Acura RDX 2012 Owner's Manual

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●Glove box●Front door pockets●Door lining pockets●Seat-back pockets●Center pocket●Console compartment●Cargo area, including the rear
seats when folded down.●Roof-rack (if equipped)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect
your vehicle's handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsafe. Before carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
following pages.
DOOR LINING POCKETS
FRONT DOOR POCKET CENTER POCKET
GLOVE BOX
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
CARGO AREA
SEAT BACK POCKETS
CARGO HOOKS
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
365
Before Driving
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Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 870 lbs (395 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
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.Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
－
1. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs. ’’on your vehicle's
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 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.)
Carrying Cargo36611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

5. Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
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 are on
a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load Passenger Weight Cargo Weight
(870 lbs) (395 kg) (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) (259 kg)
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs) (570 lbs)(870 lbs) (150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(270 lbs)
Max Load
Passenger Weight Cargo Weight
(395 kg) (68 kg x 4 = 272 kg)
(123 kg)(870 lbs)Passenger Weight
Cargo Weight
Max Load
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs) (120 lbs)
(395 kg) (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) (55 kg)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
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Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.●Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
●If you fold the rear seats down, 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 interfere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.●Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.●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.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
●Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor 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 you fold the rear seats down, tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Keep all cargo below
the bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
Carrying Cargo36811/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

●If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility ofcarbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page 57.●●If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 110 lbs (50 kg). Cargo Hooks/Hanger Bars
To secure the cargo, you can use the
four cargo hooks in the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook.
The cargo hooks on the floor can be
used to install the cargo net for
securing items. The hanger bars can be used to hang
items. The hanger bar is designed to
hang light items (maximum load: 11
lbs or 5 kg on each side). Heavy
items may damage the bars.
HANGER
BARS
HOOK
CONTINUED
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Optional Cargo Net
The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items from being thrown
forward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Heavy items should be secured to
the cargo area floor with the hooks
or cinch straps attached to the cargo
hooks.Carrying Cargo37011/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive™(SH-AWD
®) system,
the vehicle stability assist (VSA
®)
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and facts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive off-highway. Driving Guidelines
......................
372
Preparing to Drive
......................
373
Starting the Engine
.....................
374
Automatic Transmission
.............
376
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
380
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
384
Parking
.......................................
386
Braking System
..........................
387
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
388
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
390
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
.....................
395
Towing a Trailer
..........................
397
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
...............................
405
Driving
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Driving
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Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
the ground, it has a high center of
gravity that can cause it to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
●Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.●Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.●Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.●Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof.Your vehicle is equipped with a super
handling-all wheel drive (SH-AWD)
system. When the system senses a
loss of one or more wheel traction, it
automatically transfers some power
to the other wheels. This gives you
better traction and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
braking that you would in a two-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page 405 for off-highway driving
guidelines.
Driving Guidelines37211/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 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
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Driving
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Your vehicle's starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START (III)
position, this feature keeps the
engine's starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal. 4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. The starter
motor can run for up to 9 seconds
to guarantee starting when the
outside temperature is very low.
If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position for more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs for up to 25
seconds until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds before trying
again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled. For
more information, see page 124.The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
Starting the Engine37411/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu