2000 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

Custome
r Relation s Informatio n
Acura dealership personnel are trained professionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that yourdealership does not solve to yoursatisfaction, please discuss it with
the dealership's management. The
Service Manager or General Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way. If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact the Acura Customer Relations Office.
U.S. Owners:
Acura Automobile DivisionClient Services Office
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
or telephone: (800) 382-2238
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin

Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.Bella International P.O. Box 190816

San Juan, PR 00919-0816
(787) 250-4327
Canadian Owners:
Refer to the Canadian Zone Office
Map on the next page. When you call or write, please give
us this information: Vehicle Identification Number
(see page 296 ) Name and address of the dealer
who services your car Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele- phone number A detailed description of the
problem Name of the dealer who sold the
car to you
Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s

Canad
a Zon e Offic e Ma p
CUSTOME R RELATION S
RELATION S AVE C L A CLIENTEL E
Honda Canada Inc.

715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-ACURA-9 Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776

Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s
Hond
a Canad a Inc .
Nationa l Offic e

Warrant
y Coverage s

U.S . Owner s
Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty —

covers your new vehicle, except for
the battery, emissions control systems and accessories, against
defects in materials and

workmanship.

Emissions Control Systems Defects
Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — these two

warranties cover your vehicle's emis- sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
information.

Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty — this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a

replacement battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat

belt that fails to function properly is
covered for the useful life of the

vehicle.

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
— all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.

Accessory Limited Warranty —

Genuine Acura Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors. Please read your warranty manual
for details.

Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty — covers all Genuine
Acura replacement parts against defects in materials and workman-

ship.
Replacement Battery Limited

Warranty — provides prorated

coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from an Acura dealer.

Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty — provides

coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the
vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2000 Acura Warranty Information
booklet that came with your car for
precise information on warranty coverages. Your Acura's original
tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tire warranty infor-
mation is in a separate booklet.

Canadia n Owner s

Please refer to the 2000 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.

Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s

Reportin
g Safet y Defect s (U.S . Vehicles )

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or
coul
d
cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Acura Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc. If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it finds that a safety defect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or Acura
Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-freeat 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washingto

n D.C
. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtainother information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.

Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s

314 This page left intentionally blank

Authorize
d Manual s

Purchasin g Factor y Authorize d Manual s
(U.S . only )
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be obtained from Helm
Incorporated, either by filling out the attached form or,
for credit card holders, calling the toll-free phone number on the form. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356. Valid only for sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Acura dealer.

By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can

pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to

Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.

61SZ30 4

61SZ304E L

61SZ33 0
31SZ364 0
31SZ374 0

Authorize
d Manual s

These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14 days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
P.O. BOX 07280 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207 1-800-782-4356
Servic
e Manual :
This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written for the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.

Electrica l Troubleshootin g Manual :
This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth troubleshooting information for each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
Bod y Repai r Manual :
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts.

Inde
x

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