engine ACURA RDX 2023 Repair Manual

435Continued
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table. Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
• Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
• Each occupant weighs 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Each occupant has 17.6 lbs (8 kg) cargo in the cargo area.
Any additional weight, cargo or accessories reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not av ailable, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by th e manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
When using a detachable towing device, always
remove the towing device when not in use and only
install it when towing so that it does not cover or hide
anything on the rear of your vehicle, such as the
exterior lights or licence plate.
Break-in Period.
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 690
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of occupants2WD modelsAWD models
21,500 lbs (680 kg)1,500 lbs (680 kg)
31,500 lbs (680 kg)1,300 lbs (590 kg)
41,400 lbs (635 kg)1,150 lbs (522 kg)
5600 lbs (272 kg)600 lbs (272 kg)
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Behind a Motorhome
440
Driving
• 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 n ears the red (H) 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.
• Put the transmission into
(S if the transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Behind a Motorhome
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 685
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
1Towing Speeds and Gears
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or af fect vehicle handling.
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443Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
u The Parking Brake and Brake System
indicator (red) comes on for 30 seconds
when you press the electric parking
brake switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
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 st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altit udes 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. Consult 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 remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the batte ry in the keyless
remote is weak. 2 If the Keyless Remote Battery is Weak
P. 665
The engine may not start if the keyless remote is
subjected to strong radio waves.Electric Parking
Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
444
Driving
1Starting the Engine
Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 30 seconds
before starting the engine again.
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly c oded device is used, the
engine’s fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 183
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Continued445
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
You can remotely start the engine using the two-way keyless remote from extended
distances.
■To start the engine
The engine runs for up to 10 minu tes without you starting the vehicle.
To extend the run time for another 10 mi nutes during the first run, press the
button, then press an d hold the button.
u The amber LED blinks, then the green LED comes back on if a 10-minute
extension request was transmitted successfully.
After pressing the button, wait for the gr een LED to blink. This indicates that
the all the doors and the tailgate are locked.
■Remote Engine Start*1 Remote Engine Start*
The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote e ngine start, check your
local laws.
If there are buildings an d obstacles between your
vehicle and the remote, th e range will be reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical
interference.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide ga s is toxic and can
rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly
enclosed areas.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Never use the remote engine starter with
the vehicle parked in a garage or other
areas with limited ventilation.
Press the button, then
press and hold the button.
Amber LED: Blinks when any button is pressed.
Continues to blink
during a vehicle
self check until the
engine starts. Go within the range,
and try again.
Green LED: Comes on while
the engine is running. Red LED: Blinks when the
remote is out of the keyless
access system range.
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
446
Driving
■To stop the engine
Press and hold the button
for one second.
Go within the range,
and try again.
Amber LED: Blinks when any
button is pressed. Red LED:
●Comes on for one second to let you
know that the engine has stopped.
●Blinks when the remote is out of
the keyless access system range.
The engine will not stop.
1
Remote Engine Start*
The engine may not start by the remote engine start
if:
•You have disabled a remo te engine start setting
using the audio/information screen. 2Customized Features P. 359
•The power mode is not in VEHICLE OFF.
•The transmission is in a position other than (P.
•The hood is open, or any door or the tailgate is
unlocked.
•The 12-volt battery temp is too low or the 12-volt
battery charge is too low.
•You have already used the remote twice to start
the engine.
•Another registered keyless remote is in the vehicle.
•There is any antenna failure.•The door is unlocked with the built-in key.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The engine coolant temper ature is extremely high.•The telematics unit malfunctions.
•The security system alarm is not set.
Before starting the engine, make sure to check the
door lock status using the remote. When you press
the button, wait for the green LED to blink. If
the red LED turns on, the doors and tailgate did not
lock, and the engine does not start.
* Not available on all models
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Continued447
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1Remote Engine Start*
While the engine is running, the vehicle will
automatically preconditi on inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
•The climate control system is activated in
recirculation mode.
•The seat ventilator* is activated.
When it is cold outside:
•The defroster is activated at a moderately warm
temperature.
•The rear defogger and door mirror heaters are
activated.
•The front seat heaters a nd heated steering wheel
are activated. 2Heated Steering Wheel
* P. 244
2 Front Seat Heaters/Ventilators* P. 245
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
448
Driving
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal, then press the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, put the transmission into
(D. Select
(R when reversing.
3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal.
u Make sure the Parking Brake and Brake System indicator (red) goes off.
2Parking Brake P. 545
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your fo ot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Put the transmission into
(D or (S when facing uphill, or (R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1. Depress the brake pedal and change the shift position to
(P.
u Do not release the brake pedal until you have confirmed that
(P is shown on
the gear position indicator.
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button.
■Starting to Drive
■Stopping the Engine
1Starting to Drive
You can also release the parking brake by pulling the
electric parking brake sw itch while depressing the
brake pedal. When facing downhill, you can start
your vehicle more smoothly by manually releasing it
with the electric parki ng brake switch than by
releasing it with th e accelerator pedal.
The engine stops when th e transmission is taken out
of
( P before the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed. Follow step 1 when starting to drive.
When the engine was started using the keyless remote*
When the engine was started using the keyless remote*
When the engine was started in any case
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very st eep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist will operate even when VSA ® is
switched off.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
* Not available on all models
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449
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Continued
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way th at you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of ca rgo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not select a shift button while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the engine will shut down and all steering
and brake power assist functi ons will stop, making it
difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not select
( N while driving as you will lose engine
braking (and accelera tion) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
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uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
450
Driving
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
Automatic Transmission
When the engine runs at higher idle speeds, the creeping force increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especi ally on slippery roads and curves.
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
■Creeping
■Kickdown
1Precautions While Driving
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km)
after purchasing your new vehicle or replacing the
brake pads or rotors, to allow for proper break-in.
1Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover.
2 Important Handling Information P. 34
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