2001 Acura RL sensor

Additional Information About Your Airbags
SRS Components

Your Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes: Two front airbags. The driver's
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked "SRS
AIRBAG." Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page 41). Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal

collision.

A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors andrecords information about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is ON (II).
An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the

system (see page 45).
Emergency backup power in case

your car's electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
How Your Front Airbags Work
If you ever have a moderate to

severe frontal collision, the sensors

will detect the vehicle's rapid deceleration. If the rate of

deceleration is high enough, the

control unit will instantly inflate the
front airbags.

CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Airbags

During a frontal crash, your seat
belts help restrain your lower body
and torso. Your airbag provides a
cushion to help restrain and protect
your head and chest.
Since both airbags use the same sensors, both airbags normally
inflate at the same time. However, it is possible for only one airbag to
inflate.
This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or
threshold, that determines whetheror not the airbags will deploy. In
such cases, the seat belt will provide
sufficient protection, and the
supplemental protection offered by
the airbag would be minimal. After inflating, the front airbags
immediately deflate, so they won't
interfere with the driver's visibility,
or the ability to steer or operate other controls.
The total time for inflation and deflation is approximately one-tenth
of a second, so fast that most
occupants are not aware that the
airbags deployed until they see them
lying in their laps. After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actuallypowder from the airbag's surface.
Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problemsmay experience some temporary
discomfort. If this occurs, get out of
the car as soon as it is safe to do so.

U.S. Owners

For additional information on how
your airbags work, see the booklet

titled SRS: What You Need to Know

About Airbags that came with your

owner's manual.

Canadian Owners

For additional information on how
your airbags work, ask your dealer
for a copy of the booklet titled SRS:

What You Need to Know About Airbags.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Side Airbags Work

Your car is equipped with side
airbags for the driver and a front

seat passenger. The airbags are

stored in the outer edges of the front

seat-backs, and both are marked

"SIDE AIRBAG."

If you ever have a moderate to
severe side impact, the sensors will
detect rapid deceleration and signal
the control unit to instantly inflate
either the driver's or the passenger's side airbag.
Only one airbag will deploy during a
side impact. If the impact is on the
passenger's side, the passenger's side airbag will deploy even if there
is no passenger. To get the best protection from the
side airbags, front seat occupants
should wear their seat belts and sit
upright and well back in their seats.

Driver and Passenger Safety

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

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the car for an extended period (a week
or more). You should also turn off
the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or the engine off for a
long time. This will prevent the
battery from discharging.
The automatic lighting feature iscontrolled by a sensor located on top
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it. Daytime Running Lights
(Canadian Models)
With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on withreduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
off, even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Instruments and Controls

LIGHT

SENSOR

Mirrors

Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has an automaticanti-glare mechanism. When the
AUTO switch is pushed in, the indicator will light. When the mirrorsenses light from the headlights of
the car behind you, the mirror surface will automatically darken to
reduce the glare. Adjusting the Power Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment button on the driver's
door armrest:
1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's

side).

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls

INDICATOR
SENSOR
AUTO SWITCH SELECTOR SWITCH

Seat Heaters, Ski Sleeve

The HI or LO indicator lights and remains lit until you turn it off by
pushing the opposite side of theswitch lightly. The indicator will turn

off.
In HI, the heater turns off when the

seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat's temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.It does not cycle with temperature

changes.

Because of the sensors for the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger's seat-back. Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters: Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats feel warm.
The HI setting draws large amounts of current from the
battery. Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
left idling for an extended period.
They can weaken the battery, causing hard starting.
Ski Sleeve

The ski sleeve allows you to carry skis or other long objects safely
without soiling or damaging the
interior of your car. It attaches to the
trunk pass-through.
KNOB
To use the ski sleeve: 1. Pull down the rear seat armrest. Open the trunk pass-through
cover by sliding the knob down-
ward and pulling on the cover.

Instruments and Controls
LID

Comfort and Convenience Features

The climate control system in your
Acura provides a comfortable driving environment in all weather condi-
tions.
The standard audio system has many features. This section de-scribes those features and how to
use them.
Your Acura has an anti-theft audio system that requires a code number
to enable it.
The security system helps to dis- courage vandalism and theft of your
Acura.
Climate Control System................ 122

3,5 RL without Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation........ 124

Semi-automatic Operation........ 125

3.5 RL with Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation........ 129
Semi-automatic Operation........ 130
Rear Ventilation......................... 134
Sunlight Sensor/ Temperature Sensor............. 135
Audio System................................. 136 AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Audio System......................... 136

3.5 RL without Navigation System
Operating the Radio.................. 137

Adjusting the Sound.................. 140

Audio System Lighting............. 141

Operating the Cassette
Player...................................... 141

Tape Search Functions............. 142
Operating the CD Changer...... 144
3.5 RL with Navigation System

Operating the Radio.................. 147
Adjusting the Sound.................. 150
Audio System Lighting............. 151 Radio Frequencies..................... 151
Radio Reception......................... 151Operating the Cassette Player...................................... 153
Tape Search Functions............. 153 Caring for the Cassette Player...................................... 156
Operating the CD Changer...... 157
Loading the CD Changer ......... 159
Protecting Compact Discs........ 161 CD Changer Error
Indications.............................. 162

Remote Audio Controls ............ 163
Theft Protection ........................ 164
Security System............................. 165

Comfort and Convenience Features