tires Acura RDX 2011 Owner's Manual

Your Vehicle at a Glance(main controls)
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3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection)
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5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
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61
Features (
climate control, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, HomeLink
®, and other convenience items
)...
163
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading)
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351
Driving (engine and transmission operation)
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371
Maintenance (minders, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)
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409
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, jump starting, overheating, and fuses)
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453
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls)
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477
Warranty and Client Relations (U.S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information)
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493
Index
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I
INDEX
Service Information Summary (fluid capacities and tire pressures)
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last page
Contents
1
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U.S. CanadaParking Brake and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
This indicator has two functions:1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
released can damage the brakes
and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE ’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
79). 2. If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW ’’or
‘‘ CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page 467.
U.S. CanadaBrake System Indicator (Amber)
The brake system indicator (amber)
normally comes on when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and goes off after the engine
starts. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the brake
system including the electric vacuum
pump. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer. For
more information, see page 468.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
67
Instruments and Controls
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If this indicator blinks while driving,
it indicates the differential
temperature is too high.
You will also see an‘‘SH-AWD DIFF
TEMP. HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 80).
Pull to the side of the road when it is
safe, shift to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. If
the indicator does not go out, take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked.
For more information, see page 385.Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two functions:
1. If it comes on while driving, it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low
on pressure. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-information display and
determine the cause (see page 392).
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
information display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinflated, call a professional
towing service. For more
information, see page 475.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
71
Instruments and Controls
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Fuel Economy FactorsThe following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines are
more efficient when warmed up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tires
Improving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (seeOwner's
Maintenance Checks on page 417).
For example:●Use the required engine oil (see
page 420).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An underinflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.
●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
359
Before Driving
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Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with non-
Acura components could seriously
affect your vehicle's handling,
stability, and reliability.
Here are some examples:●Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.●Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can affect the
handling, stability, and reliability.
●Non-Acura wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).●Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.●Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Accessories and Modifications
363
Before Driving
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Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●Glove box●Front door pockets●Door lining pockets●Seat-back pockets●Center pocket●Console compartment●Cargo area, including the rear
seats when folded down.●Roof-rack (if equipped)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect
your vehicle's handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsafe. Before carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
following pages.
DOOR LINING POCKETS
FRONT DOOR POCKETCENTER POCKET
GLOVE BOX
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
CARGO AREA
SEAT BACK POCKETS
CARGO HOOKS
Carrying Cargo36410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

You should do these checks and
adjustments before you drive your
vehicle:1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. 5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 134).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page
146).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 122).
8. Make sure the doors and the tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 15). 10. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 63, 73 and 74).
Preparing to Drive
373
Driving
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Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes significantly low, the sensor
in that tire immediately sends a
signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
information display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ’’
message.
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
Indicator
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated.
You should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle's tire information
placard.
It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-information
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
different.
If the difference is significant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-information display go out after
inflating the tires to the specified
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. If you think you can safely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
If the tire is flat, or if the tire pressure
is too low to continue driving, replace
the tire with the compact spare tire
(see page 454).
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Because tire pressure varies by
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)39010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

For example, if you check and fill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator to come on. Or, if
you check and adjust your tire
pressure in cooler conditions, and
drive into extremely hot conditions,
the tire may become overinflated.
However, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator will not come on if
the tires are overinflated.
Refer to page 444 for tire inflation
guidelines.
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
this indicator begins to flash. It stops
flashing after approximately 1
minute, then stays on. You will also
see a‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 393). Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
the tire pressures monthly.
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when the
vehicle is cold, and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as
specified on the vehicle placard and
in the owner's manual (see page
445).
Tire Pressure Monitor
To select the tire pressure monitor,
press the INFO button several times
with the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position.
You will see the above display on the
multi-information display when all
tire pressures are normal.
INFO BUTTON
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
391
Driving
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To see the inflation pressures of all
four tires, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown above.
Each tire pressure is shown in PSI
(U.S. models) or in kPa (Canadian
models).
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes significantly low, the sensor
in that tire immediately sends a
signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
information display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ’’
message.
When any of the tires have low
pressure, the tire pressure monitor
shows a ‘‘TIRE PRESS. ERROR
SYSTEM FUNC NORMAL ’’
message.
When you continue driving after
installing the spare tire, you will also
see this message on the multi-
information display.
U.S.
Canada SEL/RESET BUTTON
This shows that front left tire is
losing pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)39210/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu