2000 Acura RL ABS

Vehicl
e Stabilit y Assis t (VSA ) Syste m

The Vehicle Stability Assist system (VSA) monitors the car's actions
during straight-line acceleration and
cornering behavior. It reduces
engine power and applies selective
braking if it senses any loss of
traction.
Controllin g Tractio n Durin g
Straight-lin e Acceleratio n
If one drive wheel is turning faster
than the other, or both drive wheels
are turning faster than the non- driven wheels, VSA senses
wheelspin. It reduces engine power and applies braking at the wheels as
necessary to increase traction.
To do this, VSA monitors the pulse frequencies from the wheel speed sensors. It also uses information
from the steering wheel angle sensor
and the lateral acceleration sensor to determine if the car is accelerating in
a straight line or if it is cornering.
VSA can then calculate how much wheelspin, if any, to allow. It signals
the ECU to reduce fuel flow andretard ignition timing. This reduces
available engine power. The ECU
will also apply braking at the wheels as necessary. When wheelspin has
been controlled, braking and engine
control return to normal.
Controllin g Tractio n Durin g
Cornerin g
VSA monitors steering input and the car's expected response to that input.
VSA's yaw rate sensor measures the car's actual cornering behavior. If VSA determines that the car is
turning more or less than expected,
the system reduces engine power
and applies braking at the
appropriate wheel to try and
maintain adequate traction during
cornering.
VSA uses the same wheel speed sensor assemblies as the ABS.
Additional sensors measure steering wheel angle, lateral acceleration, and
yaw rate.
The control unit monitors the VSA circuitry while driving. If it senses a
problem, it turns off the system and illuminates the VSA System
Indicator on the instrument panel.
Technica l Informatio n

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Accessories and Modifications.... 174 Accessories................................. 174
Additional Safety Precautions.. 175Modifications............................. 175
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 80
Accessory Power Socket.............. 114
Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 226

Brake Fluid................................. 227

Differential Oil........................... 227

Engine Coolant........................... 219

Engine Oil................................... 215

Power Steering Fluid................. 228
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 225
Additional Information About Your Airbags............................ 48
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
Airbag Service.............................. 48
Additional Information About Your Front Airbags................. 43
How the SRS Indicator Works... 45
How Your Front Airbags

Work.......................................... 43

SRS Components......................... 43
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 40
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners................................ 41
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 40
Additional Information About
Your Side Airbags.................... 46
How The Side Airbag Indicator Light Works............................. 47
How Your Side Airbags Work.... 46
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 216
Adjustments Head Restraints........................... 95
Mirrors.......................................... 98

Seats.............................................. 93

Steering Wheel............................ 71

Airbag (SRS).......................... 9, 43, 46

Air Cleaner Element...................... 229
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 240
Air Conditioning System............... 120
Maintenance............................... 239
Usage.................................. 122, 127
Air Outlet
s (Vents)........................ 120
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 242
Alarm, Anti-theft............................ 162
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 303
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........ 263
Antifreeze....................................... 219
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light..................... 56, 187
Operation.................................... 18
6
Anti-theft, Audio System............... 162
Anti-theft Steering Column

Lock............................................... 80

Anti-theft System........................... 163

Appearance Care........................... 261

Armrest............................................. 96

Ashtrays.......................................... 116 Audio Controls, Remote................ 161

Audio System................................. 134
Automatic Climate Control System......................................... 120
Automatic Lighting.......................... 64
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners.................................... 41
CONTINUED

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Automatic Speed Control................ 73

Automatic Transmission............... 180
Capacity, Fluid........................... 298

Checking Fluid Level................ 226

Shifting........................................ 180

Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 180

Shift Lever Positions................. 180

Shift Lock Release..................... 183

Battery
Charging System
Indicator............................ 54, 283

Jump Starting............................. 278

Maintenance............................... 234
Specifications............................. 299
Before Driving............................... 165
Belts, Seat..................................... 8, 40
Beverage Holder............................ 111
Body Repair.................................... 267

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 186
Break-in, New Linings .............. 166
Fluid............................................ 227
Light, Burned-out...................... 254 Parking........................................ 108
System Indicator.................. 54, 285
Wear Indicators......................... 185
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 186System Indicator.................. 56, 187
Braking System.............................
. 185
Break-in, New Car......................... 166
Brightness Control, Instruments... 66
Brights, Headlights......................... 63
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 254
Brake Lights............................... 254
Ceiling Lights............................. 257
Courtesy Lights......................... 257
Fog Lights.................................. 251 Front Side Marker Lights......... 253
Headlights.................................. 250
High-mount Brake Light.......... 255
License Plate Lights.................. 256
Specifications............................. 299
Trunk Light................................ 258
Turn Signal Lights..................... 253
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 250
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 278

Cancel Button................................... 75

Capacities Chart............................. 298

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49

Carrying, Cargo............................. 174

Cassette Player

Care............................................. 154

Operation........................... 139, 151

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii

CD Changer................. 142, 155, 157

Ceiling Lights................................. 117

Certification Label......................... 296

Chains............................................. 247

Change Oil
How to......................................... 217

When to....................................... 206

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 271

Changing Engine Coolant............. 221

Charging System Indicator.... 54, 283

Checking Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 226

Battery Condition...................... 234

Brake Fluid................................. 227