2000 Acura RL ignition

Automati
c Transmissio n

Your Acura's transmission has four forward speeds, and is electronicallycontrolled for smoother shifting. It
also has a "lock-up" torque converter
for better fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift
when the converter locks.
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicato r
This indicator between the fuel gauge and temperature gauge shows
which position the shift lever is in.
The "D4" indicator comes on for afew seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position), it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler- ation and have the transmission
checked by an authorized Acuradealer as soon as possible. Shif
t Leve r Position s
The shift lever has seven positions. It must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D4 D3, 2,1, N o
r
R, press firmly on

the brake pedal, and keep your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Drivin g
SHIF
T LEVE R

Automati
c Transmissio n

Whenever you move the shift lever, slide it along the guide on the

console.

Par k (P ) — This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning off or starting the engine. To shift out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Move the shift
lever to the right to shift out of the Park position.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on page

183.

To avoid transmission damage, come to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. The shift lever must be inPark before you can remove the key
from the ignition switch. Revers
e (R ) — To shift to Reverse
from Park, see the explanation under Park. To shift to Reverse from
Neutral, come to a complete stop and
then shift. Push down on the shift
lever before shifting into Reverse
from Neutral.
Neutra l (N ) — Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with
the engine idling. Shift to Park posi-
tion if you need to leave the car for any reason. Press on the brake pedal
when you are moving the shift lever from Neutral to another gear.

CONTINUED

Drivin g

Automati
c Transmissio n

Shif t Loc k Releas e
This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normalmethod of pushing on the brake
pedal does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.

3. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift

Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriveror small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry off the edge of the cover.

4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock

Release slot.

5. Push down on the key and move

the shift lever out of Park to
Neutral.

6. Remove the key from the Shift

Lock Release slot, then reinstallthe cover. Make sure the notch on
the cover is on the right side. Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine.

If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.

Driving

SHIF
T LOC K RELEAS E SLO T

Vehicl
e Stabilit y Assis t (VSA ) Syste m

VSA System Indicator
The VSA system indicator (see page 56 ) comes on and stays on when
there is a problem with the VSA

system.
If the VSA indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe and turn off the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the
VSA system indicator. If the indicator remains on, or comes back
on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your Acura

dealer.

If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned ON (II), there may be a problem
with the VSA system. Have your dealer inspect your car as soon as

possible.

Without VSA, your car will have normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction andstability enhancement. VS
A Of f Switc h
This switch is under the left vent. Press it to turn the Vehicle Stability
Assist system on and off.
When VSA is off, the VSA Activation Indicator light comes on as a
reminder. Pressing the switch again
turns the system back on.

Drivin g

VS
A SYSTE M INDICATO R

Coolin
g Syste m

Replacin g Engin e Coolan t
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic.

1. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature controldial to maximum heat (climate

control to 90°F/32°C). Turn off

the ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are

cool to the touch.

2. Remove the radiator cap.
DRAI
N PLU G
3. Loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. Thecoolant will come out through the
hole in the splash cover.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Spar
k Plug s
The spark plugs in your car are a special platinum-tipped design for
longer life. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Replacemen
t
1. Remove the two bolts and the three nuts with a 7/16 inch (10mm) wrench, then remove the
engine cover. 2. Remove the two bolts and the four
nuts with a wrench and remove
the tower bar. Then remove the
A/C tube from the three clips.
3. Clean up any dirt and oil that have collected around the ignition coils.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

NUT
S

BOLT S
NUT
S

BOLTS

NUTS

Spar
k Plug s
4. Disconnect the wire connector from the ignition coil by pushingon the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires. 5. Use a wrench to remove the two
bolts holding the ignition coil.Remove the ignition coil by pulling
it straight out.
6. Remove the spark plug with a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. 7. Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Maintenanc e
IGNITIO
N COI L CONNECTO
R
LOC K TA B
BOLT
S

IGNITIO N COI L

Spar
k Plug s

8. Torque th e spark plug . (If you do
not hav
e a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:

13 lbf .
ft (18 N .
m , 1.8 kgf.m)

Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to

the threads in the cylinder head.

9. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall the two hold-down bolts.
10.Push the wire connector onto the ignition coil. Make sure it locks in

place.

11.Repeat this procedure for the other five spark plugs.
12.Put the A/C tube back in place.
13.Install the tower bar and tighten the two bolts and the four nuts.

Tightening torque:

16 lbf .
ft (22 N .
m , 2.2 kgf .
m)

14. Install the engine cover. First
tighten th e two bolts on the front
of the engine cover, then tighten
the three nuts on the engine cover.
Tightening torque:

7 lbf .
ft (10 N .
m , 1.0 kgf .
m)

CONTINUED
Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E