2000 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

Exterio
r Car e

Washin g

Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's
Manual.

Chemical solvents and strong cleaners

can damage the paint, metal, and

plastic on your car.
Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing. Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth. Start at the top and work your waydown. Rinse frequently. Check the body for road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of
the car does not need waxing. When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.

As you dry the car, inspect it for chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 263 ).

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NOTIC
E

Exterio
r Car e

Waxin g
Always wash and dry the whole car before waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surface in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing .
You shoul
d use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish and protects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. Youshould use a wax on your Acura
when it is new.
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You should use a polish on your Acura if
the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not

need waxing.

Aluminu m Wheel s
Clean your Acura's aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the exterior. Wash them with the samesolution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear- coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some commercial wheel cleaners, or stiff
brushes can damage this clear-coat. Only use a mild detergent and soft
brush or sponge to clean the wheels.
Pain
t Touch-u p

Your dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on the
driver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get the correct color.
Inspect your car frequently for chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips
and scratches. More extensive paint damage should be repaired by a

professional.

Appearance Car e

Interio
r Car e
Carpetin g
Vacuum the carpeting frequently to remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out faster.
Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the
market. Follow the instructions that come with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or soft brush. Keep
the carpeting as dry as possible by
not adding water to the foam.
Fabri c
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soap
and lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric first, to make sure it does not bleachor stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions that come with the

cleaner.
Viny
l
Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a soft
cloth dampened in a solution of mild
soap and water. Use the same
solution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
foam-type vinyl cleaners.
Leathe r
Vacuum dirt and dust from the leather frequently. Pay particularattention to the pleats and seams.
Clean the leather with a soft clothdampened with clear water, then
buff it with a clean, dry cloth. If
further cleaning is needed, use a soap specifically for leather, such as
saddle soap. Apply this soap with a
damp, soft cloth. Wipe down and
buff as described above. Sea
t Belt s
If your seat belts get dirty, you can use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean

them. Do not use bleach, dye, or
cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air- dry before you use the car.
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LOO
P

Interio
r Car e

Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.

Woo d Tri m

Clean the wood trim with a soft cloth
dipped in clear water and wipe it dry
with another soft cloth. Soap may leave a film that dulls the finish. Window
s
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper
towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.
The rear window defogger and
antenna wires are bonded to the inside of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-
down can dislodge and break these wires. When cleaning the rear window,
use gentle pressure and wipe side-to-

side.
Ai
r Freshener s
If you want to use an air freshener/ deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi- cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack or discolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it does not spill as you drive.

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NOTIC
E

Corrosion
Protectio n

Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of the
vehicle stays damp, promoting corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the car. Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Acura. You can
help keep your car from corroding
by performing some simple periodic

maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them. Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body. Check the floor coverings for
dampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode. Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is especially important in areas that
use road salt in winter. It is also a
good idea in humid climates and areas subject to salt air. Be carefulof the ABS wheel sensors and
wiring at each wheel. Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.

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Bod
y Repair s

Body repairs can affect your car's
resistance to corrosion. If your car
needs repairs after a collision, pay close attention to the parts used in
the repair and the quality of the
work.
Make sure the repair facility uses
Genuine Acura replacement body
parts. Some companies make sheet
metal pieces that seem to duplicate
the original Acura body parts, but are actually inferior in fit, finish, and
corrosion resistance. Once installed,
they do not give the same high- quality appearance.
When reporting your collision to the
insurance company, tell them you
want Genuine Acura parts used in the repair. Although most insurers
recognize the quality of original
parts, some may try to specify that
the repairs be done with otheravailable parts. You should investi-
gate this before any repairs have

begun.

Take your car to your authorized Acura dealer for inspection after the repairs are completed. Your dealer
can make sure that quality materials
were used, and that corrosion- preventive coatings were applied toall repaired and replaced parts.
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268

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed.
Compact Spare Tire....................... 270

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 271
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 276 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly......................... 276
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 277

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

If Your Engine Overheats............. 280
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 282
Charging System Indicator........... 283
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 284
Brake System Indicator................ 285
Closing the Moonroof................... 286
Fuses............................................... 287
Checking and Replacing........... 288

Emergency Towing....................... 292

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d