brake light Acura RDX 2011 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2011, Model line: RDX, Model: Acura RDX 2011Pages: 517, PDF Size: 27.89 MB
Page 405 of 517

Trailer BrakesAcura recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
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
successful it may seem, any attempt
to attach trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic system will lower
braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer LightsTrailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area. Refer
to the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
GROUND
(BLACK)HAZARD
LIGHT
(ORANGE)LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(YELLOW)
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN) BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN)TAILLIGHT
(RED)
Towing a Trailer40010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 407 of 517

●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits.●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.●Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing a Trailer40210/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 414 of 517

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
page 497 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.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. 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
...........................
451
Interior Care
...............................
452
Maintenance
409
Maintenance
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 422 of 517

U.S. Vehicles:
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
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 439 of 517

5. Turn on the lights to make surethe new bulb is working.
6. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
7. Reinstall the light assembly cover. Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Rear Pillar)
1. Open the tailgate.
2. Remove the two bolt covers on the
rear pillar by prying on the bottom
edge with a flat-tip screwdriver.
Remove the bolts with a Phillips-
head screwdriver, and remove the
light assembly from the rear pillar.
3. Determine which of the threebulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal or rear side
marker.
4. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
COVERS BOLTS
BULB SOCKET
Lights43410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 441 of 517

3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
4. Remove the bulb from the fog light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise. 5. Install the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
6. Push the electrical connector back onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
7. Turn on the fog lights to test the new bulb.
8. Put the undercover in place. Reinstall the clip, and tighten the
screw securely. Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
1. Remove the two screw covers on
the light assembly by prying on
the side edge with a flat-tip
screwdriver.
2. Remove the screws with a Phillips- head screwdriver, then remove the
light assembly from the tailgate.
CONNECTOR
BULB
SCREWS
COVERS
Lights43610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 442 of 517

3. Remove the socket from the lightassembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms. 5. Press the brake pedal to make
sure the new bulb is working.
6. Put the socket back into the light assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
7. Reinstall the high-mount brake light assembly into the tailgate.
Tighten the two screws and
reinstall the covers. Side Turn Signal Lights
Each outside mirror has side turn
signal lights. The lights should be
replaced by your dealer.
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Light Bulb
The license plate has two lights
above it. The bulbs should be
replaced by your dealer.BULB
SOCKET
Lights
437
Maintenance
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 460 of 517

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe 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.
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.1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
2. 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.
3. Open the tailgate. Raise the cargoarea floor lid by lifting it up with
the strap, then remove the lid.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area floor.
4. 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.WING BOLT
JACK SPARE TIRELID
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
455
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 466 of 517

Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. Open the hood, and check the physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all electrical accessories:heater, A/C, climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
The numbers in the illustration
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
BOOSTER
BATTERYCONTINUED
Jump Starting
461
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 468 of 517

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
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu