Your vehicle still has normal f ront-
wheel drive with vehicle stability
assist (VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible. If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM’’
message also appears on the multi-
inf ormation display, there is problem
with the SH-AWD system.
If the SH-AWD indicator blinks while
driving, it indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high. You will also
see an ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. If this happens,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. If
the indicator does not go out, take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked,
Each torque indicator is displayed as
a bar graph divided into 5 segments.
The number of segments represents
the amount of torque distributed to
each wheel.
When there is only a slight change in
torque distribution while driving,
such as cruising on level roads at the
same speed, the torque distribution
monitor may stop displaying the
amount of torque. This is not a
system problem. The monitor will
show the amount if the system
senses any change in torque
distribution.
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD) System
304
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Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist using negative pressure
generated by the engine and the
el ectric vacuum pump helps reduce
the effort needed on the brake pedal.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps you retain steering control
when braking very hard.
All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicato rs.
The
hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Ea ch circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distincti ve, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is norm al for
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your foot off the
accelerator and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes after driving
th rough deep water. Apply the
brakes moderate ly to see if they feel
norm al. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
When
the electric vacuum pump is in
operation, it makes some mechanical
noises come f rom the engine
compartment. This is normal.
When you drive in cold weather or
thinner air at high altitude, the
electric vacuum pump operates more
f requently af ter the engine is started.
For more inf ormation about the
electric vacuum pump, see page . 396
Braking System
Brake Pad Wear Indicators Braking System Design
306
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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. Al
though your tire pressure is
monito red, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly.
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold, and
set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified on the vehicle
placard and in the owner’s manual
(see page ).
Driving on a signifi cantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
ov erheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-infl ation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. When
the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signifi cantly underinflated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure as indicated on
the vehicle’s tire information placard.
Each
tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes significantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator to come on.
With this indicator on, you will see
which tire is losing the pressu re on
the multi-information display along
with a ‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSU RE’’
message (see page ).
With
this indicator on, you will see
which tire is losing the pressu re on
thetirepressure monitor(seepage
).
373
311
312
CONT INUED
On RDX with Technology Packagemodel
On RDX model
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Driving
309
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The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situ ations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
The
vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink. When
VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ).
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, and turn off the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on, or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your deale r.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehic le as
soon as possible. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
When you put a spare tire on the
wheel, TPMS indicator or ‘‘CHECK
TPMS SYSTEM’’ message
(depending on the models) may
come on. When the indicator or
message is on, you are unable to turn
of f the VSA system with the VSA
OFF switch.
70
85
On RDX with Technology Package
modelVSA A ctivation Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
315
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Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you carefully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Be sure to read the sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10 % of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
324
CONT INUED
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight:
T ongue L oad:
Towing a Trailer
Driving
317
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
beforestartingtodrive.
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display or multi-
info rmation display (dep ending on
models), a mainten ance record, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform 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 .328
....................
Maintenance Minder .330
....................
Maintenance Record .344
..............................
Fluid Locations .346
........................
Adding Engine Oil .347
.................
Required Engine Oil .347
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .349
..............................
Engine Coolant .351
....................
Windshield Washers .353
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .355
....................................
Brake Fluid .357
....................
Power Steering Fluid .358
.............................................
Lights .359
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .366
.....................................
Floor Mats .366
..............................
Audio Antenna .367
.....................................
Intercooler .367
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .367
.................................
Wiper Blades .368
...............................................
Tires .372
...................
Checking the Battery .378
.............................
Vehicle Storage .380
425
Maintenance
Maint enance
327
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ÛÝ
Select ‘‘RESET’’ by pressing the
INFO ( / ) button, then press
the SEL/RESET button to reset
the engine oil lif e display. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’ If you want to
cancel the oil lif e reset mode,
select ‘‘CANCEL.’’ If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
proper maintenance intervals. This
canleadtoseriousmechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Acura parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their performance and durability.
4. Important Maintenance
Precautions
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
341
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µµ µ
µ
µ
U.S.
Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
pe rformed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
information display. Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items
at the specified interval s. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
. Brakes
Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See page .
283
355 357
359
283 374
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards. Owner’s Maintenance Checks
342
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