Acura CL (2003 year). Instruction — part 5

This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page

for

information on the headlight
controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page

).

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go off if
you turn on the headlights or release
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.

The left or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page

). Replace the bulb as

soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.

When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should flash.

The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the trunk or either
door is not closed tightly with the
ignition switch ON (II).

277

70

72

Canadian models only

High Beam Indicator

‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator

Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators

Door and Trunk Open Monitor

Indicator Lights

Instruments and Controls

63

Main Menu

Table of Contents

This light comes on as a reminder
that you must refuel soon.

If a brake light does not work, the

indicator comes on

when you push the brake pedal with
the ignition switch ON (II).

A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake
lights repaired right away.

This light comes on when the
washer fluid level is low. Add washer
fluid when you see this light come on
(see page

).

249

Canadian models only

Low Fuel Indicator

Brake Lamp Indicator

Washer Level Indicator

Indicator Lights

Instruments and Controls

64

BRAKE LAMP

Main Menu

Table of Contents

U.S. Models

Canadian Models

This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).

This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).

The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.

Speedometer

Tachometer

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Instruments and Controls

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The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. federal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.

The trip meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.

There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select
button repeatedly. Each trip meter
works independently, so you can
keep track of two different distances.
When you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), what you last selected is
displayed.

To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Reset button
until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’. You
will hear a beep. Both trip meters
will reset if the car’s battery goes
dead or is disconnected.

Odometer

Trip Meter

Gauges

Instruments and Controls

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This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade in
Canadian models.

In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.

The temperature sensor is located in
the front bumper. Therefore, the
temperature reading can be affected
by heat reflection from the road sur-
face, engine heat, and the exhaust
from the surrounding traffic. This
can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h).

This shows how much fuel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or
hilly roads.

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom mark to about the
middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper red mark. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page

for

instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.

The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the fuel level reading
immediately after you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).

306

Fuel Gauge

Temperature Gauge

Outside Temperature Indicator

Gauges

Instruments and Controls

67

Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Main Menu

Table of Contents

−

For the first 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
after the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on for
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).

This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance.

Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km) this
indicator will light for two seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch ON (II), and then flash for
ten seconds.

If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance performed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.

Your dealer will reset this indicator
after completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
follows.

Hold the buttons for
approximately ten seconds until
the indicator resets.

Press and hold the select and reset
buttons next to the instrument pan-
el, then turn the ignition switch
ON (II).

Turn off the engine.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedules
for Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages

.

1.

2.

3.

230

234

Maintenance Required Indicator

Gauges

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＊

＊

＊

The two levers on the steering
column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.

The switch for the hazard warning
lights is on the dashboard to the
right of the steering column.

The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.

The controls under the left air vent
are for the moonroof, the cruise
control, and the VSA/TCS.

To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘A’’ logo.

:

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

69

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To change between low beams and
high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will
light (see page

).

The rotating switch on the left lever
controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the

position turns on

the parking lights, taillights, side
marker lights, and rear license plate
lights. Turning the switch to the

position turns on the

headlights.

If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver’s door.

63

Headlights

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

70

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Table of Contents

The high beams will stay on for as
long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlight
switch is in.

To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go off.

The lights will turn on again when
you unlock or open the driver’s door.
If you unlock the door, but do not
open it within 15 seconds, the lights
will go off. With the driver’s door
open, you will hear a lights-on
reminder chime.

The Automatic Lighting Off feature
turns off the headlights, parking
lights, taillights, side marker lights,
license plate lights and instrument
panel lights within 15 seconds of
removing the key from the ignition
switch and closing the driver’s door.

This feature activates if you leave
the headlight switch in the ‘‘

’’

or ‘‘

’’ position, remove the key,

open, then close the driver’s door.

If you remove the key from the
ignition switch with the headlight
switch on, but do not open the door
and get out, the lights will turn off
after ten minutes.

Automatic Lighting Of f Feature

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

71

Main Menu

Table of Contents

Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a left turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.

With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
off, even if you set the parking brake.

The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.

The dial on the dashboard to the left
of the instrument panel is used to
adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel lights. Turn the dial
to adjust the brightness.

Turn Signals

Instrument Panel Brightness

Daytime Running Lights
(Canadian Models)

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

72

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The right lever controls the wind-
shield wipers and washers. The
rotary switch at the end of the lever
has three positions;

INT: intermittent

: low speed
: high speed

In intermittent, the wipers operate
every few seconds. The sweep
interval will change slightly with
speed; getting shorter as you drive
faster. In low speed and high speed,
the wipers run continuously.

To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon
as you release it.

CONTINUED

Windshield Wipers

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

73

Main Menu

Table of Contents

To operate the wipers in mist mode,
push the control lever down. The
wipers run at high speed until you
release the lever. This gives you a
quick way to clear the windshield.

You can vary how often the wipers
sweep the windshield by turning the
INT TIME ring next to the rotary
switch.

If you turn the INT TIME ring to the
shortest delay, the wipers will
change from intermittent to low
speed operation when vehicle speed
exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h).

To clean the windshield, pull back on
the wiper control lever. The washers
spray until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed while you’re
pulling the lever, then complete one
more sweep of the windshield after
you release it.

Windshield Washers

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

74

Main Menu

Table of Contents

The rear window defogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to
turn it on and off. The light in the
button lights to show the defogger is
on. If you do not turn it off, the
defogger will shut itself off after
about 25 minutes. It also shuts off
when you turn off the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you
restart the car.

Push the red button to turn on the
hazard warning lights (four-way
flashers). This causes all four
outside turn signals and both
indicators in the instrument panel to
flash. Use the hazard warning lights
if you need to park in a dangerous
area near heavy traffic, or if your car
is disabled.

CONTINUED

Hazard Warning

Rear Window Def ogger

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

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Table of Contents

See page

for important safety

information about how to properly
position the steering wheel.

17

Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.

The defogger and antenna wires on
the inside of the rear window can be
accidentally damaged. When
cleaning the glass, always wipe side
to side.

Make any steering wheel adjustment
before you start driving.

Steering Wheel Adjustment

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

76

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Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
car and be seriously injured in a
crash.

Adjust the steering wheel only
when the car is stopped.

Main Menu

Table of Contents

To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:

Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.

Move the steering wheel to the
desired position, making sure the
wheel points toward your chest,
not toward your face. Make sure
you can see the instrument panel
gauges and the indicator lights.

Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.

Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

77

Main Menu

Table of Contents

Your car comes with two master
keys and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on
your car:
• Ignition
• Doors
• Trunk pass-through cover
• Glove box
• Rear console compartment

The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk pass-through cover,
glove box, and rear console
compartment locked when you leave
your car and the valet key at a
parking facility.

You should have received a key
number plate with your keys. You
will need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Keep

the plate stored in a safe place. If you
need to replace a key, use only an
Acura-approved key blank.

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.

Protect the keys from direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.

Do not drop the keys or set heavy
objects on them.

Keep the keys away from liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.

The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.

Keys

Keys and Locks

Instruments and Controls

78

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