2005 Acura RL Owner's Manual

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
saf ety systems could make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can af f ect
the handling and stability. Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Non-Acura wheels can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and are not
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Acura components could seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, and reliability. Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
256

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Front door and seat-back pockets
Console compartment
In addition, the trunk pass-through
allows you to carry longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages. Trunk Utility pocket
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
257
TRUNK
SEAT-BACK POCKETS GLOVE BOX UTILITY POCKET
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT FRONT DOOR POCKET

µ·
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (395 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer. Steps f or determining correct load
limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
[The placard is on the driver’s
doorjamb.]
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
850 pounds or 395 kilograms.
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the maximum load
is 850 lbs and there will be f ive 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 100 lbs. (850 750 (5 150) = 100 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
283
Carrying Cargo
Load Limits
258
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf . They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your dealer
for further information. If you carry any items extending
through the trunk pass-through,
tie down or secure all items that
could be thrown around the
vehicle and hurt someone during a
crash or sudden stop.
54 carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
259

The cargo f loor hooks can also be
used to tie down and secure items on
the f loor.
There are hooks on the f loor and
both sides of the trunk. They can be
used to install the cargo net f or
securing items. The side cargo
hooks are designed to hold light
items (maximum load: 6 lbf or 3 kgf
for each hook). Heavy objects may
damage the side hooks. Cargo Hooks
Carrying Cargo
260
SIDE CARGO HOOKS
CARGO FLOOR HOOKS

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the SH-AWD system, the
vehicle stability assist (VSA) system,
the tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS), and f acts you need if you
are planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .262
.......................
Starting the Engine .263
Check Starting System ..................................
Message .264
..............
Automatic Transmission . 265
............................
SH-AWD System .272
...........................................
Parking .273
.............................
Braking System .274
................
Anti-lock Brakes(ABS) . 275
Tires Pressure ....
Monitoring System (TPMS) .277
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .281
...........................
Towing a Trailer .283
Driving
Driving
261

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and the
trunk are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page , and).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 17
119
111
122 123
59 68
76
Preparing to Drive
262

If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. The engine’s
starter motor keeps running
automatically for up to 7 seconds until the engine starts.
The starter motor keeps running
automatically for up to 15 seconds
until the engine starts, if :
Your vehicle’s starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START
(III) position, this f eature keeps the
engine’s starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds bef ore trying
again. The engine does not start within 7
seconds af ter the starter motor
began to run.
You hold the ignition switch in the
START (III) position f or more
than 7 seconds.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
Starting the Engine
Driving
263
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page . 114