2005 Acura RL engine overheat

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator in the
instrumental panel and the
appropriate tire position indicator on
thetirepressuremonitoronthe
multi-inf ormation display (see page)tocomeon. For example, if you check and f ill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure
indicator to come on. Or, if you
check and adjust your tire pressure
in cooler conditions, and drive into
extremely hot conditions, the tire
maybecomeoverinflated.However,
the low tire pressure indicator will
not come on if the tires are
overinf lated.
When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly underinf lated. The
multi-inf ormation display also shows
a ‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message (see page ). You should
stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure as indicated on the
vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
Refer to page for tire inflation
guidelines.
278 279
325
CONT INUED
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
277

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat. When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; turn the wheel to the lef t to
get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
3
bottom
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Parking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
288

Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two mounting bolts
and remove the holding clip with a
f lat-tipped screwdriver.
Caref ully push up the side under
cover into the bumper.
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the battery and the
battery cover.
Reinstall the windshield washer
reservoir. (Passenger’s side)
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover.
1.
2.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Replacing a Front Fog L ight Bulb
318
BOLTS
CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .336
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .337
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 341
................................
Jump Starting .343
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 345
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 348
..........
Charging System Indicator . 348
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
...............
Brake System Indicator . 350
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ....................................
Manually .351
..............................................
Fuses .352
..............................
Fuse Locations .357
......................
Emergency Towing .360
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 361
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
335

The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood,
turn of f the engine. Wait until
you see no more signs of steam
or spray, then open the hood. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
360
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
345
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.

If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum
(climate control to FULL AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
11. 360
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
346
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

You can still drive your vehicle even
if this message appears on the multi-
inf ormation display, however you
should check the temperature gauge
while driving.
If there is a problem with the
radiator system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK RADIATOR SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). If you notice the temperature gauge
climbing to or above the red mark,
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Follow the instructions on pages
and .
If you see this message, the engine
has probably overheated. You should
take your vehicle to a dealer, and
have it repaired as soon as possible. 345 346
76
If theEngineOverheats
Check Radiator System
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
347

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 310
..................................
Engine Oil .253
........................
Directional Signals .104
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 274
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .307
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking . 116
..................
Lockout Prevention . 116
.......................
Monitor Indicator .60
....................
Power Door Locks . 116
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 368
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .86
...........................................
Driving .261
....................................
Economy .254
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .124
..............................
Economy, Fuel .254
..................................
Emergencies .335
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 343
...........
Brake System Indicator . 350
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 337 .....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 354
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 109
............................
Jump Starting .343
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 348
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ................................
Manually .351
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.......................................
Towing .360
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .109
......................
Emergency Towing .360
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 118
.......................
Emissions Controls .371
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 374
Engine ............
Check Starting System . 264
...............
Compartment Covers . 304
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .341
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 349
.........................................
Oil lif e .291
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,348
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 305...............................
Overheating .345
............................
Specif ications .367
............................
Speed Limiter .270
.......................................
Starting .263
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 270
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .248
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 371
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .372
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.........................................
Features .161
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 249
Filters ...............................................
Oil .306
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 109
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 337
.....................................
Floor Mats .322
Index
E F
INDEX
III