2012 Acura RDX tow

5. Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
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.
Max Load Passenger Weight Cargo Weight
(870 lbs) (395 kg) (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) (259 kg)
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs) (570 lbs)(870 lbs) (150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(270 lbs)
Max Load
Passenger Weight Cargo Weight
(395 kg) (68 kg x 4 = 272 kg)
(123 kg)(870 lbs)Passenger Weight
Cargo Weight
Max Load
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs) (120 lbs)
(395 kg) (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) (55 kg)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
367
Before Driving
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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 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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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.●Turn off the lights.●Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.●Lock the doors and the tailgate.●Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.●If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.●Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.●Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking38611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

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.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 352).Be sure to read the
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
405 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.
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
before starting to drive. Load Limits
Total Trailer Weight:
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
affect your vehicle's handling and
performance. It can also damage the
engine and drivetrain.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
397
Driving
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Tongue Load:The weight that the
tongue of a fully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces front-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the trailer
unstable and cause it to sway. 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.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is :
SH-AWD:4,894 lbs (2,220 kg)2WD:4,718 lbs (2,140 kg) Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR)
－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle axle is :
SH-AWD:2,546 lbs (1,155 kg)
on the front axle
2,381 lbs (1,080 kg)
on the rear axle2WD:2,447 lbs (1,110 kg)
on the front axle
2,271 lbs (1,030 kg)
on the rear axle
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) －The maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle and
trailer is :SH-AWD:6,394 lbs (2,900 kg)2WD:4,718 lbs (2,140 kg)
Towing a Trailer39811/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that all 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
manufacturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
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 first time you set up
a towing combination (a fully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.Towing Equipment and
Accessories
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 follow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets federal, state, provincial,
territorial and local regulations.
HitchesAny hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.Safety ChainsAlways use safety 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.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
399
Driving
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Trailer BrakesAcura recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
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
successful it may seem, any attempt
to attach trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic system will lower
braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer LightsTrailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area. Refer
to the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
GROUND
(BLACK)HAZARD
LIGHT
(ORANGE)LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(YELLOW)
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN) BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN)TAILLIGHT
(RED)
Towing a Trailer40011/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

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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