2008 Acura RL manual transmission

2008 RL Online Reference Owner's Manual

Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .............................................................................................................................\
............................. i

A Few Words About Safety ......................................................................\
........................................................ iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) ....................................................\
................................................ 4
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ......................\
.............................. 7
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard and steering column)
.......... 59
Features (
climate control,audio,steering wheel,security,cruise control,HomeLink,an\
d other convenience items
) ............ 197
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading) ...........................................\
........................... 327
Driving (engine and transmission operation) .........................................\
....................................................... 345
Maintenance (minders, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)......................................... 385
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses) ..................................... 431
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 461
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 477
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ..............................................\
........................................... 481
Index ......................................................................\
......................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
\
\
1 31SJA630

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, and other
convenience f eatures. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
Overview of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
FeaturesBef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
Contents
T aking Care of the UnexpectedWarranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
3
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Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon. If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
394
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Avoid excessive idling
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Observe the speed limit
Drive moderately 399
Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Bef ore Driving
335
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With the shif t lever in ‘‘D’’ position,
you can select the Sequential
SportShift mode to shift gears much
like a manual transmission, but
without a clutch pedal. To enter the Sequential SportShif t
mode, move the shif t lever f urther to
the driver’s side. To return to ‘‘D,’’
move the shift lever to the
passenger’s side.
In Sequential SportShif t mode, each
time you push f orward on the shif t
lever, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear. Pull back on the lever to
downshif t. The number of the gear
selected is displayed on the
instrument panel.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘M’’ position, the display
shows the selected gear. While in the Sequential SportShif t
mode, you can also shif t up or down
using the (right side) or (lef t
side) paddle shif ters on the right and
lef t side of the steering wheel.
For up shif t, press the right side ( )
paddle shif ter.
For down shif t, press the lef t side
( ) paddle shif ter.
CONT INUED
Sequential SportShif t Mode
Automatic Transmission
Driving
351
SELECTED GEAR( ) DOWN SHIFT
( ) UP SHIFT PADDLE SHIFTER
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The transmission may automatically
downshif t f rom the higher gear to
the lower gear under these
conditions:
Driving on level roads and downhill
Driving uphill
Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
brakingwhengoingdownasteephill.
Thegearindicatorwillflashthe
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to the higher gear.
To shift from
43
54
To shift from 43
54 Speed range
under 17 mph
(27 km/h)
under 38 mph
(60 km/h)
When you accelerate away f rom a
stop, the transmission starts in f irst
gear. You have to manually upshif t
between first and fifth gears. Make
sure you upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the tachometer’s red
zone.
The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
gear when the vehicle speed is under
8mph(13km/h).
If you try to manually downshif t at a
speed that would cause the engine to
exceed the redline in a lower gear,
the transmission does not downshif t.
If the vehicle speed slows to below
the redline of the selected lower gear
position while the indicator is
f lashing, the transmission
downshif ts, and the display shows
the selected lower gear.
Speed range
under 41 mph
(65 km/h)
under 47 mph
(75 km/h)
The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(5,4,3,2,or1).There
is no automatic downshif t when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor.
Automatic Transmission
352
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à
à
àà
à
à
The table shows the speed ranges
f or upshif ting and downshif ting. When you are in Sequential
SportShif t mode, and the vehicle is
stopped, push f orward on the shif t
lever to shif t to second gear. You
will see ‘‘2’’ in the display. Starting
out in second gear will help to
reduce wheelspin in deep snow or
on a slippery surf ace.
If you start out in second gear, the
transmission will be f ixed in that
gear.
To shift from
12
23
34
45 To shift from
32
43
54
The transmission will not
automatically downshif t to f irst gear
even when the vehicle speed is
under 8 mph (13 km/h). You need to
shif t down to f irst gear manually.
Speed range
over 0 mph
(0 km/h)
over 8 mph
(13 km/h)
over 17 mph
(27 km/h)
over 37 mph
(60 km/h) Speed range
under 56 mph
(90 km/h)
under 93 mph
(150 km/h)
under 130 mph
(209 km/h)
CONT INUED
St art ing in Second Gear
Automatic Transmission
Driving
353
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .386
....................
Maintenance Minder .387
..............................
Fluid Locations .397
......
Engine Compartment Covers .398
........................
Adding Engine Oil .399
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .400
..............................
Engine Coolant .402
....................
Windshield Washers .404
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .404
....................................
Brake Fluid .406
....................
Power Steering Fluid .406
....................................
Timing Belt .407
.............................................
Lights .408
..................
DustandPollenFilter .415
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .415
.....................................
Floor Mats .416
.................................
Wiper Blades .417
...........................................
Wheels .419
...............................................
Tires .419
...................
Checking the Battery .427
.............................
Vehicle Storage .429
481
Maintenance
Maint enance
385
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CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .334
..................................
Emergencies .431
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .441
...........
Brake System Indicator .449
................
Changing a Flat Tire .436
.....
Charging System Indicator .447
..................
Checking the Fuses .453 .......
Hazard Warning Flashers .145
............................
Jump Starting .441
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .447
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .448
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .450
..................
Overheated Engine .444
.......................................
Towing .459
.........................
Emergency Brake .187
....................
Emergency Flashers .145
......................
Emergency Towing .459
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .154
.......................
Emissions Controls .472
........................
Emissions Testing .475
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .4,60
..............
Daytime Running Lights .142
.......................................
Indicator .65
.................................
Dead Battery .440
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .480
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .146
..............
Def rosting the Windows .204
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .464
....................................
Dimensions .464
.............
Dimming the Headlights .140
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .404
..................................
Engine Oil .333 ........................
Directional Signals .140
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .358
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .401
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .152
..................
Lockout Prevention .152
.................
Monitor Indicator .13,79
....................
Power Door Locks .152
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .466
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .81
...........................................
Driving .345
....................................
Economy .336
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .160
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .415
.........................
Customize Settings .81
...................................
ACC Setup .89
................
Door/Window Setup .122
.......
KEYLESS ACCESS Setup .108
...........................
Lighting Setup .115
.................................
Meter Setup .94
...........................
Position Setup .103
........................
Setting to Def ault .85
...............................
Wiper Setup .133
Index
E
D
INDEX
III
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