coolant level Acura RDX 2011 Owner's Manual

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 page 420.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 page 424 for
information on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 417 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
‘‘ UP’’ MARK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
Service Station Procedures
357
Before Driving
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

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

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
41810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

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 Coolant42410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

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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5. Look for any obvious coolantleaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 475).
6. If you do not find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
7. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower before
checking 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.
8. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. 9. Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘
’’). Add coolant to the radiator
up to the base of the filler neck. If
you do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have the
cooling system drained and refilled
with the proper mixture as soon as
you can.
10. Put the radiator cap back on tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the H mark, the engine
needs repair (see Emergency
Towing on page 475).
11. If the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has gone
down, add coolant to the MAX
mark. Put the cap back on tightly.
If the Engine Overheats46410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Infant Restraint
............................
41
Infant Seats
..................................
41
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
51
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
444
Recommended Pressures
.......
445
Inside Mirror
.............................
146
Inspection, Tire
..........................
445
Installing a Child Seat
..................
45
Instrument Panel
..........................
63
Instrument Panel Brightness
.....
120
Instruments and Controls
.............
61
Intercooler
.................................
439
Interface Dial
.............................
216
Interior Care
..............................
452
Interior Lights
............................
151
Introduction
...................................
i
iPod
®...................................
197, 260
iPod
®Error Messages
.........
203, 269
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
455
Jack, Tire
...................................
455
Jump Starting
.............................
461 K
Keys
...........................................
122
L
Label, Certification
.....................
478
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
116
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
15, 21
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
46
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
431
Indicator
...................................
63
Interior
....................................
151
Parking
...................................
116
Turn Signal
.............................
116
Load Limit
...........................
365, 397
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....
125
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
......
125
Childproof Door
......................
127
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
353
Glove Box
...............................
155
Lockout Prevention
.................
127
Power Door
.............................
126 Tailgate
...................................
128
Low Coolant Level
......................
357
Lower Anchors
.............................
46
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
68
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
65, 465
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
...........................
71, 390
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
480
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
364
M
Maintenance
..............................
409
Main Items and Sub Items
......
415
Minder
....................................
411
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
417
Safety
......................................
410
Schedule
.................................
418
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................
65, 466
Memory, Driving Position
..........
148
Meters, Gauges
............................
73
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
352
IndexVI10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu