Acura RDX (2021 year). Manual in english - page 31

494

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AcuraWatch

TM

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Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

Driving

■

Roadway conditions

•

Driving on a snowy or wet roadway (obscured lane marking, vehicle tracks, 
reflected lights, road spray, high contrast).

•

Driving on a road with temporary lane markings.

•

Faint, multiple, or varied lane markings are visible on the roadway due to road 
repairs or old lane markings.

•

The roadway has merging, split, or crossing lines (e.g., such as at an intersection 
or crosswalk).

•

The lane markings are extremely narrow, wide, or changing.

•

The vehicle in front of you is driving near the lane lines.

•

The road is hilly or the vehicle is approaching the crest of a hill.

•

Driving on rough or unpaved roads, or over bumpy surfaces.

•

When objects on the road (curb, guard rail, pylons, etc.) are recognized as white 
lines (or yellow lines).

•

Driving on roads with double lines.

■

Vehicle conditions

•

Headlight lenses are dirty or the headlights are not properly adjusted.

•

The outside of the windshield is streaked or blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet 
snow, etc.

•

The inside of the windshield is fogged.

•

The camera temperature gets too high.

•

An abnormal tire or wheel condition (wrong sized, varied size or construction, 
improperly inflated, compact spare tire

*

, etc.).

•

The vehicle is tilted due to a heavy load or suspension modifications.

•

When tire chains are installed.

•

The vehicle is towing a trailer.

* Not available on all models

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AcuraWatch

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Front Sensor Camera

Continued

Driving

Front Sensor Camera

The camera, used in systems such as LKAS, RDM, ACC with Low Speed Follow, and 
CMBS

TM

, is designed to detect an object that triggers any of the systems to operate 

its functions.

This camera is located behind the rearview 
mirror.

To help reduce the likelihood that high interior 
temperatures will cause the camera’s sensing 
system to shut off, when parking, find a shady 
area or face the front of the vehicle away from 
the sun. If you use a reflective sun shade, do 
not allow it to cover the camera housing. 
Covering the camera can concentrate heat on 
it.

■

Camera Location and Handling Tips

1

Front Sensor Camera

Never apply a film or attach any objects to the 
windshield, the hood, or the front grille that could 
obstruct the camera’s field of vision and cause the 
system to operate abnormally.
Scratches, nicks, and other damage to the windshield 
within the camera’s field of vision can cause the 
system to operate abnormally. If this occurs, we 
recommend that you replace the windshield with a 
genuine Acura replacement windshield. Making even 
minor repairs within the camera’s field of vision or 
installing an aftermarket replacement windshield 
may also cause the system to operate abnormally.
After replacing the windshield, have a dealer 
recalibrate the camera. Proper calibration of the 
camera is necessary for the system to operate 
properly.

Do not place an object on the top of the instrument 
panel. It may reflect onto the windshield and prevent 
the system from detecting lane lines properly.

Front Sensor 
Camera

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AcuraWatch

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Front Sensor Camera

496

Driving

1

Front Sensor Camera

If the 

Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot 

Operate: Camera Temperature Too High

 message 

appears:

•

Use the climate control system to cool down the 
interior and, if necessary, also use defroster mode 
with the airflow directed towards the camera.

•

Start driving the vehicle to lower the windshield 
temperature, which cools down the area around 
the camera.

If the 

Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot 

Operate: Clean Front Windshield

 message 

appears:

•

Park your vehicle in a safe place, and clean the 
windshield. If the message does not disappear after 
you have cleaned the windshield and driven for a 
while, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

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Radar Sensor

Driving

Radar Sensor

The radar sensor is behind the emblem.

1

Radar Sensor

Avoid strong impacts to the radar sensor cover.

For the CMBS

TM

 to work properly:

•

Always keep the radar sensor cover clean.

•

Never use chemical solvents or polishing powder 
for cleaning the sensor cover. Clean it with water 
or a mild detergent.

•

Do not put a sticker on the radar sensor cover or 
replace the radar sensor cover.

If you need the radar sensor to be repaired, or 
removed, or the radar sensor cover is strongly 
impacted, turn off the system by using the CMBS

TM

 

off button and take your vehicle to a dealer.

2

CMBS

TM

 On and Off

 P. 459

If the vehicle is involved in any of the following 
situations, the radar sensor may not work properly. 
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer:

•

Your vehicle is involved in a frontal collision

•

Your vehicle drives through deep water or is 
submerged in deep water

•

Your vehicle strongly strikes a bump, curb, chock, 
or embankment that could jar the radar sensor

Radar 
Sensor

The radar sensor is 
behind the emblem.

498

Driving

Braking

Brake System

Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. When the 
parking brake is applied, you can manually or automatically release it.

