2004 Acura RL brake light

Your Acura is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brakewearindicators.Theymakea
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’ Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving223

such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road. The ABS is self -checking. If anything
goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page ). This means the anti-lockf unction of the braking system has
shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-
lock, providing normal stopping
ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible
if this light stays on af ter you start
the engine, or comes on while
driving.
it only helps with steering
control during braking. You should
always maintain a saf e f ollowing
distance f rom other vehicles. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
60
CONT INUED
The Braking System
Driving
Import ant Saf et y Reminders A BS Indicat or
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
225
ABS INDICATOR

CONT INUED
Your car has a trailer lighting
connector located in the trunk by the
lef t taillight. To use the connector,
undo the f astener on the lef t side of
the trunk lining. Ref er to the
drawing in this page f or the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your car f rom
your Acura dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
Driving
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
235
GROUND
(BLACK)BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(PINK/BLUE)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW) BRAKE LIGHT
(GREEN/WHITE)TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
The lights and brakes on your car
and the trailer are working
properly.Your car tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
232 233 280
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Pre-T ow ChecklistAdditional Trailer Equipment
236

If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .240
.
Important Safety Precautions . 241
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 242
...
Required Maintenance Record . 249
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 251
..............................
Fluid Locations .252
......................................
Engine Oil .253
..................................
Adding Oil .253
....................
Recommended Oil .253
..............................
Synthetic Oil .254
....................................
Additives .254
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 255
.............................
Cooling System .257
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 257
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 259
....................
Windshield Washers .263
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 264
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .265
....................................
Brake Fluid .266
............................
Brake System .266
..............................
Power Steering .266
....................................
Hood Latch .267
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
....................................
Spark Plugs .269
..............................
Replacement .269
............................
Specif ications .272 ...........................................
Battery .272
.................................
Wiper Blades .275
..............
Air Conditioning System . 277
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
.....................................
Drive Belts .278
....................................
Timing Belt .279
...............................................
Tires .279
......................................
Inf lation .279
..................................
Inspection .281
..............................
Maintenance .282
.............................
Tire Rotation .282
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 283
......................
Wheels and Tires .284
..........................
Winter Driving .284
.............................
Snow Tires .285
............................
Tire Chains .285
.............................................
Lights .286
........................
Replacing Bulbs .288
...........................
Storing Your Car .297
355
Maintenance
Maint enance239

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Maint enance245
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 282)
Check front and rear brakes
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Clean air cleaner element
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace front differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt , balancer belt , and inspect water
pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
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9675
120 90
144 105
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216150
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120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See timing belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
Replace at 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years, then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 1 year.
1:
2:
3:
4:
: 278
279 243
1
2
3
,4 ,4
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 207
208
263
264 266 281
286
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance249

Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Fog lights
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate lights
Side marker lights
High-mount brake light
Daytime running lights (Canadian
models)
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. 339
Lights
Maint enance287
HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT
LICENSE PLATE
LIGHTS BACK-UP LIGHT BRAKE/TAILLIGHTS