2008 Acura RL coolant temperature

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to theupper end of the white section of the
gauge. If it reaches the red (hot)
mark, pull saf ely to the side of the
road. For more information, see page
. This shows how much f uel you
have. It may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount.
The needle returns to the
bottom after you turn off the
ignition.
444
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
70
U.S. model is shown.TACHOMETER TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
\f—\f—
y\f
y
(\fy\f\fy
2008 RL

The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear window. Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed. Press the A/C button to view
the climate control display.
Turn on the A/C by pushing
ENTER on the interf ace selector.
You will see A/C ON in the display.
Make sure the temperature is set
to maximum cool.
Push the interf ace selector down,
then select by turning the
interf ace knob.
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Push the interf ace selector down,
then set the f an to the desired
speed by turning the interf ace
knob.
Press the A/C button to view
theclimatecontroldisplay.
Turn the interface knob to set the
fantothedesiredspeed.
Push the interf ace selector down,
then select and f resh air
mode.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control bars.
You can set the temperature for the
driver’s side and the passenger’s side
separately when this button is
pressed (indicator on). When the
indicator in the DUAL button is off,
you can adjust both sides to the
same temperature with the driver’s
side temperature control bar.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal. you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
air conditioning, and setting the fan
to maximum speed in f resh air mode.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
70
If the interior is very warm,
Using the Heater
Dual Button
Ventilation
Using the A/C
Climate Control System
Features
203
\f—\f—
y\f
y
(\fy\f\fy
2008 RL

µµ
Maintenance Minder
396
Maintenance Sub Items
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures.
This requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5 Symbol
6
Maintenance Minder
\f—\f—
y\fy
(\fy\f\f
y
2008 RL

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.
\f—\f—
y\f\fy
(\fy\fy
2008 RL

If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum
(climate control to FULL AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
11. 459
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
445
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—
y\f
y
(\fy\f\fy
2008 RL

Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .414
.................................
Fog Lights .412
...............
Front Position Lights .411
........
Front Side Marker Lights .411
.................................
Headlights .408
............................
Specif ications .465
....................
Turn Signal Lights .411
.....................................
Built-in-key .164
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .408
............................
Capacities Chart .464
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .339
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .235
.......................
CD Error Message .234
...................................
CD Changer .223
................................
Ceiling Lights .196
........................
Certif ication Label .462
.................................
Chains, Tires .425
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .436
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .400 ......................................
When to .387
..........
Charging System Indicator .447
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .346
.....................................
Child Saf ety .38
..............................
Booster Seats .53
...................................
Child Seats .45
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .38
..........................................
Inf ants .43
..........................
Larger Children .52
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .39
.............................
Small Children .44
.........................................
Tethers .51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .39
.......................................
Child Seats .44
.........................................
LATCH .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Childproof Door Locks .154
Cleaning
...................................
Seat Belts .415
....................
Client Service Of f ice .478
...............
Climate Control System .198
.........................
Clock, Setting the .274
........................
CO in the Exhaust .472
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .347 Collision Mitigation Brake System
(CMBS) .....................................
Indicator .366
...................................
Operation .361
......................
Compact Spare Tire .435
...........................
Compass System .242
.................
Console Compartment .191
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .478
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .402
....................................
Checking .333
.........................
Proper Solution .402
...................
Temperature Gauge .70
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .472
................
Cruise Control Indicator .65
............
Cruise Control Operation .277
...................................
Cup Holders .190
Index
C
II
——
y
y
(yy
2008 RL

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
\f—\f—
y
\f\fy
(\fy\f
y
2008 RL

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
\f—\f—
y
\f\f

y
(\fy\fy
2008 RL