2009 Acura RL child restraint

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, and other
convenience f eatures. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
Overview of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
FeaturesBef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
Contents
T aking Care of the UnexpectedWarranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
3
2009 RL

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .13
.....
1.Close and Lock the Doors .13
...........
2.Adjust the Front Seats .15
............
3.Adjust the Seat-Backs .16
...
4.Adjust the Head Restraints .16
5.Fasten and Position the Seat
.....................................
Belts .17
6.Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
...
Additional Safety Precautions .20
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts .21
..
Seat Belt System Components .21 ......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .22
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .23
...........
Seat Belt e-pretensioners .24
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance .25
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .26
......
Airbag System Components .26
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .32
How Your Side Curtain
..........................
Airbags Work .34
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .34
How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .35
How the Passenger Airbag ...............
Of f Indicator Works .35
.............................
Airbag Service .36
...
Additional Safety Precautions .37
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .38
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .38
All Children Should Sit in a .................................
Back Seat .39 The Passenger’s Front Airbag
.........
Can Pose Serious Risks .39
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .41
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .41
...
Additional Safety Precautions .41
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .43
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .43
.........
Protecting Small Children .44
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .45
....................
Installing a Child Seat .46
...............................
With LATCH .47
.........
With a Lap/Shoulder Belt .49
..............................
With a Tether .51
...........
Protecting Larger Children .52
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit .52
..................
Using a Booster Seat .53
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
.........................................
Front .54
...
Additional Safety Precautions .55
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
...................................
Saf ety Labels .57
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7
2009 RL

If you are pregnant, the best way to
protect yourself and your unborn
child when driving or riding in a
vehicle is to always wear a seat belt,
and keep the lap part of the belt as
low as possible across the hips.
In addition, an occupant who is out of
position in the f ront seat can be
seriously or f atally injured in a crash
by striking interior parts of the
vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.
After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and head restraints, and
put on their seat belts, it is very
important that they continue to sit
upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
off.
Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both f eet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.
CONT INUED
Protecting A dults and Teens
Advice f or Pregnant Women
Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position
6.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
19
Sitting improperly or out of
position can result in serious
injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in
the seat, with your feet on the
floor.
2009 RL

For added protection, the f ront seat
belts are equipped with automatic
seat belt tensioners. When activated,
the tensioners immediately tighten
the belts to help hold the driver and
a f ront passenger in position.
The seat belts in all positions except
the driver’s have a lockable retractor
that must be activated to secure a
child seat (see page ).
The tensioners can also be activated
during a collision in which the f ront
airbags . In this case, the
airbags would not be needed, but the
additional restraint could be helpf ul.
When the tensioners are activated,
the seat belts will remain tight until
they are unbuckled.
If the shoulder part of the belt is
pulled all the way out, the lockable
retractor will activate. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move f reely.
To deactivate the lockable retractor,
unlatch the buckle and let the seat
belt fully retract. To refasten the
seat belt, pull it out only as f ar as
needed. The tensioners are designed to
activate in any collision severe
enough to cause the f ront airbags to
deploy.
If a side curtain airbag deploys
during a side impact, the tensioner
on that side of the vehicle will also
deploy.
49
do not deploy
A utomatic Seat Belt T ensioners
Additional Inf ormation About Your Seat Belts
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
23
2009 RL

CONT INUED
To install a LATCH-compatible child
seat:Move the seat belt buckle or
tongue away f rom the lower
anchors.
Your vehicle is equipped with
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren) at the outer
rear seats.
Make sure there are no objects
near the anchors that could
prevent a secure connection
between the child seat and the
anchors.Push the rear head restraint tilt
button on the ceiling console to
pivot the head restraints down.
The lower anchors are located
between the seat-back and seat
bottom, and are to be used only with
a child seat designed f or use with
LATCH.
The location of each lower anchor is
indicated by a small button above the
anchor point.
You can f ind lower anchors in the
slits in the seat-backs.
1.
2.3.
Installing a Child Seat
Installing a Child Seat with
LATCH
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
47
LOWER
ANCHORS
REAR HEAD RESTRAINT TILT BUTTON
BUTTON
2009 RL

Place the child seat on the vehicle
seat, then attach the seat to the
lower anchors according to the
child seat maker’s instructions.
Some LATCH-compatible seats
have a rigid-type connector as
shown above.Other LATCH-compatible seats
have a f lexible-type connector as
shown above.
Whatever type you have, f ollow
the child seat maker’s instructions
f or adjusting or tightening the f it.
Route the tether strap over the
head restraint, then attach the
tether strap hook to the anchor,
making sure the strap is not
twisted.
Tighten the strap according to the
seat maker’s instructions.
Pushandpullthechildseat
f orward and f rom side-to-side to
verify that it is secure.
4.
5.6.
7.
8.
Installing a Child Seat
48
RIGID TYPE FLEXIBLE TYPE TETHER STRAP HOOK
ANCHOR
2009 RL

A child seat with a tether can be
installed in any seating position in
the back seat, using one of the
anchorage points shown above.
Since a tether can provide additional
security to the lap/shoulder belt
installation, we recommend using a
tether whenever one is required or
available.Lift the anchor cover, then attach
the tether strap hook to the
anchor, making sure the strap is
not twisted.
Tighten the strap according to the
seat maker’s instructions.
Af ter properly securing the child
seat with the lap/shoulder belt
(see page ), pivot the head
restraint down (see page ) and
route the tether strap over the
head restraint.
1. 2.
3.
22 157
Installing a Child Seat
Installing a Child Seat with a
Tether
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
51
COVER
ANCHOR
TETHER ANCHORAGE P
OINTS
TETHER STRAP HOOK
ANCHOR
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