Acura RDX 2008 Owner's Manual

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the
instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer’s staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Congratulations! Your selection of a 2008 Acura RDX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Introduction
i
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Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
def ects or other reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record inf ormation about powertrain perf ormance. The data
can be used to verif y emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may
also be combined with data f rom other sources f or research purposes, but it remains conf idential.
WARNING:
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly ref erred to as event data recorders. These
devices record f ront seat belt use, f ront passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the f ailure
of any airbag system component.
Introduction
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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement. You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
such as Driver and Passenger Safety. such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
These signal words mean: preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or . on the vehicle.
Instructions
Saf ety Section
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety L abels
AFewWordsAboutSafety
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
iii
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
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These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher of f the ground, it has a high
center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a
signif icantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is signif icantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear
seat belts.
For inf ormation on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read ‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page of this manual and thesection on page . Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of
control or an accident.
Your RDX has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed f or use only on pavement. Higher ground
clearance has many advantages f or of f -highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
290
321
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Important Handling Inf ormation
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2008 RDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
.... 59
Features (
climate control, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, HomeLink,and other convenience items)
.. 159
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 271
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 289
Maintenance (minders, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage).......................................... 325
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................. 369
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 393
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 409
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 413
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 31STK610

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, and
other convenience f eatures. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.ID numbers, dimensions, capaci-
ties, and technical information.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them. A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
Overview of Contents
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
FeaturesDriving
Maintenance
Bef ore Driving T echnical Inf ormation
T aking Care of the Unexpected
Warranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
2
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ÎÎ
Î
Î
Î Î
Front Ceiling Light Switch
Moonroof Switch
1: On RDX model only
On RDX with Technology Package model only
3:
2:
(P.142)
HomeLink Buttons
(P.247)
(P.149)
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCHGAUGES
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
AUDIO SYSTEM
POWER WINDOW
SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKET AUDIO SYSTEM
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
CEILING CONSOLE MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTONPASSENGER’S
FRONT AIRBAG
(P.71) (P.61)
(P.9,25)
(P.146)
(P.123)
(P.140) (P.275)
(P.273) (P.148) (P.293)
(P.170)
(P.144) (P.9,32)
(P.160)
(P.123)
(P.140)
(P.189) (P.155)
1
2
3
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Î
ÎÎ ÎÎ
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
Ref er to the navigation system manual.
1:
2 : On RDX model only
3:
4:
On RDX with Technology Package model only
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
MIRROR CONTROLS VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) OFF SWITCH
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
PADDLE SHIFTERS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER/
HEATED MIRROR
BUTTON PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKET
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK
HEADLIGHTS/TURN
SIGNAL/FOG LIGHTS
UPPER DISPLAY
VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS NAVIGATION SYSTEM /
CENTER DISPLAY
HORN WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS/
REAR WINDOW
WIPER/WASHER
BLUETOOTH
HANDSFREELINKBUTTONS
(P.114/115)
(P.230)
(P.313)(P.144)
(P.252)
(P.119) (P.297)
(P.112/113)(P.169)(P.118)
(P.168)
MULTI-INFORMATION
BUTTONS (P.72) CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
(P.234) (P.139)(P.32)
(P.118/145)
(P.220)
(P.155)
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROL BUTTONS
3
3, 4 3, 4
2
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This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains how your
airbags work, and it tells you how to
properly restrain infants and
children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features .7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
.....
1.Close and Lock the Doors .11
...........
2.Adjust the Front Seats .12
............
3.Adjust the Seat-Backs .13
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints .14
5.Fasten and Position the
.............................
Seat Belts .14
6.Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .16
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .17
...
Additional Safety Precautions .18 Additional Inf ormation About
.......................
Your Seat Belts .19
..
Seat Belt System Components .19
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .20
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .21
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance .22
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .23
......
Airbag System Components .23
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .25
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .29
How Your Side Curtain
..........................
Airbags Work .30
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .31
How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .31
How the Passenger Airbag ...............
Of f Indicator Works .32
.............................
Airbag Service .33
...
Additional Safety Precautions .34
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .35
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .35 All Children Should Sit in a
.................................
Back Seat .36
The Passenger’s Front Airbag .........
Can Pose Serious Risks .36
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .38
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .38
...
Additional Safety Precautions .39
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .40
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .40
.........
Protecting Small Children .41
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .43
....................
Installing a Child Seat .44
...............................
With LATCH .45
.........
With a Lap/Shoulder Belt .49
..............................
With a Tether .50
...........
Protecting Larger Children .52
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit .52
..................
Using a Booster Seat .53
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
.........................................
Front .54
...
Additional Safety Precautions .55
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
...................................
Saf ety Labels .57
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
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You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passengers
always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly (see page ).
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse withevery additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat, not the front seat. Infants and
smallchildrenshouldberestrained
in a child seat. Larger children
should use a booster seat and a lap/
shoulder belt until they can use the
belt properly without a booster seat
(see pages ). Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
3555
360
14
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Don’t Drink and Drive
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Restrain All ChildrenControl Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
6
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