check engine light Acura RDX 2013 Owner's Manual

Contents
Child Safety P. 52Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 64 Safety Labels P. 65Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 107 Security System P. 113 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 115
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 119 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 133
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 143 Climate Control System P. 152Audio Error Messages P. 187General Information on the Audio System P. 190
Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ® P. 196 Compass
* P. 225
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 238 When Driving P. 240 Braking P. 257
Refueling P. 263 Fuel Economy P. 265Accessories and Modifications P. 266Maintenance Under the Hood P. 275 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 287
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 301 Battery P. 310 Remote Transmitter Care P. 311Engine Does Not Start P. 325Jump Starting P. 328 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 330
Fuses P. 337 Emergency Towing P. 340
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 341
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 347 Reporting Safety Defects P. 348
Authorized Manuals P. 353 Client Service Information P. 354
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 23
Instrument Panel
P. 67
Controls
P. 95
Features
P. 157
Driving
P. 227
Maintenance
P. 267
Handling the Unexpected
P. 317
Information
P. 343
Index
P. 355

16Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P 267)
Under the Hood
(P 275)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid.
● Check the battery condition monthly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P 287)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P 297)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P 301)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.

74
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
EPS (Electric
Power Steering)
System Indicator
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off when
the engine starts.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the EPS (Electric Power Steering)
System.
●Stays on constantly or does not come
on at all - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2If the EPS System Indicator Comes On
P. 335
Low Tire
Pressure/TPMS
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON.●Comes on if the tire pressure of any
of the tires becomes significantly
low.●Blinks for about one minute, and
then stays on if there is a problem
with the TPMS, or when a compact
spare tire is temporarily installed.
●Comes on while driving - Stop in a safe
place, check tire pressures, and inflate the
tire(s) if necessary.●Blinks and remains on - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. If the vehicle is fitted
with a compact spare, get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on your
vehicle as soon as you can.
Turn Signal
Indicators
●The turn signal indicators blink
when you operate the turn signal
lever.●If you press the hazard warning
button, both indicators and all turn
signals blink at the same time.
●Does not blink or blinks rapidly - A turn
signal light bulb has blown. Change the
bulb immediately.
2 Front Turn Signal/Parking Light and
Front Side Marker Light Bulbs P. 291
—
High Beam
Indicator
●Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.
—
—

75
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Lights On
Indicator
●Comes on whenever the light
switch is on, or in AUTO when the
exterior lights are on.
●If you set the power mode to ACCESSORY
or VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) while the lights are
on, a chime sounds when the driver's door
is opened.
—
Fog Light
Indicator
*
●Comes on when the fog lights are
on.
—
—
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on when the passenger side
airbag system is automatically shut
off.
●It does not mean there is a problem with
your side airbags.●Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.●Comes on when someone is sitting in
the seat - Have the passenger sit properly.
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●Comes on briefly when you set the
power mode to ON, then goes off.●Comes on if the immobilizer system
cannot recognize the key
information.
●Blinks - You cannot start the engine. Set
the power mode to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK),
then select the ON mode again.●Repeatedly blinks - The system may be
malfunctioning. Have the vehicle checked
by a dealer.●Do not attempt to alter this system or add
other devices to it. Electrical problems can
occur.
—
U.S.Canada
U.S.Canada
* Not available on all models

228Driving
Before DrivingDriving PreparationCheck the following items before you start driving.
•Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressures, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 301
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.■
Exterior Checks
1Exterior Checks
NOTICEWhen doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable materials left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you've parked your vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal.
Also check under the hood for leftover flammable
materials after you or someone else has performed
maintenance on your vehicle.

236
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2 Towing Load Limits P. 233
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D
position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the (S
position if the transmission shifts frequently.
■
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■
Towing Speeds and Gears
■
Turning and Braking
■
Driving in Hilly Terrain
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.

240Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1 Starting the EngineThe engine is harder to start in cold weather and in thinner
air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the battery in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 326
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
You do not need to hold the ENGINE START/STOP
button to start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled. 2 Immobilizer System P. 113
Brake Pedal

Continued
245
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICEWhen you change the shift lever from
(D
to
(R
and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking transmission indicator indicates a
transmission problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.( M
(Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator

uuBraking uBrake System
258Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases
the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
2 Brake Assist System P. 260
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 259
■
Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.
Your vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic brake
booster that, under certain conditions, such as
braking at high altitudes, supplements the vacuum
power assist. When the hydraulic brake booster
activates, you may hear a motor sound and a slight
vibration in the pedal. This is normal.

259
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”■
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■
ABS
1 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.