■

To apply

The electric parking brake can be applied any 
time the vehicle has battery, no matter which 
position the power mode is in.

Press the electric parking brake switch gently 
and securely.

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The indicator in the switch comes on.

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The Parking Brake and Brake System 
indicator (red) comes on.

■

Parking Brake

1

Brake System

When you depress the brake pedal, you may hear a 
whirring sound coming from the engine 
compartment while the brake system activates. This is 
normal.

1

Parking Brake

You may hear the electric parking brake system 
motor operating from the rear wheel area when you 
apply or release the parking brake. This is normal.

The brake pedal may slightly move due to the electric 
parking brake system operation when you apply or 
release the parking brake. This is normal.

You cannot apply or release the parking brake if the 
battery goes dead.

2

If the Battery Is Dead

 P. 616

If you press and hold the electric parking brake 
switch while driving, the brakes on all four 
wheels are applied by the VSA

®

 system until the 

vehicle comes to a stop. The electric parking 
brake then applies, and the switch should be 
released.

Electric Parking 
Brake Switch

Continued

499

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Braking

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Brake System

Driving

■

To release

The power mode must be in ON in order to 
release the electric parking brake.

1.

Depress the brake pedal.

2.

Pull the electric parking brake switch up 
gently and securely.

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The indicator in the switch goes off.

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The Parking Brake and Brake System 
indicator (red) goes off.

Manually releasing the parking brake using 
the switch helps your vehicle start slowly and 
smoothly when facing down hill on steep hills.

1

Parking Brake

In the following situations, the parking brake 
automatically operates.

•

When the vehicle stops more than 10 minutes 
while ACC with Low Speed Follow is activated.

•

When the driver’s seat belt is unfastened while 
your vehicle is stopped automatically by ACC with 
Low Speed Follow.

•

When the engine is turned off, except by Auto Idle 
Stop system, while ACC with Low Speed Follow is 
activated.

•

When the vehicle stops with the automatic brake 
hold system activated for more than 10 minutes.

•

When the driver’s seat belt is unfastened while 
your vehicle is stopped and automatic brake hold is 
applied.

•

When the engine is turned off, except by Auto Idle 
Stop system, while automatic brake hold system is 
applied.

•

When there is a problem with the automatic brake 
hold system while Automatic Brake Hold is applied.

Electric Parking 
Brake Switch

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Braking

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Brake System

500

Driving

■

Automatic parking brake feature operation

If the automatic parking brake feature has been activated:

•

The parking brake is applied automatically when you set the power mode to 
VEHICLE OFF.

•

To confirm that the parking brake is applied, check if the Parking Brake and Brake 
System indicator (red) is on.

2

Activating and deactivating the automatic parking brake feature

 P. 501

■

To release automatically

Depressing the accelerator pedal releases the parking brake.
Use the accelerator pedal to release the brake when you are starting the vehicle 
facing uphill, or in a traffic jam.

Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
When on a hill, it may require more 
accelerator input to release.

u

The Parking Brake and Brake System 
indicator (red) goes off.

You can release the parking brake automatically when:

•

You are wearing the driver’s seat belt.

•

The engine is running.

•

The transmission is not in 

(

P

 or 

(

N

.

1

Parking Brake

If the parking brake cannot be released 
automatically, release it manually.

When the vehicle is traveling uphill, the accelerator 
pedal may need to be pressed farther to 
automatically release the electric parking brake.

The parking brake cannot be released automatically 
while the following indicators are on:

•

Malfunction indicator lamp

•

Transmission system indicator

The parking brake may not be released automatically 
while the following indicators are on:

•

Electric parking brake system indicator

•

VSA

®

 system indicator

•

ABS

 indicator

•

Supplemental restraint system indicator

Accelerator Pedal

Continued

501

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Braking

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Brake System

Driving

■

Activating and deactivating the automatic parking brake feature

With the power mode in ON, carry out the following steps to either activate or 
deactivate the automatic parking brake feature.

1.

Put the transmission into 

(

P

.

2.

Without depressing the brake pedal, press and release the parking brake switch.

u

Check that the Parking Brake and Brake System indicator (red) has come on.

3.

Press and hold the parking brake switch. When you hear a beeping sound, release 
the switch and within 3 seconds press and hold the switch again.

4.

When you hear a sound indicating that the procedure is completed, release the 
switch.

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Two beeps indicates that the feature has been activated.

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One beep indicates that the feature has been deactivated.

u

When you have completed activating the feature, the parking brake will 
remain applied after you turn off the engine.

u

To confirm that the parking brake is applied, check if the Parking Brake and 
Brake System indicator (red) is on.

If you need to temporarily deactivate the feature for when putting your vehicle 
through a conveyor type car wash, you can follow the procedure explained below.

