light Acura RDX 2007 Repair Manual

To secure the cargo, you can use the
f our cargo hooks on the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook.The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items f rom being thrown
f orward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Heavy items should be secured to
the cargo area floor with the hooks
or cinch straps attached to the cargo
hooks.
The hanger bars can be used to hang
items. The hanger bar is designed to
hang light items (maximum load: 11
lbs or 5 kg on each side). Heavy
items may damage the bars.
The cargo hooks on the f loor can be
used to install the cargo net f or
securing items.
Carrying Cargo
Cargo Hooks/Hanger Bars Optional Cargo Net
290
HOOKHANGER
BARS
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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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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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ÛÝ
To display the tire pressure monitor,
press the INFO ( / ) button until
it appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
When all tire pressures are normal,
the tire pressure monitor will show a
‘‘TIRE PRESS. OK SYSTEM FUNC
NORMAL’’ message. When any of the tires have low
pressure, the low tire pressure
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on, and the multi-inf ormation
display also interrupts the current
display and shows a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message. You can see
one or more of the low pressure tire
positions highlighted in the display
along with this message.When any of the tires have low
pressure, the tire pressure monitor
shows a ‘‘TIRE PRESS. ERROR
SYSTEM FUNC NORMAL’’
message.
On RDX with Technology Package
model
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
312
INFO BUTTONS
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If one or more tires have low
pressure, the low tire pressure
indicator on the instrument panel
also comes on (see page ).
It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure
indicator and message on the multi-
inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.
When the TPMS is functioning
normally, you can see the tire
pressure readings of each tire in psi
(U.S. models) or kPa (Canadian
models) by pressing the SEL/
RESET button while the multi-
inf ormation display shows the tire
pressure monitor. If there is a problem with the TPMS,
the multi-information display shows
a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message.
73
CONT INUED
On RDX with Technology Package
model On RDX with Technology Package
model
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
T ire Pressure ReadingsCheck T PMS System Message
Driving
313
U. S.
Canada SEL/RESET BUTTON
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Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check with
your local trailer sales or rental
agencies f or the requirements in the
area where you plan to tow, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
CONT INUED
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Towing a Trailer
Driving
319
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Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area.
Ref er to the drawing above f or the
wiring color code and purpose of
each pin.
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
320
GROUND
(BLACK) HAZARD
LIGHT
(ORANGE)LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(YELLOW)
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN) BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN)TAILLIGHT
(RED)
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The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing: The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium f uel. Premium f uel
provides improved perf ormance.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
Driving
321
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