2012 ACURA RL light

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes. Parking T ips
Parking
414
11/07/20 18:54:43 31SJA670_419
ProCarManuals.com

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
416Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
415
11/07/20 18:54:50 31SJA670_420
ProCarManuals.com

µµ
Î
Î
e-pretensioner The radar sensor
detects a vehicle.Braking Audio & Visual
WARNING
Stage one
Stage threeDistance between vehiclesCMBS
Stage two
Retracts the driver’s
seat belt gently a few
times, providing a
physical warning.
Forcef ully tightens
driver and front
passenger seat belts. There is a risk of a
collision with the
vehicle ahead of you.
The risk of a collision
hasincreased,timeto
respond is reduced.
The CMBS
determines that a
collision is
unavoidable.Lightly
applied
Forcefully
applied ‘‘BRAKE’’ f lashes
on the multi-
information
display.
A beep sounds
and ‘‘BRAKE’’
f lashes on the
multi-information
display.
:
Depending on the circumstances, CMBS may not go through all of the alert stages bef ore initiating the last stage.
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
422
YOUR
VEHICLE YOUR
VEHICLE
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEADVEHICLE
AHEAD
VEHICLE
AHEAD
TM TM
11/07/20 18:55:36 31SJA670_427
ProCarManuals.com

As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
f ollowing two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmf ul interf erence, and
(2) this device must accept any
interf erence received, including
interf erence that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modif ications not expressly
approved by the party responsible f or
compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the f ollowing two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interf erence, and (2) this device must
accept any interf erence that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Themainpurposeof theCMBSisto
reduce the severity of injuries
caused by an unavoidable collision.
While the CMBS may help to alert
you and minimize the severity of a
collision, it may not activate in every
dangerous situation.
Even with the CMBS, it is still your
responsibility to operate the brake
pedal and steering wheel
appropriately, according to the
driving conditions. Because of the road condition
(curved, winding, etc.) or the state of
your vehicle (turning angle, lane
position, etc.), CMBS can sometimes
mistake a stationary object (light
pole, traf f ic sign, guard rail, etc.) as a
vehicle ahead of you and temporarily
operate. This is normal.Important Saf ety Reminder
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS )
428
YOUR VEHICLE
SIGN, POLE, etc.
TM TM
11/07/20 18:56:24 31SJA670_433
ProCarManuals.com

If there is a problem with the TPMS,
the multi-information display shows
a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message.If you see this message, the tire
pressure monitor shows a ‘‘SYSTEM
FUNCTION ERROR’’ message. The
system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended.
Also, the tire pressure readings will
not be displayed. Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as
possible. Also, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator begins to f lash (see page
). It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.
67
CONT INUED
Check T PMS System Message
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
433
11/07/20 18:57:02 31SJA670_438
ProCarManuals.com

CONT INUED
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies f or the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty. If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet. Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground. Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
To ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes Saf et y Chains
Hitches
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
439
11/07/20 18:57:53 31SJA670_444
ProCarManuals.com

Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories require special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Even if they don’t, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
440
11/07/20 18:58:02 31SJA670_445
ProCarManuals.com

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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 .
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.U.S. Vehicles: ......................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 . 463
.... Automatic Transmission Fluid . 464
.................................... Brake Fluid . 466
.................... Power Steering Fluid . 467
.................................... Timing Belt . 467
............................................. Lights . 468
.................. DustandPollenFilter .476
................ Cleaning the Seat Belts . 476
..................................... Floor Mats . 477
................................. Wiper Blades . 478
................................. Exterior Care . 480
........................................... Wheels . 480
............................................... Tires . 481
................... Checking the Battery . 490
............................. Vehicle Storage . 493
.................................. Interior Care . 494 543
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
443
TM
11/07/20 18:58:24 31SJA670_448
ProCarManuals.com