display Acura RL 2009 Owner's Manual

The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D’’ indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page).
These indicators between the
tachometer and speedometer show
which position the shif t lever is in.
To shif t f rom Park to any position,
pressfirmlyonthebrakepedal,and
press the release button on the top
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.
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Shif t L ever Position Indicators Shif ting
Automatic Transmission
Driving
405
2009 RL

The transmission control system
monitors the accelerator pedal use
and your driving conditions. When
you press the accelerator pedal as in
normal driving, the system judges
that you are driving at a constant
cruising speed without using the
paddle shif ters. Under these
conditions, D-paddle shif t mode is
canceled, and the transmission
automatically returns to drive mode
(D).If there is a problem in the
transmission while you are driving
with the paddle shifters, the D
indicator f lashes, the D-paddle shif t
mode is canceled, and the
transmission returns to drive mode
(D).
Each time you pull either paddle
shif ter, the transmission shif ts one
gear up or down. If you want to shif t
up or down more than two gears, pull
the paddle shif ter twice, pause, and
then pull it again.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear if you do not accelerate.
When the transmission returns to
drive mode (D), the displayed gear
number disappears. The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed f alls below the upper limit of
the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to a higher gear. The transmission downshif ts to f irst
gear and returns to drive mode (D)
when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop and the vehicle speed
is about 9 mph (15 km/h).
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed rises above the lower limit
of the higher gear.
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You pull one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pressed.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
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2009 RL

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When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘S’’ position and pull either
paddle shif ter, the gear position
indicator displays ‘‘M’’ along with the
selected gear number.
To upshif t, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter. When you accelerate f rom a stop,
the transmission starts in f irst gear,
and you must manually upshif t
between f irst and f if th gears. Make
sure you upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the tachometer’s red
zone.
The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(5,4,3,2,or1).There
is no automatic downshif t when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor.
When you are driving in 4th or 5th
gear, the transmission downshifts to
the lower gear under the f ollowing
conditions:
The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
You press the brake pedal.
With the shif t lever in S position, you
can select the sequential shif t mode
to shif t gears; much like a manual
transmission using the paddle
shif ters, but without a clutch pedal.
To enter the sequential shif t mode,
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shif ter. To cancel the sequential shif t
mode and return to the ordinary
automatic transmission, move the
shif t lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shift lever, be careful not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the sequential shif t mode,
the transmission will not
automatically return to ordinary
automatic transmission.
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Using the Paddle Shif ters in S
position (Sequential Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
411
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘M’’ INDICATOR
2009 RL

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TheSH-AWDtorquedistribution
monitor on the multi-inf ormation
display shows you the amount of
torque being sent to the wheels.
Each wheel right f ront (RF), lef t
front(LF),rightrear(RR),andleft
rear (LR) has its own torque
indicator.
The super handling-all wheel drive
(SH-AWD) system is a f ull time all-
wheel-drive system that
automatically controls and transfers
varying amounts of engine torque to
all wheels independently, according
to the driving conditions.
While the SH-AWD system helps to
enhance the vehicle’s driving
stability in all situations, it is still
your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When you are in sequential shif t
mode, and the vehicle is stopped,
pull the (right) paddle shifter to
shif t to second gear. You will see
‘‘M2’’ in the display. Starting in
second gear helps to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surf ace.
SH-AWD T orque Distribution
Monitor
St art ing in Second Gear
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD)System
Driving
413
TORQUE INDICATOR
TORQUE INDICATOR
TM
2009 RL

Each torque indicator is displayed as
a bar graph divided into 5 segments.
The number of segments represents
the amount of torque distributed to
each wheel.
When there is only a slight change in
torque distribution while driving,
such as cruising on level roads at the
same speed, the torque distribution
monitor may stop displaying the
amount of torque. This is not a
system problem. The monitor will
show the amount if the system
senses any change in torque
distribution.If the SH-AWD indicator blinks while
driving, it indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high. You will also
see an ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF TEMP.
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. If this happens,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. If
the indicator does not go out, take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked.
If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM’’
message also appears on the multi-
inf ormation display, there is problem
with the SH-AWD system.
Your vehicle still has normal f ront-
wheel drive with vehicle stability
assist (VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD)System
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TM
2009 RL

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.
You should never pump the brake pedal.
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ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
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2009 RL

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.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.Do not allow anything to impact the
radarsensorortheradarsensor
cover. If either of these parts
receives a strong impact, turn off the
system by pressing the CMBS of f
switch, and have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. If the f ront
grille ever needs to be repaired,
consult a dealer f irst.
If the radar sensor cover or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
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.
Radar Sensor
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
420
RADAR SENSOR COVER
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)
2009 RL

The radar sensor may not always
scan as intended. Here are two
examples:Thetiresarenotcorrectly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page ), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
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 ). 395
393
480 480
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
421
When the CMBS is on, the radar sensor
constantly scans f or vehicles 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.
2009 RL

If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with an audible and a
visual alarm.The audible alarm is a constant
beeping sound; the visual alert is an
amber colored BRAKE message that
f lashes on the multi-inf ormation
display. If these alarms come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).To turn the CMBS off, press the
CMBS OFF switch 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
turn the system back on, press the
switch again for about 1 second.
Collision Alarm CMBS OFF Switch
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
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CMBS OFF SWITCH
2009 RL

The CMBS will automatically
recover when these conditions are
improved.
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 of f -road or mountainous
driving.
Driving your vehicle with the
parking brake applied.
Driving your vehicle in bad
weather(rain,fog,snow,etc.).
A dirty emblem on the f ront grille.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the CMBS is
turned on if it was on previously.
Automatic Shut Of f
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
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2009 RL