2012 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
............. 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
...................... Immobilizer System . 150
.............................. Ignition Switch . 152
.................................... Door Locks . 153
.............................................. Trunk . 154
...... Emergency Trunk Opener . 155................ Childproof Door Locks . 155
............................................... Seats . 156
........................................... Mirrors . 161
Driving Position Memory
........................................ System . 164
................ Keyless Access System . 167
....................... Front Seat Heaters . 182
Front Seat Heaters and Seat
................................. Ventilation . 183
Rear Seat Heaters
................... (Canadian models) . 185
............................ Power Windows . 186
....................................... Moonroof . 189
............................... 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 . 198
.............. Power Rear Sunshade . 198
.............. Integrated Sunshades . 199
............................... Interior Lights . 200
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
11/07/20 18:07:19 31SJA670_064
ProCarManuals.com

ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR(P.21, 62) (P.68)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) INDICATOR (P.65)
(P.66)(P.66)ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
INDICATOR(P.65) /
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
(P.66, 319)
: If equipped(P.63, 510)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.64)PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORELECTRONICALLY
CONTROLLED POWER
STEERINGSYSTEM
(ECPS) INDICATORSIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR(P.35, 63) ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) INDICATOR(P.64, 416)(P.65, 435) VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM INDICATOR
VSA OFF INDICATORHIGH BEAM INDICATOR
ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM
(AFS) INDICATOR (P.69, 144) COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING
SYSTEM (CMBS) INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE/TPMS INDICATOR (P.67, 429) (P.69) (P.68)
SH-AWD INDICATOR KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.68)
MESSAGE INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP(P.65)(P.64) CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.62, 508)
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR
(P.69)
(P.71)
(P.62, 509)
(P.62, 508) LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
(P.34, 63) (P.65, 435)
11/07/20 18:07:37 31SJA670_066
ProCarManuals.com

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
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. If this
happens, stop the vehicle in a saf e
place, and turn of f 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 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. For more
inf ormation, see page .71
78
180
Instrument Panel Indicators
Message Indicator Electronically Controlled
Power Steering System
(ECPS) Indicator
K eyless Access System
Indicator
68
11/07/20 18:08:48 31SJA670_073
ProCarManuals.com

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.
106164
Steering Wheel A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols
149
11/07/20 18:18:28 31SJA670_154
ProCarManuals.com

µ
µµ
µ 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.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the ignition switch. Firmly
turn the steering wheel to the left or
right as you turn 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.
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.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the ignition switch.If you open the driver’s door and
leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position, you will hear a reminder
beeper, and a message appears on
the multi-information display
according to the ignition switch
position. When the ignition switch is
in the ACCESSORY (I) position, a
‘‘RETURNIGNITIONSWITCHTO
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-information display.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you turn the ignition switch
knob to the LOCK (0) position or
remove the built-in key from the
ignition switch.
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
152
11/07/20 18:18:55 31SJA670_157
ProCarManuals.com

Î
Î To pause a disc, press the
corresponding number of the
current disc on the preset buttons.
To play the disc again, press the
preset button again.To take the system out of disc mode,
press the AM/FM button, the
DISC/AUX button, or the XM button
(If equipped). The system will switch
to the function associated with the
button you pressed. If you pressed
the DISC/AUX button, any auxiliary
input device attached to the system
will be selected. To return to disc
mode, press the DISC/AUX button
again and play will continue at the
same point it lef t of f .
You can also press the MODE
buttononthesteeringwheelto
change modes. If you turn the system of f while a
disc is playing, either with the
power/volume knob or by turning
of f the ignition switch, the disc will
stay in the drive. When you turn the
system back on, the disc will begin
playing where it lef t of f .
: AMorFMbuttononHawaiian
models. To Pause a Disc To Stop Playing a Disc
Audio System
Features
243
11/07/20 18:31:26 31SJA670_248
ProCarManuals.com

´
µ´
µ
CONT INUED
WhenyouaredrivingintheD
position, you can shif t the
transmission up or down manually
with the paddle shifters.
To shif t up or down, use the
(right) or (lef t) paddle shif ter on
either side of the steering wheel.Each time you pull (right), the
transmission shif ts to a higher gear.
Pull (lef t) to downshif t. You will
see the selected gear number on the
instrument panel.
When you pull either paddle shif ter,
the gear position indicator shows you
the selected gear number.Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
brakingwhengoingdownsteepor
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. Using the Paddle Shif ters in the
D position (D-Paddle Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
407
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
PADDLE SHIFTERS
11/07/20 18:53:46 31SJA670_412
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