trailer Acura RDX 2011 User Guide

Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified 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 affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany states, Canadian provinces and
territories 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.
Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
401
Driving
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●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

Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See‘‘
Driving on
Hills
’’ in the next column for
additional gear information. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or affect
vehicle handling. When driving uphill and downhill,
use the S position (without using the
paddle shifters) to provide the proper
engine power and engine braking on
each gear. You can also use the
paddle shifters. In this case, select
third, second, or first gear with the
paddle shifter; depending on the
vehicle speeds and road condition.
Do not use fourth and fifth gears.
The recommended speed range for
each gear position is shown in the
table.
Gear position Speed range 10 －38 mph
(0 － 60 km/h)
2, 3 19 －62 mph
(30 －100 km/h)
Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
403
Driving
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Driving on HillsWhen climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge (see page
78). If it nears the H (Hot) mark, turn
the A/C off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the road
to let the engine cool.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shift down to S
position, or use the paddle shifters 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.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing on the accelerator, as
this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds 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.
Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left,
and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires.Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page 475.
Towing a Trailer40410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

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 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
ꭧ 2fluid
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
ꭧ 2
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).
ꭧ2: SH-AWD only
Maintenance Minder™
Maintenance Minder
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Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
Low Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low beam headlight bulbs are
high voltage discharge tube. High
voltage can remain in the circuit even
with the light switch off 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.Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
2. Remove the bulb by turning it about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
3. Insert the new bulb into the hole,and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
4. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb.
5. Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
BULB CONNECTOR
CONTINUED
Lights
431
Maintenance
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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
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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.(On SH-AWD models)The only way you can safely tow
your vehicle is with flat-bed
equipment.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, inform
them a flat-bed is required.Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the all-
wheel-drive system. Your vehicle should
be transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer.
(Execpt SH-AWD models)There are two ways to tow your
vehicle:Flat-bed Equipment
－ The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
Wheel-lift Equipment
－ The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle. If, due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the front wheels on
the ground, do this:
●Start the engine.●Shift to the D position and hold for
5 seconds, then to N.●Turn off the engine.●Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.●Release the parking brake.
CONTINUED
Emergency Towing
475
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Storing Your Vehicle
..................
451
Sun Visor
...................................
157
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™
(SH-AWD
®) System
................
384
Supplemental Restraint System
............................
10, 24
Servicing
..................................
34
SRS Indicator
......................
32, 65
System Components
................
24
System Messages
........................
79
T
Tachometer
..................................
73
Tailgate
......................................
128
Opening the
............................
128
Open Monitor
..........................
12
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
.....
433
Taking Care of the Unexpected
............................
453
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
482
Emissions Control Systems
.....
487 Three Way Catalytic
Converter
............................
489
Tire Labeling
...........................
484
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
485
Temperature, Outside
..................
76
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
22
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
51
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
292
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
489
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel
.....................................
122
Time, Setting the
........................
293
Tire Chains
................................
449
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
455
Tire Information
.........................
484
Tire Labeling
..............................
484
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
.......................
390, 485
Low Tire Pressure Indicator.....
71
Tire Pressure Monitor
.......
78, 391
Tires
..........................................
444
Air Pressure
............................
445
Chains
.....................................
449 Checking Wear
.......................
445
Compact Spare
........................
454
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
482
Inflation
...................................
444
Inspection
...............................
445
Labeling
..................................
484
Maintenance
...........................
446
Pressure Monitoring System
...
390
Replacing
................................
447
Rotating
..................................
447
Snow
.......................................
448
Specifications
..........................
481
Tools, Tire Changing
.................
455
To Play the Radio
.......................
174
Towing A Trailer
..................................
397
Emergency Wrecker
...............
475
Equipment and Accessories
....
399
Trailer Towing Tips
.................
401
Weight Limit
...........................
397
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
..............................
390
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
485
IndexX10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu