2007 Acura RDX towing

2007 Acura RDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safe ty........................................................................\
........................................iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .3
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .61
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .169
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................277
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .291
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................327
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................381
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
............................................ .405
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canad a)................................................................421
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................425
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicl e’s tires are extremely low on
pressure. This
indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator and the tire
pressu re monitor will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
If
this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe. If it is becau se
of a flat tire, replace the flat tire with
thecompactspare(seepage ),
and have the flat tire repaired as
soon as possible. If two or more tires
are underinflated, call a professional
towing service (see page ). For
more information, see page .
Check
the tire pressure monitor on
the multi -information display and
determinethecause(seepage ).
You
may see one or more of the low
pressu re tire positions the display
are displayed along with this
message. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
Check which tire has lost pressure
on the tire pressure monitor (see
page ), and determine the cause. 84
403 309
311
313
383
On RDX with Technology Package model On RDX model only
On RDX model
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
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Steps
for determining correct load
limit:
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
The
maximum load for your vehicle
is 870 lbs for U.S. vehicles, and 395
kg for Can adian vehicles. This figure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer. Locate
the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 870
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
(The placard is on the driv er’s
doorjamb.)
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
870 lbs.
The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capaci ty.
For example, if the maximum load
is 870 lbs and there will be five 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capaci ty is 120 lbs.
(870 750 (5 150) = 120 lbs.) Determine
the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
in the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capaci ty
calc ulated in step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) or the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
317
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
288
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the super handling-all wheel
drive (SH-AWD) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .292
........................
Preparing to Drive .293
.......................
Starting the Engine .294
..............
Automatic Transmission .295
Driving with the Paddle
.......................................
Shif ters .299
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System .303
...........................................
Parking .305
.............................
Braking System .306
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .307
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) .309
Vehicle Stability Assist ............................
(VSA) System .315
...........................
Towing a Trailer .317
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .324
Driving
Driving
291
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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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To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 % of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40 % toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 4,894 lbs
(2,220 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,546 lbs (1,155 kg) on the f ront axle,
and 2,381 lbs (1,080 kg) on the rear
axle. The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 6,394 lbs (2,900
kg)
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province, and
local regulations. If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the f irst time you set up
a towing combination (a f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manuf acturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR) Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
318
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Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check with
your local trailer sales or rental
agencies f or the requirements in the
area where you plan to tow, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
CONT INUED
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Towing a Trailer
Driving
319
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Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area.
Ref er to the drawing above f or the
wiring color code and purpose of
each pin.
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
320
GROUND
(BLACK) HAZARD
LIGHT
(ORANGE)LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(YELLOW)
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN) BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN)TAILLIGHT
(RED)
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