1.

Depress the brake pedal and bring the vehicle to a stop.

2.

Set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF and then within 2 seconds pull up the 
parking brake switch.

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Activation and deactivation settings for the feature will not be affected.

u

Before temporarily deactivating the feature, make sure to first turn off both 
ACC with Low Speed Follow and the automatic brake hold system.

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To confirm that the parking brake is applied, check if the Parking Brake and 
Brake System indicator (red) is on.

1

Parking Brake

In cold climates, the parking brake may freeze in 
place if applied.

When parking the vehicle, chock the wheels and 
make sure the automatic parking brake feature is 
deactivated.

Also, when putting your vehicle through a conveyor-
type car wash or when having your vehicle towed, 
deactivate the automatic parking brake feature and 
leave the parking brake released.

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Braking

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Brake System

502

Driving

Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. The brake assist system 
increases the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an 
emergency situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering 
control when braking very hard.

2

Brake Assist System

 P. 506

2

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

 P. 505

■

Foot Brake

1

Foot Brake

Check the brakes after driving through deep water, 
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If 
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the 
pedal several times.

If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when 
applying the brakes, this is caused by the brake wear 
indicator rubbing on the brake rotor and indicates 
that the brake pads need to be replaced. Have the 
vehicle checked by a dealer. If you hear only an 
occasional squeak or squeal when you initially apply 
the brake pedal, this may be normal and caused by 
high frequency vibration of the brake pads against 
the rotating brake disc.

Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a 
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake 
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your 
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a 
lower gear.

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while 
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause 
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad 
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

Whenever the brakes are activated by CMBS

TM

 or 

another system that automatically controls braking, 
the brake pedal is depressed and released in 
accordance with braking function.

Continued

503

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Braking

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Brake System

Driving

Keeps the brake applied after releasing the brake pedal until the accelerator pedal is 
pressed. You can use this system while the vehicle is temporarily stopped, like at 
traffic lights and in heavy traffic.

■

Automatic Brake Hold

1

Automatic Brake Hold

3

WARNING

Activating the automatic brake hold system 
on steep hills or slippery roads may still 
allow the vehicle to move if you remove 
your foot from the brake pedal.

If a vehicle unexpectedly moves, it may 
cause a crash resulting in serious injury or 
death.

Never activate the automatic brake hold 
system or rely on it to keep a vehicle from 
moving when stopped on a steep hill or 
slippery roads.

3

WARNING

Using the automatic brake hold system to 
park the vehicle may result in the vehicle 
unexpectedly moving.

If a vehicle moves unexpectedly, it may 
cause a crash, resulting in serious injury or 
death.

Never leave the vehicle when braking is 
temporarily kept by automatic brake hold 
and always park the vehicle by putting the 
transmission in 

(

P

 and applying the parking 

brake.

■

Turning on the system

Fasten your seat belt 
properly, then start the 
engine. Press the 
automatic brake hold 
button.

●

The automatic brake 
hold system indicator 
comes on. The system 
is turned on.

■

Activating the system

Depress the brake pedal 
to come to a complete 
stop. The transmission 
must be in 

(

D

, 

(

S

 or 

(

N

.

●

The automatic brake 
hold indicator comes 
on. Braking is kept for 
up to 10 minutes.

●

Release the brake 
pedal after the 
automatic brake hold 
indicator comes on.

■

Canceling the system

Depress the accelerator 
pedal while the 
transmission is in 

(

D

 or 

(

S

. The system is 

canceled and the vehicle 
starts to move.

●

The automatic brake 
hold indicator goes 
off. The system 
continues to be on.

Accelerator Pedal

Brake Pedal

Automatic Brake 
Hold Button

Goes 
Off

Comes 
On

On

On

Comes 
On

Comes 
On

U.S.

Canada

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Braking

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Brake System

504

Driving

■

The system automatically cancels when:

•

You depress the brake pedal and change to 

(

P

 or 

(

R

.

•

You engage the parking brake.

■

The system automatically cancels and the parking brake is applied when:

•

Braking is kept for more than 10 minutes.

•

The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.

•

The engine is turned off.

•

Brake Hold System Problem. Apply Brake When Stopped. See Your 
Dealer.

 appears on the multi-information display.

•

There is a problem with automatic brake hold system.

■

Turning off the automatic brake hold system

While the system is on, press the automatic 
brake hold button again.

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The automatic brake hold system 
indicator goes off.

If you want to turn off automatic brake hold 
while the system is in operation, press the 
automatic brake hold button with the brake 
pedal depressed.

1

Automatic Brake Hold

While the system is activated, you can turn off the 
engine or park the vehicle through the same 
procedure as you normally do.

