2010 ACURA RDX towing

Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified 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 affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany states, Canadian provinces and
territories 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.
Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
401
Driving
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●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits.●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.●Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
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Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See‘‘
Driving on
Hills
’’ in the next column for
additional gear information. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or affect
vehicle handling. When driving uphill and downhill,
use the S position (without using the
paddle shifters) to provide the proper
engine power and engine braking on
each gear. You can also use the
paddle shifters. In this case, select
third, second, or first gear with the
paddle shifter; depending on the
vehicle speeds and road condition.
Do not use fourth and fifth gears.
The recommended speed range for
each gear position is shown in the
table.
Gear position Speed range 1 0 - 38 mph
0 - 60 km/h
2, 3 19 - 62 mph 30 - 100 km/h
Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
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2010 RDX

Driving on HillsWhen climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge (see page
78). If it nears the H (Hot) mark, turn
the A/C off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the road
to let the engine cool.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shift down to S
position, or use the paddle shifters to
the lower gear (3, 2 or 1)in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not‘‘ride ’’the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing on the accelerator, as
this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds 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.
Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left,
and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires.Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page 475.
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SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
ꭧ1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
＃: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page 417.
NOTE:
●Independent of maintenance message in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy. Symbol
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds
or trailer towing results in higher transmission and
transfer temperatures. This requires transmission and
transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed at 60,000
miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds
or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical
(shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid
changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle
under these conditions, have the differential fluid
changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................
454
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
455
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
459
Jump Starting
..............................
461
If the Engine Overheats
..............
463
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
465
Charging System Indicator
.........
465
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
466
Brake System Indicator
...............
467
Fuses
..........................................
469
Fuse Locations
............................
473
Emergency Towing
.....................
475
Taking Care of the Unexpected
453
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights, and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the tailgate. Raise the cargoarea floor lid by lifting it up with
the strap, then remove the lid.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area floor.
4. Unscrew the wing bolt. Use the hooked end of the wheel nut
wrench extension as a wrench if
the wing bolt is hard to loosen.
Then take the spare tire out of the
cargo area.WING BOLT
JACK SPARE TIRELID
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
455
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting
on page461.
●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified mechanic to
determine the problem (see
Emergency Towing on page475).
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page 450).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 461).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
459
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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