check engine Acura RDX 2008 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2008, Model line: RDX, Model: Acura RDX 2008Pages: 433, PDF Size: 7.4 MB
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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 
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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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This could cause
very serious injuries in a crash. 
If a seat belt does not seem to work 
properly, it may not protect the
occupant in a crash.
Using a seat
belt that is not working properly can 
result in serious injury or death.
Have your dealer check the belt as
soon as possible. 
See page f or additional 
inf ormation about your seat belts
and how to take care of them. After all occupants have adjusted 
their seats and head restraints, and
put on their seat belts, it is very 
important that they continue to sit 
upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
off. 
Sitting improperly can increase the 
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both f eet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.In addition, an occupant who is out of 
position in the f ront seat can be
seriously or f atally injured in a crash
by striking interior parts of the
vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.
19
Protecting A dults and Teens
Never place t he shoulder port ion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm orbehind your back.
No one should sit in a seat wit h aninoperat ive seat belt .Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position
6.
16
Sitting improperly or out of
position can result in serious
injury or death in a crash. 
Always sit upright, well back in 
the seat, with your feet on the
floor.
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The SRS indicator alerts 
you to a potential problem
with your airbags or seat belt 
tensioners.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive. 
If the indicator stays on after the 
engine starts. 
If the SRS indicator does not come 
on after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If the indicator comes on at any
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked
by your dealer. For example: This indicator alerts you that the 
passenger’s side airbag has been
automatically shut off. It does
mean there is a problem with your
side airbags. 
When you turn the ignition switch to 
the ON (II) position, the indicator
should come on f or several seconds
andthengooff (seepage ).If it
doesn’t come on, stays on, or comes
on while driving without a passenger
in the front seat, have the system
checked.
When you turn the ignition switch to 
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on f or several seconds then 
goes of f . This tells you the system is
working properly.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK 
AIRBAG SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
).
If you see any of these indications,
the airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when you
need them.
You will also see a ‘‘PASSENGER 
SIDE AIRBAG OFF’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page).
78
64
78
How the Side Airbag Of f 
Indicator Works
How the SRS Indicator Works
not
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
31
U.S. Canada
Ignoring the SRS indicator can
result in serious injury or death
if the airbag systems or 
tensioners do not work properly. 
Have your vehicle checked by a 
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS indicator alerts you to 
a possible problem.
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This indicator monitors the 
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. If it comes on 
while driving, it means the 
transmission fluid temperature is too
high. Pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, shif t to Park, and let
the engine idle until the indicator 
goes out.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK 
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For 
more information, see page . 
The engine can be severely damaged 
if this indicator f lashes or stays on 
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page . You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page). This indicator comes on f or several 
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it 
comes on at any other time, it 
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s 
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
automatic seat belt tensioners, side
curtain airbags, driver’s seat position
sensor, and the f ront passenger’s
weight sensors. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged, and you will also see
a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. For more inf ormation, see
page . 
You will also see a ‘‘OIL PRESSURE 
LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). 382 
381
77
381 78
7831
A/T Temperature 
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp 
L ow Oil Pressure 
Indicator 
Charging System 
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
Continuing to drive with the A/T 
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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This indicator comes on when you 
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any 
other time, it indicates that the 
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut of f . You will also
see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF’’ message on the multi- 
inf ormation display (see page ).
For more inf ormation, see page .This indicator normally comes on f or 
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, and when the ignition
switch is turned to the START (III)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With this indicator on, your 
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock f unction. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
For more inf ormation, see page .This indicator comes on brief ly when 
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink,
and the engine’s f uel system will be
disabled (see page ).
78 31
78305 121
Side Airbag Of f Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
64
Canada
U.S.
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This indicator has two f unctions:The brake system indicator (amber) 
normally comes on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position. If the indicator 
is still on or comes on again af ter the 
engine starts, there is a problem in
the brake system including the
electric vacuum pump. If this
happens, have your vehicle checked 
by your dealer. For more inf ormation,
see page .
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe 
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not f ully
released can damage the brakes 
and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page ). You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If it stays on after you have fully 
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW’’ or
‘‘CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. For more inf ormation, see
page .
2.
1.
77 384
77
383
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
Brake System Indicator (Amber)
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada
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If this indicator blinks while driving, 
it indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high.You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
This indicator normally comes on f or 
a f ew seconds when you turn the 
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. 
This indicator has two f unctions:
If this happens, pull to the side of the 
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional 
towing service. For more 
inf ormation, see page . 
Check the tire pressure monitor on 
the multi-information display and
determinethecause(seepage ).
You will also see an ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF 
TEMP HIGH’’ message on the multi- 
inf ormation display (see page ). 
Pull to the side of the road when it is 
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. If
the indicator does not go out, take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. 
For more inf ormation, see page . If it comes on while driving, it 
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
1.
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301 77
308
391
CONT INUED
Low Tire Pressure/ 
TPMS Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69
Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
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This monitor shows how much 
torque is being delivered to each
wheel. For more inf ormation, see 
page . 
You can see the pressure of each tire 
in this monitor. If one or more tire
pressure are low, inflate them to the 
correct pressure. For more
inf ormation, see page .This shows the temperature of the 
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should rise 
f rom the ‘‘C (Cold)’’ mark to about 
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may rise to near
the ‘‘H (Hot)’’ mark of the gauge. If
it reaches the ‘‘H’’ mark, pull saf ely 
to the side of the road. See page
f or instructions and precautions
on checking the engine’s coolant
system. You can receive or make phone calls 
f rom your cell phone through your
vehicle’s Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink(HFL) system
without touching your cell phone. 
To use the system, your cell phone 
and the HFL system must be linked.
Not all cell phones are compatible
with this system. Ref er to page for instructions on how to link
your cell phone to the HFL and how 
to receive or make phone calls, or
visit the handsf reelink.com website.
301
308379 257
SH-AWD T orque Distribution 
Monitor 
Tire Pressure Monitor
Temperature Gauge Bluetooth
HandsFreeL ink
Multi-Inf ormation Display
76
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Bef ore you begin driving your 
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the 
levels of important f luids. You also 
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any 
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .272
.................
Fuel Recommendation .272
.........
Service Station Procedures .273
....................................
Ref ueling .273
.....
Tighten Fuel Cap Message .274 
Opening and Closing
................................
the Hood .275
...................................
Oil Check .276
.............
Engine Coolant Check .277
...............................
Fuel Economy .278
...
Accessories and Modif ications .281
.............................
Carrying Cargo .283
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
271
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