Acura RDX 2011 Owner's Manual

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or American Honda Motor Co., Inc.To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov
; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles)49610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)The publications shown below can be purchased from Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:●Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)●Go online at
www.helminc.com
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.
Publication
Form Number Form Description
61STK04 2007-2011 Acura RDX Service Manual
61STK04EL 2011 Acura RDX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
61STK30 2007 Model series Acura RDX
Body Repair Manual
31STK640 2011 Acura RDX Owner's Manual
31STK840 2011 Acura RDX Navigation System Manual
31STKM40 2011 Acura RDX Maintenance Journal
31STKQ40 2011 Acura RDX Advanced Technology Guide
ACU-R Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Service Manual:
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures for
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
for the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
for most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in
your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
497
Warranty and Client Relations

49810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
362
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
125
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
157
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
332
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
421
Adjusting the Sound
............
177, 224
Adjusting the Steering Wheel....
122
Advanced Airbags
........................
28
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
164
Usage
......................................
165
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
444, 445
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
352
Antifreeze
...................................
424
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator
............................
66, 388
Operation
................................
388
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
292
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.......................................
125 Armrests
....................................
138
Audio Antenna
...........................
439
Audio System
......................
172, 216
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature
...................................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
300
Automatic Transmission
............
376
Capacity, Fluid
........................
480
Checking Fluid Level
..............
427
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
380
Shifting
...................................
376
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
376
Shift Lever Positions
...............
377
Shift Lock Release
...................
379
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
291
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
65, 465
Jump Starting
..........................
461 Maintenance
...........................
450
Specifications
..........................
481
Before Driving
...........................
351
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
156
Bluetooth
®Audio
................
212, 280
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®......
306
Booster Seats
...............................
54
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
388
Break-in, New Linings
.............
352
Bulb Replacement
...................
433
Fluid
.......................................
429
Parking
...................................
150
System Design
........................
387
System Indicator (Amber)
.......
468
System Indicator (Red)
...........
467
Wear Indicators
.......................
387
Braking System
..........................
387
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
352
Brightness Control,
Instruments
............................
120
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Bulb ReplacementBack-up Lights
........................
433
Brake Lights
...........................
433
Fog Lights
...............................
435
Front Parking Lights
...............
432
Front Side Marker Lights
........
432
Headlights
..............................
431
High-mount Brake Light
.........
436
Rear Bulbs
......................
433, 434
Rear License Plate Lights........
437
Specifications
..........................
481
Taillights
.........................
433, 434
Turn Signal Lights
..........
432, 433
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
431
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
480
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
57
Cargo
.........................................
364
Cargo Area Cover
.......................
160
Cargo Area Light
........................
153
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
364
Carrying Cargo
..........................
364
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii CD Care
.....................................
257
Ceiling Lights
.............................
151
Certification Label
......................
478
Chains, Tires
..............................
449
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
455
Changing Oil How to
....................................
422
When to
..................................
411
Charging System Indicator
...........................
65, 465
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
373
Childproof Door Locks
...............
127
Child Safety
..................................
36
Booster Seats
...........................
54
Child Seats
....................
41, 42, 44
Important Safety Reminders
.....
40
Infants
......................................
41
Larger Children
.......................
53
LATCH
.....................................
46
Risks with Airbags
...................
37
Small Children
.........................
42
Tethers
....................................
51
Warning Labels
........................
38
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
37
Child Seats
...................................
44
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
46 Tether Anchorage Points
.........
51
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
438
Client Service Information
..........
494
Climate Control Sensors
............
171
Climate Control System
.............
164
Clock
..........................................
293
Coat Hook
..................................
161
Code, Audio System
...................
292
CO in the Exhaust
................
57, 487
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
374
Compact Spare Tire
....................
454
Compass Operation
..................
295
Console Compartment
...............
158
Consumer Information
...............
494
Controls, Instruments and
............
61
Coolant Adding
....................................
424
Checking
................................
357
Proper Solution
.......................
