2004 Acura RL manual transmission

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Use this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear f or your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shif ting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up f aster.
This position is similar
to D , except only the first three
gears are selected. Use D when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to
provide engine braking when going
down a steep hill. D can also keep
the transmission f rom cycling
between third and f ourth gears in
stop-and-go driving.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD or
D , you can get the transmission to
automatically downshif t by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shif t down one
or two gears, depending on your
speed. This position locks
thetransmissioninsecondgear.It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop. Second
gives you more power when climbing,
and increased engine braking when
going down steep hills. Use second
gear when starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow. It will help
reduce wheelspin.
To shif t f rom Second to
First, push down on the shif t lever.
With the lever in this position, the
transmission locks in First gear. By
upshif ting and downshif ting through
1, 2, D and D , you can operate this
transmission much like a manual
transmission without a clutch pedal. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
4
3
3
3
4 34
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Drive (D )
Drive (D )Second (2)
First (1)Engine Speed L imiter4
3
220

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

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 354
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 76
......
Def rosting the Windows . 126,131
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .265
....................................
Dimensions .338
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 68
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 264
..................................
Engine Oil .207
..........................
Directional Signals .71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 223
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .255
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 83
....................
Lockout Prevention . 84
..............................
Monitor Light .61
......................
Power Door Locks .83
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
.....................................
Drive Belts .278
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5...........................................
Driving .215
....................................
Economy .209
.........................
In Bad Weather .230
................
In Foreign Countries . 344
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .98
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..............................
Economy, Fuel .209
............
Emergencies on the Road . 307
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 316
...........
Brake System Indicator . 325
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 309
.....
Charging System Indicator . 322
..................
Checking the Fuses . 328
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 321
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 323
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 326
..................
Overheated Engine . 319
.........................
Emergency Brake .107
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .332
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls .345 .............
Emissions Testing, State . 348
Engine ............................................
Belts .278
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 65
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 323
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,321
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 251
...............................
Overheating .319
............................
Specif ications .339
............................
Speed Limiter .220
.......................................
Starting .217
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 220
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .343
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 345
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .346
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 300
Index
D
E
III

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 354
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 54
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...................
Satellite Digital Radio . 173
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner . 45
.........
Child Seat Lower Anchors . 40
Child Seat Tether Anchorage ........................................
Points .39 .....................................
Cleaning .303
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .44
................................
Maintenance .46
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .44, 58
................................
Replacement .46
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
....................
Seat Position Memory .98
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
................
Security Alarm System . 181
...............................
Serial Number .336
...........................
Service Intervals .244
...........................
Service Manual .355
.........
Service Station Procedures . 205
..................
Setting the Clock . 108,158
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .218
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 218
........................
Shif t Lock Release .221
...................
Radiator Overheating . 319
Radio/Cassette Sound ................................
System .134, 151
...........................
Readiness Codes .324
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 292
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
............................
Rear Ventilation .132
............................
Rear View Mirror .96
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 76
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 267
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..........................
Engine Coolant .258
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 253
..........................................
Fuses .328
................................
Light Bulbs .288
....................................
Schedule .242
................................
Spark Plugs .269
...........................................
Tires .283
.............................
Wiper Blades .275 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 208
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 219
................................
Rotation, Tire .282
Index
S
R
VII