2004 Acura RL warning

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

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

µ
Pull up or push down on the f ront of
the switch to move the seat bottom’s
f ront edge up or down. Pull up or
push down on the rear of the switch
to move the rear of the seat bottom
up or down.
Push the horizontal switch forward
or backward to move the seat
forward or backward. The long horizontal switch adjusts
the seat bottom in several directions.
The short vertical switch adjusts the
seat-back angle.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
Your Acura has power adjustments
f or both f ront seats. The two power
seat adjustment switches are on the
outside edge of the seat bottom.
You can adjust the power seats with
the ignition switch in any position.
See pages f or important saf ety
inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 12 14
CONT INUED
Driver’s Seat Adjustments
Seat A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols91

µ
The seat adjustment switches are on
the outside edge of the seat bottom.
Push the long horizontal switch
forward or backward to move the
seat bottom in that direction.
Adjust the seat-back angle by
pushing the vertical switch in the
direction you want to move.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
You can adjust the seat with the
ignition switch in any position.
Vary the lumbar support by pushing
the switch on the outside edge of the
seat bottom. Push the switch to
adjust the lumbar support through
its f ull range.
See pages f or important saf ety inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 12 14
Driver’s L umbar Support
Front Passenger’s Seat
Adjustments
Seat A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols93

To remove a head restraint f or
cleaning or repair, pull it up as f ar as
it will go. Push the release button
and pull the restraint out of the seat-
back.
The head restraints adjust f or height
and tilt. You need both hands to
adjust the restraint. Do not attempt
to adjust it while driving. To raise it,
pull upward. To lower the restraint,
push the release button sideways
and push the restraint down. To
adjust the tilt, pivot the head
restraint to the desired position.
The head restraints help protect you
and your passengers f rom whiplash
and other injuries. They are most
ef f ective when you adjust them so
the back of the occupant’s head rests
against the center of the restraint. A
taller person should adjust the
restraint as high as possible.
See page f or important saf ety
inf ormation and a warning about how toproperly position the head restraints. 14
Head Restraints
Seat A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols94
RELEASE BUTTON

µµBeing able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights. Check your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def roster and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
pages and ).
Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control.
126 131
Visibility
Traction
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving231

µ
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the vehicle’s
electrical system.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
273
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
To keep the trunk f loor out of the
way, attach the hook into the slot
in the trunk lid.
Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traffic. Put the transmission in
Park. Apply the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. 5. 4. 3.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed309
TRUNK FLOOR HOOK
JACK SPARE TIRE TOOL KIT
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.