2001 Acura RL maintenance

Emissions Controls

The burning of gasoline in your car's engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
form photochemical "smog." Carbon monoxide does not contribute tosmog creation, but it is a poisonous

gas.
The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act*
sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to owners how their emissions controls
work and what to do to maintain
them. This section summarizes how the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page 208.
* In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for
Emissions valid at the time they are

manufactured.

Crankcase Emissions Control

System

Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps gasses that build up in the engine'scrankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase
Ventilation valve routes them from the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emissions Control

System

As gasoline evaporates in the fuel tank, an evaporative emissionscontrol canister filled with charcoaladsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine and burned during driving.
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
The Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the fuel vapors during refueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister filled with activated carbon. Whiledriving, the fuel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned off.

Technical Information

Authorized Manuals

P.O. BOX 07280 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207 1-800-782-4356 Service 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.

Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth troubleshooting information for eachelectrical circuit in your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts.
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.

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 174 Accessories................................. 174
Additional Safety Precautions.. 175Modifications............................. 175
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 80
Accessory Power Socket.............. 115
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 218
Airbag (SRS).......................... 9, 43, 45
Air Cleaner Element...................... 231
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 242
Air Conditioning System............... 122 Maintenance............................... 241
Usage..................................124, 129
Air Outlets (Vents)........................ 122
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 243
Alarm, Anti-theft............................ 164
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 306
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........ 265
Antifreeze....................................... 221
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator................................ 56, 189Operation.................................... 188
Anti-theft, Audio System............... 164
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock...............................................80

Anti-theft System........................... 165

Appearance Care........................... 263

Armrest............................................. 97

Ashtrays.......................................... 117

Audio Controls, Remote................ 163

Audio System................................. 136
Automatic Climate Control
System......................................... 122

Automatic Lighting.......................... 64
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners.................................... 41
Automatic Speed Control................ 73
Automatic Transmission............... 182
Capacity, Fluid........................... 302

Checking Fluid Level................228

Shifting........................................ 182

Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 182
Shift Lever Positions................. 182
Shift Lock Release..................... 185 Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 54, 286
Jump Starting............................. 280 Maintenance............................... 236
Specifications............................. 303
Before Driving............................... 167
Belts, Seat..................................... 8, 40
Beverage Holder............................ 112
Body Repair.................................... 270

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 188
Break-in, New Linings .............. 168
Bulb Replacement..................... 256
Fluid............................................229

Parking........................................ 109
System Indicator.................. 54, 289
Wear Indicators......................... 187
Braking System.............................. 187
Break-in, New Car......................... 168
Brightness Control, Instruments... 66
Brights, Headlights......................... 63

CONTINUED

Index

Identification Number, Vehicle.... 300

Ignition
Keys............................................... 77

Switch............................................ 80

Timing Control System............. 309

Immobilizer System......................... 78

Important Safety Precautions.......... 6

Indicators, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53

Infant Restraint................................ 28

Infant Seats....................................... 28
Tether Anchorage Points........... 39

Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 243

Inside Mirror.................................... 99

Inspection. Tire.............................. 245

Instrument Panel............................. 53

Instrument Panel Brightness......... 66

Interior Cleaning............................ 267

Introduction......................................... i

Jacking up the Car......................... 274

Jack, Tire........................................ 274
Jump Starting................................. 280

Keys................................................... 77
Label, Certification........................ 300Lane Change. Signaling.................. 66
Lap/Shoulder Belt........................... 40
Learning Key.................................... 78
Leather, Cleaning.......................... 266
Lights On Indicator......................... 55
Lighter, Cigarette.......................... 116
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 252
Ceiling......................................... 118
Courtesy...................................... 119

Indicator........................................ 53

Parking.......................................... 63
Turn Signal................................... 66
Load Limit...................................... 177
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 80
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 80 Childproof Door........................... 85
Fuel Fill Door............................. 169 Glove Box..................................... 88
Power Door.................................. 81

Trunk............................................ 86

Trunk Pass-through Cover......... 98
Low Coolant Level......................... 172
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 57
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 54, 285 Lubricant Specifications Chart........................................... 302
Luggage.......................................... 176

Maintenance................................... 203
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 215

Record................................. 213 - 214

Required Indicator....................... 61 Safety........................................... 204

Schedule.............................. 208 - 212

Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 55, 287
Memory, Driving Position............ 101

Meters, Gauges................................ 58

CONTINUED

Index

Melhanol in Gasoline.................... 306

Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 99

Moonroof........................................ 107
Closing Manually....................... 290
Operation.................................... 107
Neutral Gear Position.................... 183
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 168
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 300 Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 168
Odometer.......................................... 59
Odometer, Trip................................ 59
Oil
Change, How to......................... 219

Change, When to....................... 208

Checking Engine....................... 171

Pressure Indicator............... 54, 285
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 218

ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 80 Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery..................................... 308

Opening the Trunk.......................... 86

Operation in Foreign Countries... 307

Outside Mirrors............................... 99

Outside Temperature Indicator..... 59

Overheating, Engine..................... 283

Owner Maintenance Checks........ 215

Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 306

Paint Touch-up............................... 265
Panel Brightness Control............... 66
Park Gear Position......................... 183
Parking............................................ 186
Parking Brake................................ 109

Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator.................. 54, 289
Parking Lights.................................. 63
Parking Over Things that Bum... 310

PGM-FI System.............................. 309

Polishing and Waxing................... 265 Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 18 Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 18
Protecting Children......................... 20 Protecting Infants........................ 28
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 32
Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 39

Radiator Overheating.................... 283
Radio/Cassette Sound System.... 136
Readiness Codes............................ 288
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 254
Rear Seat Armrest........................... 98
Rear Ventilation............................. 134

Rear View Mirror............................. 99

Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 95
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Remote Transmitter........................ 82
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 231
Air Conditioning Filter.............. 242

Index

Engine Coolant........................... 223
Engine Oil and Filter................. 219
Fuses........................................... 292 Light Bulbs................................. 252

Schedule..................................... 206

Spark Plugs................................. 233

Tires............................................ 247
Wiper Blades.............................. 239
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 42

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 172
Reverse Gear Position................... 183
Rotation, Tire................................. 246
Safety Belts......................................... 8
Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 317
Safety Features.................................. 7

Airbags............................................9
Door Locks................................... 10

Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii Seat Belts...................................... 8, 40

Additional Information................ 40

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 18
Automatic Seat BeltTensioner.. 41
Child Seat Anchor Plate.............. 39
Cleaning...................................... 267

Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40

Maintenance................................. 42 Reminder Light and Beeper................................. 40, 54
Replacement................................. 42
System Components.................... 40 Use During Pregnancy................ 18

Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 15

Seat Heaters................................... 103
Seat Position Memory................... 101
Seats, Adjusting the......................... 94
Security Alarm System ................. 165
Serial Number................................ 300
Service Intervals............................ 208
Service Manual*............................ 319
Service Station Procedures.......... 169
Setting the Clock........................... 109

Shifting the Automatic
Transmission.............................. 182
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 182 Shift Lock Release......................... 185
Side Airbags..................................... 45

How The Side Airbag Indicator
Light Works............................. 47

How Your Side Airbags Work.... 45

Side Marker Lights, Bulb

Replacement in.......................... 255

Signaling Turns................................ 66
Ski Sleeve........................................ 104

Snow Tires...................................... 249
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 264
Sound System................................. 136
Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 272
Specifications............................. 303
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 233
Specifications Charts..................... 302
Speed Control................................... 73
Speedometer.................................... 58
Spotlights........................................ 118
COAT/M/FA)

Index

SRS, Additional Information........... 43 Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
Automatic Seal Belt
Tensioners...................................41

How the SRS indicator Works... 46

How Your Airbags Work...... 43, 45

SRS Components......................... 43

SRS

Service.................................. .
48

SRS Indicator.............................. 46, 55
START (Ignition Key Position)..... 80 Starting the Engine........................ 181 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 181
With a Dead Battery................. 280
State Emissions Testing........... 311

Steam Coming from Engine......... 283
Steering Wheel Adjustments................................. 71

Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 80
Position Memory....................... 101

Stereo Sound System .................... 136

Storing Your Car............................ 261

Sun Visor......................................... 114

Sunglasses Holder......................... 114
Supplemental Restraint

System............................. 9, 43, 45

Service Precautions..................... 48

Servicing....................................... 48

SRS Indicator.......................... 46, 55

System Components.................... 43

Tensioners, Seat Belts................ 41

Synthetic Oil................................... 218

Tachometer...................................... 58

Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 256
Taking Care of the Unexpected ..271

Tape Player............................ 141, 156

Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 304
Emissions Control Systems...... 308

Oxygenated Fuels...................... 306

Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 310
Temperature Gauge........................ 60
Tensioners, Seat

Belts................... .... 41

Tether Anchorage Points............... 39
Theft Deterrent System................ 165
Theft Protection............................. 164 Three Way Catalytic Converter... 310
Time, Setting the........................... 109

Timing Belt..................................... 243

Tire Chains..................................... 249
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 273

Tires................................................ 243

Air Pressure............................... 244Balancing.................................... 246
Checking Wear.......................... 245

Compact Spare........................... 272

DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 304

Inflation....................................... 243

Inspection................................... 245

Maintenance............................... 246

Replacing.................................... 247

Rotating....................................... 246

Snow............................................ 249

Specifications............................. 303

Tools,Tire Changing.................... 273

Tom Seat Belts................................ 42

Towing
A Trailer...................................... 196

By Emergency Wrecker ...........296

Transmission Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 228