climate control Acura RDX 2018 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2018, Model line: RDX, Model: Acura RDX 2018Pages: 453, PDF Size: 20.13 MB
Page 183 of 453

182
Controls
Climate Control System
Using Automatic Climate Control
The automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you select. 
The system also selects the proper mix of heated or cooled air that will as quickly as 
possible, raise or lower the interior  temperature to your preference.
Use the system when the engine is running.
1. Press the  AUTO button.
2. Adjust the interior temperature using the dr iver’s side or passenger’s side control 
dial.
3. Press the   button to cancel.
■Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the   button and switch the mode depending on environmental conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicator on): Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior through 
the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off): Maintains  outside ventilation. Keep the system in 
fresh air mode in normal situations.
1 Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are presse d while using the climate 
control system in  AUTO, the function of the button 
that was pressed will take priority.
The  AUTO  indicator will go off, but functions 
unrelated to the button th at was pressed will be 
controlled automatically.
To prevent cold air from bl owing in from outside, the 
fan may not start i mmediately when the AUTO  
button is pressed.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down 
more rapidly by partial ly opening the windows, 
turning the system on  AUTO, and setting the 
temperature to low. Change the fresh mode to 
recirculation mode  until the temperature cools down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or upper 
limit,  Lo or  Hi is displayed.
Pressing the   button switches the climate 
control system between on and off. When turned on, 
the system returns to your last selection.
Floor and 
defroster vents
Floor vents
Dashboard and 
floor vents
Dashboard vents
AUTO  Button
Driver’s Side 
Temperature 
Control Dial Passenger’s Side 
Temperature 
Control Dial
/ (Fan Control) Buttons
(Recirculation) Button
A/C
 (Air Conditioning) Button 
Page 184 of 453

183
uuClimate Control System uUsing Automatic Climate Control
Controls
Pressing the   button turns the air 
conditioning system on and automatically 
switches the system to fresh air mode.
Pressing the   button again to turn off, the 
system returns to the previous settings.
■To rapidly defrost the windows
1.Press the   button.
2. Press the   button.
■Defrosting the Windshield and Windows1Defrosting the Windshield and Windows
For your safety, make sure you have a clear view 
through all the windows before driving.
Do not set the temperatur e near the upper or lower 
limit.
When cold air hits the windshield, the outside of the 
windshield may fog up.
If the side windows fog up,  adjust the vents so that 
the air hits th e side windows.
1To rapidly defrost the windows
After defrosting the windows, switch over to fresh air 
mode.
If you keep the system in recirculation mode, the 
windows may fog up from humidity. This impedes 
visibility. 
Page 185 of 453

184
uuClimate Control System uSynchronized Mode
Controls
Synchronized Mode
You can set the temperature synchronously for the driver side and the passenger 
side in synchronized mode.
1. Press the  SYNC button.
u The system will switch to synchronized mode.
2. Adjust the temperature using driver ’s side temperature control dial.
Press the  SYNC button to return to dual mode.
1Synchronized Mode
When you press the   button, the system changes 
to synchronized mode.
When the system is in dua l mode, the driver side 
temperature and the passenger side temperature can 
be set separately.
In AUTO mode, the system adjusts each temperature 
based on the information of the sunlight sensor and 
the sun position updated by the navigation system’s 
GPS.
Models with navigation system 
Page 186 of 453

185
uuClimate Control System uAutomatic Climate Control Sensors
Controls
Automatic Climate Control Sensors
The automatic climate  control system is 
equipped with sensors. Do not cover or spill 
any liquid on them.Sensor
Sensor 
Page 267 of 453

266
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.
2Towing Load Limits  P. 263
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains,  and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tr ailer 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 traile r 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
Operating speed when towing a trailer is restricted 
up to 100km/h.
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel 
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires. 
Page 271 of 453