424
Courtesy Lights
..........................
153
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
...................................
487
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
69
Cruise Control Operation
...........
300
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
69
Cup Holders
...............................
156
IndexII10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Customized Settings
....................
82
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
119
Dead Battery
..............................
461
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
496
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
121
Defrosting the Windows
............
167
Dimensions
................................
480
Dimming the Headlights
............
116
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission
.........
427
Engine Oil
...............................
356
Directional Signals
...............
69, 116
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
387
Disc Care
...................................
257
Disc Changer
......................
185, 239
Disc Changer Error Messages
........................
195, 255
Disc Player
..........................
185, 239
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
423 Doors
Childproof Door Locks
............
127
Locking and Unlocking
...........
126
Power Door Locks
..................
126
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
482
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
371
Economy
.................................
358
Driving Guidelines
.....................
372
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
148
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
380
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
439
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
358
Emergencies on the Road
..........
453
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
461
Brake System Indicator
...
467, 468
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
455
Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 465 Checking the Fuses
................
470
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
454
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
121
Jump Starting
..........................
461
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
65, 465
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 466
Overheated Engine
.................
463
Towing
....................................
475
Emergency Brake
......................
150
Emergency Flashers
..................
121
Emergency Towing
....................
475
Emissions Controls
....................
487
Emissions Testing
......................
490
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

EngineAdding Engine Coolant
...........
424
If it Won't Start
........................
459
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
.............................
65, 466
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
411
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
65, 465
Overheating
............................
463
Specifications
..........................
480
Speed Limiter
..........................
378
Starting
...................................
374
Engine Coolant
..........................
424
Engine Number
.........................
479
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
352
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
487
Exhaust Emissions Controls
......
488
Exhaust Fumes
............................
57
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
....................................
18
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
166
Features
.....................................
163 Filters
Dust and Pollen
.......................
439
Oil
...........................................
422
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
121
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
455
Floor Mats
.................................
438
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
427
Brake
......................................
429
Location
..................................
419
Power Steering
........................
430
Windshield Washer
.................
426
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
287
Fog Lights
..................................
119
Folding the Rear Seats Down
.....
138
Four-way Flashers
......................
121
Front Airbags
.........................
10, 26
Front Door Pockets
....................
155
Front Seat Heaters
...................................
141
Front Seat Power
Adjustments
...........................
134
Fuel
............................................
352
Economy
.................................
358
Fill Door and Cap
....................
353
Gauge
......................................
73 Low Fuel Indicator
...................
68
Octane Requirement
...............
352
Reserve Indicator
.....................
68
Tank, Filling the
......................
353
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
354
Fuel Economy
............................
358
Fuses, Checking the
..................
470
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
359
Gasoline
.....................................
352
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
68
Octane Requirement
...............
352
Tank, Refueling
.......................
353
Gas Station Procedures
..............
353
Gauges Fuel
..........................................
73
Speedometer
............................
73
Tachometer
..............................
73
Turbo Boost Meter
..................
73
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic
Transmission
...............
376, 377
Glove Box
..................................
155
IndexIV10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Gross Axle Weight Rating(GAWR)
.................................
398
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
398
H
HandsFreeLink
®........................
306
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
121
Headlights Aiming
....................................
431
Automatic Lighting Off
............
118
Automatic Lighting On
............
117
Daytime Running Lights
.........
119
High Beam Indicator
................
69
High Beams, Turning on
.........
116
Lights On Indicator
..................
70
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
116
Reminder Chime
.....................
116
Turning on
..............................
116
Head Restraints
..........................
135
Heated Mirrors
..........................
147
Heaters, Seats
............................
141
Heating and Cooling
..................
164
High Altitude, Starting at
............
374 High-Low Beam Switch
..............
117
HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
303
Hood, Opening and Closing
the
..........................................
355
Horn
......................................
4, 113
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
...................................
478
Ignition Keys
........................................
122
Switch
.....................................
125
Timing Control System
...........
488
Immobilizer System
...................
124
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
63
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
.......
