
2001 RL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 121
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................167
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .179
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................203
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .263
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................271
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................299
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................313
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................319
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Accord Value Package Audio System Owner's Identification Form
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ 2

Your Car at a Glance
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.99)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
(P.53)
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.
109)
CLIMATE CONTROLSYSTEM
(P.122)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.136)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY
(P.101)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES (P.106)
TRUNK RELEASEBUTTON
(P.86) FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.169)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.170)

Instruments and Controls
This section gives information about the controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 52
Indicator Lights................................ 53 Gauges.............................................. 58 Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer.................................. 58
Odometer...................................... 59
Trip Meter/Outside Temperature Indicator............ 59
Temperature Gauge.................... 60 Fuel Gauge................................... 60
Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 61
Controls Near the Steering Wheel........ 62
Headlights.................................... 63
Automatic Lighting..................... 64 Daytime Running Lights............. 65
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 66
Turn Signals................................. 66
Fog Lights.................................... 67
Windshield Wipers...................... 68 Windshield Washers................... 70
Hazard Warning........................... 70
Rear Window Defogger.............. 71
Steering Wheel Adjustments..... 71
Steering Wheel Controls ................ 73
Cruise Control.............................. 73
Remote Audio Controls .............. 76
Keys and Locks................................ 77
Keys...............................................77
Immobilizer System..................... 78
Ignition Switch............................. 80
Power Door Locks....................... 81
Remote Transmitter.................... 82
Childproof Door Locks............... 85
Trunk............................................ 86
Emergency Trunk Opener......... 87Glove Box..................................... 88
HomeLink Universal Transmitter......... 89
Customer Assistance.................. 89
Important Safety Precautions.... 89
Training the Transmitter............ 90
Training With a Rolling Code
System.......................................92
Erasing Codes.............................. 93
Seat Adjustments............................. 94 Driver's Seat Adjustments.......... 94
Driver's Lumbar Support............ 96
Front Passenger's SeatAdjustments............................. 96
Head Restraints........................... 96
Armrest............................................. 97
Mirrors.............................................. 99
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 99
Driving Position Memory
System......................................... 101
Seat Heaters................................... 103
Ski Sleeve........................................ 104
Power Windows............................. 106
Moonroof........................................ 107
Parking Brake................................ 109
Digital Clock................................... 109Sunglasses Holder......................... 111
Beverage Holder............................ 112Console Compartment.................. 113
Coin Box......................................... 113
Sun Visor......................................... 114
Vanity Mirror................................. 114
Accessory Power Socket.............. 115 Cigarette Lighter........................... 116
Ashtrays.......................................... 117 Ceiling Lights................................. 118
Courtesy Lights............................. 119
Instruments and Controls

Control Locations
Instruments and Controls
MIRROR
CONTROLS
(P. 99)
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P. 109)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P. 122)
AUDIO SYSTEM (P. 136)
DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
(P.
81)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY
(P. 101)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 106)
TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON
(P.
86)
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HANDLE
(P. 169)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 170)

Indicator Lights
*The U.S. instrunment panel is shown.Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR
LAMP
(P.287)
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
(P.55) PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR*
(P.54)
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR(P.56)
SIDEAIRBAG
INDICATOR (P.55) CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
(P.55)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSISTSYSTEM INDICATOR(P.56)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR*(P.56)
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
(P-54)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.54) IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.55) HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
(P.57) LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P.57)
DOOR AND BRAKE
LAMP MONITOR
(P.57) SEAT BELT
REMINDERLIGHT (P.54)
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.55)

Indicator Lights
Door and Brake Lamp Monitor
The appropriate light comes on in this display if the trunk or any door
is not closed tightly. If a brake light
does not work, the BRAKE LAMP
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake lights repaired right away.
All the lights in the monitor display come on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 250 ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on theoutside of the vehicle should flash.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon. High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 63 forinformation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 65 ).
"Daytime Running
Lights" Indicator
Canadian models only
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go off if
you turn on the headlights or release the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
Instruments and Controls
D R L

Gauges
The gauges illuminate when you turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Speedometer
U.S. Models
This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Canadian Models
This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).
Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.
Instruments and Controls
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
SELECT
BUTTON
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
ODOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TRIP METER/OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
RESET
BUTTON

Gauges
Outside Temperature Indicator
This indicator displays the outside temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade inCanadian models.
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper. Therefore, the
temperature reading can be affected
by heat reflection from the road sur-
face, engine heat, and the exhaust
from the surrounding traffic. This can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h).
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing (32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.
Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page 283 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or
hilly roads.
The gauge stays at the same fuel level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II).
Instruments and Controls