270
Driving
When Driving
Starting 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 Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when 
starting the engine.
The 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 de fogger in order to reduce 
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold, 
an engine block heater  will improve starting and 
warming of the engine. Cons ult a dealer for details. 
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 batte ry in the keyless 
access remote is weak. 2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is 
Weak P. 415
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 30 seconds 
before trying again.
Brake Pedal 
Page 285 of 453

284
uuWhen Driving uFront Sensor Camera*
Driving
Front Sensor Camera*
The camera, used in systems su ch as LDW, LKAS, ACC, and CMBSTM, is designed to 
detect an object that triggers any of  the systems to operate its functions.
This camera is located behind the rearview 
mirror.
To help reduce the likelihood that high interior 
temperatures will cause the camera’s sensing 
system to shut off, when parking, find a shady 
area or face the front of the vehicle away from 
the sun. If you use a re flective sun shade, do 
not allow it to cover  the camera housing. 
Covering the camera can concentrate heat on 
it.
■Camera Location and Handling Tips
1 Front Sensor Camera*
Never apply a film or attach any objects to 
windshield, the hood, or the front grill that could 
obstruct the camera’s fiel d of vision and cause the 
system to operate abnormally.
Scratches, nicks, and othe r damage to the windshield 
within the camera’s fiel d of vision can cause the 
system to operate abnormall y. If this occurs, we 
recommend that you replac e the windshield with a 
genuine Acura replacement  windshield. Making even 
minor repairs within the ca mera’s field of vision or 
installing an aftermarke t replacement windshield 
may also cause the system to operate abnormally.
After replacing the winds hield, have a dealer 
recalibrate the camera. Pr oper calibration of the 
camera is necessary for the system to operate 
properly.
Do not place an object on the top of the instrument 
panel. It may reflect onto  the windshield and prevent 
the system from detecting lane lines properly.
If the Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot 
Operate: Camera Temperature Too High  message 
appears:
•Use the climate control system to cool down the 
interior and, if necessary,  also use defroster mode 
with the air flow directed towards the camera.
•Start driving the vehicle to lower the windshield 
temperature, which cool s down the area around 
the camera.
Front Sensor Camera
* Not available on all models 
Page 346 of 453

345
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 346
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 347Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 348
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 349
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 353Opening the Hood ........................... 354
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 355
Oil Check ......................................... 356
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 357
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 358
Engine Coolant ................................ 360
Transmission Fluid ............................ 362
Brake Fluid ....................................... 363
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 364
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 365
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 372Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 376
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 377Tire Labeling .................................... 377DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 379Wear Indicators................................ 381
Tire Service Life ................................ 381 Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 382
Tire Rotation .................................... 383
Winter Tires ..................................... 384
Battery ............................................... 385
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 386
Climate Control System Maintenance..... 388Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 389
Exterior Care.................................... 391
Accessories and Modifications ........ 394 
Page 380 of 453

379
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Continued
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle m eet all U.S. Federal Safety 
Requirements. All tires are also  graded for treadwear, traction, 
and temperature performance according to Department of 
Transportation (DOT) standards.  The following explains these 
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on th e tire sidewall 
between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear 
rate of the tire when tested un der controlled conditions on a 
specified government test course.  For example, a tire graded 150 
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the 
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance 
of tires depends upon the actual co nditions of their use, however, 
and may depart significantly from  the norm due to variations in 
driving habits, service practi ces and differences in road 
characteristics and climate.
■Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■Treadwear
1 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform 
to Federal Safety Requirements in 
addition to these grades. 
Page 389 of 453

388
Maintenance
Climate Control System Maintenance
Dust and Pollen Filter
The climate control system is equipped wi th a dust and pollen filter that collects 
pollen, dust, and other debris in the air. The Maintenance MinderTM messages will let 
you know when to replace the filter.
We recommend that you replace the dust and pollen filter sooner when using your 
vehicle in areas with high  concentrations of dust.
1Dust and Pollen Filter
If the airflow from the climate control system 
deteriorates noticeably, and the windows fog up 
easily, the filter may need to be replaced. Please 
contact a dealer for replacement.