2018 Acura RDX brake light

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
264
Driving
Towing equipment varies by the size of your trailer, how much load you are towing,
and where you are towing.
■Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brake s: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet. If you choose electric brakes,
be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not attempt to attach trailer brakes to
your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as it w ill lower braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
■Additional towing equipment
Many states and provinces/territories requi re special outside mirrors when towing a
trailer. Even if mirrors are not required in your locale, you should install special
mirrors if visibility is restricted in any way.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.

266
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 263
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tr ailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Operating speed when towing a trailer is restricted
up to 100km/h.
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.

270
Driving
When Driving
Starting 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 Engine
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 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear de fogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. Cons ult a dealer for details.
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 batte ry in the keyless
access remote is weak. 2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 415
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 30 seconds
before trying again.
Brake Pedal

277
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot change the pow er mode from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) unless the shift lever is in
( P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pe dal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures (-
22°F/-30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift indicated in the display. Always confirm you are
in the correct gear before driving.
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used:
●For normal driving (gear change
between 1st and 6th automatically)
●When temporally driving in the
sequential mode
Drive (S)
Used:
●For automatically changing gears
between 1st and 6th (6th gear is used
only at high speed)
●When driving in the sequential mode
Release Button

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

286
uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
Driving
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
Helps maintain a constant vehicle speed and a set following-distance behind a
vehicle detected ahead of yours, without you having to keep your foot on the brake
or the accelerator.
When ACC slows your vehicle by applying the brakes, your vehicle’s brake lights will
illuminate.1 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
Important Reminder
As with any system, there are limits to ACC. Use the
brake pedal whenever necessary, and always keep a
safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles.
3WARNING
Improper use of ACC can lead to a crash.
Use ACC only when travelling on open
highways in good weather.
3WARNING
ACC has limited braking capability.
When your vehicle speed drops below
22 mph (35 km/h), ACC will
automatically cancel and no longer will
apply your vehicle’s brakes.
Always be prepared to apply the brake
pedal when conditions require.
When to use
■Vehicle speed for adaptive cruise co ntrol: Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
The camera is located
behind the rearview mirror.
■Shift positions for adaptive cruise control: In (
D or (S
The radar sensor is in the front
grille.
* Not available on all models

uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
290
Driving
■There is no vehicle ahead
Your vehicle cruises at the set speed.
■A vehicle ahead is within ACC range and going slower than the set speed
Your vehicle slows down, and maintains the same speed as the speed of the vehicle
ahead to maintain the set following distance.
■A vehicle ahead is within ACC range and going at a steady speed
Your vehicle follows the vehicle ahead of it, keeping a constant distance, without
going beyond the set speed.
■A vehicle ahead goes out of range
ACC accelerates your vehicle to the set speed, and then maintains it.
■When you depress the accelerator pedal
You can temporarily increase th e vehicle speed. In this case, there is no audible or
visual alerts even if a vehicle is in ACC range.
ACC stays on unless you cancel it. Once you release the accelerator pedal, the
system resumes the set speed.
There are times when the vehicle speed will decrease when the accelerator pedal is
lightly applied.
1 When in Operation
You can also set the system to beep when a vehicle
detected in front of you co mes in and goes out of the
ACC detecting range. Change the ACC Forward
Vehicle Detect Beep setting. 2 Customized Features P. 108
Limitations
You may need to use the brake to maintain a safe
distance when using ACC. Additionally, ACC may
not work properly under certain conditions.
2 ACC Conditions and Limitations P. 291

Continued291
uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
Driving
The system may automatically shut off and the ACC indicator will come on under
certain conditions. Some examples of thes e conditions are listed below. Other
conditions may reduce some of the ACC functions.
2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 284
■Environmental conditions
Driving in bad weather (r ain, fog, snow, etc.).
■Roadway conditions
Driving on a snowy or wet roadway (obscure d lane marking, vehicle tracks, reflected
lights, road spra y, high contrast).
■Vehicle conditions
• The outside of the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.
• An abnormal tire or wheel condition (wro ng sized, varied size or construction,
improperly inflated, compact spare tire
*, etc.).
• The camera temperature gets too hot.
• The parking brake is applied.
• When the front grille is dirty.
• When the front of the vehicle tilts up du e to heavy cargo in the cargo space or
rear seats.
• When tire chains are installed.
■ACC Conditions and Limitations1ACC Conditions and Limitations
The radar sensor for ACC is shared with the Collision
Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBSTM).
2 Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM
(CMBSTM)* P. 324
You can read about handling information for the
camera equipped with this system. 2 Front Sensor Camera
* P. 284
* Not available on all models