2003 Acura CL Owner's Manual

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 normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). See pagef 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. It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ). Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned of f the Vehicle
Stability Assist (VSA) system.
This indicator has three f unctions: This indicator has three f unctions:
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the Traction
Control System.
It f lashes when the TCS is
regulating wheelspin.
If itcomesonandstaysonwhen
the Traction Control System is on,
it indicates that there is a problem
in the TCS.
This light also comes on when you
turn the ignition ON (II) and goes off
af ter the engine starts. See page f or more inf ormation on the
TCS.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
212
212
212
209
On Premium model
On Type-S with A/T
On Type-S with A/T
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator
T raction Control System
(T CS) Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols62

This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
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 car should f lash.
The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the trunk or either
door is not closed tightly with the
ignition switch ON (II).
277 70
72
Canadian models only
High Beam Indicator
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Door and T runk Open Monitor
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols63

This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.
If a brake light does not work, theindicator 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. This light comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this light come on
(see page ).
249Canadian models only
Low Fuel Indicator
Brake L amp Indicator Washer Level Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols64
BRAKE LAMP

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. Speedometer
T achometer
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols65
T TA
A C
CHH O
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R T
TE
EM
M P
PE
ER
RA A T
TU
UR REE
G
GA AU
UG GEE S
SE
EL
LEE C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
O
OD DO
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R R
RE
ES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
F
FU
UE EL
L G
GAAU
UG GEE
M
M A
AI
INNT TE
EN
NA AN
NC CEE
R
RE EQ
QU UIIRRE ED
D I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
S
SP
PE
EE
ED
D O
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R
O
OU UTTS
SI IDD E
E T
TE
EM
M P
PE
ER
RA A T
TU
UR REE
I
IN ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R T
T
R
RI IPP M
M E
ET
TE
ER
R

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.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
displays by pressing the Select
button repeatedly. Each trip meter
works independently, so you can
keep track of two dif f erent distances.
When you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), what you last selected is
displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Reset button
until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’. You
will hear a beep. Both trip meters
will reset if the car’s battery goes
dead or is disconnected.
Odometer
T rip Meter
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
S SEEL
LE
E C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
R
RE ES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N

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.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom 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 red mark. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system. The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
306 Fuel Gauge
Temperature Gauge
Outside Temperature Indicator
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols67
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

µ
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). This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance. Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km) this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch ON (II), and then f lash f or
ten seconds.
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.
Your 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.
Hold the buttons for
approximately ten seconds until
the indicator resets. Press and hold the select and reset
buttons next to the instrument pan-
el,thenturntheignitionswitch
ON (II). Turn of f the engine.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages . 1.
2.
3.
230 234
Maintenance Required Indicator
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols68
S SE
EL
LE
E C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
R
RE ES
SE ET
T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
M
M
A
AI
INNT TE
EN
NA AN
NC CEE R
REEQ
QU UIIRRE ED
D I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R

Î
Î
Î Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switch for the hazard warning
lights is on the dashboard to the
right of the steering column.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel. The controls under the lef t air vent
are f or the moonroof , the cruise
control, and the VSA/TCS.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
:
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols69
I IN
NS STTR
RU UM M E
EN
NT T P
PA
A N
NE EL
L
B
BR RIIGGH HT
TN
NE ES
SS S T
T
I
ILL T
T A
AD
DJ
JUUS STTM
M E
EN
NT TH
H
O
OR RNN
M
M
O
OOONNRROOO OFF
S
SW WI ITT C
CH H H
H
E
EA
A D
DL
LIIGGH HT
TS
S/ /
T
T U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
LS
S W
WI
INND DS
SHH I
IEE L
LDD
W
WI IPP E
ER
RS S//W
WA AS
SHH E
ER
RS S R
RE
EA
A R
R W
WI INND DO
OW W
D
D E
EF
FOOG GGGEER
R
H
H A
AZ
ZA
A R
RDD W
WA AR
RNNI INNG G
L
LI IGGH HT
TS
S
T
T
R
RA A C
CTTI
IOON N
C
CO ON NTTR
RO OL L//V
V E
EH
H I
ICCL LE
E
S
ST TA
A B
BIILL I
ITT Y
Y A
AS
SSSIISST T
S
SY YSSTTE
EM
M O
ONN//O
OF FFF
S
SW WI ITT C
CH H /
/C
CR RUUI ISSE E
C
CO ON NTTR
RO OL L