2001 Acura RL cruise control

Steering Wheel Controls

When you push the CANCEL button, or tap the brake pedal, the CRUISE
CONTROL light on the instrument
panel will go out and the car will
begin to slow down. You can use the accelerator pedal in the normal way.
The system remembers the previously-set cruising speed. Toreturn to that speed, accelerate to
above 25 mph (40 km/h), then press
and release the RESUME/accel
button. The CRUISE CONTROL
light comes on, and the car will accelerate to the same cruisingspeed as before. Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completelyoff and erases the previous cruising
speed from memory. To use the
system again, refer to Using the
Cruise Control.
Remote Audio Controls
These buttons let you control some functions of the audio system with-out removing your hands from the
wheel. Refer to page 163 for a com- plete explanation.
Instruments and Controls
AUDIO/CH

BUTTON

Fuel Economy

The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Car Condition
Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner Maintenance
Checks (see page 215 ). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C orset the climate control to a higher
temperature to cut down on air
conditioning use. Use the flow-
through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate.

Before Driving

Driving in Bad Weather

Rain, fog, and snow conditions require a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greatercaution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these
conditions. Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Driving

Charging System Indicator

This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, climate control,
rear defogger, cruise control, etc.
Try not to use other electrically- operated controls such as the power
windows. Keep the engine running and take extra care not to stall it.
Starting the engine will discharge
the battery rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

State Emissions Testing

Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80 to 97 km/h) for at least 20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D4 (A/T). Do not use the cruise control. When traffic allows, drive
for 90 seconds without moving the accelerator pedal. (Vehicle speed
may vary slightly; this is okay.) If
you cannot do this for a continuous 90 seconds because of
traffic conditions, drive for at least
30 seconds, then repeat it two
more times (for a total of 90
seconds).
Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traffic conditions allow, let the vehicle coast for severalseconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake

pedal.

If the testing facility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your Acura dealer.

Technical Information

Index
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 256
Brake Lights............................... 256
Ceiling Lights............................. 259
Courtesy Lights......................... 259

Fog Lights.................................. 253

Front Side Marker Lights......... 255

Headlights.................................. 252

High-mount Brake Light.......... 257
License Plate Lights.................. 258

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

Trunk Light................................ 260
Tum Signal Lights..................... 255

Bulbs, Halogen............................... 252

Cancel Button................................... 75
Capacities Chart............................. 302

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying, Cargo............................. 176

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 156

Operation............................ 141, 153

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer................... 144, 157, 159

Ceiling Lights................................. 118
Certification Label......................... 300

Chains............................................. 249
Changing Oil
How to......................................... 219

When to....................................... 208

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 273
Changing Engine Coolant............. 223
Charging System Indicator.... 54, 287
Checklist, Before Driving............. 180

Child Safety...................................... 20
Child Seats........................................ 24
Tether Anchorage Point............. 39

Childproof Door Locks................... 85
Cigarette Lighter........................... 116

Cleaner. Air.................................... 231

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 265

Carpeting.................................... 266

Exterior....................................... 264

Fabric.......................................... 266

Interior........................................ 266
Leather........................................ 266

Seat Belts.................................... 266

Vinyl............................................ 266
Windows..................................... 267

Wood Trim................................. 267

Climate Control System................ 122
Clock, Setting the.......................... 109
Code, Audio System...................... 164

CO in the Exhaust......................... 308

Coin Box......................................... 113

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 181

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

Console Compartment.................. 113
Consumer Information*................ 314
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51Coolant Adding......................................... 221
Checking..................................... 172

Proper Solution.......................... 221

Replacing.................................... 223

Temperature Gauge.................... 60
CoiTosion Protection..................... 269 Courtesy Lights............................. 119
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 308

Cruise Control Operation............... 73
Customer Relations Office........... 314