This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information 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 facts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive off-highway. Driving Guidelines
......................
372
Preparing to Drive
......................
373
Starting the Engine
.....................
374
Automatic Transmission
.............
376
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
380
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
384
Parking
.......................................
386
Braking System
..........................
387
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
388
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
390
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
.....................
395
Towing a Trailer
..........................
397
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
...............................
405
Driving
371
Driving
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You should do these checks and
adjustments before you drive your
vehicle:1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. 5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 134).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page
146).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 122).
8. Make sure the doors and the tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 15). 10. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 63, 73 and 74).
Preparing to Drive
373
Driving
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Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes significantly low, the sensor
in that tire immediately sends a
signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
information display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ’’
message.
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
Indicator
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated.
You should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle's tire information
placard.
It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-information
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
different.
If the difference is significant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-information display go out after
inflating the tires to the specified
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. If you think you can safely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
If the tire is flat, or if the tire pressure
is too low to continue driving, replace
the tire with the compact spare tire
(see page 454).
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Because tire pressure varies by
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)39011/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu
For example, if you check and fill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator to come on. Or, if
you check and adjust your tire
pressure in cooler conditions, and
drive into extremely hot conditions,
the tire may become overinflated.
However, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator will not come on if
the tires are overinflated.
Refer to page 444 for tire inflation
guidelines.
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
this indicator begins to flash. It stops
flashing after approximately 1
minute, then stays on. You will also
see a‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 393). Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
the tire pressures monthly.
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when the
vehicle is cold, and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as
specified on the vehicle placard and
in the owner's manual (see page
445).
Tire Pressure Monitor
To select the tire pressure monitor,
press the INFO button several times
with the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position.
You will see the above display on the
multi-information display when all
tire pressures are normal.
INFO BUTTON
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
391
Driving
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To see the inflation pressures of all
four tires, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown above.
Each tire pressure is shown in PSI
(U.S. models) or in kPa (Canadian
models).
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes significantly low, the sensor
in that tire immediately sends a
signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
information display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ’’
message.
When any of the tires have low
pressure, the tire pressure monitor
shows a ‘‘TIRE PRESS. ERROR
SYSTEM FUNC NORMAL ’’
message.
When you continue driving after
installing the spare tire, you will also
see this message on the multi-
information display.
U.S.
Canada SEL/RESET BUTTON
This shows that front left tire is
losing pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)39211/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
the tire pressure monitor shows a
‘‘SYSTEM FUNCTION ERROR ’’
message and the tire pressure
readings are not displayed. If this
happens, you will first see a system
warning message ‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM ’’on the multi-information
display. TPMS System Failure
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
you will see the above message on
the multi-information display.
If you see this message, the system
is off and is not monitoring the tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
Also, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator begins to flash (see page
71).If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
information display shows a
‘‘CHECK
TPMS SYSTEM ’’message, the VSA
system automatically turns on even
when the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF switch
(see page 396). If this happens, you
cannot turn the VSA system off by
pressing the VSA OFF switch again.
When you restart the vehicle with
the compact spare tire, the TPMS
system message will also be
displayed on the multi-information
display after several miles
(kilometers) driving.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
393
Driving
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Changing a Tire with TPMS
If you have a flat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS and tire monitor
indicators will come on. Replace the
indicated flat tire with the compact
spare tire (see page 454).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. After several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to flash, then stays on again.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
spare tire pressure to be sure it is
correct. This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-information
display will go off, after several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified
regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor. You must use
TPMS specific wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualified technician.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a flat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Have the flat tire repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any
interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user'sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)39411/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu
The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this by
regulating the engine's output and by
selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA system indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle's driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle's entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
VSA OFF Indicator
When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, and turn off the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
NOTE : The main function of the VSA
system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control function. If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see a
‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on (see page 390),
or the multi-information display
shows a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM ’’
message with the indicator flashing
(see page 393), the VSA system
automatically turns on even if the
VSA system is turned off with the
VSA OFF switch. In this case, you
cannot turn the VSA system off by
pressing the VSA OFF switch again.
CONTINUED
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
395
Driving
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