Acura RL 2009 Owner's Manual

If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact Acura Client
Services.U.S. Owners:
Canadian Owners:
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
service manager or general manager
can help. Almost all problems are
solved in this way.
Vehicle identif ication number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you522
Client Service Inf ormation
538
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Services
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238
Vortex Motor Corp.
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-7546
Acura Client Services
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-866-78-ACURA
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776
2009 RL

µ
µ µ
µ
µ µ
µ µ
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covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet f or exact
inf ormation. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom your dealer.
this warranty gives up
to 100% credit toward a replacement
battery. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered by a limited warranty.
Please read your warranty booklet
f or details.
covers all Acura
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Acura accessories are covered under
this warranty. Time and mileage
limits depend on the type of
accessory and other factors. Please
read your warranty manual f or
details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2009 Acura warranty inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2009 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant yEmissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
Warrant y and Client Relat ions
539
2009 RL

If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA), in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.To contact NHTSA, you may call the
VehicleSafetyHotlinetoll-freeat
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other
inf ormation about motor vehicle
safety from .
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
540
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov
2009 RL

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
541
Form Description
2005-2009 Acura RL Service Manual 2005-2009 Acura RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2005 Model Series Acura RL Body Repair Manual 2009 Acura RL Body Repair Manual Supplement 2009 Acura RL Owner’s Manual
2009 Acura RL Navigation System Manual 2009 Acura RL Maintenance Journal2009 Acura RL Quick Start GuideOrder Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SJA04
61SJA04EL
61SJA30
61SJA31
31SJA640
31SJA820
31SJAM40 31SJAQ40 ACU-R
www. helminc. com
2009 RL

542
2009 RL

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .62,506
............................
Jump Starting .500
..............................
Maintenance .489
..........................................
Cover .491
............................
Specif ications .525
..............................
Bef ore Driving .383 ..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21
.........................
Beverage Holders .194
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.355
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes
Anti-lock Brake System .....................................
(ABS) .417
.............
Break-in, New Linings .384
...........................................
Fluid .466
.......................................
Parking .191
.................
System Indicator .63,508
........................
Wear Indicators .416
.............................
Braking System .416
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .384
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .146
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .475
.................................
Fog Lights .472
................
Front Parking Lights .471
........
Front Side Marker Lights .471
.................................
Headlights .469
............................
Specif ications .525
............
Turn Signal Lights .470,474
....................................
Accessories .393
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch
.....................................
Position) .152
............
Accessory Power Sockets .197
......................................
AcuraLink .338
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
Indicator .319
...................................
Operation .321
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .144
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .458
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,27
............................
Air Conditioning .204
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .482
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .385
......................................
Antif reeze .461
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .64,417
...................................
Operation .417
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .280
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .152
................................
Audio System .213 Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .403
..........
Automatic Climate Control .211
.......................
Automatic Lighting .141
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .23
.............
Automatic Speed Control .316
..............
Automatic Transmission .405
..........................
Capacity,Fluid.524
...............
Checking Fluid Level .464
.......................................
Shif ting .405
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .405
................
Shif t Lever Positions .406
....................
Shif t Lock Release .407
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .277
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
2009 RL

...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .4,60
..............
Daytime Running Lights .142
.......................................
Indicator .65
.....................................
Built-in-key .167
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .469
............................
Capacities Chart .524
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .395
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .274
.......................
CD Error Message .271
...................................
CD Changer .236
................................
Ceiling Lights .200
........................
Certif ication Label .522
.................................
Chains, Tires .487
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .495
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .459
......................................
When to .445
..........
Charging System Indicator .506
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .402
.....................................
Child Saf ety .38
..............................
Booster Seats .53
...................................
Child Seats .45
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .38
..........................................
Inf ants .43 ..........................
Larger Children .52
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .39
.............................
Small Children .44
.........................................
Tethers .51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .39
.......................................
Child Seats .43
.........................................
LATCH .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Childproof Door Locks .155
Cleaning
...................................
Seat Belts .476
....................
Client Service Of f ice .538
...............
Climate Control System .204
.........................
Clock, Setting the .313
........................
CO in the Exhaust .532
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .403
Collision Mitigation Brake System
(CMBS) .....................................
Indicator .424
...................................
Operation .420
......................
Compact Spare Tire .494
...........................
Compass System .281
.................
Console Compartment .195
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .538
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59 Coolant
........................................
Adding .461
....................................
Checking .389
.........................
Proper Solution .461
...................
Temperature Gauge .70
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .532
................
Cruise Control Indicator .65
............
Cruise Control Operation .316
...................................
Cup Holders .194
.........................
Customize Settings .81
...................................
ACC Setup .89
................
Door/Window Setup .122
.......
KEYLESS ACCESS Setup .108
...........................
Lighting Setup .115
.................................
Meter Setup .94
...........................
Position Setup .103
........................
Setting to Default .85
...............................
Wiper Setup .133
Index
C
D
II
2009 RL

