weight Acura RDX 2008 User Guide

When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear a lap/shoulder
belt.
The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly f its a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself :Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comf ortably over the edge of the
seat?
1.
2.
Checking Seat Belt Fit
Protecting L arger Children
52
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger’s front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.
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Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this f or the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat. A child who has outgrown a f orward- f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster seat meets
f ederal saf ety standards (see page
) and that you f ollow the booster
seat maker’s instructions. Some states and Canadian provinces
also require children to use a booster
seat until they reach a given age or
weight (e.g., 6 years or 60 lbs). Be
sure to check current laws in the
states or provinces where you intend
to drive.
3.
4.
5.
43
Protecting L arger Children
Using a Booster Seat
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
53
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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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Do not put any heavy items on the
seat-back when it is folded down.
Make sure all items in the cargo area
are secured. Loose items can f ly
f orward and cause injury if you have
to brake hard (See
on page ).
Make sure that the f olded down rear
seat does not interf ere with the f ront
passenger’s seat-back. This will
cause the f ront passenger’s weight
sensors and the f ront passenger’s
seat belt reminder indicator to work
improperly (see pages and ).
Also check the passenger airbag of f
indicator to assure proper operation
of the passenger’s front airbag.After returning the seat-back to the
upright position, tug on the seat-back
to make sure it is latched. If the seat-
back is not latched f ully, the seat belt
will not work properly and you will
seetheredindicatorbehindthe
release lever as shown.To return the seat cushion to its
original position, lif t up the seat
cushion, then place the rear of the
seat cushion at the base of the seat-
back. Use the seat buckles as guides.
Lower the f ront of the seat cushion
until it locks into place.
Make sure the seat-back and seat
cushion are locked securely and all
rear shoulder belts are positioned in
front of the rear seat-backs.
283
2032
Carrying Cargo
Seats
138
RELEASE
LEVER
INDICATOR
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Open the glove box by pulling the
handle to the lef t. Close it with a f irm
push. Lock or unlock the glove box
with the master key.The glove box light comes on when
the parking lights are on.
The interior of each f ront door has
an extendable pocket f or maps and
other small, lightweight items. For
saf ety, be sure both f ront door
pockets are closed while driving.
Glove Box Front Door Pockets
Interior Convenience Items
Inst rument s and Cont rols
153
Lock
FRONT DOOR POCKET
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passenger
inacrash,evenifthe
passenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.
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Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
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Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Use the required engine oil (see
page).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
336
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
279
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An underinf lated tire increases
2008 RDX

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Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 870 lbs f or U.S. vehicles, and 395
kg f or Canadian vehicles.
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
Label Example
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
284
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
(6)
(5)
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
285
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
Max Load (870 lbs) Cargo Weight
(570 lbs)
Max Load (870 lbs) Cargo Weight (270 lbs)
Max Load (870 lbs) Cargo Weight (120 lbs)
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Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals.
Do not put any items on top of the
cargo area cover. They can block
your view and be thrown around
the vehicle during a crash.If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your dealer
for further information.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If youfoldtherearseatsdown,tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Also, keep all cargo
below the bottom of the windows.
If it is higher, it could interf ere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 110 lbs (50 kg). 56
Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
286
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Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Be sure to read thesectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10 % of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
321
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
Towing a Trailer
314
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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