check engine Acura RDX 2017 User Guide
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uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warn ing and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
*1:On the left: Models without full color display 
On the right: Models with full color display
Message*1ConditionExplanation
●Appears if there is a problem with the starting 
system.●As a temporary measure, press and hold the 
ENGINE START/STOP  button for 15 
seconds while depressing the brake pedal 
and manually start the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
—
●Appears after you unlock and open the 
driver’s door.
2 Starting the Engine  P. 268
●Appears three seconds after the  TO START 
ENGINE/ To Start Engine  message appears.
2Starting the Engine  P. 268
●Appears when the steering wheel is locked.●Move the steering wheel left and right after 
pressing the ENGINE START/STOP  button.
U.S.U.S.
Canada 
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127
uuLocking and Unlocking the Doors uLocking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside
Controls
You can remotely check if your vehicle’s doors 
are all locked or any are unlocked using the 
keyless access remote from extended 
distances.
Press the lock button, the Amber (left) LED  blinks once. Then after three seconds one 
of the following feedback will come:
• Green (center) comes on: Acknowle dges that the doors are locked.
• Red (right) comes on: Acknowledges that  doors are not locked, or any door is not 
completely closed.
• Red (right) blinks three times: The remote  does not receive the door lock status 
from the vehicle.
■Checking Door Lock Status*1 Checking Door Lock Status*
Operate the remote in an open space. If there are 
buildings or other obstacl es between your vehicle 
and the remote, the remote may not work even 
within the operable range. However, the range of 
unlock, all doors, and panic  functions are the same as 
the standard keyless access remote. 2 Using the Remote Transmitter  P. 125
When checking the door lock  status, you can also 
start or stop the engine. 2 Remote Engine Start with Vehicle 
Feedback
* P. 270
Red
Green
Amber
Lock Button
* Not available on all models 
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256
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior 
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of 
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheel s, be sure not to damage the wheel 
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressures, and check  for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires  P. 374
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around 
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force 
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim 
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid 
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water  into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert the key if the water 
freezes in the hole.
Heat from the engine  and exhaust can ignite 
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a 
fire. If you’ve parked y our vehicle for an extended 
period, inspect and remove  any debris that may have 
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have 
fallen or have been carried  in for use as a nest by a 
small animal. Also check  under the hood for leftover 
flammable materials after  you or someone else has 
performed maintenance on your vehicle. 
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261Continued
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
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer, 
cargo, and everything in or on it must not 
exceed 1,500 lbs (680  kg). Towing loads in 
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle 
handling and performance and can damage 
the engine and drivetrain.
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded 
trailer on the hitch should be approximately 
10% of the total trailer weight.
• Excessive tongue load reduces front tire 
traction and steering control. Too little 
tongue load can make the trailer unstable 
and cause it to sway.
• To achieve a proper tongue load, start by 
loading 60% of the load toward the front 
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear. 
Readjust the lo ad as needed.
■Towing Load Limits1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated 
weight of your cargo load  to the weight of your 
trailer (as quoted by th e manufacturer), and the 
tongue load.
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. 430
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
Tongue LoadTongue Load 
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264
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. 261
•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. 
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268
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. 413
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 
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
270
Driving
You can remotely start the engine using the two-way keyless access remote from 
extended distances.
■To start the engine
The engine runs for up to 10 minutes without you starting the vehicle.
To extend the run time for another 10  minutes during the first run, press the   
button, then press and 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 (lock) button, wait for th e green LED to blink. This indicates that 
the all the doors and the tailgate are locked. 
■Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback*1 Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback*
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.
The engine may not start by  the remote engine start 
if:
•You have disabled a remo te engine start setting 
using the multi-information display.
•The power mode is not in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).
•The shift lever is in a position other than ( P.
•The hood is open, or any door or the tailgate is 
unlocked.
•You have already used the remote twice to start 
the engine.
•Another registered keyless access remote is in the 
vehicle.
•There is any antenna failure.•Door is unlocked with the built-in key.
3WARNING
Engine exhaust contains toxic carbon 
monoxide.
Breathing carbon monoxide can kill you or 
cause unconsciousness.
Never use the remote engine starter when 
the vehicle is parked in a garage or other 
area with limited ventilation.
With the doors locked, 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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Continued271
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
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 with Vehicle Feedback*
•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.
While the engine is running, the vehicle will 
automatically preconditi on inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
•The air conditioning is acti vated in recirculation 
mode.
When it is cold outside:
•The defroster is activated at a moderately warm 
temperature.
•The rear defogger and door  mirror heaters are 
activated.
* Not available on all models 
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
272
Driving
1. Depress the brake pedal and press the  ENGINE START/STOP button 
simultaneously.
2. Keeping your right foot on the brake peda l, release the parking brake. Check that 
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 318
3.Put the shift lever in (D. Select (R when reversing.
4. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull 
away.
■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.
Move the shift lever to 
(D or (S when facing uphill, or (R when facing downhill, 
then release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive1 Starting to Drive
The engine stops when the sh ift lever is moved out of 
(P before the  ENGINE START/STOP  button is 
pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.
When the engine was started using the two-way keyless 
access remote*When the engine was started using the two-way keyless access 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 steep or slippe ry slope, and 
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking 
brake.
* Not available on all models 
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uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
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.
• Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of ca rgo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine, 
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something un der the vehicle, stop in a safe location. 
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate  your vehicle correctly might result 
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information P. 26
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not operate the shift  lever 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 on 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 put the shift lever in 
( N, as you will lose 
engine braking (and acce leration) 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.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You 
should also follow this when  the brake pads are replaced.