2001 Acura RL flat tire

Changing a Flat Tire, If Your Engine Won't Start

19.Slip the hole at the top of the jack over the bracket in the trunk well.
Turn the jack's end bracket to lock it in place. Store the tool kit back
in its place.
20.Unclip the hook from the trunk lid and lower the trunk floor.
21.Store the center cap and spacer basket in the trunk. Make sure the
center cap will not get scratched
or damaged.
22.Close the trunk lid. If Your Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying tostart. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Your car has the ImmobilizerSystem. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 78).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer system indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park or Neutral or the starter will not
operate.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

Loose items can fly around the

interior in a crash and could

seriously injure the occupants.

Store the wheel, jack and tools

securely before driving.

Emergency Towing

If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional 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.

There are three popular types of professional towing equipment.

Flat-bed Equipment — The operator

loads your car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport
your Acura.

Wheel-lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. This is

an acceptable way to tow your

Acura.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspensionand body can be seriously damaged.
This method of towing is
unacceptable.

If your Acura cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.
Release the parking brake. Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the
engine, your car must be transported
with the front wheels off the ground.

With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
Temperature — A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation ofheat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the materialof the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla- tion, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.

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

Index

DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 65
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 317
Defogger, Rear Window................. 71
Defrosting the Windows.......128,
132

Differential
Oil............................... 229

Dimensions..................................... 302

Dimming the Headlights................ 63

Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 228

Engine Oil................................... 171

Directional Signals........................... 66

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 187
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 220

Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 81
Lockout Prevention..................... 82
Monitor Light............................... 57
Power Door Locks....................... 81
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 304
Drive Belts...................................... 242
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 179

Economy..................................... 173
In Bad Weather.......................... 194
In Foreign Countries................. 307

Driving Position Memory
System......................................... 101

Economy, Fuel............................... 173
Emergencies on the Road............. 271 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 280
Brake System Indicator............ 289Changing a Flat Tire................. 273
Charging System Indicator...... 286
Checking the Fuses................... 292
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 285
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 287
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 290

Overheated Engine................... 283

Emergency Brake.......................... 109
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 296
Emissions Controls........................ 308
Emissions Testing,State............... 311 Engine

Belts............................................. 242

Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 60

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 287

Oil Pressure Indicator......... 54, 285
Oil. What Kind to Use............... 217
Overheating................................ 283

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

Speed Limiter............................. 184

Starting........................................ 181

Engine Speed Limiter.................... 184

Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 306

Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 308
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System......................................... 309

Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by.........................................18

Exterior, Cleaning the................... 264
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 266

CONTINUED

Index

Fan, Interior.......................... 126, 131

Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 121
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 169

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

Air Conditioning........................ 242

Oil................................................ 219

Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 273
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 228

Brake........................................... 229

Differential................................. 229

Power Steering........................... 230

Windshield Washer................... 227
FM Stereo Radio
Reception........................... 137, 147

Fog Lights......................................... 67
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 307
Four-way Flashers...........................
70

Front
Airbags.............................. 9,

43

Fuel..................................................

168

Fill Door and Cap....................... 169
Gauge............................................ 60

Octane Requirement................. 168
Oxygenated................................ 306

Reserve Indicator......................... 57
Tank, Filling the......................... 169
Fuel Mileage, Improving............... 173
Fuses, Checking the...................... 292

Gasohol........................................... 306
Gasoline.......................................... 168

Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57

Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 168
Tank, Filling the......................... 169

Gas Station Procedures................. 169

Gauges.............................................. 58

Engine Coolant Temperature .... 60

Fuel................................................ 60

Speedometer................................ 58

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

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)........................................ 197

Gearshift Lever Positions............. 182

Glass Cleaning............................... 268

Glove Box......................................... 88
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating)........................................ 197

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 252
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 70
Headlights Automatic Lighting..................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............. 65
High Beam Indicator................... 57Lights On Indicator..................... 55

Reminder Chime.......................... 63

Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 252

Turning on.................................... 63

Head Restraints............................... 96
Heating and Cooling...................... 122
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 181
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 63
High-mount Brake Light............... 257
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 89

Hood Latch..................................... 231

Hood, Opening the........................ 170

Horn................................................... 62

Hydroplaning.................................. 195

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

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)