2009 Acura RL display

Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil, it
displays the API certif ication seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the maintenance
minder display.
1.2.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
459
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
2009 RL

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
1.
2.
Windshield Washers Automatic Transmission Fluid
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
464
NOTICE:
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
2009 RL

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. The transmission should be drained
andrefilledwithnewfluidwhenthis
service is shown by a maintenance
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks. If youarenotsurehowtoaddfluid,
contact your dealer.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Acura ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).
5. 6.
3.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
465
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Use only Acura ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). Do not mix with
other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Acura ATF-Z1 may cause deterioration
in transmission operation and
durability, and could result in damage
to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Acura
AT F-Z1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
2009 RL

If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
This f ilter removes the dust and
pollenthatisbroughtinfromthe
outside through the climate control
system.
Have your dealer replace the filter
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the multi-
inf ormation display. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air, or if the f low f rom
theclimatecontrolsystembecomes
less than usual.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly. Turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the back-up light cover.
5.
6.
7. Cleaning the Seat Belts
Dust and Pollen Filter
Lights, Dust and Pollen Filter, Cleaning the Seat Belts
476
LOOP
2009 RL

In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.
When the tires are rotated, make
sure the air pressures are checked. The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of each wheel.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can af f ect wheel speed and may
cause the system to activate.
CONT INUED
Tires
T ire Maintenance Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tire Rotation
Maint enance
485
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Front Front
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.
2009 RL

If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, all stored
driving positions will be lost. To
store the driving positions again, see
the storing procedure on page .
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘ ’’ in the f requency
display. Use the preset buttons to
enter the code (see page ).
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the
power tilt and telescopic steering
wheel system will be disabled. The
system needs to be reset af ter
reconnecting the battery (see page
).
The compass system will also disable
itself.Thenexttimeyouturnonthe
ignition switch, the system will
require you to enter a PIN bef ore it
can be used. Enter the f our-digit anti-
theftsecuritycode(seepage).
You will also need to reset the clock
according to the instruction of
setting the clock (see page ).
163
298
313 280
149
On vehicles with navigation system On vehicles without navigation system
Checking the Battery
490
2009 RL

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
samewheel.Thesparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving.
After the flat tire is replaced with
the spare tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator stays on.
Af ter several miles (kilometers)
driving with the spare, this
indicator begins to f lash, then
stays on again. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). 433
Compact Spare Tire
494
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
2009 RL

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. 503504
Check Radiator System
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
505
2009 RL