wheel Acura RDX 2007 Owner's Guide

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the super handling-all wheel
drive (SH-AWD) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .292
........................
Preparing to Drive .293
.......................
Starting the Engine .294
..............
Automatic Transmission .295
Driving with the Paddle
.......................................
Shif ters .299
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System .303
...........................................
Parking .305
.............................
Braking System .306
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .307
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) .309
Vehicle Stability Assist ............................
(VSA) System .315
...........................
Towing a Trailer .317
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .324
Driving
Driving
291
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Because your vehicle rides higher
off the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicl es have a signifi cantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
ve hicles.
Your
vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier. To
prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof. Your
vehicle is equipped with a
super handling-all wheel drive (SH-
AWD) system. When the system
senses a loss of one or more wheel
traction, it automatically transfers
some power to the other wheels.
This gives you better traction and
mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
brakingthatyouwouldinatwo-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page f or of f -highway driving
guidelines. 324
Driving Guidelines
292
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Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
ad justment (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page ).
Make
sure the doors and the
tailgate are secu rely closed and
locked. When
you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicato rs in the
instrument panel, and the
messages in the info rmation
display or multi -information
display (depending on models)
(see pages,,, and
).
Youshoulddothesechecksand
adjustments
before you drive your
vehicle:
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is fully closed.
Vi sually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
16
155
126
372 145
63
84 64 75
Preparing to Drive
Driving
293
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Each time you pull the (right), the
transmission shifts to a higher gear.
Pull the (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.
When you are driving in D position,
pulling the either paddle shif ter
switches f rom the ordinary
automatic 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.
To shif t up or down, use the
(right) or (lef t) paddle shif ter on
each side of the steering wheel.
Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep hill. Using the Paddle Shif ters in D
position (D-Paddle Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
299
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
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The SH-AWD torque distribution
monitor on the multi-inf ormation
display shows you the amount of
torque being sent to the wheels.
Each wheel: right f ront (RF), lef t
front(LF),rightrear(RR),andleft
rear (LR), has its own torque
indicator.
When you are in sequential shif t
mode, and the vehicle is stopped,
pull the (right) paddle shifter to
shif t to second gear. You will see ‘‘M
2’’ in the display. Starting in second
gear helps to reduce wheelspin in
deep snow or on a slippery surf ace.
The super handling-all wheel drive
(SH-AWD) system is a f ull time all-
wheel-drive system that
automatically controls and transfers
varying amounts of engine torque to
all wheels independently, according
to the driving conditions.
While the SH-AWD system helps to
enhance the vehicle’s driving
stability in all situations, it is still
your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
On RDX with Technology Package
model
SH-AWD T orque Distribution
Monitor
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive
(SH-AWD) system
Driving with the Paddle Shif ter, Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD) System
Driving
St art ing in Second Gear
303
TORQUE INDICATOR
TORQUE INDICATOR
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Your vehicle still has normal f ront-
wheel drive with vehicle stability
assist (VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible. If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM’’
message also appears on the multi-
inf ormation display, there is problem
with the SH-AWD system.
If the SH-AWD indicator blinks while
driving, it indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high. You will also
see an ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. If this happens,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. If
the indicator does not go out, take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked,
Each torque indicator is displayed as
a bar graph divided into 5 segments.
The number of segments represents
the amount of torque distributed to
each wheel.
When there is only a slight change in
torque distribution while driving,
such as cruising on level roads at the
same speed, the torque distribution
monitor may stop displaying the
amount of torque. This is not a
system problem. The monitor will
show the amount if the system
senses any change in torque
distribution.
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD) System
304
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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 parked
on an incline.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from 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.
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.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
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.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
305
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Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist using negative pressure
generated by the engine and the
el ectric vacuum pump helps reduce
the effort needed on the brake pedal.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps you retain steering control
when braking very hard.
All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicato rs.
The
hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Ea ch circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distincti ve, 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 norm al for
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your foot off the
accelerator and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes after driving
th rough deep water. Apply the
brakes moderate ly to see if they feel
norm al. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
When
the electric vacuum pump is in
operation, it makes some mechanical
noises come f rom the engine
compartment. This is normal.
When you drive in cold weather or
thinner air at high altitude, the
electric vacuum pump operates more
f requently af ter the engine is started.
For more inf ormation about the
electric vacuum pump, see page . 396
Braking System
Brake Pad Wear Indicators Braking System Design
306
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If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator. It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
395
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
308
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Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specific wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
qualified technician.
Your vehicle has a tire pressure
monitor on the info rmation display. The
tire pressure monitor uses the
same display as the door and tailgate
open monitor. When any of the tires
has low pressure, the low tire
pressure indicator on the instrument
panel comes on, and you will also see
which tire is losing the pressu re on
the tire pressure monitor.
If the TPMS indicator comes on, the
tire pressure monitor does not work
(see page ).
If the low tire pressure indicator and
the low tire position on the low tire
pressure monitor do not go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. 73
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On RDX model
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Tire Pressure Monitor
Driving
311
LOW PRESSURE TIRE
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