Acura RDX “Check AWD System” Error – What Does It Tell You?

When your hands are on a car with Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, you need not worry about not having enough traction to get through snowy pavements, loose surfaces, muddy soils, and wet tarmac. What makes it different from other AWD is its torque vectoring ability that sends a varying amount of power between your RDX's left and rear wheels, depending on your driving condition.

Check AWD system message highlights

• Common reasons:differential problem, low fluids in AWD units, sensor or actuator problems
• How to fix:read the codes, take it to a professional
• Possible consequences:driving the car further may destroy the AWD units
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$2,500

Understanding your Acura RDX SH-AWD

Let us talk first about the Acura SH-AWD technology. While we all know AWD increases the traction of a vehicle, there is a lot more it can do:

• It prevents slippage or spinning when driving on challenging road corners.
• Better car handling
• It increases your vehicle's sportiness with more powerful rear-wheel drive.
• And the system is always engaged. (Except for when the AWD light flashes on your dashboard.)

Your SH-AWD is far more different as it can work by itself without you knowing. It has an automatic engagement system that allows sending more torque on one wheel, of whichever needs the traction more.

It can even power up one wheel with up to a hundred percent when you need it the most. When the road is slippery at one side or tends to spin the wheel, the system responds by engaging the clutch automatically, sending torque to the dormant pair, and increasing its traction.

The problem here is when your Acura RDX displays a "Check AWD" message, the system disengages. This alert means your car will not detect spins, rough roads, loose mud, or slippery pavements. For this reason, you must address the issues to enjoy its features.

What Does Acura RDX "Check AWD System" Error Tells You?

Here's what you should remember.

When your Acura RDX SH-AWD disengages, it activates your regular front-wheel driving mechanism with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

It turns off automatically to protect it from further damage.

Traction Control and Wheel Speed Sensor Issues

Traction control and Wheel speed sensors, commonly known as ABS sensors or the Anti-lock Brake System, are valuable systems to keep your AWD system stable.

The traction control works with these sensors to detect tire slips and bumpy roads so the AWD system can send the needed torque on the wheel successfully.

These systems are so sensitive. At times, it can easily detect slips or wheel speed. It responds quickly by lowering sent torque or applying the brakes instantly.

If any of these systems malfunction, it may send the wrong signal or may not deliver any at all.

When one of these systems has parts and components that need replacement or repair, your AWD lights may start blinking. It deactivates automatically to protect all other system parts or components.

• Dirt and debris

These systems comprise connectors, wheel speed sensors, wires, and the control module. The ABS sensors can malfunction when filled with debris, dirt, and grime. Any part of the system may accumulate tars, snow, water, and debris, which affects the way sensors detect wheel speed.

• Wiring issues

Moreover, wiring can loosen up or break apart while these systems are in use. If any wire connected to the traction control module or wheel sensors has broken, torn, or loosened up, it will fail to detect spins and slips.

However, you will not usually know this until you bring your RDX to your service shop. The technician has to scan your AWD, TCS, and ABS systems for error codes.

Transfer Case Issues

The transfer case is another essential component of the SH-AWD system. It takes power from the engine and distributes it to all front and rear axles. It is also a gearbox that lets your RDX switch from AWD to front-wheel drive.

When you have a faulty transfer case, you may find these symptoms:

• Difficulty in shifting gears
• Unusual noises
• Trouble in AWD engagement and disengagement
• Fluid leaks
• Transmission light flickers

Shaft seal failure or leaks

Your AWD needs hydraulic pressure to work. If you see oil leaks under your transfer case, the transfer case must have broken shaft seals. Driving your Acura RDX with significantly less pressure and leaking fluid is risky. If the system can still generate enough pressure or has adequate transmission fluid levels with small amounts of the leak, perhaps you can still drive off to the service hop to fix the axle seal.

Fluid refill

If you are experiencing trouble shifting gears or hearing loud noises from the transfer case, you need to replace the transfer case fluid. Your transfer case should have enough clean lubricant to function properly. It increases gear functionality and helps in shifting them smoothly. Also, it prevents creating friction among parts and components in the system.

A working transfer case helps send adequate torque to the right axles smoothly.

Dirt and moisture

Your transfer case is a mechanical component of the AWD system. Dirt and moisture can affect its functionality as they block the parts responsible for shifting gears or sending power to the front and rear axles.

If any of these problems occur and you haven't noticed them, your AWD will start lighting up on your dashboard. You need to bring your RDX to your trusted service professional for scanning. To prevent these issues, visit your service technician for regular maintenance.

Tire Issues

Tire size is essential in keeping the AWD functional. The system needs all four wheels in uniform sizes. When you own an AWD, you have to pay more attention to all of your tires. Mismatched tires are a common culprit when AWD lights pop up.

• Worn out Front Tires

Even though the AWD system sends its power to all vehicles, the front wheels suffer from stress and tension. The front tires catch first-hand steering and braking abrasions. For this reason, front tires often wear out first before the rear tires.

And although you may want to change only the front tires, it is best to change all four to keep them uniform. A lot of malfunctioning in the traction system arouses because of mismatched tires.

• Wheel Misalignment

While your Acura RDX is designed for challenging terrains, it is not resistant to wheel alignment. Its wheels misalign over time. You will have difficulty handling the steering wheel. It may pull you to one side of the road if you lose control.

When the system detects the wheels are not in uniform alignment, it will display the AWD lights. And when talking about misalignment, you are to fix this with four-wheel alignment.

• Under-inflated Tires

If one of the four wheels has low air pressure, it will cause tire mismatch. Again, this case is most common for front wheels.

There are so many reasons why your tire could mismatch. If only one tire is too small, it may fail to respond. Another problem with mismatched tires is one tire or two may fail to grip accurately. The differentials could malfunction.

Some owners replace two of them in the same axle and same tread depth. The sensors may not notice them. But when they do, the damage can be more costly.

The best thing to do is bring them to your trusted service professional for inspection and proper diagnosis.

Can You Drive Your Acura RDX with Check AWD System Error Message?

Yes. You can always drive your RDX with a Check AWD error display on the dashboard. If you're driving on a straight surface, you may not likely notice how it switches to front-wheel driving mode. But it does.

When your vehicle is in front-wheel driving mode, it will not utilize the SH-AWD features. But it works like how you drive a front-wheel-powered car.

What Should you Do When your Acura RDX Displays Check AWD?

Here's what you should understand. An AWD vehicle meant not to avoid accidents, Acura designed it to have enough traction on challenging terrains. Although it helps prevent slips and spins, its function is not similar to winter tires.

You did not invest in an SH-AWD vehicle without reason. And you know that an AWD vehicle like your Acura RDX is expensive as much as repairing it can be costly. So, when you start seeing your AWD flashing on and off, there's likely one component to replace or fix.

For an accurate diagnosis, give your RDX a visit to your service shop for scanning.