2009 Acura RL manual transmission

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

µµµ µ
µ µ
µ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon. If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
452
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Avoid excessive idling
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Observe the speed limit
Drive moderately 458
Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Bef ore Driving
391
2009 RL

´
µ
´
µ Each time you pull (right), the
transmission shifts to a higher gear.
Pull (lef t) to downshif t. You will
see the selected gear number on the
instrument panel.
To shif t up or down, use the
(right) or (lef t) paddle shif ter on
each side of the steering wheel.
When you are driving in D position,
pulling either paddle shif ter switches
fromtheordinaryautomatic
transmission [drive mode (D)] to the
D-paddle shif t mode. You can shif t
the transmission up or down
manually with the paddle shif ters.
Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
When you pull either paddle shif ter,
the gear position indicator shows you
the selected gear number.
CONT INUED
Using the Paddle Shif ters in D
position (D-Paddle Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
409
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
PADDLE SHIFTERS
2009 RL

´µ
When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘S’’ position and pull either
paddle shif ter, the gear position
indicator displays ‘‘M’’ along with the
selected gear number.
To upshif t, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter. When you accelerate f rom a stop,
the transmission starts in f irst gear,
and you must manually upshif t
between f irst and f if th gears. Make
sure you upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the tachometer’s red
zone.
The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(5,4,3,2,or1).There
is no automatic downshif t when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor.
When you are driving in 4th or 5th
gear, the transmission downshifts to
the lower gear under the f ollowing
conditions:
The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
You press the brake pedal.
With the shif t lever in S position, you
can select the sequential shif t mode
to shif t gears; much like a manual
transmission using the paddle
shif ters, but without a clutch pedal.
To enter the sequential shif t mode,
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shif ter. To cancel the sequential shif t
mode and return to the ordinary
automatic transmission, move the
shif t lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shift lever, be careful not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the sequential shif t mode,
the transmission will not
automatically return to ordinary
automatic transmission.
CONT INUED
Using the Paddle Shif ters in S
position (Sequential Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
411
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘M’’ INDICATOR
2009 RL

à
à
à
à
à
à
à
à
Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. Driving in the
higher gear helps f uel economy.
To Shift
from
12
23
34
45
Here are the speed ranges f or
upshif ting and downshif ting.
The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed f alls below the upper limit of
the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to a higher gear.
Also, you cannot upshif t with the
paddle shif ter bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lower limit of
the higher gear.
You try to shif t to third or a higher
gear when the vehicle is stationary.
You pull one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pressed.
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime. Speed range
over 0 mph (0 km/h)
over 9 mph (15 km/h)
over 17 mph (27 km/h)
over 38 mph (60 km/h)
Speed range
under 131 mph (210 km/h) under 94 mph (150 km/h)
under 63 mph (100 km/h) under 31 mph (50 km/h)
The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
gear when the vehicle speed reaches
9mph(15km/h)orless.
To Shiftfrom
54
43
32
21
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
412
2009 RL

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .444
....................
Maintenance Minder .445
..............................
Fluid Locations .455
......
Engine Compartment Covers .456
........................
Adding Engine Oil .458
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .459
..............................
Engine Coolant .461
....................
Windshield Washers .464
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .464
....................................
Brake Fluid .466
....................
Power Steering Fluid .466
....................................
Timing Belt .467
.............................................
Lights .468
..................
DustandPollenFilter .476
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .476
.....................................
Floor Mats .477
.................................
Wiper Blades .478
...........................................
Wheels .480
...............................................
Tires .480
...................
Checking the Battery .489
.............................
Vehicle Storage .492
541
Maintenance
Maint enance
443
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