weight ACURA RL 2012 Owner's Manual
Page 444 of 562
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40% toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manuf acturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the f irst time you set up
a towing combination (a f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change. The maximum allowable weight at
the vehicle axles is:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):U.S. models
U.S. models
Canadian modelsCanadian models
438
2,690 lbs (1,220 kg)
5,050 lbs (2,290 kg)2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
2,290 kg1,225 kg
1,085 kg
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Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories require special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Even if they don’t, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
440
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Page 447 of 562
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to S
position, or use the paddle shif ters to
the lower gear (3, 2 or 1) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
Driving on
Hills T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and BrakingDriving on Hills
Driving
441
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Page 464 of 562
Install the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
458
API CERTIFICATION SEAL ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAmbient Temperature
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Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly. You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1.2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Engine Oil and
Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
459
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
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Page 483 of 562
Make sure the rear f loor mats are
properly hooked to the f loor mat
anchors. Your vehicle is equipped
with front passenger’s seat weight
sensors. If the rear passenger’s f loor
mat is on the seat rail of the f ront
passenger’s seat, the sensors will
detect the decreased weight on the
seat, and they may not work properly. The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the f loor mat
anchors. This keeps the f loor mats
f rom sliding f orward (possibly
interf ering with the pedals), or
backwards (making the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective).If you remove a f loor mat, make sure
tore-anchoritwhenyouputitback
in your vehicle.
If you use non-Acura f loor mats,
make sure they f it properly and that
theycanbeusedwiththefloormat
anchors. Do not put additional f loor
mats on top of the anchored mats.
To lock or unlock each anchor, turn
the knob.
Floor Mat s
Maint enance
477
DRIVER’S SIDE FLOOR MAT REAR PASSENGER’S FLOOR MAT
Unlock
LockUnlock
Lock
ANCHORSANCHOR
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Page 491 of 562
In addition to your regular
inspections and inf lation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
perf ormed once the tires reach f ive
years old. It is also recommended
that all tires, including the spare, be
removed f rom service af ter 10 years
from the date of manufacture,
regardless of their condition or state
of wear.
The last f our digits of the TIN (tire
identif ication number) are f ound on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
on page ).In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance. 530
Tires
Tire
LabelingT ire Maintenance
Maint enance
485
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.
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µµ
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Specif ications
526
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Seating CapacitiesCapacities
4.2 US qt (4.0
) 195.8 in (4,973 mm)
72.7 in (1,847 mm)
110.2 in (2,800 mm)
62.0 in (1,575 mm)
62.4 in (1,585 mm)1.59 US gal (6.0
)
2.27 US gal (8.6)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
3.3 US qt (3.1)
8.2 US qt (7.8) Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:6.9 US qt (6.5
) 2.6 US qt (2.5) 0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45) 3.3 US qt (3.1
)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type ND-OIL815.8 17.60 oz (450 500 g)HFC-134a (R-134a) Total
Front
Rear5
2
30.77 US qt (0.73
)
0.79 US qt (0.75) 19.4 US gal (73
)
2.8 US qt (2.7
)
0.16 US gal (0.58
) Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear differential fluid
SH-AWD
differential
case
SH-AWD
clutch case
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir 57.2 in (1,455 mm)
1:
2:Approx.
Front
RearChange
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. vehicles
Canadian
vehicles
1
2
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................ Gas Mileage Improving . 389
......................................... Gasoline . 382
........................................... Gauge . 70
..................... Low Fuel Indicator . 66
................ Octane Requirement . 382
........................ Tank, Ref ueling . 383
................ Gas Station Procedures . 383
............................................. Gauges . 70
... Engine Coolant Temperature . 70
............................................... Fuel . 70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
....................................... Rating) . 438
............ Gearshif t Lever Positions . 404
...................................... Glove Box . 193
........................... GPS initialization . 299 Engine
............ Check Starting System . 402
............... Compartment Covers . 456
.... Coolant Temperature Gauge . 70
......................... If It Won’t Start . 501
Malf unction Indicator
................................ Lamp . 62, 509
......................................... Oil lif e . 445
........ Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 508
.............. Oil, What Kind to Use . 458
............................... Overheating . 505
............................ Specif ications . 527
............................ Speed Limiter . 405
....................................... Starting . 401
................... Engine Speed Limiter . 405
...................... Ethanol in Gasoline . 382
. Evaporative Emissions Controls . 534
............................... Exhaust Fumes . 56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................ System . 535
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................ Belts by . 19
................................... Fan, Interior . 206......................................... Features . 203
.................... Filling the Fuel Tank . 383
Filters
......................... Dust and Pollen . 476
............................................... Oil . 459
........... Flashers, Hazard Warning . 146
................... Flat Tire, Changing a . 497
..................................... Floor Mats . 477
Fluids
.......... Automatic Transmission . 464
.......................................... Brake . 466
.......................... Power Steering . 467
.................. Windshield Washer . 463
..................................... Fog Lights . 142
................... Folding Door Mirrors . 163
........................ Four-way Flashers . 146
............................ Front Airbags . 11, 28
...................................... Front Seat . 156
.................................... Adjusting . 156
....................................... Heaters . 182
................................... Airbags . 11, 28
........................... Air Ventilation . 183
................................................. Fuel . 382
...................... Fill Door and Cap . 384
........................................... Gauge . 70
..................... Low Fuel Indicator . 66................ Octane Requirement . 382
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................ Manually . 511
............................... Oxygenated . 382
........................ Tank, Ref ueling . 383
...................... Tighten Fuel Cap . 385
..................... Fuses, Checking the . 512
Index
G
F
IV
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ÎÎ
CONT INUED
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
....................................... Rating) . 438
............. Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 468
....... HandsFreeLink
,. 354
............ 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 . 468
.......... High beams, Turning on . 140
................................... Washer . 138
............................ Head Restraints . 157
............................. Heated Mirrors . 162
................................... Heater, Seat . 182
............. High Altitude, Starting at . 401HomeLink
Universal
................................ Transceiver . 334
....................... Hood, Opening the . 385
........................................... Horn .5,136
... Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 524
Ignition
............................................ Keys . 150
......................................... Switch . 151
............ Timing Control System . 535
...................... Immobilizer System . 150
......... Important Safety Precautions . 8
......................................... Indicators . 62
ABS (Anti-lock Brake
............................ System) . 64, 416
...................................... ACC . 66, 319
Adaptive Front lighting
.................. System (AFS) . 69, 144
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................ System) . 63, 510
................ Charging System . 62, 508
Collision Mitigation Braking
....... System (CMBS ) . 69, 424
............................. Cruise Control . 65Electronically Controlled Power
........ Steering System (ECPS) . 68
..................................... Fog Light . 65
................................... High Beam . 65
........ Key (Immobilizer System) . 64
..... Keyless Access System . 68, 180
..................................... Lights On . 64
...................................... Low Fuel . 66
................ Low Oil Pressure . 62, 508
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
........................... Indicator . 67, 429
Malf unction Indicator
................................ Lamp . 62, 509
....................................... Message . 68
.............. Seat Belt Reminder . 21, 62
.................. Security System . 69, 315
...................................... SH-AWD . 66
..................... Side Airbag Of f . 35, 63
......................................... SRS . 34, 63
......................... Starting System . 402
Turn Signal and Hazard
................................... Warning . 64
VSA (Vehicle Stability
.............................. Assist) . 65, 435
Bluetooth
Index
INDEX
H
I
V
TM TM
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