2008 Acura RL check engine light

You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
Check these things:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Make sure the remote is with you,
inside the vehicle.
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
441 459
427 441
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Emergency T owing
Jump Starting
If theEngineWon’tStart
440
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2008 RL

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, or if you see a ‘‘CHECK ENGINE
OIL LEVEL’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, the oil pressure
has dropped very low or lost
pressure. Serious engine damage is
possible, and you should take
immediate action. If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, or if you
see a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, the battery is
not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a dealer or a service station
where you can get technical
assistance.
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
1.
2.
3.
4. 399
459 333
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
447
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .337
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch
.....................................
Position) .151
............
Accessory Power Sockets .192
......................................
AcuraLink .299
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
Indicator .280
...................................
Operation .282
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .143
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .399
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,27
............................
Air Conditioning .198
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .421
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .328
......................................
Antif reeze .402
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .64,359
...................................
Operation .359
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .241
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .151
.........................................
Ashtrays .193
................................
Audio System .207 Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .347
..........
Automatic Climate Control .205
.......................
Automatic Lighting .141
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .23
.............
Automatic Speed Control .277
..............
Automatic Transmission .349
..........................
Capacity,Fluid.464
...............
Checking Fluid Level .404
.......................................
Shif ting .349
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .349
................
Shif t Lever Positions .349
....................
Shif t Lock Release .354
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .238
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,447
............................
Jump Starting .441
..............................
Maintenance .427
..........................................
Cover .428
............................
Specif ications .465
..............................
Bef ore Driving .327 ..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21
.........................
Beverage Holders .190
.......
BluetoothHandsFreeLink.308
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes
Anti-lock Brake System .....................................
(ABS) .359
.............
Break-in, New Linings .328
...........................................
Fluid .406
.......................................
Parking .187
.................
System Indicator .63,449
........................
Wear Indicators .358
.............................
Braking System .358
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .328
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .145
......................
Brights, Headlights .140
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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Î
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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Engine............
Check Starting System .348
...............
Compartment Covers .398
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .70
.........................
If It Won’t Start .440
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,448
.........................................
Oil lif e .387
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,447
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .399
...............................
Overheating .444
............................
Specif ications .465
............................
Speed Limiter .354
.......................................
Starting .347
...................
Engine Speed Limiter .354
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .328
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .472
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .473
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .200 .........................................
Features .197
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .329
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .415
...............................................
Oil .400
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .145
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .436
.....................................
Floor Mats .416
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .404
..........................................
Brake .406
..........................
Power Steering .406
..................
Windshield Washer .404
.....................................
Fog Lights .142
........................
Four-way Flashers .145
............................
Front Airbags .11,29
......................................
Front Seat .155
....................................
Adjusting .155
.......................................
Heaters .178
...................................
Airbags .11,29
...........................
Air Ventilation .179
.................................................
Fuel .328
......................
Fill Door and Cap .329
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .328 Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .450
...............................
Oxygenated .329
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .329
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap .330
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .453
................
Gas Mileage Improving .335
.........................................
Gasoline .328
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .328
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .329
................
Gas Station Procedures .329
.............................................
Gauges .70
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .70
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .380
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .349
......................................
Glove Box .189
...........................
GPS initialization .260
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .380
Index
G
F
IV
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CONT INUED
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .328
.........................................
Odometer .72
...............................
Odometer, Trip .72
Oil
........................
Change, How to .400
......................
Change, When to .387
......................
Checking Engine .333
...............................
Lif e, Engine .387
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,447
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .399
.....
ON (Ignition Switch Position) .151
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .472
............................
Outside Mirrors .158
....
Outside Temperature Indicator .73
....................
Overheating, Engine .444
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .394
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .328
..............................
Paddle Shif ters .351
............
Panel Brightness Control .145 ........................
Park Gear Position .350
...........................................
Parking .357
...............................
Parking Brake .187
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .63,449
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .474
...................................
PAX System .426
.............................
PGM-FI System .473
........................
Power Door Locks .152
...............
Power Socket Locations .192
............................
Power Windows .181
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .19
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions .20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
........................
Protecting Children .38
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .43
.......
Protecting Larger Children .52
.........
Protecting Small Children .44
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .51
.............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating .444 .............
Radio/CD Sound System .207
...........................
Readiness Codes .448
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .414
..........................
Rear View Mirror .158
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .146
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs .155
.......................
Reminder Indicators .62
...........................................
Remote .163
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .400
..........................................
Fuses .451
................................
Light Bulbs .408
....................................
Schedule .387
...........................................
Tires .419
.............................
Wiper Blades .417
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .25
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .333
...............................
Restraint, Child .38
..................
Reverse Gear Position .350
............
Reverse Tilt Door Mirror .159
..........................
Rearview Camera .326
......................................
Roof Rack .342
................................
Rotation, Tire .423
Index
INDEX
O
P
R
VII
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