2011 Acura RDX check oil

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, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be performed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
multi-information display. Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. 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
356.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 357.●Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
427.
●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 429.●Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
445.●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 431.
Maintenance Minder™
417
Maintenance
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

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 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
ꭧ 2fluid
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
ꭧ 2
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).
ꭧ2: SH-AWD only
Maintenance Minder™
Maintenance Minder
41810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
Required Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Your vehicle is equipped with a high-
performance turbocharged engine
that requires the use of synthetic
motor oil. Always use Mobil 1
®
5W-30 or an equivalent oil that meets
the Acura HTO-06 standard. Not all
synthetic oils will meet this standard.
Only use oils that display the HTO-06
standard on the label.
Failure to use Mobil 1
®or an
equivalent oil that meets the HTO-06
standard can lead to a reduction in
engine performance or durability,
and can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAdding Engine Oil42010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
information display. The oil and filter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1. Run the engine until it reachesnormal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
4. Check the oil filter to make sure its gasket did not stick to the filter
base. A stuck gasket could cause
an oil leak.
5. Install a new oil filter according to the instructions that come with it.
OIL
FILTER
OIL DRAIN
BOLT WASHER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter42210/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

6. Put a new washer on the drainbolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
7. Refill the engine with the recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
5.0 US qt (4.7 L) 8. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn off the
engine, and check your work.
9. Let the engine run for several minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
10. Turn off the engine and let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
423
Maintenance
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see an ‘‘OIL PRESSURE
LOW ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 356). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 420).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
475). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display (see
page 79).
Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
465
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
362
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
125
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
157
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
332
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
421
Adjusting the Sound
............
177, 224
Adjusting the Steering Wheel....
122
Advanced Airbags
........................
28
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
164
Usage
......................................
165
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
444, 445
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
352
Antifreeze
...................................
424
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator
............................
66, 388
Operation
................................
388
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
292
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.......................................
125 Armrests
....................................
138
Audio Antenna
...........................
439
Audio System
......................
172, 216
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature
...................................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
300
Automatic Transmission
............
376
Capacity, Fluid
........................
480
Checking Fluid Level
..............
427
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
380
Shifting
...................................
376
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
376
Shift Lever Positions
...............
377
Shift Lock Release
...................
379
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
291
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
65, 465
Jump Starting
..........................
461 Maintenance
...........................
450
Specifications
..........................
481
Before Driving
...........................
351
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
156
Bluetooth
®Audio
................
212, 280
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®......
306
Booster Seats
...............................
54
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
388
Break-in, New Linings
.............
352
Bulb Replacement
...................
433
Fluid
.......................................
429
Parking
...................................
150
System Design
........................
387
System Indicator (Amber)
.......
468
System Indicator (Red)
...........
467
Wear Indicators
.......................
387
Braking System
..........................
387
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
352
Brightness Control,
Instruments
............................
120
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Bulb ReplacementBack-up Lights
........................
433
Brake Lights
...........................
433
Fog Lights
...............................
435
Front Parking Lights
...............
432
Front Side Marker Lights
........
432
Headlights
..............................
431
High-mount Brake Light
.........
436
Rear Bulbs
......................
433, 434
Rear License Plate Lights........
437
Specifications
..........................
481
Taillights
.........................
433, 434
Turn Signal Lights
..........
432, 433
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
431
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
480
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
57
Cargo
.........................................
364
Cargo Area Cover
.......................
160
Cargo Area Light
........................
153
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
364
Carrying Cargo
..........................
364
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii CD Care
.....................................
257
Ceiling Lights
.............................
151
Certification Label
......................
478
Chains, Tires
..............................
449
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
455
Changing Oil How to
....................................
422
When to
..................................
411
Charging System Indicator
...........................
65, 465
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
373
Childproof Door Locks
...............
127
Child Safety
..................................
36
Booster Seats
...........................
54
Child Seats
....................
41, 42, 44
Important Safety Reminders
.....
40
Infants
......................................
41
Larger Children
.......................
53
LATCH
.....................................
46
Risks with Airbags
...................
37
Small Children
.........................
42
Tethers
....................................
51
Warning Labels
........................
38
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
37
Child Seats
...................................
44
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
46 Tether Anchorage Points
.........
51
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
438
Client Service Information
..........
494
Climate Control Sensors
............
171
Climate Control System
.............
164
Clock
..........................................
293
Coat Hook
..................................
161
Code, Audio System
...................
292
CO in the Exhaust
................
57, 487
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
374
Compact Spare Tire
....................
454
Compass Operation
..................
295
Console Compartment
...............
158
Consumer Information
...............
494
Controls, Instruments and
............
61
Coolant Adding
....................................
424
Checking
................................
357
Proper Solution
.......................
424
Courtesy Lights
..........................
153
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
...................................
487
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
69
Cruise Control Operation
...........
300
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
69
Cup Holders
...............................
156
IndexII10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu