check engine Acura RDX 2007 Owner's Guide

Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
358
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position: Wh
en you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
You
can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You
hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Check
these things:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page . Turn
the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified mechanic to
determine the problem (see
on page ).
389 403
378 389
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
387
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Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
In
this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page . Do
you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See
on page .
128 398
403
294
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
388
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Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery. If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding point
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
Jump Starting
390
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Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
If
there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
befo re checking the radiato r. Start
the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the H mark, the engine
needs repair (see on page ).
9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
10.
11.
403
283
403
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
392
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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Let the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. If
the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
wh en the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Safely
pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This
indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
befo re you can continue driving
(see on page
). You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGI NG SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Immediately turn off all electri cal
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
If
necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipsti ck (see page ).
You
will also see an ‘‘OIL
PRESSURE LOW’’ message on the
multi-info rmation display (see page
). 1.
2.
4. 3.
283
403 84
84 347
On RDX with Technology Package
model
On RDX with Technology Package model
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
393
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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If the indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle’s performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damag e.
If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible. If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fuel fill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least once. Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator off
immediately; it can take several days
of norm al driving. The
indicator may also come on with
the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not set,
the test cannot be completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
these codes are erased. It takes at
least three days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will
come on for 20 seconds. If it then
goes off, the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks five times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to for more
inf ormation (see page ). 418
84
On RDX with Technology Package
model
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Codes State
Emissions T esting
394
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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Your vehicle has an electric vacuum
pump located in the engine
compartment. It enhances the
effectiveness of your vehic le’s brake
system more frequently when you
drive in cold weather or thinner air at
high altitude after the engine is
started.
When the electric vacuum pump is in
operation, it makes some mechanical
noises come from the engine
compartment. This is normal. The
brake system indicator (amber)
on the instrument panel norm ally
comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it stays on after
the engine starts, press on the brake
pedal with your foot several times
until the indicator turns off. If the
indicator is still on or comes on again
after this procedure, there is a
problem in the brake system
including the electric vacuum pump.
If this happens, the brake pedal
might feel heavy when you press it.
Have your vehicle checked by your
dealer.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
84
On RDX with Technology Packagemodel
Brake System Indicator
Brake System Indicator (Amber)
396
Canada
U. S.
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#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
426
NOTE: Dealers and companies, please provide dealer or company name,
and the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be
sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
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Check here if your billing address is different
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()
These publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
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CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 66, 393
............................
Jump Starting .389
..............................
Maintenance .378
............................
Specif ications .409
..............................
Bef ore Driving .277 ....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders .163
..................................
Booster Seats . 55
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 307
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 278
....................
Bulb Replacement .362
...........................................
Fluid .357
.......................................
Parking .157
......
System Indicator (Red) . 68, 395
System Indicator ...........................
(Amber) . 68, 396
..........................
System Design .306
........................
Wear Indicators .306
.............................
Braking System .306
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 278
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .124
......................
Brights, Headlights .121
....................................
Accessories .285
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .129
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 164
.....................................
Acura Link .244
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 348
.......................
Additives, Gasoline .278
.............
Adjusting the Sound . 196, 227
.....
Adjusting the Steering Wheel . 126
........
Adjust Outside Temperature . 77
......
Adjust Outside Temp. Display . 96
...........................
Advanced Airbags . 29
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 24
..............
Air Conditioning System . 170
.........................................
Usage .171
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .373
......................................
Antif reeze .351
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator . 67, 307
...................................
Operation .307
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 239
Anti-thef t Steering Column ............................................
Lock .129
................................
Audio System .178 ............................
Auto Door Lock .108
...
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 133
.........................
Auto Door Unlock .116
.
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 122
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
..............
Automatic Transmission . 295
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .408
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 355
Driving with the Paddle ...................................
Shif ters .299
.......................................
Shif ting .295
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .295
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 296
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 298
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .230
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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