2008 Acura RL Owner's Manual

You can still drive your vehicle even
if this message appears on the multi-
inf ormation display, however you
should check the temperature gauge
while driving.
If you notice the temperature gauge
climbing to or above the red mark,
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Follow the instructions on pagesand .
If there is a problem with the
radiator system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK RADIATOR SYSTEM’’ on
the multi-information display.
If you see this message, the engine
has probably overheated. You should
take your vehicle to a dealer, and
have it repaired as soon as possible. 444445
Check Radiator System
If theEngineOverheats
446
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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

Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, or if you see
a ‘‘CHECK EMISSION
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, it means one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may go of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. You will also see a
‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’ message on
the multi-information display.
Tighten the cap until it clicks at least
once (see page ). Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator of f
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving. If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Itcan
take several days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to for
more information (see page ).
475
331 Readiness Code
Emissions T esting
Malf unction Indicator L amp
448
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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2008 RL

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. You will see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW’’ message on
the multi-information display. Press
lightly on the brake pedal to see if it
f eels normal. If it does, check the
brake f luid level the next time you
stop at a service station (see page
). The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. If you do
not release the parking brake, the
indicator will stay on, and you will
see a ‘‘RELEASE PARKING
BRAKE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
406 459
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
449
U.S. Canada
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2008 RL

If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.If the f uel f ill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the lef t maintenance lid in the
trunk.To open the f uel f ill door, pull the
release lever rearward.
Brake System Indicator, Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
450
LID
RELEASE LEVER
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2008 RL

To remove the f use box lid, put your
f inger in the notch on the lid, pull it
toward you, and take it out of its
hinges.
The fuses are located in five fuse
boxes. The interior f use boxes are
located under the dashboard on the
driver’s and passenger’s side.To open the secondary f use box lid,
push the tab in the direction as
shown in the illustration.
CONT INUED
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
451
FUSE BOX
TAB
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Driver’s side SECONDARY INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
NOTCH NOTCH
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2008 RL

The primary under-hood f use box is
in the engine compartment on the
driver’s side. To open it, push the
tabs as shown.The secondary under-hood f use box
is on the battery. To open it, push
thetabsasshown.
To check the f use box, remove the
battery cover f irst (see page ).
428
Fuses
452
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
TAB TAB
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2008 RL

Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages
, , and , or the diagram
on the f use box lid, which f use or
f uses control that device. Check
those fuses first, but check all the
f uses bef ore deciding that a blown
f use is the cause. Replace any blown
f uses, and check if the device works.
Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse boxes by
pulling out each f use with the f use
puller. The f use puller is inside the
primary under-hood f use box.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. 3. 4.
1.
2. 456 457 458
CONT INUED
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
453
FUSE
BLOWN FUSE PULLER
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2008 RL