ECO mode ACURA RL 2011 Workshop Manual
Page 330 of 562
Push the ACC button on the
steering wheel. The ACC indicator
on the instrument panel comes on,
and ‘‘ACC’’ is shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Accelerate to the desired speed
above25mph(40km/h).Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel, then release the
accelerator pedal.
If you press the SET/DECEL button
when the vehicle speed is below 25
mph (40 km/h), you will hear a beep
about 1 second. This means ACC is
not activated, and you cannot set
your speed. When your speed reaches 25 mph
(40 km/h), ACC goes into wait mode,
and ‘‘ACC’’ is shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
1.
2. 3.
Using the ACC
A daptive Cruise Control (A CC)
324
ACC BUTTON
SET/DECEL BUTTON
10/08/04 19:37:40 31SJA660_329
ProCarManuals.com
Page 339 of 562
To switch f rom ACC to cruise
control, press the distance button on
the steering wheel, and hold it f or 1
second.Always be aware which mode is
selected. When the cruise control is selected,
ACC does not sound a beeper or
display a message on the multi-
inf ormation display. Make sure to
keepasafedistancefromthevehicle
ahead of you.
When you press the button, you will
see CRUISE MODE SELECTED on
the multi-information display for 2
seconds.ToswitchbacktoACC,
press and hold the distance button
again for 1 second.
Switching to Cruise Control
A daptive Cruise Control (A CC)
Features
333
DISTANCE BUTTON
Press the distance button.
10/08/04 19:39:32 31SJA660_338
ProCarManuals.com
Page 354 of 562
When any indicator comes on or a
message is displayed on the MID,
AcuraLink immediately notif ies you
with the message, ‘‘An indicator is on.
AcuraLink can help you decide what
to do.’’
If you do not want the inf ormation
right away, select the Check Later
option.
For this reason, it is important that
we retain your current phone
number. Please update your
inf ormation using My Acura at
The AcuraLink system cannot
determine mechanical problems
(such as squeaks or rattles) that are
not triggered by the diagnostic
indicator monitors. When an indicator comes on or a
message is displayed on the Multi-
Inf ormation Display (MID),
AcuraLink can provide inf ormation
about the cause of the indicator or
message and the recommended
action to address it. This helps you
handle the problem as it occurs,
preventing or limiting costly repairs.
For more inf ormation on the
instrument panel indicators, see page.61
www.owners.acura.com.
Diagnostic Inf o
AcuraLink(U.S. models only)
348
10/08/04 19:42:25 31SJA660_353
ProCarManuals.com
Page 359 of 562
µ
The def ault setting is prompt. When
a diagnostic inf o message appears,
and you select the Check Now option,
the system will prompt you bef ore
connecting to the Acura server. If
you do not wish to connect at that
time, select No at the prompt, and
you will see the inf ormation f rom the
onboard database. The ‘‘Auto’’
setting will remove the prompt when
you select the Check Now option and
will automatically connect to the
Acura server. This setting only
applies when you have a
enabled phone that is paired with
HFLandyouhavecompletedthe
Phone-Data Connection setup.
To find more information on
compatible and enabled
cell phones, visit or call
the HandsFreeLink
consumer
support at 1-888-528-7876.
Bluetooth As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
Bluetooth
www.acura.com/handsfree link
Connect to the Acura Server
AcuraLink(U.S. models only)
Features
353
10/08/04 19:43:03 31SJA660_358
ProCarManuals.com
Page 395 of 562
µµ
µ
µ
µ
µ
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter). Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy. It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see on page ).For example:
Improperly inf lated tires Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up) Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
452
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Avoid excessive idling Observe the speed limit Drive moderately
K eep your vehicle clean
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle Maintain proper tire inf lation Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page ).
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Improving Fuel Economy 458Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Bef ore Driving
389
10/08/04 19:50:35 31SJA660_394
ProCarManuals.com
Page 407 of 562
Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Your vehicle’s starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START
(III) position, this f eature keeps the
engine’s starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. Depending on
the outside temperature, the
starter motor runs f or about 6 to 9
seconds until the engine starts.
If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position f or more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs f or about 10 to
25 seconds until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds bef ore trying
again.
1.
2.
3. 4.
Starting the Engine
Driving
401
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
150
10/08/04 19:52:31 31SJA660_406
ProCarManuals.com
Page 408 of 562
If there is a problem with the
starting system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK STARTING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON (II) position. You
will also see this message when the
auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem.If this message is on, the ignition
switchhastobeheldinthe
START (III) position manually
until the engine starts. The
ignitionswitchcanbeheldinthat
position up to 15 seconds.
Even though you may be able to
start the engine manually without
the auto control mode of the starting
system, have your dealer inspect
your vehicle.
Starting the Engine
Check Starting System Message
402
10/08/04 19:52:39 31SJA660_407
ProCarManuals.com
Page 409 of 562
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.
Using a paddle shif t mode, the gear
position indicator shows you the
selected gear number (see page
).
These indicators in the tachometer
show which position the shif t lever is
in.
407
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Driving
403
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR on
PADDLE SHIFT MODE
10/08/04 19:52:48 31SJA660_408
ProCarManuals.com
Page 414 of 562
´
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).
The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
number of the lower gear several
times, then return to a higher gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold 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.
Each time you pull either paddle
shifter, the transmission shifts one
gear up or down.
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. Hold the paddle shifter for 2
seconds to return to drive mode (D). You can also shift down two gears at
a time if the selected gear is between
the second and sixth, and the engine
speed is within the appropriate range.
Pull the paddle shif ter twice to select
agear.
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.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
408
10/08/04 19:53:42 31SJA660_413
ProCarManuals.com
Page 415 of 562
CONT INUED
With the shif t lever in the 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.
You are trying to downshift from
second to f irst with the accelerator
pedal off.
The transmission downshif ts to f irst
gear and returns to drive mode (D)
when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop or the vehicle speed is
about 6 mph (10 km/h).
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). When you depress the accelerator
pedal to the f loor, the transmission
will downshif t f rom second to f irst. Shif ting between f irst and second
gears may occur automatically.
Downshif ting f rom second to f irst
with the accelerator pedal off is not
allowed.When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘S’’ and pull either paddle
shif ter, the gear position indicator
displays ‘‘M’’ along with the selected
gear number.
To enter the sequential shif t mode,
press the release button on the top
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.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Using the Paddle Shif ters in the S
position (Sequential Shif t Mode)
Driving
409
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘M’’ INDICATOR
10/08/04 19:53:52 31SJA660_414
ProCarManuals.com