2018 Acura RDX Transmission

275
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way th at you would raise the center of gravity.
• Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of ca rgo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something un der the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information P. 28
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on the
full left or right position for a while, the electric power
steering (EPS) system heats up . The system goes into a
protective mode, and limits its performance. The
steering wheel becomes harder and harder to operate.
Once the system cools down, the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the engine will shut down and all steering
and brake power assist functi ons will stop, making it
difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
( N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acce leration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You
should also follow this when the brake pads are replaced.

276
uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic Transmission
The engine runs at a higher id le speed and creeping increases.
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, unexp ectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especi ally on slippery roads and curves.
■Creeping
■Kickdown

uuWhen Driving uShifting
278
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever be fore the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position befo re pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking transmission indicator indicates a
transmission problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer’s red zone Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.
( M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator
Models without
full color display

316
uuWhen Driving uAll-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System*
Driving
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System*
Your vehicle is equipped with the AWD wi th intelligent control system. When the
system senses a loss of front wheel tracti on, it automatically transfers some power
to the rear wheels. This allows you to ut ilize 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.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
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.
1 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System*
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your
vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or re ar differential damage.
The AWD with intelligent control system may not
function properly if tire ty pe 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. 382
1Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
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. 425
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me 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.
The TPMS audibly and visually informs you of
changes in tire pressure of the individual ti re that you
are adjusting using audibl e and visual indications.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 425
* Not available on all models

332
Driving
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped
1.Depress the brake pedal firmly with the shift lever in (D.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Move the shift lever from
(D to (P.
4. Turn off the engine.
Always set the parking brake firmly, in part icular if you are parked on an incline.
1Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.
1 When Stopped
NOTICE
The following can dama ge the transmission:
•Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals
simultaneously.
•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
•Moving the shift lever into ( P before the vehicle
stops completely.
In extremely cold temperatures, the parking brake
may freeze up if applied. If such temperatures are
expected, do not apply the parking brake but, if
parking on a slope, either turn the front wheels so
they will contact the curb if the vehicle rolls down the
slope or block the wheels to keep the vehicle from
moving. If you do not take either precaution, the
vehicle may roll unexpect edly, leading to a crash.

uuParking Your Vehicle uCross Traffic Monitor*
338
Driving
The system activates when:
• The power mode is in ON.
• The transmission is in
(R.
• The Cross Traffic Monitor system is turned
on.
2 Cross Traffic Monitor On and Off P. 339
When a vehicle is detected approaching from a rear corner, Cross Traffic Monitor
alerts you with a buzzer and a displayed warning.
The system will not detect a vehicle that approaches from directly behind your
vehicle, nor will it provide alerts about a detected vehicle when it moves directly
behind your vehicle.
The system does not provide alerts for a vehicle that is moving away from your
vehicle, and it may alert for pedestri ans, bicycles, or stationary objects.
■How the System Works1Cross Traffic Monitor*
Cross traffic monitor may not detect or may delay
detecting an approaching vehicle, or may alert
detection without an appr oaching vehicle under the
following conditions:
•An obstacle, such as a nother vehicle and a wall,
near your vehicle’s rear bumper, is blocking the
radar sensor’s scope.
•Your vehicle is moving at the speed of about 3 mph
(5 km/h) or higher.
•A vehicle is approaching at the speed other than
between about 6 and 16 mph (10 and 25 km/h).
•The system picks up external interference such as
other radar sensors from an other vehicle or strong
radio wave transmitted fr om a facility nearby.
•Either corner of the rear bumper is covered with
snow, ice, mud or dirt.
•When there is bad weather.
•Your vehicle is on an incline.
•Your vehicle is tilted due to a heavy load in the rear.
•Your vehicle is reversing towards a wall, a poll, a
vehicle, etc.
•The rear bumper or the sensors have been
improperly repaired or the rear bumper has been
deformed. Have a vehicle checked by a dealer.
For proper operation, always keep the rear bumper
corner area clean.
Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with labels
or stickers of any kind.
Radar sensors:
Underneath the rear bumper
corners
* Not available on all models

345
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 346
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 347Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 348
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 349
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 353Opening the Hood ........................... 354
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 355
Oil Check ......................................... 356
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 357
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 358
Engine Coolant ................................ 360
Transmission Fluid ............................ 362
Brake Fluid ....................................... 363
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 364
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 365
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 372Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 376
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 377Tire Labeling .................................... 377DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 379Wear Indicators................................ 381
Tire Service Life ................................ 381 Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 382
Tire Rotation .................................... 383
Winter Tires ..................................... 384
Battery ............................................... 385
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 386
Climate Control System Maintenance..... 388Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 389
Exterior Care.................................... 391
Accessories and Modifications ........ 394

346
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For 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 maintena nce 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. 362
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 363
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 376
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 365
•Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 372
■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 fede ral 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 accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the mult i-information display.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 351
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills a nd tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 441
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models