Î
CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .206
.........................................
Features .203
..............................
Economy, Fuel .390
..................................
Emergencies .493
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .500
...........
Brake System Indicator .508
................
Changing a Flat Tire .495
.....
Charging System Indicator .506
..................
Checking the Fuses .512
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .146
............................
Jump Starting .500
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .506
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .507
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .509
..................
Overheated Engine .503
.......................................
Towing .519
.........................
Emergency Brake .191
....................
Emergency Flashers .146
......................
Emergency Towing .519
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .155
.......................
Emissions Controls .532
........................
Emissions Testing .535
Engine
............
Check Starting System .404
...............
Compartment Covers .456 ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .70
.........................
If It Won’t Start .499
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,507
.........................................
Oil lif e .445
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,506
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .458
...............................
Overheating .503
............................
Specif ications .525
............................
Speed Limiter .407
.......................................
Starting .403
...................
Engine Speed Limiter .407
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .385
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .532
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .533
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
.................................
Dead Battery .499
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .540
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .147
..............
Def rosting the Windows .210
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .524
....................................
Dimensions .524
.............
Dimming the Headlights .140
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .464
..................................
Engine Oil .389
........................
Directional Signals .140
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .416
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .460
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .153
..................
Lockout Prevention .153
.................
Monitor Indicator .13,79
....................
Power Door Locks .153
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .526
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .81
...........................................
Driving .401
....................................
Economy .390
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .163
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .476
Index
E
F
INDEX
III
2009 RL

ÎÎ
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .385
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .476
...............................................
Oil .459
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .146
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .495
.....................................
Floor Mats .477
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .464
..........................................
Brake .466
..........................
Power Steering .466
..................
Windshield Washer .464
.....................................
Fog Lights .142
........................
Four-way Flashers .146
............................
Front Airbags .11,29
......................................
Front Seat .156
....................................
Adjusting .156
.......................................
Heaters .181
...................................
Airbags .11,29
...........................
Air Ventilation .182
.................................................
Fuel .384
......................
Fill Door and Cap .385
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .384 Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .509
...............................
Oxygenated .385
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .385
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap .386
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .512
................
Gas Mileage Improving .391
.........................................
Gasoline .384
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .384
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .385
................
Gas Station Procedures .385
.............................................
Gauges .70
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .70
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .438
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .405
......................................
Glove Box .193
...........................
GPS initialization .299
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .438 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .469
......
HandsFreeLink
, Bluetooth.355
............
Hazard Warning Flashers .146
Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting System ......................................
(AFS) .144
........................................
Aiming .468
..................
Automatic Lighting .141
.........
Daytime Running Lights .142
..................
High Beam Indicator .65
....................
Lights On Indicator .64
..........
Low Beams, Turning on .140
.......................
Reminder Chime .140
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .469
..........
High beams, Turning on .140
...................................
Washer .138
............................
Head Restraints .157
...............................
Heated Mirror .162
...................................
Heater, Seat .181
.............
High Altitude, Starting at .403
HomeLink
Universal
................................
Transceiver .334
.......................
Hood, Opening the .387
...........................................
Horn.5,136
Index
G H
IV
2009 RL

CONT INUED
................................................
Keys .150
................
Keyless Access System .166
...............
Keyless Access Remote .167
...........
Keyless Memory Settings .173
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .522
Ignition
............................................
Keys .150
.........................................
Switch .152
............
Timing Control System .533
......................
Immobilizer System .151
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.........................................
Indicators .62
ABS (Anti-lock Brake ............................
System) .64,417
Adaptive Front lighting ..................
System (AFS) .69,144
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .63,508
................
Charging System .62,506
Collision Mitigation Brake
..............
System (CMBS) .69,424
.............................
Cruise Control .66
Electronically Controlled Power
........
Steering System (ECPS) .68
.....................................
Fog Light .65
...................................
High Beam .65
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .64
.....
Keyless Access System .68,179 .....................................
Lights On .64
......................................
Low Fuel .66
................
Low Oil Pressure .62,506
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
...........................
Indicator .67,429
.............
Malf unction (MIL) .62,507
.......................................
Message .68
..............
Seat Belt Reminder .21,62
..................
Security System .69,315
......................................
SH-AWD .66
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .63
...............................................
SRS .63
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .64
..
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) .65
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
.........................
Activation .65,435
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .43
......................................
Inf ant Seats .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .480
.................................
Inside Mirror .161
.............................
Inspection, Tire .483
............................
Instrument Panel .61
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .146 ................
Interf ace Dial .205,213,338
...............................
Interior Lights .200
........................................
Introduction .i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .496
.......................................
Jack, Tire .495
................................
Jump Starting .500
.......................
Label, Certif ication .522
...............
Lane Change, Signaling .140
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .22
........................
Lights On Indicator .64
Index
INDEX
I
J
K
L
V
2009 RL