airbag Acura RDX 2011 Owner's Manual

California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly referred to as event data recorders. These
devices record front seat belt use, front passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the failure of
any airbag system component. This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record information about powertrain performance. The data
can be used to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It
may also be combined with data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential.California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act
The airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR type batteries in this vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special
handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/Introductionii10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

ꭧ1:
ꭧ 2:
ꭧ 3: On models without navigation system.
On models with navigation system.
HomeLink
®buttons (P. 303)
Moonroof Switch (P. 144)
Front Ceiling Light Switch (P. 151)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS (P. 63)
GAUGES (P. 73)
DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG
(P. 10, 26)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P. 148)
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P. 126)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 142)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 353) PARKING BRAKE PEDAL
(P. 150) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(P. 376)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 355) AUDIO SYSTEM
ꭧ
1
(P. 174) CEILING CONSOLE
ꭧ
3
MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
(P. 146)
PASSENGER'S
FRONT AIRBAG
(P. 10, 26)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P. 164) POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P. 126)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCH
(P. 142)
AUDIO SYSTEM
ꭧ 2
(P. 216)
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKET (P. 157)
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. REARVIEW MONITOR
ꭧ
1
(P. 348)
USB ADAPTER CABLE
(P. 199, 207, 263, 274)
CONTINUED
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
Your Vehicle at a Glance
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 2: On models without navigation system.
ꭧ 3: Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual.HEADLIGHTS/TURN
SIGNAL/FOG LIGHTS
(P. 116/119)
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROL BUTTONS
(P. 289)VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) OFF SWITCH
(P. 396)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 146)
VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS
ꭧ 3
BLUETOOTH HANDSFREELINK
BUTTONS (P. 306)
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS
(P. 122) HORN
ꭧ
1
MULTI-INFORMATION
BUTTONS (P. 74) CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS (P. 300)SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
(P. 141)ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKET
(P. 157)
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK
(P. 291) REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER/
HEATED MIRROR
BUTTON
(P. 121/147)PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P. 33)
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
ꭧ
3/
CENTER DISPLAY
ꭧ 2
(P. 172)
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 121)
PADDLE SHIFTERS
(P. 380) WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS/
REAR WINDOW
WIPER/WASHER
(P. 114/115) UPPER DISPLAY
ꭧ
3
(P. 173)
Vehicle with navigation system is shown.
Your Vehicle at a Glance410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

This section gives you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It shows
you how to use seat belts properly. It
explains how your airbags work, and it
tells you how to properly restrain
infants and children in your vehicle.
Important Safety Precautions
.............
6
Your Vehicle's Safety Features
..........
8
Seat Belts
.....................................
9
Airbags
......................................
10
Protecting Adults and Teens
...........
12
1. Close and Lock the Doors
........
12
2. Adjust the Front Seats
.............
13
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs
..............
14
4. Adjust the Head Restraints
......
15
5. Fasten and Position the Seat Belts
..................................
15
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
..............................
17
Advice for Pregnant Women
........
18
Additional Safety Precautions
......
19
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts
...............................
20
Seat Belt System Components
.....
20 Lap/Shoulder Belt
......................
21
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
.............................
22
Seat Belt Maintenance
................
23
Additional Information About Your Airbags
..................................
24
Airbag System Components
........
24
How Your Front Airbags Work
....
26
How Your Side Airbags Work
......
30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
.....................................
31
How the SRS Indicator Works
.....
32
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
.....................
32
How the Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Works
.....................
33
Airbag Service
............................
34
Additional Safety Precautions
......
35
Protecting Children －General
Guidelines
..............................
36
All Children Must Be
Restrained
..............................
36
All Children Should Sit in a Back Seat
.......................................
37
The Passenger's Front Airbag Can Pose Serious Risks
...........
37 If You Must Drive with Several
Children
................................
39
If a Child Requires Close Attention
................................
39
Additional Safety Precautions
......
40
Protecting Infants and Small Children
.................................
41
Protecting Infants
.......................
41
Protecting Small Children
...........
42
Selecting a Child Seat
.....................
44
Installing a Child Seat
.....................
45
Installing a Child Seat with
LATCH
..................................
46
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt
..................
50
Installing a Child Seat with a Tether
...................................
51
Protecting Larger Children
.............
53
Checking Seat Belt Fit
................
53
Using a Booster Seat
...................
54
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front
.....................................
55
Additional Safety Precautions
......
56
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
...............
57
Safety Labels
..................................
58
Driver and Passenger Safety
5
Driver and Passenger Safety
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

