2002 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

To clean the windshield, pull back on
the wiper control lever. The washers
spray until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed while you’re
pulling the lever, then complete one
more sweep of the windshield af ter
you release it.Pushtheredbuttontoturnonthe
hazard warning lights (f our-way
flashers). This causes all four
outside turn signals and both
indicators in the instrument panel to
f lash. Use the hazard warning lights
if you need to park in a dangerous
area near heavy traffic, or if your car
is disabled.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Windshield Washers
Hazard Warning
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See page f or important saf etyinf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 17
Your Acura’s steering wheel is
electrically-adjustable f or angle and
distance. The adjustment switch is
on the lef t side of the steering
column. Always adjust the steering
wheel bef ore you begin driving.
Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.
The def ogger and antenna wires on
the inside of the rear window can be
accidentally damaged. When
cleaning the glass, always wipe side
to side.
The rear window def ogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and of f . The light in the
button lights to show the def ogger is
on. If you do not turn it of f , the
def ogger will shut itself of f af ter
about25minutes.Italsoshutsoff
when you turn of f the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you
restart the car.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Steering Wheel A djustments
Rear Window Def ogger
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Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
car and be seriously injured in a
crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the car is stopped.
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The AUTO switch controls automat-
ic movement of the steering wheel.
When this switch is in the ON posi-
tion, the steering wheel automatical-
ly moves f ully in and up when you re-
move the key from the ignition
switch.
Release the switch when the
steering wheel reaches the
desired position. Make sure the
steering wheel points towards
your chest, not toward your f ace,
andthatyoucanseethe
instrument panel gauges and
warning lights.
Locate the adjustment switch on
the lef t side of the steering column.
Move the steering wheel, in, out,
up, or down by pushing and
holding the adjustment switch in
that direction.
2.
1.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Automatic Movement
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The steering wheel then returns to
its original position when you insert
the key back in the ignition switch.
Steering wheel movement is also
controlled by the Driving Position
Memory System (see page ).93
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
73
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Your car comes with two master
keys and a valet key.Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
The master key fits all the locks on
your car:
 Ignition
 Doors
 Trunk
 Trunk pass-through cover
Glovebox The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk, trunk pass-through
cover, and glove box locked when
you leave your car and the valet key
at a parking facility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number plate with your keys. You
will need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Keep
the plate stored in a saf e place. If youneed to replace a key, use only an
Acura-approved key blank.
Keys
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols74
K KE
EY
Y
N
NU UMM B
BEER
R
P
P L
LAA T
TE
E V
V
A
AL
LEE T
T
K
KE EY
Y
(
( G
Gr raay y))
M
M
A
AS
STTE
ER
R
K
KE EY
YS S
(
( B
Bl laac ckk) )
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Your car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page for an
explanation of the operation.
Youshouldalsoreceiveasmallcase
containing a learning key. It is used
by the Acura dealer to code replace-
ment keys to your car’s Immobilizer
System. It must not be used in your
car’s ignition switch. Store the learn-
ing key with the key number plate in
a safe place. If you attempt to use the learningkey to start your car’s engine, it may
cause a malfunction in the system
that makes your master and valet
keys unusable. If this happens, you
should contact your Acura dealer.
If you need a new key made, take the
key number plate, the learning key,
and all other keys that came with
your car to your Acura dealer.The Immobilizer System protects
your car f rom thef t. A properly-
coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch f or the
engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine’s f uel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.
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Remote Transmitter
L earning K eyImmobilizer System
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols75
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As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the
ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code: If you have lost your key and you cannot start the engine, contact your
Acura dealer. Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your car undriveable.
Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key f ob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away f rom your
vehicle’s key and the ignition
switch while trying to start the
engine.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
The Immobilizer System indicator
will also blink several times when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ON
(II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols76
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The ignition switch is on the right
side of the steering column. It has
f our positions:
LOCK(0)
 ACCESSORY (I)
 ON (II)
 START (III) If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the lef t or to
the right as you turn the key.
In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the cigarette lighter. You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch f rom ACCESSORY to
LOCK, you must push the key in
slightly as you turn it. The shif t lever
must also be in Park. The anti-thef t
lock will lock the steering column
when you remove the key.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY to ON.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page ).
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper. 69
Ignition Switch
A CCESSORY (I) LOCK (0)
ON (II)ST A RT (III)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols77
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