2001 Acura RL lights

Courtesy Lights

In addition to the ceiling lights, your
Acura has courtesy lights in each door and the ignition switch.
The door courtesy lights come on whenever you open any door. After all doors are closed tightly, they dim
slightly then fade out in about 10

seconds.
Even if the door is open, the lights
will turn off after three minutes
when the key is not in the ignition switch or the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position, and the light switch is in the
off position.
The door courtesy lights and ceiling lights (with the switch in the center
position) come on when you unlock
the door with the key, lock tab on
the driver's door, master door lockswitch, or remote transmitter (see
page 82). If you relock the driver's door or close the driver's door with
the key in the ignition switch, the lights turn off immediately.Otherwise, they remain on, then fade
out in about 10 seconds. The door courtesy lights and ceiling
lights (with the switch in the center
position) also come on when youremove the key from the ignitionswitch. If you do not open a door,
they stay on, then fade out in about
10 seconds.

The courtesy light in the ignition switch comes on when you open the
driver's door. It remains on about 10 seconds after the door is closed.

Instruments and Controls

Audio System

Audio System Lighting
You can use the instrument panel brightness control dial to adjust the il-
lumination of the audio system (see
page 66). The audio system illuminates when the parking lightsare on, even if the radio is turned off.
Radio Frequencies and Reception

For information, See page 149.
Operating the Cassette Player

The ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II). Make sure the tape opening on the
cassette is facing to the right, then
insert the cassette most of the way
into the slot. The system will pull it
in the rest of the way, and begin to

play.

The tape direction indicator will light to show you which side of the cassette is playing. The indicates
the side you inserted facing upward is now playing. If you want to play
the other side, press the PROG/ PLAY button.
Dolby noise reduction turns on when
you insert a cassette. If the tape was not recorded with Dolby noise reduc-
tion, turn it off by pressing the
button.
When the system reaches the end of
the tape, it will automatically reversedirection and play the other side. If
you want to remove the cassette
from the drive, press the EJECT button.
If you turn the system off while a
tape is playing, either with the PWR/ VOL knob or by turning off the
ignition, the cassette will remain in
the drive. When you turn the system
back on, the tape will begin playing
where it left off.
To switch to the radio or CD changer while listening to a tape,
press the AM/FM or CD/TAPE but-
ton. To change back to the cassette
player, press the CD/TAPE button.
Comfort and Convenience Features

Audio System

Audio System Lighting
You can use the instrument panel
brightness control dial to adjust the il- lumination of the audio system (seepage 66). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned off.
Radio Frequencies

Your Acura's radio can receive the
complete AM and FM bands.

Those bands cover these frequen-
cies:

AM band:
530 to 1,710 kilohertz

FM band:

87.7 to 107.9 megahertz
Radio stations on the AM band are
assigned frequencies at least ten
kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550).
Stations on the FM band are
assigned frequencies at least 0.2

megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3). Stations must use these exact
frequencies. It is fairly common for
stations to round-off the frequency in
their advertising, so your radio could
display a frequency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identity

the station as "FM101."

Radio Reception How well your Acura's radio receives
stations is dependent on many
factors, such as the distance from
the station's transmitter, nearby
large objects, and atmospheric
conditions.
A radio station's signal gets weaker as you get farther away from itstransmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound volume becoming weaker, and the station drifting in and out. If you are
listening to an FM station, you will
see the stereo indicator flickering off
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator will go off and the sound will fade
completely as you get out of range of
the station's signal.
Driving very near the transmitter of
a station that is broadcasting on a frequency close to the frequency of
the station you are listening to can
also affect your radio's reception.
You may temporarily hear both stations, or hear only the station you
are close to.

Comfort and Convenience Features
CONTINUED

Security System

The security system helps to protect your car and valuables from theft.
The horn sounds and a combination of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights flashes if someone attempts to break into your
car or remove the radio. This alarm
continues for two minutes, then the system resets. To reset an alarming
system before the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either front door
with the key or the remote
transmitter.
The security system sets auto- matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and trunk. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors from the outside with the
key, lock tab, door lock switch, or
remote transmitter. The security system light next to the driver's door
lock starts blinking immediately to show you the system is setting itself. Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or
the hood, will cause it to alarm. It also alarms if the radio is removed
from the dashboard or the wiring is

cut.
With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the master key
or the remote transmitter without
triggering the alarm. The alarm will sound if the trunk lock is forced, or
the trunk is opened with the trunk
release button on the driver's door.
The security system will not set if the hood, trunk, or any door is not
fully closed. If the system will not set,check the Door and Brake Lamp
Monitor on the instrument panel (see page 57), to see if the doors
and trunk are fully closed. Since it is not part of the monitor display,
manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.

Comfort and Convenience Features

SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

Accessories and Modifications

Modifying your car, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can

make your car unsafe. Before you

make any modifications or add any
accessories, be sure to read the

following information.

Accessories
Your dealer has Genuine Acura accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These accessories have been designed and
approved for your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Acura accessories are usuallydesigned for universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories may fit on your car, they may not
meet factory specifications, andcould adversely affect your car's
handling and stability. (See "Modifications" on the page 175 for
additional information.) When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should not interfere with your car's
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car's electrical system capacity, they can interfere with the operationof your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Before installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper car operation or
performance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page 292 ). Have the installer contact your
Acura dealer for assistance before
installing any electronic accessory.
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the final installation.

Before Driving
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car's handling, stability and performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Preparing to Drive

You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are
fully closed.

3. Visually check the tires. If a tire

looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.

4. Check that any items you may be

carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.

5. Check the adjustment of the seat (see page 94 ).
6. Check the adjustment of the

inside and outside mirrors (see
page 99 ).

7. Check the adjustment of the

steering wheel (see page 7 1 ).

8. Make sure the doors are securely

closed and locked.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that

your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 15 ).

10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.

11.Start the engine (see page 181).
12.Check the gauges and indicator

lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).

Driving

Parking

Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; itdoes not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your car may roll if it is parked on an

incline.

Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the car from moving and putting pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission — making it
easier to move the shift lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage the rear brakes. Parking Tips Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn off the lights.Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter. Check the
indicator on the driver's door to
verify that the security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on

fire.

Driving

The Braking System

Your Acura is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A powerassist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind

you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower gear and taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. Brake Wear Indicators
All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."

Driving