The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railerMaking T urns and Braking
Driving on
Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
Driving
441
2009 RL
Install the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
458
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Ambient Temperature
2009 RL
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
The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the f loor mat
anchors. To lock each anchor, turn
theknobclockwise.Thiskeepsthe
f loor mats f rom sliding f orward
(possibly interf ering with the pedals),
or backwards (making the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective).
If you remove a f loor mat, make sure
tore-anchoritwhenyouputitback
in your vehicle.Make sure the rear f loor mats are
properly hooked to the f loor mat
anchors. Your vehicle is equipped
with front passenger’s seat weight
sensors. If the rear passenger’s f loor
mat is on the seat rail of the front
passenger’s seat, the sensors will
detect the decreased weight on the
seat, and they may not work properly.
If you use a non-Acura f loor mat,
make sure it f its properly and that it
canbeusedwiththefloormat
anchors. Do not put additional f loor
mats on top of the anchored mats.
Floor Mat s
Maint enance
477
DRIVER’S SIDE FLOOR MAT REAR PASSENGER’S FLOOR MAT
UnlockLock Unlock
Lock
ANCHORS ANCHOR
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
µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
524
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning
Seating Capacities Capacities
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
195.8 in (4,973 mm)
72.7 in (1,847 mm)
57.3 in (1,455 mm)
110.2 in (2,800 mm)
62.0 in (1,575 mm)
62.4 in (1,585 mm)
1.59 US gal (6.0
)
2.27 US gal (8.6)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
3.0 US qt (2.8)
8.1 US qt (7.7)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:6.9 US qt (6.5
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45)
3.3 US qt (3.1
)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type ND-OIL8 15.8 17.60 oz (450 500 g)HFC-134a (R-134a)
Total
Front
Rear
5
2
3 0.77 US qt (0.73
)
0.79 US qt (0.75)
19.4 US gal (73
)
2.8 US qt (2.7
)
0.16 US gal (0.58
)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear differential fluid
SH-AWD
differential
case
SH-AWD
clutch case
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
1:
2: Approx.
Front
Rear Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. vehicles
Canadian
vehicles
1
2
2009 RL
ÎÎ
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .385
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .476
...............................................
Oil .459
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .146
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .495
.....................................
Floor Mats .477
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .464
..........................................
Brake .466
..........................
Power Steering .466
..................
Windshield Washer .464
.....................................
Fog Lights .142
........................
Four-way Flashers .146
............................
Front Airbags .11,29
......................................
Front Seat .156
....................................
Adjusting .156
.......................................
Heaters .181
...................................
Airbags .11,29
...........................
Air Ventilation .182
.................................................
Fuel .384
......................
Fill Door and Cap .385
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .384 Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .509
...............................
Oxygenated .385
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .385
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap .386
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .512
................
Gas Mileage Improving .391
.........................................
Gasoline .384
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .384
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .385
................
Gas Station Procedures .385
.............................................
Gauges .70
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .70
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .438
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .405
......................................
Glove Box .193
...........................
GPS initialization .299
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .438 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .469
......
HandsFreeLink
, Bluetooth.355
............
Hazard Warning Flashers .146
Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting System ......................................
(AFS) .144
........................................
Aiming .468
..................
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 .469
..........
High beams, Turning on .140
...................................
Washer .138
............................
Head Restraints .157
...............................
Heated Mirror .162
...................................
Heater, Seat .181
.............
High Altitude, Starting at .403
HomeLink
Universal
................................
Transceiver .334
.......................
Hood, Opening the .387
...........................................
Horn.5,136
Index
G H
IV
2009 RL
CONT INUED
Three Way Catalytic.................................
Converters .534
Tilt/Telescopic Steering
.........................................
Wheel .148
....................................
Timing Belt .467
....................................
Tire Chains .487
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .495
Tire Pressure Monitoring
............
System (TPMS) .429,530
Monitoring Tire Pressure ..................................
Reading .429
...........
TPMS System Warning .429
...............................................
Tires .480
..............................
Air Pressure .482
........................................
Chains .487
.........................
Checking Wear .483
..........................
Compact Spare .494
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .526
......................................
Inf lation .480
..................................
Inspection .483
.............................
Labeling .528,529
Low Tire Pressure
...........................
Indicator .67,429
......................
Pressure Monitor .431
........
Pressure Monitor System .429
...................................
Replacing .485 ......................................
Rotating .485
...........................................
Snow .487
............................
Specif ications .525
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .495
Torque Distribution Monitor
.................................
(SH-AWD) .413
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .437
....
Equipment and Accessories .438
.............................
Weight Limit .437
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring ..................................
System) .429
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .530
.....................
Warning Message .433
.............................
Trailer Loading .437
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .441
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .464
...........................
Fluid Selection .465
..............
Identif ication Number .522
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .405
.............................
Treadwear .483,494
.......................................
Trip Meter .72 ..............................................
Trunk .154
..................
Emergency Opener .155
...............................
Opening the .154
.......
Open Monitor Indicator .13,79
..................................
Turn Signals .140
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .493
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .526
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .384
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .460
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .396
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .524
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .522
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .435
...
VSA Activation Indicator .65,435
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .436
........
VSA System Indicator .65,435
Index
INDEX
U
V
IX
2009 RL