Service A Acura RDX 2008 Owner's Guide

Press and hold the SEL/RESET
button on the steering wheel f or
more than 10 seconds. The
remaining engine oil lif e reset
mode will be shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Press the SEL/RESET button on
the steering wheel until you see
the engine oil lif e display.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
f ollows:
Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the display the
next time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
All the maintenance items displayed
in the multi-information display are
in code.
For an explanation of the
maintenance codes, see page . 1.
2.
3.
334
CONT INUED
Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items Resetting the Engine Oil Lif e
Display
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
331
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEMMAINTENANCE SUB ITEMS
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Select ‘‘RESET’’ by pressing the
INFO ( / ) button, then press
the SEL/RESET button to reset
the engine oil lif e display. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’ If you want to
cancel the oil lif e reset mode,
select ‘‘CANCEL.’’ If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
proper maintenance intervals. This
canleadtoseriousmechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized dealer knows your
vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all receipts
as proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out
your Maintenance Journal or
Canadian Maintenance Log. Check
your warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Acura parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their performance and durability.
4. Important Maintenance
Precautions
Maintenance Minder
332
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U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page . Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
Multi-Inf ormation Display. 276
343 277345
361
347
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards. Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
333
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Maintenance Minder
334
: Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures. This
requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
1
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page.
Independent of the maintenance items in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
333
Maintenance Minder
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Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Check the oil f ilter to make sure
its gasket did not stick to the f ilter
base. A stuck gasket could cause
an oil leak.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1.
2.3.
4.
5.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
338
WASHER
OIL
FILTER
OIL DRAIN
BOLT
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CONT INUED
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
1.
2.
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
343
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
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Your vehicle is equipped with a
intercooler on the engine to cool the
air f low f rom a turbo charger into
the engine. The intercooler f ins bend
easily. Do not push them with your
f inger.This f ilter removes the dust and
pollenthatisbroughtinfromthe
outside through the climate control
system.
Have your dealer replace the filter
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the multi-
inf ormation display. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air, or if the f low f rom
theclimatecontrolsystembecomes
less than usual.
A udio A ntenna, Intercooler, Dust and Pollen Filter
A udio A ntenna Intercooler
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance
355
ANTENNA
INTERCOOLER
Your vehicle is equipped with an
antenna at the rear of the roof . Bef ore
using a ‘‘drive-through’’ car wash,
remove the antenna by unscrewing it by
hand. This prevents the antenna f rom
being damaged by the car wash brushes. Do not spray water (f rom such sources
as garden hoses, high pressure
sprayers) into the engine compartment.
It may cause serious damage to your
vehicle, and could also damage the
intercooler f ins.
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In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators. The service lif e of your tires is
dependent on many f actors,
including, but not limited to, driving
habits, road conditions, vehicle
loading, inf lation pressure,
maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even
when the tires are not in use).
In addition to your regular
inspections and inf lation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
perf ormed once the tires reach f ive
years old. It is also recommended
that all tires, including the spare, be
removed from service after 10 years
from the date of manufacture,
regardless of their condition or state
of wear.
The last f our digits of the TIN (tire
identif ication number) are f ound on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
on page ).
Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a 1/2
inch (12.7 mm) wide band across the
tread. This shows there is less than
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t on
the tire.
400
Tires
T ire Maintenance
Tire Service Lif e
Tire
Labeling
362
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.
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Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools.Remove the center cap from the
f lat tire, and store it in the cargo
area.
Place the flat tire face up in the
cargo area.
Securetheflattirebyscrewing
the wing bolt back into its hole.Reinstall the cargo area f loor, and
close the tailgate.
Your vehicle’s original tire has a
tire pressure monitoring system
sensor. To replace a tire, ref er to
(see
page ).
13.
14. 15.
16.
17.18.
19.
311
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with T PMS
374
For normal
tire
For spare
tire
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m) Loose items can fly around the
interiorinacrashandcould
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
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Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open 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
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing 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 of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
You will also see an ‘‘OIL
PRESSURE LOW’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Immediately turn of f all electrical
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.
1.
2.
4.
3.
77 276
336
391 77
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
381
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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