2008 Acura RL warning

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
indicationmaybethetemperature
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 of f 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 lights.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
459Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
444
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.
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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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2008 RL

The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading T readwear T raction
466
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The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinf lation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire f ailure.
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Temperature
Technical Inf ormation
467
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2008 RL

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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ÎÎ
CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .462
Ignition
............................................
Keys .149
.........................................
Switch .151
............
Timing Control System .473
......................
Immobilizer System .150
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.........................................
Indicators .62
ABS (Anti-lock Brake ............................
System) .64,359
Adaptive Front lighting ..................
System (AFS) .69,143
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .63,449
................
Charging System .62,447
Collision Mitigation Brake
..............
System (CMBS) .69,365
.............................
Cruise Control .66
Electronically Controlled Power
........
Steering System (ECPS) .68
.....................................
Fog Light .65
...................................
High Beam .65
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .64
.....
Keyless Access System .68,176 .....................................
Lights On .64
......................................
Low Fuel .66
................
Low Oil Pressure .62,447
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
...........................
Indicator .67,371
.............
Malf unction (MIL) .62,448
.......................................
Message .68
..............
Seat Belt Reminder .21,62
..................
Security System .69,276
......................................
SH-AWD .66
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .63
...............................................
SRS .63
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .64
..
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) .65
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
.........................
Activation .65,377
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .43
......................................
Inf ant Seats .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .419
.................................
Inside Mirror .158
.............................
Inspection, Tire .422
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .408
......
HandsFreeLink
, Bluetooth.308
............
Hazard Warning Flashers .145
Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting System ......................................
(AFS) .143
........................................
Aiming .408
..................
Automatic Lighting .141
.........
Daytime Running Lights .142
..................
High Beam Indicator .65
....................
Lights On Indicator .64
..........
Low Beams, Turning on .140
.......................
Reminder Chime .140
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .408
..........
High beams, Turning on .140
...................................
Washer .138
............................
Head Restraints .156
...............................
Heated Mirror .159
...................................
Heater, Seat .178
.............
High Altitude, Starting at .347
HomeLink
Universal
................................
Transceiver .295
.......................
Hood, Opening the .331
...........................................
Horn.5,136
Index
INDEX
I
H
V
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CONT INUED
Steering Wheel Buttons/.....................................
Switches .136
...................
Stereo Sound System .207
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .429
......................................
Sun Visors .192
Supplemental Restraint
................................
System .11,26
......................................
Servicing .36
.........................
SRS Indicator .34,63
...................
System Components .26
..................................
Synthetic Oil .400
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .431
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .466
.....
Emissions Control Systems .472
Three Way Catalytic
.............................
Converters .474
.......................
Temperature Gauge .70
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .206
....................
Temperature, Outside .73
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
Three Way Catalytic
.................................
Converters .474 Tilt/Telescopic Steering
.........................................
Wheel .147
....................................
Timing Belt .407
....................................
Tire Chains .424
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .436
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..........................
(TPMS) .372,470
Monitoring Tire Pressure
..................................
Reading .419
...........
TPMS System Warning .371
...............................................
Tires .419
..............................
Air Pressure .421
........................................
Chains .424
.........................
Checking Wear .421
..........................
Compact Spare .435
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .466
......................................
Inf lation .419
..................................
Inspection .421
.............................
Labeling .468,469
Low Tire Pressure
...........................
Indicator .67,371
..............
Michelin PAX System .426
......................
Pressure Monitor .373
........
Pressure Monitor System .371
...................................
Replacing .423
......................................
Rotating .422 ...........................................
Snow .424
............................
Specif ications .465
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .436
Torque Distribution Monitor
.................................
(SH-AWD) .356
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .379
....
Equipment and Accessories .380
.............................
Weight Limit .379
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring ..................................
System) .371
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .470
.....................
Warning Message .375
.............................
Trailer Loading .379
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .382
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .404
...........................
Fluid Selection .405
..............
Identif ication Number .462
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .349
.............................
Treadwear .422,435
.......................................
Trip Meter .72
Index
INDEX
T
IX
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