2001 Acura CL towing

Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (Seeon page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
295
163
217 Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Taking Care of the Unexpected284
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

Î
ÎÎ
Î
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
The Brake System Indicator comes
on when you turn the ignition ON
(II). If the parking brake is not set, it
goes of f af ter you start the engine. If
the parking brake is set, it goes of f
when you f ully release the parking
brake with the engine running.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with this
indicator, have the car inspected by
your dealer immediately.
229
295
On Type S
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
287
U U. .SS. .i
inn d
di
icca at too r
r s
shh o
ow
wn n
B
BR
RAA K
KEE S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R

µµ µ
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment. If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous. The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD ,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
5
CONT INUED
Flat -bed Equipment Wheel-lif t Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
This is the best way to transport
your A cura.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed295
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your car must be transported
with the f ront wheels of f the ground.

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed296
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

Î
CONT INUED
.................................
Drive Belts . 242
..........................
Engine Coolant . 165
..................................
Engine Oil . 163
..........................................
Fuses . 290
................
Power Steering Fluid . 230
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 174
...................................
Cleaner, Air . 231
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels . 265
...................................
Carpeting . 266
......................................
Exterior . 264
.........................................
Fabric . 267
.......................................
Interior . 266
.......................................
Leather . 267
...................................
Seat Belts . 267
...........................................
Vinyl . 267
....................................
Windows . 268
................................
Wood Trim . 268
...............
Climate Control System . 122
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 110
......................................
Coat Hook . 115
.....................
Code, Audio System . 157
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 306
........................................
Coin Box . 113
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 175
..............................
Compact Spare . 272.................
Console Compartment . 113
.............................
Console Pocket . 114
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 310
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 51
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 221
....................................
Checking . 165
.........................
Proper Solution . 221
...................................
Replacing . 223
...................
Temperature Gauge . 62
....................
Corrosion Protection . 269
............................
Courtesy Lights . 119
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System . 306
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 73
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 310
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 52
................
Daytime Running Lights . 67
...........
Dead Battery, What to Do . 280
............
Defects, Reporting Safety . 313
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 70
......
Def rosting the Windows . 128, 133 DEXRONIII Automatic
...................
Transmission Fluid . 228
....................................
Dimensions . 300
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 65
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 228
..................................
Engine Oil . 163
..........................
Directional Signals . 67
.....
Disabled, Towing Your Car If . 295
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 185
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 220
Doors ....................
Lockout Prevention . 82
..............................
Monitor Light . 58
......................
Power Door Locks . 81
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 302
.....................................
Drive Belts . 242
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 173
....................................
Economy . 166
.........................
In Bad Weather . 194
................
In Foreign Countries . 305
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System . 103
Index
D
III

..............................
Economy, Fuel . 166
............
Emergencies on the Road . 271
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 280
...........
Brake System Indicator . 287
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 273
.....
Charging System Indicator . 285
..................
Checking the Fuses . 290
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 284
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 286
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 288
..................
Overheated Engine . 282
.........................
Emergency Brake . 110
......................
Emergency Flashers . 70
......................
Emergency Towing . 295
.......................
Emissions Controls . 306
Engine ............................................
Belts . 242
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 62
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 55, 286
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 55, 284
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 217
...............................
Overheating . 282
............................
Specif ications . 301............................
Speed Limiter . 182
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 182
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 304
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 306
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System . 307
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by . 18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 264
..........................
Fan, Interior . 126, 131
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience . 121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 161
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 231
.......................
Air Conditioning . 242
...............................................
Oil . 219
.......................
First Gear, Shif ting . 182
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 70
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 273
.....................................
Floor Mats . 266Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 228
..........................................
Brake . 229
..........................
Power Steering . 230
..................
Windshield Washer . 227
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception . 136, 140
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 305
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 70
..............................
Front Airbags . 9, 43
Front End, Towing by ................
Emergency Wrecker . 295
.................................................
Fuel . 160
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 161
...........................................
Gauge . 62
................
Octane Requirement . 160
...............................
Oxygenated . 304
........................
Reserve Indicator . 59
........................
Tank, Filling the . 161
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 166
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 289
Index
F
E
IV

CONT INUED
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor....................................
Recovery . 306
........................
Opening the Hood . 162
.........................
Opening the Trunk . 86
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 305
............................
Outside Mirrors . 101
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 62
....................
Overheating, Engine . 282
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 215
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 304
..............................
Paint Touch-up . 265
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 67
........................
Park Gear Position . 178
...........................................
Parking . 184
...............................
Parking Brake . 110
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 55, 287
.................................
Parking Lights . 65
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 308
.............................
PGM-FI System . 307
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 265
Power
..................................
Door Locks . 81.......................................
Mirrors . 101
...............................
Seat Controls . 94
......................................
Steering . 230
....................................
Windows . 107
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
............................
Protecting Adults . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children . 20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 28
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 35
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39
...................
Radiator Overheating . 282
...
Radio/Cassette Sound System . 135
..........
Rear Console Compartment . 88
..........................
Rear End Towing . 295
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 256
............................
Rear Seat Access . 97
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest . 99
..........................
Rear View Mirror . 101.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 95
.............................
Reminder Lights . 53
.......................
Remote Transmitter . 82
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 231
.............
Air Conditioning Filter . 242
..........................
Engine Coolant . 223
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 219
..........................................
Fuses . 290
................................
Light Bulbs . 252
....................................
Schedule . 206
................................
Spark Plugs . 233
...........................................
Tires . 247
.............................
Wiper Blades . 239
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash . 42
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 165
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 178
.....................................
Road Lamps . 65
................................
Rotation, Tire . 246
Index
R
P
VII

CONT INUED
Steering Wheel..................................
Adjustment . 71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 80
...................
Stereo Sound System . 135
...........................
Storing Your Car . 261
..................................
Storage Tray . 115
........................................
Sun Visor . 116
........................
Sunglasses Holder . 111
Supplemental Restraint ............................
System . 9, 43, 46
....................
Service Precautions . 48
......................................
Servicing . 48
.........................
SRS Indicator . 45, 56
...................
System Components . 43
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 41
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 218
.....................................
Tachometer . 60
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 256
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 271
....................................
Tape Player . 142
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 302
..
Driving in Foreign Countries . 305 .....
Emissions Control Systems . 306
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 304
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter . 308
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 62
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 41
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...............
Thef t Deterrent System . 158
............................
Thef t Protection . 157
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 308
..........................
Time, Setting the . 110
....................................
Timing Belt . 243
....................................
Tire Chains . 249
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 273
...............................................
Tires . 243
..............................
Air Pressure . 244
...................................
Balancing . 246
.........................
Checking Wear . 245
..........................
Compact Spare . 272
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 302
......................................
Inf lation . 243
..................................
Inspection . 245
..............................
Maintenance . 246
...................................
Replacing . 247
......................................
Rotating . 246
...........................................
Snow . 249............................
Specif ications . 301
.......................
Traction Devices . 249
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 273
...............................
Torn Seat Belts . 42
Towing .....................................
A Trailer . 196
..........
By Emergency Wrecker . 295
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator . 57, 190
...................................
Operation . 188
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 228
...........................
Fluid Selection . 228
..............
Identif ication Number . 299
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 176
.....................................
Treadwear . 302
.......................................
Trip Meter . 61
................................................
Trunk . 86
.................................
Opening the . 86
...................
Open Monitor Light . 58
....................................
Turn Signals . 67
Index
T
IX