2009 Acura RL maintenance

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.
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
Brake System Indicator, Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
509
RELEASE LEVER
MAINTENANCE LID
2009 RL

µ
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inf lated to
the inf lation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manuf acturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inf lation
pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a
dif f erent size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire
inf lation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inf lation
pressure f or those tires.)As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is
signif icantly under-inf lated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure.Driving on a signif icantly under
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inf lation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Required Federal Explanation
530
2009 RL

ÎÎ
The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle’s engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating f rom the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas.
In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured.
Your vehicle has a positive
crankcase ventilation system. This
keeps gasses that build up in the
engine’s crankcase f rom going into
the atmosphere. The positive crankcase ventilation valve routes
them from the crankcase back to the
intake manif old. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The onboard ref ueling vapor
recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on pages
and .
445452
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
Emissions Cont rols
532
2009 RL

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
541
Form Description
2005-2009 Acura RL Service Manual 2005-2009 Acura RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2005 Model Series Acura RL Body Repair Manual 2009 Acura RL Body Repair Manual Supplement 2009 Acura RL Owner’s Manual
2009 Acura RL Navigation System Manual 2009 Acura RL Maintenance Journal2009 Acura RL Quick Start GuideOrder Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SJA04
61SJA04EL
61SJA30
61SJA31
31SJA640
31SJA820
31SJAM40 31SJAQ40 ACU-R
www. helminc. com
2009 RL

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .62,506
............................
Jump Starting .500
..............................
Maintenance .489
..........................................
Cover .491
............................
Specif ications .525
..............................
Bef ore Driving .383 ..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21
.........................
Beverage Holders .194
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.355
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes
Anti-lock Brake System .....................................
(ABS) .417
.............
Break-in, New Linings .384
...........................................
Fluid .466
.......................................
Parking .191
.................
System Indicator .63,508
........................
Wear Indicators .416
.............................
Braking System .416
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .384
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .146
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .475
.................................
Fog Lights .472
................
Front Parking Lights .471
........
Front Side Marker Lights .471
.................................
Headlights .469
............................
Specif ications .525
............
Turn Signal Lights .470,474
....................................
Accessories .393
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch
.....................................
Position) .152
............
Accessory Power Sockets .197
......................................
AcuraLink .338
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
Indicator .319
...................................
Operation .321
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .144
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .458
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,27
............................
Air Conditioning .204
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .482
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .385
......................................
Antif reeze .461
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .64,417
...................................
Operation .417
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .280
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .152
................................
Audio System .213 Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .403
..........
Automatic Climate Control .211
.......................
Automatic Lighting .141
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .23
.............
Automatic Speed Control .316
..............
Automatic Transmission .405
..........................
Capacity,Fluid.524
...............
Checking Fluid Level .464
.......................................
Shif ting .405
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .405
................
Shif t Lever Positions .406
....................
Shif t Lock Release .407
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .277
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
2009 RL

Lights....................
Bulb Replacement .469
.......................................
Indicator .61
......................................
Position .140
................................
Turn Signal .140
.....................................
Load Limit .437
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .152
Locks
.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column .152
........................
Childproof Door .155
............................
Fuel Fill Door .385
..................................
Glove Box .193
...............................
Power Door .153
.........................................
Trunk .154
......
Trunk Pass-through Cover .160
........................
Low Coolant Level .389
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .62,506
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .524
..........................
Luggage, Storing .395
..................................
Maintenance .443
................................
Main Items .453
........................................
Minder .445 Owner’s Maintenance
...................................
Checks .452
..........................................
Saf ety .444
...................................
Sub Items .454
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .62,507
...........
Memory, Driving Position .163
.............................
Message Display .78
..........................
Message Indicator .68
...............................
Meters, Gauges .70
...................
Methanol in Gasoline .385
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .161
.................................
Modif ications .393
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .394
................................
Moonroof .187-190
................................................
MP3 .243
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .71
...................
Neutral Gear Position .406
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .384
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .522 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .384
.........................................
Odometer .72
...............................
Odometer, Trip .72
Oil
........................
Change, How to .459
......................
Change, When to .445
......................
Checking Engine .389
...............................
Lif e, Engine .445
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,506
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .458
.....
ON (Ignition Switch Position) .152
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .532
............................
Outside Mirrors .161
....
Outside Temperature Indicator .73
....................
Overheating, Engine .503
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .452
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .385
..............................
Paddle Shif ters .409
............
Panel Brightness Control .146
Index
M NO
P
VI
2009 RL

Î
Î
CONT INUED
........................
Park Gear Position .406
...........................................
Parking .415
...............................
Parking Brake .191
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .63,508
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .415
.............................
PGM-FI System .533
........................
Power Door Locks .153
...............
Power Socket Locations .197
............................
Power Windows .185
.........
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 .503
.............
Radio/CD Sound System .213 ...........................
Readiness Codes .507
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .474
..........................
Rear View Mirror .161
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .147
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs .156
.......................
Reminder Indicators .62
...........................................
Remote .166
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .459
..........................................
Fuses .510
................................
Light Bulbs .468
....................................
Schedule .445
...........................................
Tires .480
.............................
Wiper Blades .478
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .25
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .389
...............................
Restraint, Child .38
..................
Reverse Gear Position .406
............
Reverse Tilt Door Mirror .162
..........................
Rearview Camera .381
......................................
Roof Rack .398
................................
Rotation, Tire .485 ................................
Saf ety Belts .10,21
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .540
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .57
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
.................
Satellite Digital Radio .229
...................................
Seat Belts .10,21
...............
Additional Information .21
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .23
.....................................
Cleaning .476
.............................
e-pretensioner .24
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .17,22
................................
Maintenance .25
Reminder Indicator and
................................
Beeper .21,62
...................
System Components .21
...............
Use During Pregnancy .19
..................................
Seat Heaters .181
..................
Seat Position Memory .163
Index
INDEXR S
VII
2009 RL