2002 Acura CL airbag

This light alerts you that
the passenger’s side airbag
has been automatically shut off. If a small-statured adult leans
sideways, or larger adult slouches
and leans sideways into the
deployment path of the side airbag,
the system may also shut of f the side
airbag.A f ront seat passenger should not
use a cushion or other object as a
backrest. It may prevent the cutof f
system f rom working properly.
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
the indicator should light brief ly and
goout(seepage ).Ifitdoesn’t
light, stays on, or comes on while
driving without a passenger in the
f ront seat, have the system checked.
If the side airbag cutof f indicator
light comes on, you should have the
passenger sit upright. Once the
passenger is out of the deployment
path of the side airbag, the system
will turn the airbag back on and the
light will go out.
To reduce the risk of injury f rom an
inf lating side airbag, your car has an
automatic cutoff system for the
passenger’s side airbag. If does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags. It means that
thesideairbagcutoff systemhas
activated to prevent the side airbag
f rom deploying.
Although Acura does not encourage
children to ride in the f ront seat, this
system is designed to shut of f the
side airbag if a child leans sideways
and the child’s head is in the side
airbag deployment path. 56
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
Indicator L ight Works
47

Your f ront and side airbag systems
are virtually maintenance-f ree, and
there are no parts you can saf ely
service. However, you must have
your car serviced if :Take your car to an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inf late when you need them. Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury. See page f or f urther inf ormation
and precautions relating to your
airbags.Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision.
If rain or spilled water
soaks into a seat-back, it can
prevent the side airbag system
f rom working properly.
Any
airbag that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit, automatic seat belt
tensioners and other related parts.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an Acura dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop. 170
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Airbag Service
Additional Saf ety Precautions
T he SRS indicat or light alert s you
t o a problem. Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason. Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing anAcura dealer.
Do not expose t he f ront seat -backs to water.
Your airbags ever inf late.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety48

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system
or automatic seat belt tensioners.
For complete inf ormation, see page
.
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control.
This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
cartoyourdealertohaveitchecked.
With the light on, your car still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete inf ormation, see
page .
4746
151
74
189
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator
56
U.S. Canada

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 f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.
In HI, the heater turns of f 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 f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back.
Both f ront seats are equipped with
seat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comf ortable temperature,
select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm.
Seat Heaters
Inst rument s and Cont rols98
S SE
EA
A T
T H
HE
EA
A T
TE
ER
RS S

Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has Genuine Acura
accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These
accessories have been designed and
approved f or your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Acura accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.)When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation.Have the installer contact your
Acura dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ). Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper car operation or
perf ormance.
Bef ore installing any accessory: However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operation
of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
294
170
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving169
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.

Do not remove any original
equipment or modif y your car in any
way that would alter its design or
operation. This could make your car
unsaf e and illegal to drive.
Such modif ications can adversely
af f ect handling, and interf ere with
the operation of the car’s anti-lock
brakes and other systems.Covering the outside edge of a
f ront seat-back, with a non-Acura
seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.
For example, do not make any
modif ications that would change the
ride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a dif f erent
overall diameter.
In addition, any modif ications 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 modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective.
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
interf ere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inf late, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone. If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.
Modif ications
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not place any object s over t heoutsideedgeof afront seat-back.
Do not at t ach or place object s on
the f ront airbag covers. Do not at t ach hard object s on or
near a door.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving170

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 169
................................
Accessories .169
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 170
............................
Modif ications .170
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .76
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 220
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 43, 45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .233
..............
Air Conditioning System . 114
..............................
Maintenance .243
.................................
Usage .116, 121
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .246
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .149
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .310
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 267
......................................
Antif reeze .223
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .56, 189
...................................
Operation .188
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 149
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .76 ..........................
Anti-thef t System .150
..........................
Appearance Care .265
............................................
Armrest .91
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 148
................................
Audio System .127
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .114
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 66
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .41
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 151
..............
Automatic Transmission . 178
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .306
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 230
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 181
.......................................
Shif ting .178
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 179
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 185
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .55, 289
............................
Jump Starting .283 ..............................
Maintenance .238
............................
Specif ications .307
..............................
Bef ore Driving .161
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,40
...........................
Beverage Holder .104
...................................
Body Repair .272
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 188
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 162
....................
Bulb Replacement .258
...........................................
Fluid .231
.......................................
Parking .102
.................
System Indicator . 55,292
........................
Wear Indicators .187
.............................
Braking System .187
........................
Break-in, New Car .162
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights .65
Index
A
B
I

...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 275
.....................................
Floor Mats .268
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 230
..........................................
Brake .231
..........................
Power Steering .232
................
Windshield Washers . 229
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception .128, 132
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 311
..........................
Four-way Flashers .70
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,43
.................................................
Fuel .162
......................
Fill Door and Cap .163
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 162
...............................
Oxygenated .310
........................
Reserve Indicator .59
........................
Tank, Filling the .163
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .294
..........................................
Gasohol .310
.........................................
Gasoline .162
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 59...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 162
........................
Tank, Filling the .163
................
Gas Station Procedures . 163
.............................................
Gauges .60
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 62
...............................................
Fuel .62
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .63
...............................
Speedometer .60
.................................
Tachometer .60
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .199
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 179
..............................
Glass Cleaning .270
........................................
Glove Box .85
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .199
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 254
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 70
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .254
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .66
............
Daytime Running Lights . 67
..................
High Beam Indicator . 58
.........................
Reminder Chime .65
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 254
...................................
Turning on .65
..............................
Head Restraints .90
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 177
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 65
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 259
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .155
....................................
Hood Latch .233
.......................
Hood, Opening the .164
..................................................
Horn .64
.................................
Hydroplaning .197
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 304
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .73
...........................................
Switch .75
............
Timing Control System . 313
........................
Immobilizer System .74
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Index
G HI
IV