2009 Acura RDX automatic transmission

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Use this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically adjusts to keep
the engine at the best speed f or the
driving conditions.
To shift into the S
position, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, and move
the lever to S. This position is similar
to D, except only gears f rom f irst to
f ourth are selected. The S position
keeps the transmission f rom cycling
between fourth and fifth gears in
stop-and-go driving. With the shift lever in D or S, you
canalsousethepaddleshiftersto
shif t the transmission up or down.
Once you begin to use the paddle
shif ters in S, the transmission will no
longer upshif t or downshif t
automatically. For more inf ormation
of driving with the paddle shif ters,
see page .
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
297
Automatic Transmission
Drive (D)
S Position (S) Engine Speed L imiter
Driving
295
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This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.Set the parking brake.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral.
Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
Putaclothonthenotchof the
shif t lock release slot cover. Using
a small f lat-tipped screwdriver or a
metal f ingernail f ile, caref ully pry
on the notch of the cover to
remove it. Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then install the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the rear.
Return the key to the ignition
switch, press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
296
COVER
RELEASE
BUTTON
NOTCH
SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOTKEY
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CONT INUED
Each time you pull (right), the
transmission shifts to a higher gear.
Pull (lef t) to downshif t. You will
see the selected gear number on the
instrument panel.
When you pull either paddle shif ter,
the gear position indicator shows you
the selected gear number.
When you are driving in D position,
pulling either paddle shif ter switches
fromtheordinaryautomatic
transmission [drive mode (D)] to the
D-paddle shif t mode. You can shif t
the transmission up or down
manually with the paddle shif ters.
To shif t up or down, use the
(right) or (lef t) paddle shif ter on
each side of the steering wheel.
Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
Using the Paddle Shif ters in D
position (D-Paddle Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
297
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
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The transmission control system
monitors the accelerator pedal use
and your driving conditions. When
you press the accelerator pedal as in
normal driving, the system judges
that you are driving at a constant
cruising speed without using the
paddle shif ters. Under these
conditions, D-paddle shif t mode is
canceled, and the transmission
automatically returns to drive mode
(D).If there is a problem in the
transmission while you are driving
with the paddle shifters, the D
indicator f lashes, the D-paddle shif t
mode is canceled, and the
transmission returns to drive mode
(D).
The transmission remains in the
selected gear if you do not accelerate.
When the transmission returns to
drive mode (D), the displayed gear
number goes out.
Each time you pull either paddle
shif ter, the transmission shif ts one
gear up or down. If you want to shif t
up or down more than two gears, pull
the paddle shif ter twice, pause, and
then pull it again. The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed f alls below the upper limit of
the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to a higher gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed rises above the lower limit
of the higher gear.
You press both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You press one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pressed. The transmission downshif ts to f irst
gear and returns to drive mode (D)
when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop or the vehicle speed is
about 6 mph (10 km/h).
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
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When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘S’’ position and pull either
paddle shif ter, the gear position
indicator displays ‘‘M’’ along with the
selected gear number.
To upshif t, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter. When you accelerate f rom a stop,
the transmission starts in f irst gear,
and you must manually upshif t
between f irst and f if th gears. Make
sure you upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the tachometer’s red
zone.
The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(5,4,3,2,or1).There
is no automatic downshif t when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor.
When you are driving in 4th or 5th
gear, the transmission downshifts to
the lower gear under the f ollowing
conditions:
The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
You press the brake pedal.
With the shif t lever in S position, you
can select the sequential shif t mode
to shif t gears; much like a manual
transmission using the paddle
shif ters, but without a clutch pedal.
To enter the sequential shif t mode,
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shif ter. To cancel the sequential shif t
mode and return to the ordinary
automatic transmission, move the
shif t lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shift lever, be careful not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the sequential shif t mode,
the transmission will not
automatically return to ordinary
automatic transmission.
CONT INUED
Using the Paddle Shif ters in S
position (Sequential Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
299
‘‘M’’ INDICATOR
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
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à
à
à
à
à
à
à
à
Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. Driving in the
higher gear helps f uel economy.
The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
gear when the vehicle speed reaches
6mph(10km/h)orless.
To shiftfrom
21
32
43
54 Speed range
under 29 mph (47 km/h)
under 63 mph (100 km/h)
under 94 mph (150 km/h)
under 114 mph (182 km/h)
Here are the speed ranges f or
upshif ting and downshif ting.
To shift from
12
23
34
45 Speed range
over 0 mph (0 km/h)
over 8 mph (13 km/h)
over 17 mph (27 km/h)
over 47 mph (75 km/h)
The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed f alls below the upper limit of
the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to a higher gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed rises above the lower limit
of the higher gear.
You try to shif t to third or a higher
gear when the vehicle is stationary.
You press both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You press one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pressed.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
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If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
391
bottom
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm 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 .326
....................
Maintenance Minder .327
..............................
Fluid Locations .335
........................
Adding Engine Oil .336
.................
Required Engine Oil .336
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .338
..............................
Engine Coolant .340
....................
Windshield Washers .342
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .343
....................................
Brake Fluid .345
....................
Power Steering Fluid .346
.............................................
Lights .347
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .354
.....................................
Floor Mats .354
..............................
Audio Antenna .355
.....................................
Intercooler .355
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .355
.................................
Wiper Blades .356
...........................................
Wheels .359
...............................................
Tires .360
...................
Checking the Battery .366
.............................
Vehicle Storage .368
413
Maintenance
Maint enance
325
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