2013 Acura RDX automatic transmission

Visual Index
4Quick Reference Guide
❙Power Door Lock Master Switch
(P 105)
❙Power Window Switches
(P 115)
❙Rearview Mirror
(P 133)
❙Parking Brake
(P 257)
❙Hood Release Handle
(P 276)
❙Shift Lever Automatic
Transmission
(P 243)
❙Driver's Front Airbag
(P 40)
❙Door Mirror Controls
(P 134)
❙Passenger's Front Airbag (P 40)
❙Fuel Fill Door Release Handle
(P 264)
❙Glove Box
(P 145)
❙Accessory Power Socket (P 148)❙Seat Heater Switches
(P 151)
❙Interior Fuse Box
(P 338)

14Quick Reference Guide
Driving
(P 227)
Release ButtonShift Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
( P
.
Move the shift lever without
pressing the release button.
Press the release button to
move the shift lever.
●
Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving. D-paddle shift mode can be used.
S Position
Sequential shift mode can be used. Paddle Shifters
(P 246)
M Indicator
Shift Down (-)
Paddle Shifter Shift Up (+)
Paddle Shifter
●
Paddle shifters allow you to shift gears much like a manual transmission
(1st through 6th). This is useful for engine braking.
● D-paddle shift mode: The transmission will shift back to automatic mode
once the system detects that the vehicle is cruising.
● Sequential shift mode: Holds the selected gear, and the M indicator comes
on.
Selected Gear Number
Automatic Transmission
(P 244)
● Shift to
(P
and depress the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
Gear Position Indicator
● The selected gear
position is shown in
the instrument panel.

127
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel uWipers and Washers
Controls
The rear wiper and washer can be used when
the power mode is in ON.■
Wiper switch (OFF, INT, ON)
Change the wiper switch setting according to
the amount of rain.
■
Washer ( )
Sprays while you rotate the switch to this
position.
Hold it to activate the wiper and to spray the
washer. Once released, it stops operating
after a few more sweeps.
■
Operating in reverse
When you shift the transmission to
(R
with the front wiper activated, the rear wiper
operates automatically as follows even if its switch is off.
■
Rear Wiper/Washer
1 Wipers and Washers
If the wiper stops operating due to any obstacle such
as the build-up of snow, park the vehicle in a safe
place.
Rotate the wiper switch to OFF, and set the power
mode to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE OFF (LOCK), then
remove the obstacle.
a
INT : Intermittent
c
OFF
b
ON : Continuous wipe
d
Washer
ab
c
d d
Front Wiper Position
Rear Wiper Operation
INT
(Intermittent)
Intermittent
LO (Low speed wipe)
HI (High speed wipe)
Continuous

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

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

246
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 6th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential shift
mode.■
When the shift lever is in
(D
:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode momentarily, and the gear position
indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+
paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.
■
When the shift lever is in
(S
:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the M (sequential shift mode)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. It will not automatically shift
up, even if vehicle speed increases.
You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.
When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from
(S
to
(D
. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and gear position
indicator go off.
■
Sequential Shift Mode

253
uuWhen Driving uAWD (All-Wheel Drive) with Intelligent Control System
*
Continued
Driving
AWD (All-Wheel Drive) with Intelligent Control System
*
Your vehicle is equipped with the AWD with intelligent control system. When the
system senses a loss of front wheel traction, it automatically transfers some power
to the rear wheels. This allows you to utilize all available traction and may increase
mobility.
You still need to exercise the same care when accelerating, steering, and braking
that you would in a two wheel drive vehicle.
If you excessively spin all four wheels and overheat the AWD with intelligent control
system, only the front wheels receive power. Stop until the system cools down.TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are
driving. If your vehicle's tire pressure becomes
significantly low, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on and a message appears on
the multi-information display.
1AWD (All-Wheel Drive) with Intelligent Control System
*
NOTICEDo not continuously spin the front tires of your
vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or rear differential damage.
The AWD with intelligent control system may not
function properly if tire type and size are mixed.
Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and
the air pressures as specified.
2 Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 3071TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come
on.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 336
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:•Warm weather can become under-inflated in
colder weather.•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
* Not available on all models

268Maintenance
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and MaintenanceFor your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.■
Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■
Periodic inspections
• Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2 Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 284
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 285
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 301
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 287
•Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2 Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 297
■
Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals
indicated by the multi-information display.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 273
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 353
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models