66, 388
A/T Temp
................................
65
Brake (Amber)
..................
67, 468
Brake (Red)
......................
67, 467
Charging System
..............
65, 465
Cruise Control
..........................
69
Cruise Main
.............................
69 Fog Lights
................................
70
High Beam
...............................
69
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
66
Lights On
.................................
70
Low Fuel
..................................
68
Low Oil Pressure
..............
65, 465
Low Tire Pressure/ TPMS
............................
71, 390
Maintenance Minder ™
............
411
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 466
Passenger Airbag Off
...............
33
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
20, 64
Security System
.......................
70
SH-AWD
®.................................
70
Side Airbag Off
....................
32, 66
SRS
.....................................
32, 65
System Message
......................
72
TPMS/Tire Pressure Monitor
.........................
71, 390
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning
...............................
69
VSA Activation
.........................
69
VSA System
.............................
68
Individual Map Lights
................
152
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Infant Restraint
............................
41
Infant Seats
..................................
41
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
51
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
444
Recommended Pressures
.......
445
Inside Mirror
.............................
146
Inspection, Tire
..........................
445
Installing a Child Seat
..................
45
Instrument Panel
..........................
63
Instrument Panel Brightness
.....
120
Instruments and Controls
.............
61
Intercooler
.................................
439
Interface Dial
.............................
216
Interior Care
..............................
452
Interior Lights
............................
151
Introduction
...................................
i
iPod
®...................................
197, 260
iPod
®Error Messages
.........
203, 269
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
455
Jack, Tire
...................................
455
Jump Starting
.............................
461 K
Keys
...........................................
122
L
Label, Certification
.....................
478
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
116
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
15, 21
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
46
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
431
Indicator
...................................
63
Interior
....................................
151
Parking
...................................
116
Turn Signal
.............................
116
Load Limit
...........................
365, 397
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....
125
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
......
125
Childproof Door
......................
127
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
353
Glove Box
...............................
155
Lockout Prevention
.................
127
Power Door
.............................
126 Tailgate
...................................
128
Low Coolant Level
......................
357
Lower Anchors
.............................
46
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
68
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
65, 465
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
...........................
71, 390
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
480
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
364
M
Maintenance
..............................
409
Main Items and Sub Items
......
415
Minder
....................................
411
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
417
Safety
......................................
410
Schedule
.................................
418
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................
65, 466
Memory, Driving Position
..........
148
Meters, Gauges
............................
73
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
352
IndexVI10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
146
Modifications
.............................
363
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
363
Moonroof
...................................
144
Multi-Information Display
............
74
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
377
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
352
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
478
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline
.................................
352
Odometer
.....................................
76
Odometer, Trip
............................
76
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
405
Off-Road Precautions
..................
405
Oil Change, How to
......................
422
Change, When to
....................
411 Checking Engine
....................
356
Life, Engine
.............................
411
Pressure Indicator
.............
65, 465
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart
...................................
420
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
................................
488
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
125
Outside Mirrors
.........................
146
Outside Temperature
...................
76
Overheating, Engine
..................
463
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
417
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
352
P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
120
Park Gear Position
.....................
377
Parking
......................................
386
Parking Brake
............................
150
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator
.................................
467
Parking Lights
...........................
116
Parking Over Things that Burn
................................
386, 489 Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
33
PGM-FI System
..........................
488
Playing an iPod
®..................
197, 260
Playing a USB Flash Memory
Device
.............................
204, 270
Playing Disc
...............................
185
Playing the FM/AM Radio
...............................
174, 217
Playing the XM
®Radio
........
179, 228
Pollen Filter
...............................
439
Power Door Locks
.....................
126
Power Seat Adjustments
............
134
Power Socket Locations
.............
157
Power Steering Fluid
.................
430
Power Windows
.........................
142
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
18
Preparing to Drive
......................
373
Proper Seat Belt Usage
................
15
Protecting Adults and Teens
........
12
Additional Safety Precautions
...
19
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
18
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu