compartment Acura RLX 2014 Owner's Manual

28
uuFor Safe DrivinguYour Vehicle’s Safety Features
Safe Driving
Your Vehicle’s Safety FeaturesThe following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and
your passengers.
1Your Vehicle’s Safety Features
Your vehicle is equipped with many features that
work together to help protect you and your
passengers during a crash.
Some features do not require any action on your part.
These include a strong steel framework that forms a
safety cage around the passenger compartment,
front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering
column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat
belts in a sufficient crash.
However, you and your passengers cannot take full
advantage of these features unless you remain seated
in the correct position and always wear your seat
belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to
injuries if they are not used properly.
679101112
Safety Cage
Crush Zones
Seats and Seat-Backs
Head Restraints
Collapsible Steering Column
Seat Belts
Front Airbags
Side Curtain Airbags
Door Locks Side Airbags
Seat Belt Tensioners/Seat Belt
e-pretensioners
*
77
10
10
9
9
11
116
12
8Knee Airbag
8
* Not available on all models

uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
164Controls
Your vehicle has a multi-function center
console. It includes a storage compartment,
an armrest, and a sliding tray.
Push the button on either side of the console
compartment to open the console
compartment.
You can put small items in the sliding tray
located in the console compartment lid. To
use the tray, push the button, then slide the
console compartment lid out fully. To close
the lid, push the button. It is automatically slid
back.
â– 
Console Compartment
1Console Compartment
The console compartment light comes on when the
parking lights are on.
Button
Sliding
Tray
Button

Continued
167
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
The accessory power sockets can be used when the power mode is in ACCESSORY
or ON.
â– Accessory power socket (center pocket)
Open the lid and the cover to use it.â– Accessory power socket (console
compartment)
Open the console lid and the cover to use it.
â– 
Accessory Power Sockets
1Accessory Power SocketsNOTICEDo not insert an automotive type cigarette lighter
element.
This can overheat the power socket.
The accessory power sockets are designed to supply
power for 12 volt DC accessories that are rated 180
watts or less (15 amps).
To prevent battery drain, only use the power socket
with the engine running.
When both sockets are being used, the combined
power rating of the accessories should not exceed
180 watts (15 amps).

uuClimate Control SystemuUsing Automatic Climate Control
184Controls
You can set the rear passenger compartment
temperature different than the driver’s, using
the rear temperature control dial.
â– 
Rear Temperature Control Dial
1Rear Temperature Control Dial
The rear temperature can be adjusted when the
climate control system is on.
Dial up to raise
the temperature.
Dial down to lower
the temperature.
Rear
Temperature
Control Dial
Position of driver’s
temperature

uuWhen DrivinguVehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
376Driving
This button is on the driver’s 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.
â– 
VSA® On and Off
1Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Without VSA®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh 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 attempt to free
your vehicle with the VSA® off if you are 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.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on or
blinks, the VSA® system comes on automatically. In
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing
the button.
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

377
uuWhen DrivinguAgile Handling Assist System
Driving
Agile Handling Assist SystemLightly brakes each of the front and rear wheels, as needed, when you steer the
wheel, and helps support the vehicle’s stability and performance during cornering.Precision All Wheel Steer SystemMonitors road conditions while you are driving. In response to current driving
conditions, the system automatically makes slight adjustment to the relative rear
wheel toe settings to help enhance vehicle control and stability.
1Agile Handling Assist System
The agile handling assist system cannot enhance
stability in all driving situations. You still need to drive
and corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions
and always leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When the VSA® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, the agile handling assist system
does not activate.
You may hear a sound coming from the engine
compartment while the system is activated. This is
normal.1Precision All Wheel Steer System
The Precision All Wheel Steer System cannot enhance
vehicle control and stability in all driving situations.
You still need to drive and corner at speeds
appropriate for the conditions and always leave a
sufficient margin of safety.
The toe setting of the rear wheels may get stuck in a
non-centered setting if the system malfunctions
while driving. This can cause the vehicle to pull to a
side even as you keep the steering wheel in the
center position. If this occurs, the system
automatically limits the vehicle speed to a maximum
of 50 mph (80 km/h). Reduce your speed and be
extra cautious, as handling may be difficult. Go to a
dealer immediately.

389
uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”â– ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.â– 
ABS
1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
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.

407
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 408Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 409Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 410
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 411
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 416Opening the Hood ........................... 417
Engine Compartment Cover ............. 418
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 419
Oil Check ......................................... 420
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 421
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 422Engine Coolant ................................ 424
Transmission Fluid ............................ 426
Brake Fluid ....................................... 427
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 427
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 428Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades.......................................... 434Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 437Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 438Tire Labeling .................................... 438DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 440
Wear Indicators ............................... 442
Tire Service Life ................................ 442
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 443
Tire Rotation .................................... 444
Winter Tires ..................................... 445
Battery............................................... 446
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Button Battery ........... 447Climate Control System Maintenance
.... 448
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 449
Exterior Care.................................... 451

418
uuMaintenance Under the HooduEngine Compartment Cover
Maintenance
Engine Compartment CoverThe component parts in the engine compartment are protected by a cover.
You may need to remove the cover when you perform certain maintenance work.
To remove the cover:
1Engine Compartment Cover
Insert a flat-tip screwdriver, lift and remove the center
pin to remove the clip.
Insert the clip with the center pin raised, and push
until it is flat.Holding clip (A-type)
Push until the
pin is flat
Engine Compartment Cover
Remove the holding clips
Clip (A)

421
uuMaintenance Under the HooduAdding Engine Oil
Maintenance
Adding Engine Oil
1.Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2.Add oil slowly.
3.Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten
it securely.
4.Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.
1Adding Engine Oil
If any oil spills, wipe it up immediately. Spilled oil may
damage the engine compartment components.NOTICEDo not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil can result in leaks and
engine damage.
Engine Oil Fill Cap