2009 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.
503
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.
2009 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.Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control bar.
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.
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.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then releases 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.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
70
If the interior is very warm,
CONT INUED
Climate Control System
Using the Heater
Using the A/C
Ventilation
Features
209
2009 RL

µµ
Maintenance Minder
454
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
2009 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
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
519
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
503
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.
2009 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. 519
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
504
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.
2009 RL

...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .4,60
..............
Daytime Running Lights .142
.......................................
Indicator .65
.....................................
Built-in-key .167
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .469
............................
Capacities Chart .524
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .395
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .274
.......................
CD Error Message .271
...................................
CD Changer .236
................................
Ceiling Lights .200
........................
Certif ication Label .522
.................................
Chains, Tires .487
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .495
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .459
......................................
When to .445
..........
Charging System Indicator .506
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .402
.....................................
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 .43
.........................................
LATCH .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Childproof Door Locks .155
Cleaning
...................................
Seat Belts .476
....................
Client Service Of f ice .538
...............
Climate Control System .204
.........................
Clock, Setting the .313
........................
CO in the Exhaust .532
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .403
Collision Mitigation Brake System
(CMBS) .....................................
Indicator .424
...................................
Operation .420
......................
Compact Spare Tire .494
...........................
Compass System .281
.................
Console Compartment .195
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .538
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59 Coolant
........................................
Adding .461
....................................
Checking .389
.........................
Proper Solution .461
...................
Temperature Gauge .70
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .532
................
Cruise Control Indicator .65
............
Cruise Control Operation .316
...................................
Cup Holders .194
.........................
Customize Settings .81
...................................
ACC Setup .89
................
Door/Window Setup .122
.......
KEYLESS ACCESS Setup .108
...........................
Lighting Setup .115
.................................
Meter Setup .94
...........................
Position Setup .103
........................
Setting to Default .85
...............................
Wiper Setup .133
Index
C
D
II
2009 RL

Î
CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .206
.........................................
Features .203
..............................
Economy, Fuel .390
..................................
Emergencies .493
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .500
...........
Brake System Indicator .508
................
Changing a Flat Tire .495
.....
Charging System Indicator .506
..................
Checking the Fuses .512
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .146
............................
Jump Starting .500
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .506
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .507
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .509
..................
Overheated Engine .503
.......................................
Towing .519
.........................
Emergency Brake .191
....................
Emergency Flashers .146
......................
Emergency Towing .519
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .155
.......................
Emissions Controls .532
........................
Emissions Testing .535
Engine
............
Check Starting System .404
...............
Compartment Covers .456 ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .70
.........................
If It Won’t Start .499
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,507
.........................................
Oil lif e .445
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,506
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .458
...............................
Overheating .503
............................
Specif ications .525
............................
Speed Limiter .407
.......................................
Starting .403
...................
Engine Speed Limiter .407
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .385
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .532
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .533
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
.................................
Dead Battery .499
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .540
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .147
..............
Def rosting the Windows .210
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .524
....................................
Dimensions .524
.............
Dimming the Headlights .140
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .464
..................................
Engine Oil .389
........................
Directional Signals .140
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .416
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .460
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .153
..................
Lockout Prevention .153
.................
Monitor Indicator .13,79
....................
Power Door Locks .153
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .526
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .81
...........................................
Driving .401
....................................
Economy .390
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .163
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .476
Index
E
F
INDEX
III
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