coolant level Acura RDX 2015 Owner's Guide

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HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
After the Engine Starts
Once your vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following
order:
1. Disconnect the jumper cable from your engine hanger.
2. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle’s (-)
terminal.
3. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s (+) terminal.
4. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle’s (+)
terminal.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
Shift Lever Does Not Move
Follow the procedure below if you cannot move the shift lever out of Park (P).
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the built-in key from the keyless access
remote.
3. Wrap a cloth around  the tip of a small  flat-tip 
screwdriver to remove the cover of the shift lock
release slot. Put  the tip of the  flat-tip screwdriver 
into the slot and remove it as shown in the image.
4. Insert the key into the shift lock release slot.
5. While pushing the key down, press the shift lever
release button and place the shift lever into
Neutral. The lock is now released. Have the shift
lever checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
Slot
Cover
Release button
Shift lock release slot
Overheating
If the temperature gauge needle is at the H mark, the engine suddenly loses power,
or steam or spray comes out from under the hood, your engine is oveheating.
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn
off all accessories and turn on the hazard warning
lights.
2. If no steam or spray is present: Keep the engine
running and open the hood.
If steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine
and wait until it subsides. Then, open the hood.
3. Check that the cooling fan is operating and stop
the engine once the temperature gauge needle
comes down. If the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
4. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect the coolant level and check the
cooling system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the reserve tank
is low, add coolant until it reaches the MAX mark. If there is no coolant in the
reserve tank, make sure the radiator is cool, then cover the radiator cap with a
heavy cloth and open the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to the base of the
filler neck, and put the cap back on.
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature
gauge. If the temperature needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not gone
down, contact a dealer for repairs.
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
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.
WARNING
WARNING
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge needle at the H mark may damage
the engine.
NOTICE
MAX MIN
Reserve tank

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Learn about basic maintenance that you can perform on the vehicle yourself, as
well as information about how to best maintain the vehicle.
Safety Precautions
Some of the most important safety precautions are listed below; however,
we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing
maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety
•  To reduce  the possibility  of fire  or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and  flames 
away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
•  Never leave rags,  towels, or other  flammable  objects under  the hood.
•  To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
•  Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
•  Do not run the engine in confined spaces where carbon monoxide gas can
accumulate.
Vehicle Safety
•  The vehicle must be stationary, and parked on level ground with the parking
brake set and the engine off.
•  Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
•  Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
MAINTENANCE
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or failing to correct a problem before
driving can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations according to
the schedules in this guide.
WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can cause
you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this guide.
WARNING
Maintenance Minderâ„¢
Reminds you when indicated maintenance service is due.
When maintenance is due, the system message indicator comes on and the
Maintenance Minder appears on the multi-information display every time you turn
the vehicle on. Press the info button to change displays.
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1: 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.*2:If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of i\
ndustrial soot and pollution from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A•Replace engine oi l*1
B•Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter•Inspect front and rear brakes, service as necessary•Check parking brake adjustment•Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boot s•Inspect suspension components•Inspect driveshaft boots•Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)•Inspect all uid levels and condition of uid s•Inspect exhaust system#
•Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4:If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), \
in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a tra iler, repl ace ever y 60,000 mi les/100,000 km .
CODE Maintenance Sub Items
1
•Rotate tires
2
•Replace air cleaner element*2
•Replace dust and pollen lte r*3
•Inspect drive belt
3
•Replace transmission and transfer uid*
4•Replace spark plugs•Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
•Inspect valve clearance
5
•Replace engine coolant
6
•Replace rear differential uid*
System
message
indicator
Main
itemSub item
Maintenance Minder

