2015 Acura RDX suspension

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DRIVING
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Pre-tow checklist
When preparing to tow, and before driving away, be sure to check the following:
•  Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle’s first 600 miles (1,000 km).
•  The vehicle has been properly serviced, and the suspension and the cooling
system are in good operating condition.
•  The trailer has been properly serviced and is in good condition.
•  All weights and loads are within limits. Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
•  Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale. If a public scale is not
available, add the estimated weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer) and the tongue load.
•  The hitch, safety chains, and any other attachments are secure.
•  All items in or on the trailer are properly secured and cannot shift while you
drive.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. See the Owner’s Manual on
the Owner Information CD or visit  owners.acura.com (U.S.) or www.myacura.com 
(Canada) for more information.
Towing Load Limits
Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer, cargo,
and everything in or on it must not exceed 1,500
lbs (680 kg). Towing loads in excess of this can
seriously affect vehicle handling and performance
and can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Total load
Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded trailer
on the hitch should be approximately 10% of the
total trailer weight.
•  Excessive 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. Readjust the load as
needed.
Tongue load
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.
WARNING
Starting to Drive
The keyless access system allows simple push-button start.
Before Starting the Engine
Check that the shift lever is in Park (P), then
depress the brake pedal. Keep your foot firmly on
the brake pedal when starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and
in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000
feet (2,400 m). 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.
Changing the Power Mode
Accessory or On mode: Press ENGINE START/
STOP once without pressing the brake pedal for
Accessory mode. Press it again for On mode.
Starting the engine: Press and hold the brake
pedal, then press ENGINE START/STOP. Keep your
foot firmly on the brake pedal when starting the
engine.
If you press the button and the shift lever is not in
Park (P), the vehicle goes into Accessory mode.
Turning the vehicle off: Shift to Park (P), then press
ENGINE START/STOP.
Brake pedal

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Learn about basic maintenance that you can perform on the vehicle yourself, as
well as information about how to best maintain the vehicle.
Safety Precautions
Some of the most important safety precautions are listed below; however,
we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing
maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety
•  To reduce  the possibility  of fire  or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and  flames 
away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
•  Never leave rags,  towels, or other  flammable  objects under  the hood.
•  To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
•  Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
•  Do not run the engine in confined spaces where carbon monoxide gas can
accumulate.
Vehicle Safety
•  The vehicle must be stationary, and parked on level ground with the parking
brake set and the engine off.
•  Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
•  Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
MAINTENANCE
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or failing to correct a problem before
driving can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations according to
the schedules in this guide.
WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can cause
you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this guide.
WARNING
Maintenance Minder™
Reminds you when indicated maintenance service is due.
When maintenance is due, the system message indicator comes on and the
Maintenance Minder appears on the multi-information display every time you turn
the vehicle on. Press the info button to change displays.
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1: 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.*2:If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of i\
ndustrial soot and pollution from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A•Replace engine oi l*1
B•Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter•Inspect front and rear brakes, service as necessary•Check parking brake adjustment•Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boot s•Inspect suspension components•Inspect driveshaft boots•Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)•Inspect all uid levels and condition of uid s•Inspect exhaust system#
•Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4:If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), \
in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a tra iler, repl ace ever y 60,000 mi les/100,000 km .
CODE Maintenance Sub Items
1
•Rotate tires
2
•Replace air cleaner element*2
•Replace dust and pollen lte r*3
•Inspect drive belt
3
•Replace transmission and transfer uid*
4•Replace spark plugs•Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
•Inspect valve clearance
5
•Replace engine coolant
6
•Replace rear differential uid*
System
message
indicator
Main
itemSub item
Maintenance Minder

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*1: 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.*2:If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of i\
ndustrial soot and pollution from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODE Maintenance Main Items
A
•Replace engine oi l*1
B•Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter•Inspect front and rear brakes, service as necessary•Check parking brake adjustment•Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boot s•Inspect suspension components•Inspect driveshaft boots•Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)•Inspect all uid levels and condition of uid s•Inspect exhaust system#
•Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4:If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), \
in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a tra iler, repl ace ever y 60,000 mi les/100,000 km .
CODEMaintenance Sub Item s
1
•Rotate tires
2•Replace air cleaner element*2
•Replace dust and pollen lte r*3
•Inspect drive belt
3
•Replace transmission and transfer uid*
4•Replace spark plugs•Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
•Inspect valve clearance
5
•Replace engine coolant
6•Replace rear differential uid*
•  Independent  of the Maintenance Minder information, 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.
U.S. models
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.
Under the Hood
Opening the Hood
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set the
parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the lower left
corner of the dashboard.
3. Push up the hood latch lever in the center of the
hood to release the lock mechanism, and open
the hood.
4. Remove the support rod from the clamp using
the grip. Mount the support rod in the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and stow
it in the clamp, then gently lower the hood.
Remove your hand at a height of approximately
12 inches (30 cm) and let the hood close.
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised. The hood will strike the
wipers, and may damage the hood or the wipers.
NOTICE
Hood release handle
Pull
Lever
Support rod Grip
Clamp
Engine oil
fill cap Brake 
fluid 
(black cap)
Automatic
transmission
fluid  dipstick 
(yellow loop)
Washer 
fluid 
(blue cap) Battery
Engine coolant
reservoir
Radiator cap
Engine oil
dipstick (orange
loop)

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Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions,  vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and 
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition  to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is 
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach
five years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of
wear.
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season tires marked “M+S”, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between
vehicles when driving. For winter tires, select the size and load ranges that are
the same as the original tires, and mount them to all four wheels. For tire chains,
install them on the front tires only.
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage the
brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of tire
chains.
WARNING
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can damage your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting
any part of the vehicle.
NOTICE
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have a number of markings. Those you
should be aware of are described below.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure –  The maximum tire air pressure  that the tire 
can hold.
Maximum Load Rating – The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure  for that  tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure –  The cold tire inflation pressure 
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – The projections within the principal grooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The tire identification number (TIN)
is a group of numbers and letters
that look like the example below. TIN
is located on the sidewall of the tire.
DO T B97R FW6X 2209DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identication mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
22 09: Date of manufacture.
Year
Week
Tire sizeTire
identication number (TIN)
Maximum
tire load
Maximum
tire pressure
Tire size
Here is an example of what each marking
means:
215/70R16 100S
•  215: tire width in millimeters
•  70: aspect ratio (tire section height as a
percentage of its width)
•  R: tire construction code (radial)
•  16: rim diameter in inches
•  100: load index (code indicating
maximum load tire can carry)
•  S: speed symbol (code indicating
maximum speed rating)