2018 Acura RDX towing

265
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
Your trailer lighting connector is located behind the left side panel in the cargo area.
Each pin’s purpose and wiring co lor code are shown in the image.
When using a non-Acura trailer lighting ha rness and converter, get the connector
and pins for your vehicle from a dealer.
Right Turn Signal (Brown) Left Turn Signal (Yellow)
Small (Red)
Stop Light (Light Green)
Option (Pink) Grand (Black)

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.

267
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 429

uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information (BSI) System*
314
Driving
■When the system detects a vehicle1Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*
The BSI alert indicator may not come on under the
following conditions:
•A vehicle does not stay in the alert zone for more
than two seconds.
•A vehicle is parked in a side lane.
•The speed difference betw een your vehicle and the
vehicle you are passing is greater than 6 mph (10
km/h).
•An object not detected by the radar sensors
approaches or passes your vehicle.
•A vehicle running in the adjacent lane is a
motorcycle or other small vehicle.
The system does not operate when in
( R.
You can change the setting for BSI. 2 Customized Features P. 102, 108
Turn the system off when towing a trailer.
The system may not work properly for the following
reasons:
•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.
•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI al ert indicators to come on.
Comes on when:●A vehicle enters the ale rt zone from behind
to overtake you with a speed difference of
no more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.
●You pass a vehicle with a speed difference
of no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Blinks and a beeper sounds when:
You move the turn signal lever in the direction
of the detected vehicle. The beeper sounds
three times. Comes On
Blinks
BSI Alert Indicator
* Not available on all models

351
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
•Inspect idle speed every 16 0,000 miles (256,000 km).
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message
System
Message
Indicator Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If message,
SERVICE DUE NOW 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).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Check expiration date for Temporary Tire Repair Kit bottle (If
equipped)
●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lin es (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission and transfer temperatures. This requires transmission and transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission fluid changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
*5: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission and transfer* fluid*4
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*5
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*
Models with full
color displayModels without
full color display
Sub
Items
Main Item
* Not available on all models

395
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 396
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire
*....................... 397
Temporarily Repair ing a Flat Tire*..... 403
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 414
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak ............................................. 415
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 416
Jump Starting .................................... 417
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 419Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 420
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On ............................................. 422
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 422
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 423
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................................... 424
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On............................ 424
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks ....................... 425
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 426
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 428
Emergency Towing ........................... 429
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate..... 430
* Not available on all models

409
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uTemporarily Repairing a Flat Tire*
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
4. Recheck the air pressure using the air only
hose on the compressor.
5. Turn the selector switch to AIR ONLY.
u Do not turn the air compressor on to
check the pressure.
2 Inflating an Under-inflated Tire P. 411
6.If the air pressure is
• Less than 19 psi (130 kPa):
Do not add air or continue driving. The leak
is too severe. Call for help and have your
vehicle towed.
2 Emergency Towing P. 429
•Front: 35 psi (240 kPa) /rear: 33 psi (230
kPa) or more:
Continue driving for another 10 minutes or
until you reach the nearest service station.
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
u If the air pressure does not go down after
10 minutes of driving, you do not need
to check the pressure any more.
Air Only Hose
AIR ONLY
side
ON

414
Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine
If the engine does not start, check the starter.
Starter conditionChecklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.Check for a message on the multi-information display.
●If the TO START, HOLD REMOTE NEAR START BUTTON /To Start, Hold Remote Near Start
Button message appears
2If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak P. 415
uMake sure the keyless access remo te is in its operating range.
2ENGINE START/STOP Button P. 146
Check brightness of the interior lights.
Turn on the interior lights and check the brightness.
●If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery P. 385●If the interior lights come on normally 2 Fuses P. 426
The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with the
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly. Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again.
2
Starting the Engine P. 270
Check the immobilizer system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2Immobilizer System P. 139
Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank.
2 Fuel Gauge P. 95
Check the fuse.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 428
If the problem continues:
2Emergency Towing P. 429
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehi cle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2 Jump Starting P. 417