ABS Acura RDX 2013 Owner's Manual

8Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P 67)
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA ®) System
Indicator
VSA ® OFF Indicator
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Lights Reminders
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Fog Light Indicator
*
Immobilizer System
Indicator Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
System Indicators
CRUISE CONTROL
Indicator
Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator (Red) Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Door and Tailgate
Open Indicator
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator
Tachometer Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security System Alarm
Indicator
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P 82)
/Multi-Information Display
(P 83)
/
System Indicators
(P 68)
System Message
Indicator
Brake System
Indicator (Amber)
Temperature Gauge
Electric Power
Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
IndicatorsAWD
(All-Wheel
Drive) with
Intelligent Control
System Indicator
*
Canada U.S.
Canada
U.S.Canada
U.S.
Keyless Access System
Indicator

18Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The power mode does not
change from VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK) to ACCESSORY.
Why?
●The steering wheel may be locked.●Move the steering wheel left and right
after pressing the ENGINE START/STOP
button.
The power mode does not
change from ACCESSORY
to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).
Why?
The shift lever should be moved to
(P
.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.

42
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
■
When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags
and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags
could provide little if any protection, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.
■
When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.
■
When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

45
uuAirbags uSide Airbags
Continued
Safe Driving
■
When a side airbag deploys wi th little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.
■
When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle's crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

68Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
(Red)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.●Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the brake system.●The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive with
the parking brake not fully released.
●Comes on while driving - Make sure the
parking brake is released. Check the brake
fluid level.
2 Wh at to d o w hen t he in di cat o r co mes
on while driving P. 335
●Comes on along with the ABS indicator
- Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 335
Brake System
Indicator
(Amber)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on if there is a problem with
hydraulic brake boost system.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
U.S.Canada(Red)U.S.Canada(Amber)
U.S.Canada

71
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●Comes on and the beeper sounds if
you are not wearing a seat belt
when you set the power mode to
ON.●If the front passenger is not
wearing a seat belt, the indicator
comes on about a few seconds
later.●Blinks while driving if either you or
the front passenger has not
fastened a seat belt. The beeper
sounds and the indicator blinks at
regular intervals.
●The beeper stops and the indicator goes off
when you and the front passenger fasten
their seat belts.●Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat belt -
A detection error may have occurred in the
sensor. Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder P. 30
Low Fuel
Indicator
●Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 2.5
U.S. gal./9.2 Liter left).●Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.
●Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon as
possible.●Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator on,
your vehicle still has normal braking ability
but no anti-lock function.
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 259

145
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience Items uInterior Convenience Items
Continued
Controls
Interior Convenience Items
Press the button to open the glove box. You
can lock the glove box with the built-in key.■
Removable shelf
The shelf in the glove box is detachable. To
remove it, disengage the tabs.
The removed shelf can be stored upside down
in the glove box.
■
Glove Box
1 Glove Box
3
WARNING
An open glove box can cause serious injury
to your passenger in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while
driving.
Glove Box
To LockShelf Tab

227
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before DrivingDriving Preparation .......................... 228
Maximum Load Limit........................ 231
Towing a Trailer Towing Preparation .......................... 233
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 236
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 237
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines General Information ......................... 238
Important Safety Precautions............ 238
Avoiding Trouble ............................. 239
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 240 Precautions While Driving ................ 242
Automatic Transmission ................... 243
Shifting ............................................ 244
Cruise Control ................................. 248
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 251AWD (All-Wheel Drive) with Intelligent Control System
*..................................................... 253
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 253Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation ......... 255
Braking Brake System ................................... 257 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 259
Brake Assist System ......................... 260
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 261
Multi-View Rear Camera .................. 262
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 263
How to Refuel ................................. 264
Fuel Economy .................................... 265
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 265
Accessories and Modifications Accessories ...................................... 266
Modifications................................... 266
* Not available on all models

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.