Page 329 of 442

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
Driving
325
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Page 331 of 442

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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Page 332 of 442
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.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
328
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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Page 334 of 442

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Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the information display or multi-
info rmation display (dep ending on
models) to show you when you
should have your dealer perform
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance services.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as a
percentage. The
remaining engine oil life is
shownonthedisplayaccordingto
this table:
To see the current engine oil life,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and press the Select/
Reset knob repeatedly until the
engine oil lif e display appears (see
page ). 76
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%
On RDX model
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Display
330
ENGINE OIL
LIFE DISPLAY SELECT/
RESET KNOB
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Page 335 of 442
The 15 and 10 percent oil lif e
indicator reminds you that the time
is coming soon to take your vehicle
in f or the required maintenance.
If the remaining engine oil lif e is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil lif e indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The maintenance minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
near the ‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message. When the remaining engine oil lif e is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE’’ message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
everytimeyouturntheignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
331
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR
‘‘SERVICE’’ MESSAGE
ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE(S)
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Page 337 of 442

To change the information display
from the engine oil life display to the
odometer or the trip meter, press
and release the Select/Reset knob.
Immediately have the service
performed, and make sure to reset
the display as described on the
following. All maintenance items displayed in
the information display are in code.
For an explanation of these
maintenance codes, see page . Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the inf ormation
display the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
f ollows:
Press the Select/Reset knob
repeatedly until the engine oil lif e
is displayed. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
When the engine oil lif e is 0 percent
or negative mileage, the
maintenance minder indicator
( )remainsonevenif you
change the inf ormation display.
1.
2.
343
Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items
Resetting the Engine Oil Lif e
Display
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
333
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEMMAINTENANCE SUB ITEM(S)
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Page 339 of 442
ÛÝ
CONT INUED
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15 percent or less, the display shows
a ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON’’ message
along with the maintenance item
code(s) f or other scheduled
maintenance items needing service.The system message indicator on
the instrument panel will also come
on, and a beeper will sound.
To cancel the system message, press
and release the INFO ( / ) button
on the steering wheel. At this time,
the system message indicator will
also be turned of f . Then the display
will change to the engine oil lif e
display. You will see the
maintenance item code(s) along with
the engine oil lif e on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
335
SYSTEM MESSAGE INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE(S)
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Page 340 of 442
You will also see the system
message every time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position until your vehicle have the
indicated maintenance performed by
your dealer.
The maintenance item code(s)
indicate the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change
(see page ). The system message indicator on
the instrument panel will also come
on, and a beeper will sound.
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
less than 5 percent, you will see the
above display. The display then
changes to ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW.’’
Have the indicated maintenance
done as soon as possible.
340
Maintenance Minder
336
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