Service A Acura RDX 2008 Owner's Guide
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Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message.Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is signif icantly underinf lated.
Youshouldstopandcheckyourtires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s tire inf ormation
placard.
It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. 370
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Driving
307
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As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS and tire monitor
indicators will come on. Replace the
indicated f lat tire with the compact
sparetire(seepage).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. Af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to f lash, then stays on again.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
spare tire pressure to be sure it is
correct.
This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-inf ormation
display will go of f , af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualif ied technician.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible.
370
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Changing a T ire with T PMS
Driving
311
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The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing: The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium f uel. Premium f uel
provides improved perf ormance.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
318
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Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in D position will help you
have a smoother start on snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
do not try to
turn around
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember A ccelerating and Braking A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
322
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .326
....................
Maintenance Minder .327
..............................
Fluid Locations .335
........................
Adding Engine Oil .336
.................
Required Engine Oil .336
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .338
..............................
Engine Coolant .340
....................
Windshield Washers .342
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .343
....................................
Brake Fluid .345
....................
Power Steering Fluid .346
.............................................
Lights .347
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .354
.....................................
Floor Mats .354
..............................
Audio Antenna .355
.....................................
Intercooler .355
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .355
.................................
Wiper Blades .356
...........................................
Wheels .359
...............................................
Tires .360
...................
Checking the Battery .366
.............................
Vehicle Storage .368
413
Maintenance
Maint enance
325
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All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Potential Vehicle Hazards Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
326
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 owner’s
manual.
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 and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
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One of the most convenient and
important f eatures of the multi-
inf ormation display on your vehicle
is the maintenance minder.
Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e.
The system also displays the code
f or other scheduled maintenance
items needing service.
The remaining engine oil lif e is
shownonthedisplayaccordingto
this table:
To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and push and release
the INFO ( / ) button on the
steering wheel repeatedly, until the
engine oil lif e is displayed (see page ).
73
Calculated Engine
Oil Lif e (%)
100 % 91 % 90 % 81 %
80 % 71 %
70 % 61 %
60 % 51 %
50 % 41 %
40 % 31 %
30 % 21 %
20 % 16 %
15 % 11 %10 % 6 % 5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%) 100 %90 %
80 %
70 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
15 %
10 %5%
0%
CONT INUED
Engine Oil L if e
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
327
INFO
BUTTONS
ENGINE OIL
LIFE DISPLAY SEL/RESET BUTTON
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When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-inf ormation
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ message along with the
maintenance schedule code
indicating the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change.
Ref er to page f or a complete list
of the maintenance main items and
sub items. Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e. The message
‘‘SERVICE’’, along with ‘‘5%’’, and the
maintenance item code are displayed
on the lower part of the multi-
inf ormation display when the
calculated engine oil lif e is 1 5
percent (see page ).
When the remaining oil lif e is 1 to 5
percent, the multi-information
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
NOW’’ message with the same
maintenance items ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ was displayed with. When
you see this message have the
indicated maintenance perf ormed as
soon as possible.327
334
Maintenance Minder
328
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE(S)
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If the indicated maintenance service
is not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e reaches 0%, the multi-
inf ormation display will show the
message ‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’
and the maintenance item code(s).
This message is displayed when the
total mileage is less than 10 miles
(f or U.S. models) or 10 km (f or
Canadian models) af ter the engine
oillifebecame0%. These messages will come on every
time you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position.
Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the oil lif e minder as previously
described.
The message will be canceled if the
or buttononthesteeringwheel
is pressed. Press the or button
to see the message again.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e. The message
‘‘SERVICE’’, along with ‘‘0 %’’, and
the maintenance item code are
displayed on the lower part of the
multi-inf ormation display when the
calculated engine oil lif e is 0 1 %.
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
329
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ÝÛÝÛ
If the indicated required service is
not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e becomes 0%, the multi-
inf ormation display will show a
‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’ message,
thetotalmileageaftertheremaining
oillifebecame0%,andthe
maintenance item code(s). This message is displayed when you
drive over 10 miles (f or U.S. models)
or 10 km (f or Canadian models)
af ter seeing the 0% message.
Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the display as previously described.
The message will be canceled if the
or buttononthesteeringwheel
is pressed. Press the or button
to see the message again.
When you press the SEL/RESET
button to select the engine oil lif e,
the message ‘‘SERVICE’’, along with
the maintenance item code and the
total negative mileage af ter the oil
lif e became 0 %, will be displayed on
the lower part of the multi-
inf ormation display.
Maintenance Minder
330
MAINTENANCE CODE
TOTAL PAST DUE MILEAGE
U.S.
CANADA U.S.
CANADA
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