2004 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

The automatic lighting f eature is
controlledbyasensorlocatedontop
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle f or an extended period (a
weekormore).Youshouldalsoturn
of f the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or the engine of f f or a
long time. This will prevent the
battery f rom discharging.
Daytime Running L ights
(Canadian Models)
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols70
LIGHT
SENSOR

The dial on the dashboard to the lef t
of the instrument panel is used to
adjust the brightness of the lights in
the controls and displays. Turn the
dial to adjust the brightness.Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a lef t turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.
To reduce glare at night, the instru-
ment panel illumination dims when
you turn the light switch to or
. Turning the instrument panel
brightness control f ully to the lef t,
past the detent, will return the instru-
ment panel to its f ull brightness.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel Brightness T urn Signals
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
71
TURN SIGNAL LEVER
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS DIAL

Turn the f og lights on and of f by
pressing the button. The indicator in
the button lights to show the f og
lights are on.
To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon
as you release it.
You can use the f og lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
They will go of f when you turn the
headlights of f or onto high beam.
With the light switch in the AUTO
position, you can also use the f og
lights when the headlights turn on
automatically. They will go of f when
the headlights turn of f .
U.S. models only
Fog Lights
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols72
Cars without Navigation System

The right lever controls the wind-
shield wipers and washers. The
rotary switch at the end of the lever
has three positions;INT: intermittent : low speed
: high speed In intermittent, the wipers operate
every f ew seconds. The sweep
interval will change slightly with
speed; getting shorter as you drive
f aster. In low speed and high speed,
the wipers run continuously. You can vary how of ten the wipers
sweep the windshield by turning the
INT TIME ring next to the rotary
switch.
If you turn the INT TIME ring to the
shortest delay, the wipers will
change from intermittent to low
speed operation when vehicle speed
exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h).
CONT INUED
Windshield Wipers
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
73

Adjust the wiper arms to the winter
position by grasping either arm near
the pivot. Pull on the arm, parallel to
the windshield, until it locks in the
higher position. Push the arm in the
other direction to return the wipers
to the summer position.
To operate the wipers in mist mode,
push the control lever down. The
wipers run at high speed until you
release the lever. This gives you a
quick way to clear the windshield. The windshield wiper arms have two
parked positions: Winter and
Summer. In the winter position, the
arms sit slightly above the edge of
the hood. This reduces the possibili-
ty of damage to the wiper arms or
windshield wiper motor by a build-up
of snow and ice.
A heavy build-up of snow or ice on
the wiper arms will cause them to
automatically park in the winter
position.
Wiper A rms Wint er Posit ion
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols74
WIPER ARMS

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.
Windshield Washers
Hazard Warning
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols75
Cars without Navigation System

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,andthinicefromthe
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 vehicle. Steering Wheel A djustments
Rear Window Def ogger
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols76
Cars without Navigation System
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.

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.
CONT INUED
Automatic Movement
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols77
AUTO SWITCH