Acura RDX 2017 Owner's Manual

uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
310
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA ® OFF )
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
Without VSA ®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, bu t it will not have VSA®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA ® system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only atte mpt to free
your vehicle with the VSA ® off if you ar e not able to
free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control
systems switched off.
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.
VSA ® OFF Indicator

311
uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information (BSI) System*
Continued
Driving
Blind spot informa tion (BSI) System*
Is designed to detect vehicles in specified alert zones adjacent to your vehicle,
particularly in harder to see areas commonly known as “blind spots.”
When the system detects vehicles approach ing from behind in adjacent lanes, the
appropriate indicator comes on for a few se conds, providing assistance when you
change lanes.
■How the system works
1 Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*
Important Safety Reminder
Like all assistance systems, BSI has limitations. Over
reliance on BSI may re sult in a collision.
The system is for your convenience only. Even if an
object is within the alert zone, the following
situations may occur.
•The BSI alert indicator may not come on due to
obstruction (splashes, et c.) even without the BLIND
SPOT NOT AVAILABLE/Blind Spot Info Not
Available multi-information display appearing.
•The BSI alert indicator may come on even with the
message appearing.
3WARNING
Failure to visually confirm that it is safe to
change lanes before doing so may result in
a crash and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on the blind spot
information system wh en changing lanes.
Always look in your mirrors, to either side
of your vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.
Radar sensors detect a
vehicle in the alert zone
when your vehicle is
moving forward at
between 20 mph (32 km/h)
and 100 mph (160 km/h). Alert zone range
A: Approx. 1.6 ft. (0.5 m)
B: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m)
C: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m) Radar Sensors:
underneath the
rear bumper
corners
Alert Zone
A
B
C
* Not available on all models

uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information (BSI) System*
312
Driving
■When the system detects a vehicle1Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*
The BSI alert indicator may not come on under the
following conditions:
•A vehicle does not stay in the alert zone for more
than two seconds.
•A vehicle is parked in a side lane.
•The speed difference betw een your vehicle and the
vehicle you are passing is greater than 6 mph (10
km/h).
•An object not detected by the radar sensors
approaches or passes your vehicle.
•A vehicle running in the adjacent lane is a
motorcycle or other small vehicle.
The system does not operate when in
( R.
You can change the setting for BSI. 2 Customized Features P. 100, 106
Turn the system off when towing a trailer.
The system may not work properly for the following
reasons:
•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.
•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI al ert indicators to come on.
Comes on when:●A vehicle enters the ale rt zone from behind
to overtake you with a speed difference of
no more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.
●You pass a vehicle with a speed difference
of no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Blinks and a beeper sounds when:
You move the turn signal lever in the direction
of the detected vehicle. The beeper sounds
three times. Comes On
Blinks
BSI Alert Indicator
* Not available on all models

313
uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information (BSI) System*
Driving
1Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*
BSI may be adversel y affected when:•Objects (guard rails, poles, trees, etc.) are detected.
•An object that does not re flect radio waves well,
such as a motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
•Driving on a curved road.
•A vehicle is moving from a far lane to the adjacent
lane.
•The system picks up external electrical interference.
•The rear bumper or the sens ors have been improperly
repaired or the rear bu mper has been deformed.
•The orientation of the sensors has been changed.
•In bad weather (Heavy rain, snow, and fog).
For a proper BSI use:
•Always keep the rear bumper corner area clean.
•Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with
labels or sticke rs of any kind.
•Take your vehicle to a dealer if you need the rear
bumper corner area or th e radar sensors to be
repaired, or the rear bumper corner area is strongly
impacted.
* Not available on all models

314
uuWhen Driving uAll-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System*
Driving
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System*
Your vehicle is equipped with the AWD wi th intelligent control system. When the
system senses a loss of front wheel tracti on, it automatically transfers some power
to the rear wheels. This allows you to ut ilize all available traction and may increase
mobility.
You still need to exercise the same care when accelerating, steering, and braking
that you would in a two wheel drive vehicle.
If you excessively spin all four wheels and overheat the AWD with intelligent control
system, only the front wheels receive power. Stop until the system cools down.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are
driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes
significantly low, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on and a message appears on
the multi-information display.
1 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System*
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your
vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or re ar differential damage.
The AWD with intelligent control system may not
function properly if tire ty pe and size are mixed.
Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and
the air pressures as specified.
2 Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 380
1Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come
on.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 423
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
The TPMS audibly and visually informs you of
changes in tire pressure of the individual ti re that you
are adjusting using audibl e and visual indications.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 423
* Not available on all models

315
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
To select the tire pressure monitor, set the power
mode to ON, and press the /
(information) button until you see the tire
pressure screen.
The pressure for each tire is displayed in PSI
(U.S.) or kPa (Canada).
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE /Tire Pressures Low
is displayed when a tire has significantly low
pressure. The specific tire is displayed on the
screen.
■Tire Pressure Monitor1 Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed on the multi-information
display can be slightly different from the actual
pressure as measured by a gauge. If there is a
significant di fference between the two values, or if
the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator and the message
on the multi-information di splay do not go off after
you have inflated the tire to the specified pressure,
have the system checked by a dealer.
CHECK TPMS SYSTEM /Tire Pressure Monitor
Problem may appear if you drive with the compact
spare tire
*, or there is a problem with the TPMS.
Models with
full color displayModels without
full color display
Models with
full color displayModels without
full color display
* Not available on all models

316
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal Explanation
Each tire, including the spare (i f provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire infl ation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflat ion pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tire s is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pr essure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-in flated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire fail ure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread li fe, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain

317
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
correct tire pressure, even if un der-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of th e TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equi pped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the syst em detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash fo r approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illumina ted. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.

318
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.
To apply:
Depress the parking brake pedal down with
your foot.
To release:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Depress the parking brake.
■Parking Brake1Parking Brake
NOTICE
Release the parking brake fu lly before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parki ng brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE /Release Parking Brake appears
on the multi-information display.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.

319
uuBraking uBrake System
Driving
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. 321
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 320
■Foot Brake1Foot 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 me tallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, this is caused by the brake wear
indicator rubbing on the brake rotor and indicates
that the brake pads need to be replaced. Have the
vehicle checked by a deal er. If you hear only an
occasional squeak or squeal when you initially apply
the brake pedal, this may be normal and caused by
high frequency vibr ation of the brake pads against
the rotating brake disc.
Constantly using the brak e 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 pe dal 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 conf use 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.