trailer Acura RDX 2009 User Guide

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
318
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When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to S
position, or use the paddle shif ters to
the lower gear (3, 2 or 1) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge (see page
). If it nears the H (Hot) mark,
turn the A/C of f , reduce speed and,
if necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool. 76
CONT INUED
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on
Hills
Making T urns and BrakingDriving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
Driving
319
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If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
391
bottom
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
320
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Maintenance Minder
334
:
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 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
61
1
Maintenance Minder
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Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Remove the bulb by turning it
about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Open the hood.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced. 1.
2.3.
4.
5.
Headlight A iming Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
Lights
Maint enance
347
BULB CONNECTORHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
Open the tailgate. Raise the cargo
area f loor lid by lif ting it up with
the strap, then remove the lid.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area f loor.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt. Use the
hooked end of the wheel nut
wrench extension as a wrench if
the wing bolt is hard to loosen.
Then take the spare tire out of the
cargo area.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
371
JACK
WING BOLT
LID
SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
391
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the
all-wheel-drive system. Your vehicle
should be transported on a f lat-bed
truck or trailer.
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Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .398
.....
Emissions Control Systems .403
....................
Emissions Testing .406
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .405
.............................
Tire Labeling .400
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Required .........
Federal Explanation .401
.................
Temperature Gauge .73,76
..............
Temperature, Outside .73,74
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .50
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .232
.........
Tighten Fuel Cap Message .274
................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .119
..........................
Time, Setting the .188
....................................
Tire Chains .365
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .371
.........................
Tire Inf ormation .398
...............................................
Tires .360
..............................
Air Pressure .361
........................................
Chains .365
.........................
Checking Wear .362
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .398
......................................
Inf lation .360 ..................................
Inspection .361
.....................................
Labeling .400
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
...........................
Indicator .69,307
..............................
Maintenance .362
......................
Pressure Monitor .308
..
Pressure Monitoring System .307
...................................
Replacing .363
......................................
Rotating .363
................................
Service Lif e .362
...........................................
Snow .364
....................
Specif ications .364,397
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .372
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .314
................
Emergency Wrecker .391
....
Equipment and Accessories .315
....................
Pre-Tow Checklist .318
.............................
Weight Limit .314
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring ..................................
System) .307
...............................
Indicator .69,307
Required Federal
............................
Explanation .401
.....................
Trailer Loading .314,315
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .319 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .343
...........................
Fluid Selection .344
..............
Identif ication Number .395
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .293
.....................................
Treadwear .362
.................................
Trip Meter .73,74
.........................
Turbo Boost Meter .71
..................................
Turn Signals .114
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .369
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .398
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .272
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .339
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .284
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .396
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .394
Index
U
V
X
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