2013 Acura RDX stop start

uuBluetooth® HandsFreeLink ®u HFL Menus
222Features
■
Using the stop reading or read option
1. Press the PHONE button or the button.
2. Rotate to select Text Message, then
press .
3. Rotate to select a message, then press
.
u The text message is displayed. The
system automatically starts reading the
message aloud.
4. Press to enter the Text Message Menu .
5. Rotate to select Stop Reading or Read,
then press .
1 Using the stop reading or read option
This option changes to:•Stop Reading while the text message is read out.
Select this option to discontinue the message read-
out.•Read when you go to the Text Message menu, or
after you selected Stop Reading. Select this option
to hear the system reading out the selected
message.

227
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before DrivingDriving Preparation .......................... 228
Maximum Load Limit........................ 231
Towing a Trailer Towing Preparation .......................... 233
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 236
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 237
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines General Information ......................... 238
Important Safety Precautions............ 238
Avoiding Trouble ............................. 239
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 240 Precautions While Driving ................ 242
Automatic Transmission ................... 243
Shifting ............................................ 244
Cruise Control ................................. 248
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 251AWD (All-Wheel Drive) with Intelligent Control System
*..................................................... 253
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 253Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation ......... 255
Braking Brake System ................................... 257 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 259
Brake Assist System ......................... 260
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 261
Multi-View Rear Camera .................. 262
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 263
How to Refuel ................................. 264
Fuel Economy .................................... 265
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 265
Accessories and Modifications Accessories ...................................... 266
Modifications................................... 266
* Not available on all models

239
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been completed. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, and check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all conditions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large puddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck , carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.

240Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1 Starting the EngineThe engine is harder to start in cold weather and in thinner
air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the battery in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 326
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
You do not need to hold the ENGINE START/STOP
button to start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled. 2 Immobilizer System P. 113
Brake Pedal

241
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1. Shift to
(P
.
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button with your foot on the brake pedal.
1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 257
2.Put the shift lever in
(D
. Select
(R
when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
■
Hill start assist system
Hill start assist helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling on inclines as you move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Move the shift lever to
(D
or
(S
when facing uphill, or
( R
when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
■
Stopping the Engine
■
Starting to Drive
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.

243
uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic TransmissionThe following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
• Immediately after the engine starts.
• When the climate control system is in use.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.■
Creeping
■
Kickdown

uuWhen Driving uVSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
252Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA ® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA ® OFF )
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■
VSA ® On and Off
1 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Without VSA ®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA ®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA ® system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only attempt to free
your vehicle with the VSA ® off if you are not able to
free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on or
blinks, the VSA ® system turns on automatically. In
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing
the button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator

259
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”■
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■
ABS
1 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.