2002 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .This light has two f unctions:
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition. This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt. The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car. This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit af ter
you have fully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page .
1.
2.
295
296
299
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorParking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
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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).
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 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 reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. If you turn the
ignition switch to ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0) without turning of f the
light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door.
This indicator will also come on
when the light switch is in AUTO
and the lights turn on automatically.
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control. 45
47
75
297
158 Immobilizer System
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Side A irbag Indicator
Lights On Indicator
(U.S. models only)
Cruise Control Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols55
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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 .
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned of f the Vehicle
Stability Assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
If this light comes on and stays on at
any other time, or it does not come
on when you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), there is a problem with the
VSA system. Take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. Without
VSA, your car still has normal
driving ability, but will not have VSA
traction and stability enhancement.
See page f or more inf ormation
on the VSA system. This indicator has three f unctions:
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). See page
f or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
1.
2.
3.
201
201 199
201
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator
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This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page f or
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
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.
The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn 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. 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
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition
switch ON (II). 63
65
260
Canadian models only
High Beam Indicator
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Low Fuel Indicator
Door and Brake L amp Monitor
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
BRAKE LAMP
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U.S. ModelsCanadian Models
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone. The gauges illuminate when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Gauges
Speedometer
T achometer
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
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BU UT TT
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CONT INUED
The trip meter and the outside
temperature indicator use the same
display. To switch the display
between the trip meter and the
outside temperature, press the
Select button. When you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), what you
last selected is displayed.The trip meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters, Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
and the outside temperature display
by pressing the Select button
repeatedly. Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two dif f erent distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press the Reset button until you
hear a beep. Both trip meters will re-
set if the car’s battery goes dead or
is disconnected.
The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Odometer
T rip Meter/Outside T emperature
IndicatorTrip Meter
59
S SE EL
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CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
R
RE ES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
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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 f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade in
Canadian models.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace. The temperature sensor is located in
the f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road sur-
f ace, engine heat, and the exhaust
f rom the surrounding traf f ic. This
can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h). This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
The gauge stays at the same f uel
level reading af ter you turn of f the
ignition. When you add f uel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
readingafteryouturntheignition
switch back ON (II).
293
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Fuel Gauge
Temperature GaugeOut side T emperat ure Indicat or
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µYour dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.
Turn of f the engine.
For the f irst 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km) this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you f irst turn the ignition
switch ON (II), and then f lash f or
ten seconds.
Press and hold the select and reset
buttons next to the instrument pan-
el, then turn the ignition switch
ON (II).
Hold the buttons for
approximately ten seconds until
the indicator resets.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance.
If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages . 1.
2.
3.
218 222
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Maintenance Required Indicator
61
S SE EL
LEE C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
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RE ES
SE ET
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B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
M
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