2000 Acura RL lights

Audi
o Syste m

Audi o Syste m Lightin g
You can use the instrument panel brightness control dial to adjust the il-
lumination of the audio system (see
page 66). The audio systemilluminates when the parking lightsare on, even if the radio is turned off.

Radi o Frequencie s

Your Acura's radio can receive the complete AM and FM bands.
Those bands cover these frequen-
cies:

AM band:
530 to 1,710 kilohertz

FM band:

87.7 to 107.9 megahertz
Radio stations on the AM band are assigned frequencies at least ten
kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550). Stations on the FM band are
assigned frequencies at least 0.2

megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3).
Stations must use these exact
frequencies. It is fairly common for stations to round-off the frequency in
their advertising, so your radio could display a frequency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identify
the station as "FM101."
Radio Reception
How well your Acura's radio receives stations is dependent on many
factors, such as the distance from
the station's transmitter, nearby
large objects, and atmospheric conditions.
A radio station's signal gets weaker as you get farther away from its
transmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound volume becoming weaker, and the station drifting in and out. If you are
listening to an FM station, you will see the stereo indicator flickering off
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator will go off and the sound will fade
completely as you get out of range of
the station's signal.
Driving very near the transmitter of
a station that is broadcasting on a
frequency close to the frequency of
the station you are listening to can also affect your radio's reception.
You may temporarily hear both stations, or hear only the station you
are close to.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

CONTINUED

Securit
y Syste m

The security system helps to protect your car and valuables from theft.
The horn sounds and a combination of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights flashes if
someone attempts to break into your
car or remove the radio. This alarm continues for two minutes, then the
system resets. To reset an alarming
system before the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either front door
with the key or the remote
transmitter.
The security system sets auto- matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and trunk. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors from the outside with the key, lock tab, door lock switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system light next to the driver's door
lock starts blinking immediately to show you the system is setting itself. SECURIT
Y SYSTE M LIGH T
Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
from the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.
With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the master key
or the remote transmitter without
triggering the alarm. The alarm will sound if the trunk lock is forced, or
the trunk is opened with the trunk
release button on the driver's door.
The security system will not set if the hood, trunk, or any door is not
fully closed. If the system will not set,check the Door and Brake Lamp
Monitor on the instrument panel (see page 57 ), to see if the doors
and trunk are fully closed. Since it is
not part of the monitor display,
manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Accessorie
s an d Modification s
Modifying your car, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your car unsafe. Before you
make any modifications or add any accessories, be sure to read the
following information.

Accessorie s

Your dealer has Genuine Acura accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These accessories have been designed and
approved for your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Acura accessories are usuallydesigned for universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories may fit on your car, they may not
meet factory specifications, and
could adversely affect your car's
handling and stability. (See "Modifications" on the page 173 for
additional information.) When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems shouldnot interfere with your car's
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system. However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car's electrical system capacity, they can interfere with the operationof your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Before installing any accessory: Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper car operation or performance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see page 287).
Have the installer contact yourAcura dealer for assistance before
installing any electronic accessory.
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the final installation.

Befor e Drivin g
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car's handling, stability and performance, and cause a

crash in which you can be hurt

or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

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

Parkin
g

Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; it does not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the car from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission — making it
easier to move the shift lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away. Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Parkin
g Tip s
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed. Turn off the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter. Check the
indicator on the driver's door to
verify that the security system is set. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.

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

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Visibilit y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defroster and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
pages 126 and 131). Tractio
n — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid. Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.

Driving

Towin
g a Traile r

Trailer Lights

Your vehicle has a trailer lighting connector located in the trunk by the
left taillight. To use the connector, undo the fastener on the left side of
the trunk lining. Refer to the drawing in this page for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle
from your Acura dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should also have a qualified technician
install a suitable connector between
the vehicle and the trailer.

CONTINUED
Drivin g

GROUN
D
(BLACK )
BACK-U
P LIGH T
(GREEN/BLACK )
LEF
T TUR N SIGNA L

(PINK/BLUE )

RIGH T TUR N SIGNA L

(GREEN/YELLOW )
BRAK
E LIGH T
(GREEN/WHITE )
TAILLIGH
T
(RED/BLACK )