instrument panel Acura RDX 2011 Owner's Guide

SUBWOOFER－Use the
SUBWOOFER mode to adjust the
strength of the sound from the
subwoofer speaker. Turn the PWR/
VOL knob to the desired level (－ 6to
＋ 6). Even if the adjustment level
reaches －6, the subwoofer is not
turned off. Speed-sensitive volume
compensation (SVC)
－The SVC
mode controls the volume based on
vehicle speed. The faster you go, the
louder the audio volume becomes.
As you slow down, the audio volume
decreases.
The SVC has four modes: SVC OFF,
SVC LOW, SVC MID, and SVC
HIGH. Turn the PWR/VOL knob to
adjust the setting to your liking. Audio System Lighting
You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page 120). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the system is turned
off.Playing the FM/AM Radio (Models without navigation system)17810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables from
theft. The horn sounds and a
combination of headlights, parking
lights, side marker lights, and
taillights flashes if someone attempts
to break into your vehicle or remove
the radio. This alarm continues for 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.
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
doors and the tailgate from the
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.
Once the security system is set,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause the
alarm to activate. It will also activate
if the audio unit is removed from the
dashboard or the wiring is cut.The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger inside the locked vehicle
turns the ignition switch on.
The security system will not set if the
hood, tailgate, or any door is not fully
closed. Before you leave the vehicle,
make sure the doors, tailgate, and
hood are securely closed.
NOTE:
To see if the system is set
after you exit the vehicle, press the
LOCK button on the remote
transmitter within 5 seconds. If the
system is set, a beep will sound.
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Security System29410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Cruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
for cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended for
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.Using Cruise Control
1. Push in the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
2. Accelerate to the desired cruising speed above 25 mph (40 km/h). 3. Press and release the SET/
DECEL button on the steering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.
Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your vehicle speed
increases going down a hill, use the
brakes to slow down. This will cancel
the cruise control. To resume the set
speed, press the RES/ACCEL
button. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
CRUISE BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
CANCEL BUTTON
Cruise Control30010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:●Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.●Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed, then press the SET/
DECEL button.●To increase your speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, the vehicle speeds up about 1
mph (1.6 km/h).You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
NOTE
: If you need to decrease your
speed quickly, use the brakes as you
normally would.
●Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.●To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).●Tap the brake pedal lightly with
your foot. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
will go out. When the vehicle
slows to the desired speed, press
the SET/DECEL button. Even with cruise control on, you can
still use the accelerator pedal to
speed up for passing. After
completing the pass, take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal
causes cruise control to cancel.
CONTINUED
Cruise Control
301
Features
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Diagnostic Info
When an indicator comes on or a
message is displayed on the Multi-
Information Display (MID),
AcuraLink can provide information
about the cause of the indicator or
message and the recommended
action to address it. This helps you
handle the problem as it occurs,
preventing or limiting costly repairs.
The AcuraLink system cannot
determine some mechanical
problems (such as squeaks or
rattles) that are not triggered by the
diagnostic indicator monitors.
A diagnostic message is generated if
any of the instrument panel
indicators stay on when they should
go off. For more information on the
instrument panel indicators, see page
63.
When an instrument panel indicator
comes on or a message is displayed
on the MID, AcuraLink immediately
notifies you with the message,
‘‘Check more information. ’’If you do
not want the information right away,
select the Check Later option. If you
want the information now, select the
Check Now option. (If the navigation
screen is not active, you must select
OK from the navigation disclaimer
screen before you can check the
information.) Depending on the severity of the
problem, the message will let you
know if you should see your dealer
immediately or if you can wait a
while.
CONTINUED
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models only)
345
Features
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.●Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).●Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.●Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with
a pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer for service.
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation35210/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

You should do these checks and
adjustments before you drive your
vehicle:1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. 5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 134).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page
146).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 122).
8. Make sure the doors and the tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 15). 10. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 63, 73 and 74).
Preparing to Drive
373
Driving
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Shift Lever Position IndicatorsThese indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shift
lever is in.The
‘‘D ’’indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
flashes while driving (in any shift
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D ’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D ’’indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION ’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
80). Shifting
To shift from Park to any position,
press firmly on the brake pedal and
press the release button on the front
of the shift lever, then pull the lever.
You cannot shift out of Park when
the ignition switch is in the LOCK
(0) or the ACCESSORY (I) position.SHIFT LEVER
RELEASE BUTTON
Automatic Transmission37610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Using the Paddle Shifters in the D
position (D-Paddle Shift Mode)
When you are driving in the D
position, pulling either paddle shifter
switches from the ordinary automatic
transmission [drive mode (D)] to the
D-paddle shift mode. You can shift
the transmission up or down
manually with the paddle shifters.
Downshifting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep
hill.
To shift up or down, use the＋
(right) or －(left) paddle shifter on
either side of the steering wheel.
Each time you pull ＋(right), the
transmission shifts to a higher gear.
Pull －(left) to downshift. You will
see the selected gear number on the
instrument panel.
When you pull either paddle shifter,
the gear position indicator shows you
the selected gear number.
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
Driving with the Paddle Shifters38010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Each torque indicator is displayed as
a bar graph divided into 5 segments.
The number of segments represents
the amount of torque distributed to
each wheel.
When there is only a slight change in
torque distribution while driving,
such as cruising on level roads at the
same speed, the torque distribution
monitor may stop displaying the
amount of torque. This is not a
system problem. The monitor will
show the amount if the system
senses any change in torque
distribution.
If the SH-AWD indicator blinks while
driving, it indicates the differential
temperature is too high. You will also
see an‘‘SH-AWD DIFF TEMP
HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display. If this happens,
pull to the side of the road when it is
safe, shift 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.
If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
‘‘ CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM ’’
message also appears on the multi-
information display, there is a
problem with the SH-AWD system.
Your vehicle still has normal front-
wheel drive with vehicle stability
assist (VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™(SH-AWD
®) System
385
Driving
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