2004 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.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.
70 68Canadian models only
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
L ow Fuel Indicator
High Beam Indicator ‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
62

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.
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Speedometer
T achometer
63
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER SELECT
BUTTON
RESET
BUTTON
FUEL GAUGE
ODOMETER TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
TRIP METER
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR

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.This 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’’.
Odometer
T rip Meter
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols64
SELECT
BUTTON
RESET
BUTTON

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 vehicle
is on level ground. It may show
slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white 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).
319 Fuel Gauge
Temperature Gauge
Outside Temperature Indicator
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols65
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.

µYour 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.
Turn of f the engine.
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 to ON (II). 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 to ON (II), and then flash for
ten seconds.
Press and hold the select and reset
buttons next to the instrument pan-
el,thenturntheignitionswitch
ON (II).
Hold the buttons for
approximately ten seconds until
the indicator resets.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance.
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.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages
. 1.
2.
3.
244 248
Maintenance Required Indicator
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR
SELECT
BUTTON
RESET
BUTTON

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 controls under the lef t air vent
areforthecruisecontrol,instrument
panel brightness and the VSA
System.
The switches for the rear window
def ogger and f og lights are under
the audio system.
The steering wheel adjustment
switch on the side of the steering
column allows you to tilt and
telescope the steering wheel.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols67
VEHICLE
STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
CRUISE
CONTROLSTEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
INSTRUMENT
PANEL
BRIGHTNESS WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
HORN REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER FOG LIGHTS

To change between low beams and
high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will
light (see page ).
When the light switch is in either of
these positions, the Lights On
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This light remains on if you leave the
light switch on and turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0). If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver’s door.
The rotating switch on the lef t lever
controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the position turns on
the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side marker
lights, and rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the position turns on the
headlights. 62
U.S. models only
Headlights
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols68

The high beams will stay on f or as
long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlight
switch is in. To f lash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go off.The Automatic Lighting f eature
turns on the headlights, all other
exterior lights, and the instrument
panel lights when it senses low
ambient light.
To turn on automatic lighting, turn
the light switch to AUTO at any time.
The lights will come on automatically
when the outside light level becomes
low (at dusk, f or example). TheLights On indicator comes on as a
reminder. The lights and indicator
will turn of f automatically when the
system senses high ambient light.
The lights will remain on when you
turn of f the ignition switch. They will
turn of f automatically when you open
the driver’s door. To turn them on
again, either turn the ignition switch
to ON (II) or turn the light switch to
.
Even with the automatic lighting
f eature turned on, we recommend
thatyouturnonthelightsmanually
when driving at night or in a dense
f og, or when you enter dark areas,
such as long tunnels or parking
structures.
CONT INUED
On U.S. models
Automatic Lighting
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
69
AUTO POSITION