2001 Acura RL dashboard

Accessories and Modifications

Modifications Do not remove any original
equipment or modify your car in any
way that would alter its design or operation. This could make your car
unsafe and illegal to drive.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a different overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the car's anti-lock
brakes and other systems.
In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy. Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modifications could make the
system ineffective.
Additional Safety Precautions
Do not attach or place objects on

the front airbag covers. Any object

attached to or placed on the covers
marked "SRS AIRBAG," in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interfere with the proper operation of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone.
Do not attach hard objects on or

near a front door. If a side airbag
inflates, a cup holder or other hard
object attached on or near the door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.
Do not place any objects over theoutside edge of a front seat-back.
Covering the outside edge of a
front seat-back, with a non-Acura seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.

Before Driving

Fuses

All the electrical circuits in your car have fuses to protect them from ashort circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
The interior fuse box is underneaththe dashboard on the driver's side.
To open it, turn the knob as shown. The under-hood fuse box is located
in the engine compartment next to
the battery. To open it, push the tab
as shown.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

INTERIOR
KNOB
UNDER-HOOD

TAB

Identification Numbers

Your car has several identifying numbers located in various places.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Acura dealer uses to register your car for warranty purposes. It is also
necessary for licensing and insuring
your car. The easiest place to find the VIN is on a plate fastened to the
top of the dashboard. You can see it
by looking through the windshield on the driver's side. It is also on theCertification label attached to the
driver's doorjamb, and is stamped on
the engine compartment bulkhead.
The VIN is also provided in bar code on the Certification label. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

CERTIFICATION LABEL

Technical Information

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