2

When Stopped

 P. 507

Whether the system is on, or the system is activated, 
the automatic brake hold turns off once the engine is 
off.

1

Turning off the automatic brake hold system

Make sure to turn off the automatic brake hold 
system before using an automated car wash.

You may hear an operating noise if the vehicle moves 
while the automatic brake hold system is in 
operation.

Automatic Brake 
Hold Button

Goes 
Off

505

uu

Braking

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Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

Driving

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by 
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you can.

The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also 
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.

You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always 
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as 
“stomp and steer.”

■

ABS operation

The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Depress the brake 
pedal and keep holding the pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to 
press on the brake pedal very hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel 
the ABS activate immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.

ABS may activate when you depress the brake pedal when driving on:

•

Wet or snow covered roads.

•

Roads paved with stone.

•

Roads with uneven surfaces, such as potholes, cracks, manholes, etc.

When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.

■

ABS

1

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

NOTICE

The ABS may not function correctly if you use a tire of 
the wrong size or type.

If the 

ABS

 indicator comes on while driving, there 

may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking will not be affected, there is a 
possibility that the ABS will not be operating. Have 
your vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.

The ABS is not designed for the purpose of reducing 
the time or distance it takes for a vehicle to stop: It is 
designed to limit brake lockup which can lead to 
skidding and loss of steering control.

In the following cases, your vehicle may need more 
distance to stop than a vehicle without the ABS:

•

You are driving on rough or uneven road surfaces, 
such as gravel or snow.

•

The tires are equipped with tire chains.

The following may be observed with the ABS system:

•

Motor sounds coming from the engine 
compartment when the brakes are applied, or 
when system checks are being performed after the 
engine has been started and while the vehicle 
accelerates.

•

Brake pedal and/or the vehicle body vibration when 
ABS activates.
These vibrations and sounds are normal to ABS 
systems and are no cause for concern.

506

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Braking

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Brake Assist System

Driving

Brake Assist System

Designed to assist the driver by generating greater braking force when you depress 
the brake pedal hard during emergency braking.

■

Brake assist system operation

Press the brake pedal firmly for more powerful braking.

When brake assist operates, the pedal may wiggle slightly and an operating noise 
may be heard. This is normal. Keep holding the brake pedal firmly down.

507

Continued

Driving

Parking Your Vehicle

When Stopped

1.

Depress the brake pedal firmly.

2.

With the brake pedal depressed, press the electric parking brake switch slowly, 
but fully.

3.

Change the shift position to 

(

P

.

4.

Turn off the engine.

u

The Parking Brake and Brake System indicator (red) goes off in about 30 
seconds.

1

Parking 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.

3

WARNING

The vehicle can roll away if left unattended 
without confirming that Park is engaged.

A vehicle that rolls away could cause a crash 
resulting in serious injury or death.

Always keep your foot on the brake pedal 
until you have confirmed that 

(

P

 is shown 

on the gear position indicator.

1

When Stopped

NOTICE

The following can damage the transmission:

•

Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals 
simultaneously.

•

Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by 
depressing the accelerator pedal.

•

Changing to 

(

P

 before the vehicle stops 

completely.

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Parking Your Vehicle

u

When Stopped

508

Driving

Always confirm the electric parking brake is set, particularly if you are parked on an 
incline.

1

When Stopped

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 unexpectedly, leading to a crash.

509

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Parking Your Vehicle

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Parking Sensor System

*

Continued

Driving

Parking Sensor System

*

The corner and center sensors monitor obstacles around your vehicle, and the 
beeper and audio/information screen let you know the approximate distance 
between your vehicle and the obstacle.

■

The sensor location and range 

1

Parking Sensor System

*

Even when the system is on, always confirm if there is 
no obstacle near your vehicle before parking.

The system may not work properly when:

•

The sensors are covered with snow, ice, mud or 
dirt.

•

The vehicle is on uneven surface, such as grass, 
bumps, or a hill.

•

The vehicle has been out in hot or cold weather.

•

The system is affected by devices that emit 
ultrasonic waves.

•

Driving in bad weather.

The system may not sense:

•

Thin or low objects.

•

Sonic-absorptive materials, such as snow, cotton, 
or sponge.

•

Objects directly under the bumper.

Do not put any accessories on or around the sensors.

Forward
Front: 24 in (60 cm) or less
Rear: 28 in (70 cm) or less

Front Corner Sensors

Rear Corner Sensors

Rear Center Sensors

Forward
Front: 30 in (75 cm) or less
Rear: 43 in (110 cm) or less

Front Center Sensors

Backward
Front: 26 in (65 cm) or less
Rear: 30 in (75 cm) or less

Backward
Front: 32 in (80 cm) or less
Rear: 45 in (115 cm) or less

* Not available on all models