page 61 Acura RDX 2012 Owner's Guide

If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in front, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat belt
properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle's or
booster's seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
aged 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.
If the passenger's front airbag
inflates in a moderate to severe
frontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child's body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries.Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can safely ride in front,
there are other important factors you
should consider.
Physical SizePhysically, a child must be large
enough for the lap/shoulder belt to
properly fit (see pages 15 and 53). If
the seat belt does not fit properly,
with or without the child sitting on a
booster seat, the child should not sit
in front.MaturityTo safely ride in front, a child must
be able to follow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
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Protecting Larger Children
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Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your vehicle's exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
follow the information on this page.
Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:●The vehicle is raised for an oil
change.●You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.●The vehicle was in a collision that
may have damaged the underside.
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the tailgate open, airflow can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle's
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows,
and set the climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconfined area, adjust the climate
control system as follows:
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the
mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
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The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
information about your vehicle.
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
This indicator reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on. If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
If either of you do not fasten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals. For more
information, see page 20.
You will also see a
‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT ’’or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT ’’message on the multi-
information display.
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Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM ’’message on the
multi-information display. For more
information, see page 466.Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged if
this indicator flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For more
information, see page 465.
You will also see a ‘‘OIL PRESSURE
LOW ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).Charging System
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged, and you will also see a
‘‘ CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page 465.
A/T Temperature
Indicator
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission fluid. If it comes on
while driving, it means the
transmission fluid temperature is too
high. Pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, shift to Park, and let
the engine idle until the indicator
goes out.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION ’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
80).
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) Indicator
This indicator comes on for several
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your front airbags. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your airbag system components.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK AIRBAG
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 80).
For more information, see page 32.
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Instrument Panel Indicators
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U.S. CanadaSide Airbag Off Indicator
This indicator comes on for several
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger's side
airbag has automatically shut off. You
will also see a‘‘PASSENGER SIDE
AIRBAG OFF ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 80).
For more information, see page 32.
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, and when the ignition
switch is turned to the START (III)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With this indicator on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 80).
For more information, see page 388.
Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly
coded key, the indicator blinks, and
the engine's fuel system will be
disabled (see page 124).
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U.S. CanadaParking Brake and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
This indicator has two functions:1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
released can damage the brakes
and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE ’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
79). 2. If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW ’’or
‘‘ CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page 467.
U.S. CanadaBrake System Indicator (Amber)
The brake system indicator (amber)
normally comes on when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and goes off after the engine
starts. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the brake
system including the electric vacuum
pump. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer. For
more information, see page 468.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).
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Low Fuel IndicatorThis indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
are about 2.5 U.S. gal (9.5 L) of fuel
remaining in the tank.
When the needle reaches E, there is
a very small amount of fuel in the
tank.You will also see a
‘‘FUEL LOW ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 80).
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page 395).
If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, there is a problem with
the VSA system. You will also see a
‘‘ CHECK VSA SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display (see
page 80). Take your vehicle to a
dealer to have it checked. Without
VSA, your vehicle still has normal
driving ability, but will not have VSA
traction and stability enhancement.
For more information, see page 395.
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VSA OFF Indicator
It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more information, see
page 395.
Cruise Main Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button (see
page 300).Cruise Control Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page 300
for information on operating the
cruise control.High Beam Indicator
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page 117.
This indicator also comes on with
reduced brightness when the
daytime running lights (DRL) are on
(see page 119).
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is burned
out (see pages 432 and 434). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.
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Instrument Panel Indicators
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Security System IndicatorThis indicator comes on when the
security system is set. For more
information, see page 294.
Lights On Indicator
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or
position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position without
turning off the light switch, this
indicator will remain on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver's door and remove the key
from the ignition switch.Fog Light Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. For more
information, see page 119.
Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)
Indicator
On SH-AWD modelsThis indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the SH-AWD system. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 80). Take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it checked.
For more information, see page 385.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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If this 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 (see page 80).
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.
For more information, see page 385.Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two functions:
1. If it comes on while driving, it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low
on pressure. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-information display and
determine the cause (see page 392).
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
information display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinflated, call a professional
towing service. For more
information, see page 475.
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