engine coolant ACURA RDX 2010 Owners Manual

SH-AWD Torque Distribution
MonitorOn SH-AWD modelsThis monitor shows how much
torque is being delivered to each
wheel. For more information, see
page384.
Tire Pressure Monitor
You can see the pressure of each tire
in this monitor. If one or more tire
pressure are low, inflate them to the
correct pressure. For more
information, see page 392.Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should rise
from the
‘‘C (Cold)’’ mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may rise to near
the ‘‘H (Hot) ’’mark of the gauge. If it
reaches the ‘‘H ’’mark, pull safely to
the side of the road. See page 463for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's coolant
system.
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
You can receive or make phone calls
from your cell phone through your
vehicle's
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
(HFL) system without touching your
cell phone.
To use the system, your cell phone
and the HFL system must be linked.
Not all cell phones are compatible
with this system. Refer to page 313
for instructions on how to link your
cell phone to HFL and how to receive
or make phone calls, or visit the
acura.com/handsfreelink website. In
Canada, visit
www.acura.ca
, or call 1-
(888) 9-HONDA-9.
Multi-Information Display7809/07/07 15:02:04 10 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK630 enu
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Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
information in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first.Break-in Period
...........................
352
Fuel Recommendation
................
352
Service Station Procedures
.........
353
Refueling
.................................
353
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
.....
354
Opening and Closing the
Hood
...................................
355
Oil Check
................................
356
Engine Coolant Check
............
357
Fuel Economy
.............................
358
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
362
Carrying Cargo
...........................
364
Before Driving
351
Before Driving
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Make sure the‘‘UP ’’mark on the
loop is facing up when you insert
the dipstick.
4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Engine Oil on page420.Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
Adding
Engine Coolant on page424for
information on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page417for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
‘‘ UP’’ MARK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
Service Station Procedures
357
Before Driving
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page497for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. Maintenance Safety
.....................
410
Maintenance Minder
..................
411
Fluid Locations
...........................
419
Adding Engine Oil
......................
420
Required Engine Oil
...............
420
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
.......................................
422
Engine Coolant
...........................
424
Windshield Washers
...................
426
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
427
Brake Fluid
.................................
429
Power Steering Fluid
..................
430
Lights
..........................................
431
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
438
Floor Mats
..................................
438
Audio Antenna
............................
439
Intercooler
..................................
439
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
439
Wiper Blades
..............................
440
Wheels
........................................
443
Tires
...........................................
444
Checking the Battery
..................
450
Vehicle Storage
...........................
452
Maintenance
409
Maintenance
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U.S. Vehicles:Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘ certified ’’to EPA standards.
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with ＃will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be performed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
multi-information display. Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●Engine oil level
－Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
356.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 357.●Automatic transmission－Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
427.
●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 429.●Tires－Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
445.●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 431.
Maintenance Minder
417
Maintenance
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SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ1and 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/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
ꭧ1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’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 417.
NOTE:
●Independent of maintenance message 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. Symbol
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf 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
3●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).
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●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).
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
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ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
Fluid Locations
419
Maintenance
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Adding Engine CoolantIf the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX
line. Inspect the cooling system for
leaks.Always use Honda Long-life Anti-
freeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antifreeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or plain
water.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it
is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum
engines. Continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and
refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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.
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MINEngine Coolant42409/07/07 15:02:04 10 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK630 enu
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1. Make sure the engine and radiatorare cool.
2. Relieve any pressure in the cooling system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up tothe base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spills immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment. 5. Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
Engine Coolant
425
Maintenance
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The reading of the vehicle's
temperature gauge on the multi-
information display should stay in the
midrange. If it climbs to the H (Hot)
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the coolant temperature rises to
224°F (118°C) or more, the
temperature gauge will appear on the
display and blink for several times.
At the same time, the beeper will
sound once.
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to the H (Hot) mark.
Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood.
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the H (Hot) mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights. 2. If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint, then
continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge reading stays at the H (Hot) mark, turn off
the engine.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
463
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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