This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .494
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .495
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .499
................................
Jump Starting .500
..............
If the Engine Overheats .503
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .506
..........
Charging System Indicator .506
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .507
...............
Brake System Indicator .508
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
....................................
Manually .509
..............................................
Fuses .510
..............................
Fuse Locations .513
......................
Emergency Towing .519
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .519
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
493
2009 RL
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
Check these things:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Make sure the remote is with you,
inside the vehicle.
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
519
489 500
500
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Emergency T owing
Jump Starting
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
499
2009 RL
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
Are you using a properly coded
built-in key or remote? An
improperly coded built-in key or
remote will cause the immobilizer
system indicator in the instrument
panel to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
64 403
512
519
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
500
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
2009 RL
´´´
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake.
Remove the battery cover (see
page ), then remove the
secondary under-hood f use box
cover f rom the positive ( )
terminal on the battery.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
vehicle’s battery. Connect the
other end to the positive ( )
terminal on the booster battery.
1.
2.
3.
4.
451
CONT INUED
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
501
COVER
BOOSTER BATTERY
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2009 RL
´
µ Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Reinstall the secondary under-
hood f use box cover over the
positive ( ) terminal of the
battery, then reinstall the battery
cover.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding point
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine. 7.
5.
6. 8.
9.
Jump Starting
502
Connecting the jumper cable to the
secondary under-hood f use box causes
the f uses to blow.
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
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
CONT INUED
................................................
Keys .150
................
Keyless Access System .166
...............
Keyless Access Remote .167
...........
Keyless Memory Settings .173
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .522
Ignition
............................................
Keys .150
.........................................
Switch .152
............
Timing Control System .533
......................
Immobilizer System .151
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.........................................
Indicators .62
ABS (Anti-lock Brake ............................
System) .64,417
Adaptive Front lighting ..................
System (AFS) .69,144
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .63,508
................
Charging System .62,506
Collision Mitigation Brake
..............
System (CMBS) .69,424
.............................
Cruise Control .66
Electronically Controlled Power
........
Steering System (ECPS) .68
.....................................
Fog Light .65
...................................
High Beam .65
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .64
.....
Keyless Access System .68,179 .....................................
Lights On .64
......................................
Low Fuel .66
................
Low Oil Pressure .62,506
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
...........................
Indicator .67,429
.............
Malf unction (MIL) .62,507
.......................................
Message .68
..............
Seat Belt Reminder .21,62
..................
Security System .69,315
......................................
SH-AWD .66
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .63
...............................................
SRS .63
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .64
..
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) .65
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
.........................
Activation .65,435
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .43
......................................
Inf ant Seats .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .480
.................................
Inside Mirror .161
.............................
Inspection, Tire .483
............................
Instrument Panel .61
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .146 ................
Interf ace Dial .205,213,338
...............................
Interior Lights .200
........................................
Introduction .i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .496
.......................................
Jack, Tire .495
................................
Jump Starting .500
.......................
Label, Certif ication .522
...............
Lane Change, Signaling .140
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .22
........................
Lights On Indicator .64
Index
INDEX
I
J
K
L
V
2009 RL