Acura RDX 2011 Owner's Manual

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 left on
the tire.
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.Tire Service Life
The service life of your tires is
dependent on many factors,
including, but not limited to, driving
habits, road conditions, vehicle
loading, inflation pressure,
maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even
when the tires are not in use).
In addition to your regular
inspections and inflation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
performed once the tires reach five
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 four digits of the TIN (tire
identification number) are found on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
Tire
Labeling on page 484). Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights for
balancing.
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tires44610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Tire RotationTo help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can affect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate.
It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, replace the two front
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle's handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel's specifications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specific wheels. If you do not, the tire
pressure monitoring system will not
work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
CONTINUED
Tires
447
Maintenance
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Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner's manual.Wheel and Tire Specifications
Wheels:
18 x 7 1/2J (TPMS)
Tires:
P235/55R18 99V
See page 482 for information about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and page
484 for tire size and labeling
information. Winter Driving
Tires marked
‘‘M ＋ S’’ or ‘‘All
Season ’’on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may be lower than your original tires.
Check with the tire dealer for
maximum speed recommendations.
Tires44810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Tire Chains
Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
front tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, Acura strongly
recommends using the chains listed
below, made by Security Chain
Company (SCC).
Cable type: Shur Grip Z
SZ343When installing cables, follow the
manufacturer's instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Traction devices that are the wrong size
or improperly installed can damage
your vehicle's brake lines, suspension,
body, and wheels. Stop driving if they
are hitting any part of the vehicle.
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.
Tires
449
Maintenance
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Check the condition of the battery
monthly by looking at the test
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator's
colors.Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it off with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a cloth
or paper towel. Coat the terminals
with grease to help prevent future
corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician.
WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle's
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative (－ ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt
you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
Checking the Battery45010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

On models without navigation systemIf your vehicle's battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting will be reset to 1:00. To set
the time again, follow the setting
procedure (see page 293).
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system will disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio you will
see‘‘
’’in the frequency
display. Use the preset bars or preset
buttons (depending on models) to
enter the five-digit code (see page
292).
On models with
navigation system
The navigation system will also
disable itself. The next time you turn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN before
it can be used. Refer to the
navigation system manual. Vehicle Storage
If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
●Fill the fuel tank.●Wash and dry the exterior
completely.●Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.●Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
CONTINUED
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
451
Maintenance
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●Block the rear wheels.●If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.●Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).●Disconnect the battery.●Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.●To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable ’’cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.●If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month. Interior Care
Leather
Vacuum dirt and dust from the
leather frequently. Pay close
attention to the pleats and seams.
Clean the leather with a soft cloth
dampened with a 90% water and 10%
neutral wool detergent solution.
Then buff it with a clean, dry cloth.
Remove any dust or dirt on leather
surfaces immediately.
Vehicle Storage, Interior Care45210/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................
454
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
455
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
459
Jump Starting
..............................
461
If the Engine Overheats
..............
463
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
465
Charging System Indicator
.........
465
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
466
Brake System Indicator
...............
467
Fuses
..........................................
469
Fuse Locations
............................
473
Emergency Towing
.....................
475
Taking Care of the Unexpected
453
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or
replaced, and put it back on your
vehicle as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
2)Follow these precautions:
●Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).●This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surfaces. Use greater caution while
driving.●Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.●Do not use your compact spare tire
on another vehicle unless it is the
same make and model.●After the flat tire is replaced with
the spare tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator stays on.
After several miles (kilometers)
driving with the spare, this
indicator begins to flash, then
stays on again. You will also see a
‘‘
CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 393).
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR
Compact Spare Tire45410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

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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