lights Acura RDX 2008 Owner's Guide

The courtesy lights in the ceiling
console come on when the light
switch is in the or theposition. You can adjust their
brightness by turning the Select/
Reset knob on the instrument panel. The cargo area light has a two
position switch. In the OFF (right)
position, the light does not come on.
In the ON (lef t) position, the light
comesonwhenyouopenthetailgate.
Your vehicle also has a courtesy light
in the ignition switch. This light
comesonwhenyou;
Unlock the driver’s door.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Open any door.
The courtesy light in each f ront door
comes on when the door is opened,
and goes out when the door is closed.
After all doors are closed tightly, the
light f ades out in about 30 seconds.
To change the ‘‘INTERIOR LIGHT
DIMMING TIME’’ setting, see page
.
96
Courtesy Lights Cargo Area Light
Interior Lights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
151
COURTESY LIGHTS
ON OFF
\f—\f—\f
y
\fy
() 
\fy\f
y
2008 RDX

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.
\f—\f—\f
y
\f
y
() 
\fy\f
y
2008 RDX

You can use the inside of the lid f or a
pen holder, a coin holder and a card
holder.The console compartment has two
shelves to divide it into two levels.
To store small items, you can use the
upperhalfofthespacebyputting
the shelves down until they latch.
The f ront and rear shelves can be
used separately.When you store a large item like a
brief case, lif t the shelves up to
create a large space.
The console compartment light
comes on when the parking lights
are on. The items on each shelves should
not exceed 11 lbs (5 kg). Heavy
items may damage the shelves.The maximum dimensions of the
item you can store in the console
compartment are:
Length: 16.9 in (430 mm)
Height: 12.2 in (310 mm)
Width: 5.5 in (140 mm)
Interior Convenience Items
Inst rument s and Cont rols
157
LID
CARD HOLDER PEN HOLDER
COIN
HOLDER
SHELVES
\f—\f—\f
y

\fy
() 
\fy\f
y
2008 RDX

µµ
´ µ µ
Use the
SUBWOOFER mode to adjust the
strength of the sound f rom the
subwoof er speaker. Turn the PWR/
VOL knob to the desired level ( 6
to 6). Even if the adjustment level
reaches 6, the subwoof er is not
turned off. You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the system is turned
of f .
The SVC
mode controls the volume based on
vehicle speed. The f aster you go, the
louder the audio volume becomes.
As you slow down, the audio volume
decreases.
The SVC has f our modes; SVC OFF,
SVC LOW, SVC MID, and SVC
HIGH. The def ault setting is MID.
Turn the PWR/VOL knob to adjust
the setting to your liking. 117
SUBWOOFER A udio System L ighting
Speed-sensitive volume
compensation (SVC)
Audio System
Features
187
\f—\f—\f
y

y
() 
\fy\f
y
2008 RDX

The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and the tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doorsandthetailgatefromthe
outside with the key, driver’s lock
tab, door lock master switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system indicator on the instrument
panel starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself .
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights, and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or 2 minutes, then
the system resets. To reset an
alarming system before the 2
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s door with the key or the
remote transmitter.Once the security system is set,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause it to
alarm. It also alarms if the radio is
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.To see if the system is set
af ter you exit the vehicle, press the
LOCK button on the remote
transmitter within 5 seconds. If the
system is set, a beep will sound.
The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. Bef ore you leave the
vehicle, make sure the doors,
tailgate, and hood are securely
closed.
The alarm will also be activated if
the passenger inside the locked
vehicle turns the ignition switch on.
Security System
Features
233
NOTE:SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
\f—\f—\f
y
\f

y
() 
\fy\fy
2008 RDX

Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Acura accessories may
f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
theseareasmayinterferewith
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags. 386
A ccessories and Modif ications
A ccessories
Bef ore Driving
281
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
\f—\f—\f
y
\f\fy
() 
\fy\fy
2008 RDX

Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ). Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Youshoulddothesechecksand
adjustments bef ore you drive your
vehicle:
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
135
119
14
144
61 71
77
Preparing to Drive
Driving
291
——
y
y
() 
yy
2008 RDX

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
303
\f—\f—\f
y

\fy
() 
\fy\f\fy
2008 RDX

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist using negative pressure
generated by the engine and the
electric vacuum pump helps reduce
the ef f ort needed on the brake pedal.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps you retain steering control
when braking very hard.All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.
When the electric vacuum pump is in
operation, it makes some mechanical
noises come f rom the engine
compartment. This is normal.
When you drive in cold weather or
thinner air at high altitude, the
electric vacuum pump operates more
f requently af ter the engine is started.
For more inf ormation about the
electric vacuum pump, see page . Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
384
Braking System
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System Design
304
\f—\f—\f
y


\f
y
() 
\fy\f\fy
2008 RDX

Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state/province,
and local regulations. Check with
your local trailer sales or rental
agencies f or the requirements in the
area where you plan to tow, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Towing a Trailer
316
\f—\f—\f
y

y
() 
\fy\f
y
2008 RDX