You will see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW’’ message on
the multi-information display. Press
lightly on the brake pedal to see if it
f eels normal. If it does, check the
brake f luid level the next time you
stop at a service station (see page
). The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. If you do
not release the parking brake, the
indicator will stay on, and you will
see a ‘‘RELEASE PARKING
BRAKE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
466 519
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
508
U.S. Canada
2009 RL

Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages
, , and , or the diagram
on the f use box lid, which f use or
f uses control that device. Check
those fuses first, but check all the
f uses bef ore deciding that a blown
f use is the cause. Replace any blown
f uses, and check if the device works.
Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. 3.
1.
2. 516 517 518
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
512
FUSE
BLOWN BLOWN
2009 RL

If thefuseforthedrivingposition
memory system is removed, all
stored driving positions will be lost.
To store the driving positions again,
see page .
If the navigation system f use is
removed, the navigation system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.
If the compass system f use is
removed, the compass system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Enter the f our-
digit anti-thef t security code (see
page ). You will also need to
reset the clock according to the
setting the clock instructions (seepage ).
If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
next time you turn on the audio
system you will see ‘‘ ’’ in the
f requency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the five-digit code
(see page ).
If thefuseforthepowertilt
telescopic steering is removed, the
system will be disabled. The system
needs to be reset af ter reinstalling
thefuse(seepage ).
163
298 313
280 149
On vehicles with navigation system
On vehicles without navigation system
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
515
2009 RL

No.
No.No. Circuits Protected
Circuits Protected
Circuits Protected
Amps.
Amps. Amps.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
2 17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
ACG
Fuel Pump
IGN SOL
Meter
SRS
IGP (PGM-FI ECU)
Left rear power window
ETS (telescopic)
ETS (tilt)
Driver’s power window
Moonroof
Adaptive Front Lighting
System
Air Conditioner
e-pretensioner
ACC
Option
Starter diag.
Starter signal
DrivebyWire
Ignition coil
Daytime running light
LAF heater
Radio
Interior light
Back-up
Door lock
Accessory socket
Occupant position detection
system
Wiper
Rear heated seat
Driver’s power seat sliding
Driver’s power seat reclining
15 A
15 A
10 A
15 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
20 A
20 A
7.5 A
15 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
7.5 A 20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 20 A
15 A
20 A
15 A
10 A
10 A
7.5 A 20 A
20 A
20 A
30 A
20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
(7.5 A)Passenger’s power seat sliding
Passenger’s power seat reclining
Tire pressure monitoring system
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
517
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Driver’s side
SECONDARY INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Driver’s side
2009 RL

µ
Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle, and the location of
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.
................
Identif ication Numbers .522
................................
Specif ications .524
DOT Tire Quality Grading
......................
(U.S. Vehicles) .526
.................................
Treadwear .526
......................................
Traction .526
.............................
Temperature .527
.................................
Tire Labeling .528
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Required Federal ............................
Explanation .530 .......................
Emissions Controls .532
.....................
The Clean Air Act .532
Crankcase Emissions Control
....................................
System .532
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .532
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .532
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls .533
....................
PGM-FI System .533
Ignition Timing Control
................................
System .533
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ...................
(EGR) System .533
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .533
....................
Replacement Parts .533
Three Way Catalytic .................................
Converters .534
........................
Emissions Testing .535
T echnical Inf ormation
Technical Inf ormation
521
2009 RL

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These f our systems work
together to control the engine’s
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: air intake,
engine control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
f uel to inject under all operating
conditions.This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manif old. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/f uel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the f uel is
burned.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
The three way catalytic converters
are in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, they convert HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI System Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Emissions Cont rols
Technical Inf ormation
533
2009 RL