2017 Acura RDX The

389
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Continued
Maintenance
Exterior Care
Dust off the vehicle body after you drive.
Regularly inspect your vehicle for scra tches on painted surfaces. A scratch on a
painted surface can result in body rust. If you find a scratch, promptly repair it.
Wash the vehicle regularly. Wash more frequently when driving in the following
conditions:
• If driving on roads with road salt.
• If driving in coastal areas.
• If tar, soot, bird droppings, insects, or tree sap are stuck to painted surfaces.
Fold in the door mirrors.
Make sure to follow the instructions indicated on the automated car wash.
• Keep sufficient distance between the cleaning nozzle and the vehicle body.
• Take particular care around the windows. Standing too close may cause water to
enter the vehicle interior.
• Do not spray high pressure water directly into the engine compartment. Instead,
use low pressure water and a mild detergent.
■Washing the Vehicle
■Using an Automated Car Wash
■Using High Pressure Cleaners
1Washing the Vehicle
Do not spray water into the air intake vents. It can
cause a malfunction.
Air Intake Vents

uuCleaning uExterior Care
390
Maintenance
A good coat of automotive body wax helps protect your vehicle’s paint from the
elements. Wax will wear off over time an d expose your vehicle’s paint to the
elements, so reapply as necessary.
If you get gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery fluid on resin coated parts, they
may be stained or the coating may peel. Prom ptly wipe it away using a soft cloth and
clean water.
Wipe using a glass cleaner.
Aluminum is susceptible to deteriorat ion caused by salt and other road
contaminants. Use a sponge and mild detergent to wipe away promptly.
Be careful not to use harsh chemicals (inc luding some commercial wheel cleaners) or
a stiff brush. They can damage the clear coat of the aluminum alloy wheels that
helps keep the aluminum from corroding and tarnishing.
■Applying Wax
■Maintaining the Bumpers and Other Resin Coated Parts
■Cleaning the Window
■Maintaining Aluminum Wheels
1 Applying Wax
NOTICE
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners can damage
the paint, metal, and plasti c on your vehicle. Wipe up
spills immediately.
1 Maintaining the Bumpers an d Other Resin Coated Parts
Ask a dealer about the correct coating material when
you want to repair the pa inted surface of the parts
made of resin.

391
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Maintenance
The inside lenses of exterior lights (headlights, brake light s, etc.) may fog temporarily
if you have driven in the rain, or after the vehicle has been run through a car wash.
Dew condensation also may build up inside the lenses when there is a significant
enough difference between the ambient and inside lens temperatures (similar to
vehicle windows fogging up in rainy conditions).
These conditions are natura l processes, not structural design problems in the
exterior lights.
Lens design characteristics ma y result in moisture developing on the light lens frame
surfaces. This also is not a malfunction.
However, if you see large amounts wate r accumulation, or large water drops
building up inside the lenses, have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
■Fogged Exterior Light Lenses

393
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 394
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire
*....................... 395
Temporarily Repair ing a Flat Tire*..... 401
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 412
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak ............................................. 413
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 414
Jump Starting .................................... 415
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 417Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 418
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On ............................................. 420
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 420
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 421
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................................... 422
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On............................ 422
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks ....................... 423
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 424
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 426
Emergency Towing ........................... 427
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate..... 428
* Not available on all models

394
Handling the Unexpected
Tools
Types of Tools
1Types of Tools
The tools are stored in the luggage area.
Wheel Nut Wrench/
Jack Handle Jack
Jack Handle Bar
Vehicles with a compact spare tire

395Continued
Handling the Unexpected
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire*
If a tire goes flat while driving, grasp the steering wheel firmly, and brake gradually
to reduce speed. Then, stop in a safe plac e. Replace the flat tire with a compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possib le to have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, non-slip pery surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to
(P.
3. Turn on the hazard warning lights and set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK).
1Changing a Flat Tire*
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
When driving with the compact spare tire, keep the
vehicle speed under 50 mph (80 km/h). Replace with
a full-size tire as soon as possible.
The compact spare tire and wheel in your vehicle are
specifically for this model. Do not use them with
another vehicle. Do not us e another type of compact
spare tire or wheel with your vehicle.
Do not mount tire chains on a compact spare tire.
If a chain-mounted front tire goes flat, remove one of
the full-size rear tires and replace it with the compact
spare tire. Remove the flat front tire and replace it
with the full-size tire that was removed from the rear.
Mount the tire chains on the front tire.
Do not use a puncture-repairi ng agent on a flat tire,
as it can damage the tire pressure sensor.
* Not available on all models

396
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire*
Handling the Unexpected
1. Open the cargo area floor lid.
2. Take the wheel nut wrench and jack handle
bar out of the cargo area.
3. Unscrew the wing bolt, and remove the
spacer cone. Then, remove the spare tire.
4. Take the jack out of the spare tire area.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire
Spare Tire

397
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire*
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
5. Place a wheel block or rock in front and rear
of the wheel diagonal to the flat tire.
6. Place the compact spare tire (wheel side up)
under the vehicle body, near the tire that
needs to be replaced.
7. Loosen each wheel nut about one turn
using the wheel nut wrench.
Wheel
Blocks
The tire to be replaced.