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*1: 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.*2:If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of i\
ndustrial soot and pollution from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODE Maintenance Main Items
A
•Replace engine oi l*1
B•Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter•Inspect front and rear brakes, service as necessary•Check parking brake adjustment•Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boot s•Inspect suspension components•Inspect driveshaft boots•Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)•Inspect all uid levels and condition of uid s•Inspect exhaust system#
•Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4:If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), \
in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a tra iler, repl ace ever y 60,000 mi les/100,000 km .
CODEMaintenance Sub Item s
1
•Rotate tires
2•Replace air cleaner element*2
•Replace dust and pollen lte r*3
•Inspect drive belt
3
•Replace transmission and transfer uid*
4•Replace spark plugs•Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
•Inspect valve clearance
5
•Replace engine coolant
6•Replace rear differential uid*
•  Independent  of the Maintenance Minder information, 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.
U.S. models
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control devices and systems
may be done by any automotive repair establishment or individuals using
parts that are certified to EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on the
maintenance main items marked with # will not void your emissions warranties.
However, all maintenance services should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-information display.
Under the Hood
Opening the Hood
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set the
parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the lower left
corner of the dashboard.
3. Push up the hood latch lever in the center of the
hood to release the lock mechanism, and open
the hood.
4. Remove the support rod from the clamp using
the grip. Mount the support rod in the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and stow
it in the clamp, then gently lower the hood.
Remove your hand at a height of approximately
12 inches (30 cm) and let the hood close.
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised. The hood will strike the
wipers, and may damage the hood or the wipers.
NOTICE
Hood release handle
Pull
Lever
Support rod Grip
Clamp
Engine oil
fill cap Brake 
fluid 
(black cap)
Automatic
transmission
fluid  dipstick 
(yellow loop)
Washer 
fluid 
(blue cap) Battery
Engine coolant
reservoir
Radiator cap
Engine oil
dipstick (orange
loop)

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Engine Coolant
Park the vehicle on level ground. Check the reserve tank and the coolant level in the
radiator. We recommend Acura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2.
Checking the Reserve Tank
1. Check the amount of coolant in the reserve tank.
2. If the coolant level is below the MIN mark, add
the specified coolant until it reaches the MAX
mark.
3. Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Adding Coolant
1. Make sure the engine and radiator are cool.
2. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise and
relieve any pressure in the coolant system. Do
not push the cap down when turning.
3. Push down and turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise to remove it.
4. The coolant level should be up to the base of the
filler neck. Add coolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank until it
reaches the MAX mark. Put the cap back on the
reserve tank.
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.
WARNING
If temperatures consistently below −22°F (−30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration. Consult your dealer for more
information.
Pour  the fluid slowly and carefully so  you do not spill any.  Clean up any spills 
immediately; they can damage components in the engine compartment.
NOTICE
NOTICE
Reserve tank MAX
MIN
Radiator
cap
Transmission Fluid
Park  the vehicle  on level ground, and check  the fluid level  when the engine is at 
normal operating temperature. We recommend Acura Automatic Transmission
Fluid ATF DW-1.
Checking and Refilling the Fluid
1. Start the engine.
2. Wait until the radiator fan starts, and then turn
off the engine. Wait for about one minute.
3. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the
transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the
transmission securely, as shown in the image.
5. Remove  the dipstick and check  the fluid level. It should be between  the upper 
and lower marks in the HOT range.
6. If the level is below  the lower mark, add  fluid into the dipstick hole  to bring 
it to the level between the upper and lower marks, and have your vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
Do not mix Acura Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF DW-1 with other
transmission fluids.  Using a transmission  fluid other  than Acura  ATF DW-1 may 
adversely affect the operation and durability of your vehicle’s transmission, and
damage the transmission.
Pour  the fluid slowly and carefully so  you do not spill any.  Clean up any spills 
immediately; they can damage components in the engine compartment.
NOTICE
Window Washer Fluid
Check  the amount  of window  washer fluid using  the 
1/2 mark on the reservoir. If the level is low, fill the
washer reservoir.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the windshield washer
reservoir. Antifreeze can damage your vehicle’s paint. A vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
NOTICE
HOT
Range Upper mark
Lower mark
1/2 mark