You'll find many safety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
The recommendations on this page
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.Always Wear Your Seat Belt
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with
airbags, make sure you and your
passengers always wear your seat
belts, and wear them properly (see
page 15).
Restrain All Children
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat, not the front seat. Infants and
small children should be restrained
in a child seat. Larger children
should use a booster seat and a lap/
shoulder belt until they can use the
belt properly without a booster seat
(see pages 36
－56). Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Infants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.
Don't Drink and Drive
Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don't drink
and drive, and don't let your friends
drink and drive, either.Important Safety Precautions610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to protect
you and your passengers during a
crash.
Some features do not require any
action on your part. These include a
strong steel framework that forms a
safety cage around the passenger
compartment, front and rear crush
zones, a collapsible steering column,
and tensioners that tighten the front
seat belts in a crash.
However, you and your passengers
can't take full advantage of these
features unless you remain sitting in
the correct position and
always wear
your seat belts.
In fact, some safety
features can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
The following pages explain how you
can take an active role in protecting
yourself and your passengers.
(10)
(7) (8)
(6)
(3)
(4)
(9)
(1) (2)
(8)
(11)
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats and Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Side Airbags
(9) Side Curtain Airbags
(10) Door Locks
(11) Front Seat Belt Tensioners
(12) Occupant Position Detection
System (OPDS) Sensor
(5)
(2) (7)(9)
(10)
(12) (4)
(6)
(11)
Your Vehicle's Safety Features810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Seat Belts
Your vehicle is equipped with seat
belts in all seating positions.
Your seat belt system also includes
an indicator on the instrument panel
and a beeper to remind you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.Why Wear Seat BeltsSeat belts are the single most
effective safety device for adults and
larger children. (Infants and smaller
children must be properly restrained
in child seats.)
Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your vehicle has airbags.
In addition, most states and all
Canadian provinces require you to
wear seat belts.
Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your vehicle has
airbags.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
When properly worn, seat belts:●Keep you connected to the vehicle
so you can take advantage of the
vehicle's built-in safety features.●Help protect you in almost every
type of crash, including:
－ frontal impacts
－ side impacts
－ rear impacts
－ rollovers
●Help keep you from being thrown
against the inside of the vehicle
and against other occupants.●Keep you from being thrown out of
the vehicle.●Help keep you in a good position
should the airbags ever deploy. A
good position reduces the risk of
injury from an inflating airbag and
allows you to get the best
advantage from the airbag.
Of course, seat belts cannot
completely protect you in every
crash. But in most cases, seat belts
can reduce your risk of serious
injury.What You Should Do:Always wear your seat belt, and
make sure you wear it properly.
Your Vehicle's Safety Features
9
Driver and Passenger Safety
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

AirbagsYour vehicle has a supplemental
restraint system (SRS) with front
airbags to help protect the heads and
chests of the driver and a front seat
passenger during a moderate to
severe frontal collision (see page 26
for more information on how your
front airbags work).
Your vehicle also has side airbags to
help protect the upper torso of the
driver or a front seat passenger
during a moderate to severe side
impact (see page 30 for more
information on how your side airbags
work).
In addition, your vehicle has side
curtain airbags to help protect the
heads of the driver, front passenger,
and passengers in the outer rear
seating positions during a moderate
to severe side impact or rollover (see
page 31 for more information on how
your side curtain airbags work).
Your Vehicle's Safety Features1010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:●Airbags do not replace seat belts.They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.●Airbags offer no protection in rearimpacts, or minor frontal or sidecollisions.●Airbags can pose serious hazards.To do their job, airbags must
inflate with tremendous force. So
while airbags help save lives, they
can cause minor injuries or more
serious or even fatal injuries if
occupants are not properly
restrained or sitting properly.
What you should do:
Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as far back from the
steering wheel as possible while
allowing full control of the vehicle. A
front passenger should move their
seat as far back from the dashboard
as possible. The rest of this section gives more
detailed information about how you
can maximize your safety.
Remember, however, that no safety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in a severe
crash, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags
deploy.
Your Vehicle's Safety Features
11
Driver and Passenger Safety
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu

Locking the doors and the tailgate
reduces the chance of someone
being thrown out of the vehicle
during a crash, and it helps prevent
passengers from accidentally
opening a door or the tailgate and
falling out.
Locking the doors and the tailgate
also helps prevent an outsider from
unexpectedly opening a door or the
tailgate when you come to a stop.
See page 126 for how to lock the
doors and the tailgate.
This vehicle has auto door locking/
unlocking features. See pages 103
and 111 for how to set them.2. Adjust the Front Seats
Adjust the driver's seat as far to the
rear as possible while allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
Have a front passenger adjust their
seat as far to the rear as possible.If you sit too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard, you can be
seriously injured by an inflating front
airbag, or by striking the steering
wheel or dashboard.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
allow at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the center of the steering
wheel and the chest. In addition to
adjusting the seat, you can adjust the
steering wheel up and down, and in
and out (see page 122).
If you cannot get far enough away
from the steering wheel and still
reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some
type of adaptive equipment may help.
CONTINUED
Protecting Adults and Teens
13
Driver and Passenger Safety
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