2012 ACURA RL brake

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
To check the f luid level, remove the
lef t engine compartment cover (see
page ).Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. Independent of the Maintenance
Minder inf ormation, replace the
brake f luid every 3 years.457
Brake Fluid
466
MAX
MIN
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Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms. Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly. Turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.Each outside mirror has side turn
signal lights. The lights should be
replaced by your dealer.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the back-up light cover.
The license plate has two lights
above it. The bulbs should be
replaced by your dealer. This light should be replaced by your
dealer.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
Lights
Side T urn Signal L ights
Rear License Plate Light Bulbs High-mount Brake L ight
Maint enance
475
BULB
SOCKET
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When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Tires
Maint enance
489
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
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Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month. If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Fill the f uel tank.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
493
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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 . 496
.................... Changing a Flat Tire . 497
............. If the Engine Won’t Start . 501
................................ Jump Starting . 502
.............. If the Engine Overheats . 505
......... Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 508
.......... Charging System Indicator . 508
....... Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 509
............... Brake System Indicator . 510
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
.................................... Manually . 511
.............................................. Fuses . 512
.............................. Fuse Locations . 518
...................... Emergency Towing . 521
.......... If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 521
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
495
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Take the tool case out of the spare
tire. Open the trunk, and fold the trunk
floor forward.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and
remove the spacer cone. Then
take the spare tire out of its well. Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. If you have a f lat tire while driving,
pull over saf ely. Drive slowly along
the shoulder until you get to an area
far away from traffic lanes.1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
497
TRUNK FLOOR
TOOL CASEJACK SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack. 10. 11. 12.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
499
BRAKE HUB
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´
´
´ 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. 492
CONT INUED
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
503
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.
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