2004 Acura RL light

This light alerts you that
the passenger’s side airbag
has been automatically shut off. 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.
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.
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. When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the indicator should light
brief ly and go out (see page ). If it
doesn’t light, stays on, or comes on
while driving without a passenger in
the front seat, have the system
checked.
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. It 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.
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. 59
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
Indicator L ight Works
51

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 :Any
airbag that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Do
not try to remove or replace any
airbag by yourself . This must be
done by an Acura dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop. 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.
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. 211
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Airbag Service
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Your airbags ever inf late.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.
T he SRS indicat or light alert s you t o a problem.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety52

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .56
...............................
Indicator Lights .57
.............................................
Gauges .63
...............................
Speedometer .63
.................................
Tachometer .63
.....................................
Odometer .64
...................................
Trip Meter .64
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .65
...................
Temperature Gauge . 65
..................................
Fuel Gauge .65
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .66 Controls Near the Steering
.......................................
Wheel .67
...................................
Headlights .68
....................
Automatic Lighting .69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
................................
Turn Signals .71
...................................
Fog Lights .72
.....................
Windshield Wipers .73
..................
Windshield Washers . 75
..........................
Hazard Warning .75
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 76
....
Steering Wheel Adjustments . 76
...............................
Keys and Locks .79
..............................................
Keys .79
....................
Immobilizer System . 80
............................
Ignition Switch .82
......................
Power Door Locks .83
...................
Remote Transmitter . 84
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 87
...........................................
Trunk .88
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
....................................
Glove Box .90
............................
Seat Adjustments .91
.........
Driver’s Seat Adjustments . 91
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 93Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .93
..........................
Head Restraints .94
......................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
.............................................
Mirrors .96
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 96
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .98
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
.......................................
Ski Sleeve .101
............................
Power Windows .103
.......................................
Moonroof .105
...............................
Parking Brake .107
..................................
Digital Clock .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
...........................
Beverage Holder .110
.................
Console Compartment . 111
........................................
Coin Box .111
........................................
Sun Visor .112
................................
Vanity Mirror .112
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 113
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .114
.........................................
Ashtrays .115
................................
Ceiling Lights .116
............................
Courtesy Lights .117
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols55

Î
Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
57
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT
(P.59)
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR
LAMP
BRAKE LAMP INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
CRUISE
CONTROL
INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATORANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
DOOR AND TRUNK
OPEN MONITOR
(P.66)
(P.62)
(P. 59) (P.61)(P.59)
(P.59) (P.60)
(P.60)
(P. 60)
(P. 59)
(P. 58)
(P.61)
(P.62)
(P.59,
323)
(P.58, 325)
(P.58, 321)
(P.58,322)

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 after
you have f ully 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
inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
321
322
325
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
58
U.S. Canada

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 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. 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
.
80
50
51
182 323
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Lights On Indicator
(U.S. models only)
Cruise Control Indicator
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols59

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to 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 ).
This indicator has three f unctions:
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to 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.
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 vehicle 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 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
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light on, your car
still has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock. For complete inf ormation,
see page .
1.
2.
3.
227 227
227 225
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator
A nti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
60

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. 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 signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.
The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the trunk or any door
is not closed tightly.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
291
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Brake L amp Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Door and T runk Open Monitor
61
BRAKE LAMP