2009 Acura RL power steering

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .60
............................
Instrument Panel .61 ..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .62
.............................................
Gauges .70
...................
Temperature Gauge .70
..................................
Fuel Gauge .70
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Multi-Inf ormation Display .71
Controls Near the Steering
.........................................
Wheel .136
Windshield Wipers and
.....................................
Washers .137
.......
Turn Signals and Headlights .140
.................................
Fog Lights .142
.........
Daytime Running Lights .142
Automatic Lighting Off
...................................
Feature .143
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .144
...............
Hazard Warning Button .146
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .146
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .147
......
Steering Wheel Adjustments .148
.............................
Keys and Locks .150
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Immobilizer System .151
..............................
Ignition Switch .152
....................................
Door Locks .153
..............................................
Trunk .154
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Emergency Trunk Opener .155 ................
Childproof Door Locks .155
...............................................
Seats .156
...........................................
Mirrors .161
Driving Position Memory
........................................
System .163
................
Keyless Access System .166
.......................
Front Seat Heaters .181
Front Seat Heaters and Seat
.................................
Ventilation .182
Rear Seat Heaters ...................
(Canadian models) .184
............................
Power Windows .185
.......................................
Moonroof .188
...............................
Parking Brake .191
.........
Interior Convenience Items .192
..................................
Glove Box .193
.....................
Beverage Holders .194
.............
Console Compartment .195
..................................
Sun Visors .196
............................
Vanity Mirror .196
........
Accessory Power Sockets .197
..................
Front Door Pockets .197
..............
Power Rear Sunshade .198
..............
Integrated Sunshades .199
...............................
Interior Lights .200
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
2009 RL

Î
ÎÎ
Î
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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text. If equipped.
:
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR KEYLESS ACCESS
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW FUEL INDICATORELECTRONICALLY
CONTROLLED
POWER STEERING
SYSTEM (ECPS)
INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY MESSAGE INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.64)
(P.68)
(P.68)
(P.69)
(P.71)
(P.21,62)(P.68)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.34,63)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM INDICATOR
VSA
ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR(P.35,63)
(P.65) (P.65)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE
AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR(P.64)
SH-AWD INDICATOR (P.66)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE/TPMS INDICATOR(P.66)
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM
(AFS) INDICATOR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
INDICATOR
(P.65) /
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKE
SYSTEM (CMBS) INDICATOR (P.69)
(P.69,144) (P.66,319)
(P.62,506)
(P.62,507)(P.62,506) (P.435)
(P.65,435)
(P.64,417)
(P.63,508)
(P.67,429)
2009 RL

This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition to the ON
(II) position and goes of f af ter the
engine starts. If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem with
the power steering system. You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK POWER
STEERING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ). If this happens, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, and turn off
the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch this
indicator. If it does not go of f or
comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the ECPS is turned of f , which
could make the vehicle harder to
steer.This indicator comes on when there
is a system message on the multi-
inf ormation display. Press the INFO
button on the steering wheel (see
page ) to see the message (see
page ).
Most of the time, this indicator
comes on along with other indicators
in the instrument panel such as the
seat belt reminder indicator, SRS
indicator, VSA system indicator, etc.
The indicator comes on when you
run the engine while the vehicle is
not moving. To turn the indicator of f ,
restart the engine.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, it indicates that there is a
problem with the system. You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK KEYLESS
ACCESS SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). For more inf ormation, see page.
78 71
78
79 179
Instrument Panel Indicators
Message Indicator
Electronically Controlled
Power Steering System
(ECPS) Indicator
K eyless Access System
Indicator
68
2009 RL

When you turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK (0) position and release it,
or remove the built-in key f rom the
ignition switch, the steering wheel
automatically moves f ully in and up.
Steering wheel movement is also
controlled by the driving position
memory system (see page ).
To change the ‘‘AUTO TILT &
TELESCOPIC’’ setting, see page. If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
f use f or the power tilt and telescopic
steering wheel is removed, the
power tilt and telescopic steering
wheel system needs to be reset
when you reconnect the battery or
install the f use.
The steering wheel returns to its
original position when you push the
ignition switch or insert the built-in
key back in the ignition switch. Push the ignition switch f or more
than 1 second and release it, or
insert the built-in key into the
ignition switch, and remove it. The
steering wheel automatically moves
f ully in and up to let you know the
system is reset.
106 163
Steering Wheel A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols
149
2009 RL

µ
µ
µ µ
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the ignition switch.
To use the built-in key, you have to
remove the cover (see page ). This is the normal
ignition switch position when driving.
Several of the indicators on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom the ACCESSORY (I) to the ON
(II) position.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the ignition switch. Firmly
turn the steering wheel to the left or
right as you turn the ignition switch.
You can insert or
remove the built-in key only in this
position. To turn the ignition switch
to the LOCK (0) position, the shift
lever must be in Park, and you must
push the knob or built-in key in slightly.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you turn the ignition switch
knob to the LOCK (0) position or
remove the built-in key from the
ignition switch.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ACCESSORY (I) position, an
‘‘ACCESSORY (I) POSITION’’
message is shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. If you open the driver’s door and
leave the key in the ignition switch,
you will hear a reminder beeper, and
a message appears on the multi-
inf ormation display according to the
ignition switch position. When the
ignition switch is in the ACC (I)
position, a ‘‘RETURN IGNITION
SWITCH TO LOCK (0) POSITION’’
message is shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. When the
ignition switch is in the LOCK (0)
position, a ‘‘REMOVE KEY’’
message is shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
180 ST A RT (III)
ON (II)
LOCK (0) A CCESSORY (I)
Ignition Switch
152
IGNITION SWITCH
COVER BUILT-IN KEY
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

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The brake pedal
assist f unction increases the f orce
you apply to the brake pedal during
an emergency stop. When the brake
pedal assist is activated, the e-
pretensioners (if equipped) tighten
f ront seat belts (see page ). The
anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard (see page ).
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
24
417 Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
416
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