2001 Acura RL fuel

Keys and Locks
Remote Transmitter

Your car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page 82 for anexplanation of the operation.

Learning Key

You should also receive a small case containing a learning key. It is used
by the Acura dealer to code replace-
ment keys to your car's Immobilizer
System. It must not be used in your
car's ignition switch. Store the learn-
ing key with the key number plate in a safe place. If you attempt to use the learning
key to start your car's engine, it may cause a malfunction in the system
that makes your master and valet
keys unusable. If this happens, you should contact your Acura dealer.
If you need a new key made, take the
key number plate, the learning key, and all other keys that came with
your car to your Acura dealer. Immobilizer System
The Immobilizer System protects your car from theft. A properly- coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch for the engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine's fuel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on for a few seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.

Instruments and Controls

Climate Control System

Semi-automatic Operation
You can manually select various functions of the Climate Controlsystem when it is in FULL AUTO.
All other features remain auto- matically controlled. Making any
manual selection causes the wordFULL to go out.

Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Press the A/C button to operate the
air conditioning. Each time you press
the A/C button, the display shows
the mode: A/C ECON, A/C OFF, or

A/C ON.
When you turn the A/C off, the sys-
tem cannot regulate the inside tem-
perature if you set the dial below theoutside temperature. With the A/C
on, use the temperature control dial
to adjust the temperature of the air
flow to a comfortable setting. With the A/C in economy mode, you
will see A/C ECON in the system's
display. Use this mode to get better
fuel economy.
In this mode, you may feel a slight re-

duction in cooling efficiency. If you

want more cooling, select A/C ON or
FULL AUTO.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features

TEMPERATURE

CONTROL DIAL AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON

RECIRCULATED AIR

FRESH AIR

Climate Control System

Semi-automatic Operation
You can manually select various functions of the Climate Control system when it is in FULL AUTO.
All other features remain auto- matically controlled. Making any
manual selection causes the word
FULL to go out.
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button

Press the A/C button to operate the
air conditioning. Each time you press
the A/C button, the display shows
the mode: A/C ECON, A/C OFF, or

A/C ON.
When you turn the A/C off, the sys-
tem cannot regulate the inside tem-
perature if you set the dial below theoutside temperature. With the A/C
on, use the temperature control dial
to adjust the temperature of the air
flow to a comfortable setting. AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
TEMPERATURE

CONTROL DIAL

RECIRCULATION BUTTON

With the A/C in economy mode, you will see A/C ECON in the system's display. Use this mode to get better
fuel economy. In this mode, you may feel a slight re-
duction in cooling efficiency. If you
want more cooling, select A/C ON or FULL AUTO.
Comfort and Convenience Features

Before Driving

Before you begin driving your Acura,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggageor packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 168
Gasoline.......................................... 168
Service Station Procedures .......... 169 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 169Opening the Hood..................... 170 Oil Check................................171
Engine Coolant Check.......... 172
Fuel Economy................................ 173 Car Condition............................. 173
Driving Habits............................ 173
Accessories and Modifications.... 174 Carriying Cargo.............................. 176

Before Driving

Break-in Period, Gasoline

Break-in Period

Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid

acceleration.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300

km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
interval shown in the maintenance
schedule.

You should follow these same re- commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasoline

Your Acura is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
If you are unable to find premium unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice aslight decrease in power as a result.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car's emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution. In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system performance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer for service.

Before Driving

Service Station Procedures

Filling the Fuel Tank

1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the
driver's side of the car, park with that side closest to the service station pumps.

2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling

on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.

3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.

You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.

4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel

nozzle automatically clicks off. Do
not try to "top off" the tank, leave
some room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.

Your car has an on-board refueling
vapor recovery system to help
keep fuel vapors from going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel pump
keeps clicking off even though the
tank is not full, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.

CONTINUED

Before Driving
FUEL FILL CAP

Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.

Stop the engine and keep

heat, sparks, and flame away.Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

Pull

Service Station Procedures

5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly tighten the cap, the MalfunctionIndicator Lamp may come on (see
page 287).

6. Push the fuel fill door closed until

it latches.

Opening the Hood
1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set

the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.

2. Standing in front of the car, reach

in between the hood and the front
bumper with your finger. Slide the
latch handle.

Before Driving
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE

LATCH HANDLE

Service Station Procedures

If you can open the hood without
sliding the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stiffly or does not spring back as before, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page 231).
3. Lift the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lift it up the rest of the way and hold it
up.

To close the hood, lower it to about a
foot (30 cm) above the fender, then
press down firmly with your hands.
After closing the hood, make sure it is securely latched. Oil Check
Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the vehicle with fuel. Wait a
few minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange

handle).

2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel.

CONTINUED

Before Driving

DIPSTICK