2000 Acura RL steering wheel

Key
s an d Lock s

Ignitio n Switc h

The ignition switch is on the right side of the steering column. It has
four positions: LOCK (0)
ACCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
START (III) LOC
K (0 ) — You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch from ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must push the key inslightly as you turn it. The shift lever
must also be in Park. The anti-theft
lock will lock the steering column
when you remove the key.
If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the left or to
the right as you turn the key.
ACCESSOR Y (I ) — In this position,
you can operate the audio system and the cigarette lighter.
O N (II ) — This is the normal key
position when driving. All features
and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch from ACCESSORY to ON.
STAR T (III ) — Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key's coding (see page 78).
You will hear a reminder beeper if you leave the key in the ignition switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open the driver's door. Remove the key to
turn off the beeper.

Instrument s an d Control s

Drivin
g Positio n Memor y Syste m

Your Acura has a memory feature for the steering wheel, driver's seatand outside mirror positions.
Two seat, steering wheel, and outside mirror positions, for
different drivers or driving
conditions, can be stored in separate
memories. You select a memorized
position by pushing the appropriate

button.
Storing a Driving Position in Memory
Store a driving position as explained
in this section only when the car is

parked.

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). You cannot add a new drivingposition in the memory unless the
ignition switch is ON (II). You can
recall a memorized position with
the ignition switch in any position.
2. Adjust the seat to a comfortable position (see page 93). Adjust
the steering wheel to acomfortable position (see page 71).

Adjust the outside mirrors for best

visibility (see page 98).
MEM
O BUTTO N
3. Press and release the MEMO button on the control panel. You
will hear a beep. Immediatelypress and hold one of the memory
buttons (1 or 2) until you hear two
beeps. The indicator light in the
memory button will come on. Thecurrent positions of the driver's

seat, steering wheel, and outside

mirrors are now stored.
Instrument s an d Control s

Drivin
g Positio n Memor y Syste m

Doing any of the following after
pressing the MEMO button will cancel the storing procedure. Not pressing a memory button
within 5 seconds. Readjusting the seat or steering

position.

Readjusting the outside mirror

position.

Each memory button stores only one driving position. Storing a new
position erases the previous setting stored in that button's memory. If
you want to add a new position while retaining the current one, use theother memory button.
All stored driving positions will be lost if your car's battery goes dead or
is disconnected. Selecting a Memorized Position
You can select memorized positions as follows.
1. Make sure the parking brake is set and the shift lever is in Park.
2. Insert the key in the ignition switch. If you do not insert the key
in the ignition switch, the steering
wheel will not adjust to the memorized position until you do. 3. Press the desired memory button
(1 or 2) until you hear a beep, then
release the button.
The system will move the seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors
to the memorized positions. The
indicator light in the selected memory button will flash during
movement. When the adjustments are complete, you will hear two
beeps and the indicator light will
remain on.

CONTINUED

Instrument s an d Control s
MEMOR
Y BUTTON S

Drivin
g Positio n Memor y System , Sea t Heater s

To stop the system's automatic ad-
justment; Press any button on the control
panel: MEMO, 1 or 2. Push any of the adjustment
switches for the seat or steering
wheel. Shift out of Park.
Adjust the outside mirrors.
If you select a memorized position
without inserting the key in the ignition switch, only the seat and
outside mirrors will adjust. To get
the system to also adjust the steering
wheel, insert the key in the ignition switch. You will hear two beeps
when it is complete. If desired, you can use the adjust-
ment switches to change the posi-
tions of the seat, steering wheel or outside mirrors after they are in
their memorized position. To keep
this driving position for later use,
you must store it in the driving posi-
tion memory. Sea
t Heater s

SEAT HEATER S

Both front seats are equipped with seat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comfortable temperature,select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm.
Instrument s an d Control s

Audi
o Syste m

Remot e Audi o Control s
AUDIO/C H
BUTTO N
Two controls for the audio system are mounted in the steering wheel
hub. These let you control basic
functions without removing your
hand from the wheel. The top and bottom buttons adjust the volume up or down
Press the proper button and hold it
until the desired volume is reached,
then release it.
The AUDIO/CH button has three functions, depending on whether you are listening to the radio, or playing a
cassette or CD.
If you are listening to the radio, use
the AUDIO/CH button to change stations. Each time you press this
button, the system advances to the next preset station on the band you
are listening to. You will see the
number of the selected Preset button
in the display. To change bands,
press the AM/FM button on the audio system's front panel. If you are playing a cassette, use the
AUDIO/CH button to advance to the next selection. You will see "FF"
blinking in the display when you press the AUDIO/CH button. Thesystem fast forwards until it senses a
silent period, then goes back to
PLAY.
If you are playing a CD, the system skips to the beginning of the next
track each time you push the
AUDIO/CH button. You will see the disc and track number in the display.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Accessorie
s an d Modification s

Modification s
Do not remove any original
equipment or modify your car in any
way that would alter its design or operation. This could make your car
unsafe and illegal to drive.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a different overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the car's anti-lock
brakes and other systems.
In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy. Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modifications could make the system ineffective.
Additiona l Safet y Precaution s
Do not attach or place objects on

the front airbag covers. Any object

attached to or placed on the covers
marked "SRS AIRBAG," in the center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interfere with the proper operation of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone.
Do not attach hard objects on or

near a front door. If a side airbag
inflates, a cup holder or other hard object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone. Do not place any objects over the
outside edge of a front seat-back.
Covering the outside edge of a
front seat-back, with a non-Acura seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.

Before Drivin g

Preparin
g to Driv e

You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice.

2. Check that the hood and trunk are

fully closed.

3. Visually check the tires. If a tire

looks low, use a gauge to check itspressure.

4. Check that any items you may be

carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.

5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 93 ).
6. Check the adjustment of the

inside and outside mirrors (see
page 98 ).

7. Check the adjustment of the

steering wheel (see page 71).

8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that

your passengers have fastened their seat belts (see page 15 ).

10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.

11.Start the engine (see page 179 ).
12.Check the gauges and indicator

lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).

Drivin g

Th
e Brakin g Syste m

Your Acura is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A powerassist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when braking very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. Italso keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind

you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower
gear and taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. Brak
e Wea r Indicator s
All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing, you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."
Driving