2007 Acura RL Owner's Manual

If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
multi-inf ormation display shows an
SH-AWD message, there is a
problem with the system. Your
vehicle still has normal f ront-wheel
drive with vehicle stability assist
(VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
SH-A WD System, Parking
Parking
Parking T ips
Driving
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Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The brake pedal
assist function increases the force
you apply to the brake pedal during
an emergency stop. When the brake
pedal assist is activated, the e-
pretensioners (if equipped) tighten
front seat belts (see page ). The
anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard (see page ).
Resting your f oot on the brake pedal
applies the brakes slightly. This
builds up heat, and reduces brake
ef f ectiveness and brake pad lif e. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you. The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
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 taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after 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. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
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353
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
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The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message in the multi-
inf ormation display. If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
Driving
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on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
It
only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corn er too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
If
the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator. 445
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability.
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The CMBS does not activate if the
speed difference between your
ve hicles is less than 10 mph (15
km/h). CMBS may also not
activate if you turn the steering
wheel to avoid the collision.
When the CMBS activates, the brake
lights also come on.
The
collision mitigation brake
system (CMBS) can assist you when
there is a possibility of your vehicle
hitting the vehicle in front of you. It
is designed to reduce the speed of
your vehicle before an unavoidable
collision occu rs and, if possible, to
alert you to a poten tial collision while
thereistimetopreventit.Hereisa
brief description of what the CMBS
can do:
When your speed is above 10 mph
(15 km/h), the CMBS radar
sensor in the front grille can sense
a vehicle ahead of you. When your
vehicle gets too close to the
ve hicle ahead of you, the system
mayactivateawarningbeep,
causing automatic application of
the brakes, and causing the
e-pretensioners to tighten the
f ront seat belts (see page ). The CMBS consists of a radar
sensor in the f ront grille, a brake
actuator in the engine compartment,
an indicator on the instrument panel,
seat belt e-pretensioners on the f ront
seats,andanon/off switchonthe
dashboard.
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If equipped
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Overview
Driving
355
RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE ACTUATOR SEAT BELT
E-PRETENS
IONER
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The radar sensor is located behind
the Acura emblem in the f ront grille.
If the emblem is covered with mud,
dirt, dead leaves, wet snow, etc., or if
you put a sticker on it, the CMBS will
automatically shut off, and the
CMBS indicator on the instrument
panel will come on. You will also see
a CHECK CMBS RADAR SENSOR
message on the multi-inf ormation
display f or about 5 seconds.Always keep the emblem clean. If it
gets dirty, clean it with water or a
mild detergent. Never use chemical
solvents or polishing powder.Do not allow anything to impact the
radar sensor or the emblem. If either
of these parts receives a strong
impact, turn off the system by
pressing the CMBS of f switch, and
have your vehicle checked by a
dealer. If the f ront grille ever needs
to be repaired, consult a dealer f irst.
There are three bolts on the sides of
the radar sensor. Do not tamper with
these bolts, or you may cause the
system to malf unction. If the f ront emblem or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Radar Sensor
356
EMBLEM
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)
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When the CMBS is on, the radar
sensor constantly scans for vehicles
ahead of you. This means that
driving on a ro ad with a few or no
vehicles could cause a CHECK
CMBS RADAR SENSOR message to
appear on the multi-information
display. This is normal and not a
cause for concern. The
radar sensor may not always
scan as intended. Here are two
examples:
Thetiresarenotcorrectly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page ), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page ).
Your
vehicle is tilted because of a
heavy load in the rear or from
modifications to the suspension.
Do not overload your vehicle (see
Carrying Cargo on page ), and
do not make any modifi cations to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modifications on page ).
335
333
415 415
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Driving
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If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with an audible and a
visual alarm.The audible alarm is a constant
beeping sound; the visual alert is an
amber colored BRAKE message that
f lashes in the multi-inf ormation
display. If these alarms come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).To turn the CMBS off, press the
CMBS OFF switch on the dashboard
f or about 1 second. When you do this,
a beeper sounds, a CMBS indicator
on the instrument panel comes on,
and a CMBS OFF message appears
on the multi-information display. To
turn the system back on, press the
switch again for about 1 second.
Collision Alarm
CMBS OFF Switch
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
358
CMBS OFF SWITCH
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