check engine Acura RDX 2012 Service Manual

If the indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine's emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle's performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fuel fill cap. You will also see a
‘‘ TIGHTEN FUEL CAP ’’message on
the multi-information display.
Tighten the cap until it clicks at least
once. Tightening the cap will not turn
the indicator off immediately; it can
take several days of normal driving.
If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If you keep driving with the malfunction
indicator lamp on, you can damage
your vehicle's emissions controls and
engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your vehicle's warranties.
The indicator may also come on with
the ‘‘D ’’indicator.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display (see
page 79).
Readiness Codes
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes ’’that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed. If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
these codes may be erased. It can
take several days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will
come on for 20 seconds. If it then
goes off, the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks five times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to
Emissions Testing for
more information (see page 490).
Malfunction Indicator Lamp46611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Brake System Indicator
(Amber)U.S. CanadaYour vehicle has an electric vacuum
pump located in the engine
compartment. It enhances the
effectiveness of your vehicle's brake
system more frequently when you
drive in cold weather or thinner air at
high altitude after the engine is
started.
When the electric vacuum pump is in
operation, it makes some mechanical
noises come from the engine
compartment. This is normal.The brake system indicator (amber)
on the instrument panel 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, press on
the brake pedal with your foot
several times until the indicator turns
off. If the indicator is still on or
comes on again after this procedure,
there is a problem in the brake
system including the electric vacuum
pump. If this happens, the brake
pedal might feel heavy when you
press it. Have your vehicle checked
by your dealer.
You will also see a
‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 79).Brake System Indicator46811/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 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
.............
291
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
...................
434
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
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Customized Settings
....................
82
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
119
Dead Battery
..............................
461
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
121
Defrosting the Windows
............
167
Dimensions
................................
480
Dimming the Headlights
............
116
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
427
Engine Oil
...............................
357
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
...........
455 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
Engine Adding 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
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

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
....................
354
Gauge
......................................
73
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
68
Octane Requirement
...............
352
Reserve Indicator
.....................
68
Tank, Filling the
......................
354
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
355
Fuel Economy
............................
358
Fuses, Checking the
..................
470
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
360 Gasoline
.....................................
352
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
68
Octane Requirement
...............
352
Tank, Refueling
.......................
354
Gas Station Procedures
..............
354
Gauges Fuel
..........................................
73
Speedometer
............................
73
Tachometer
..............................
73
Turbo Boost Meter
..................
73
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic
Transmission
...............
376, 377
Glove Box
..................................
155
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
398
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
398
H
HandsFreeLink
®........................
306
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
121
Headlights Aiming
....................................
431
IndexIV11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

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
....................
357
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
Protecting Children
......................
36
General Guidelines
..................
36
Protecting Infants
.....................
41
Protecting Larger Children
......
53
Protecting Small Children
........
42
Using Child Seats with Tethers
.................................
51
Using LATCH
..........................
46
R
Radiator Overheating
.................
463
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
172
Radio/Disc Sound System
.........
174
Radio Theft Protection
...............
291
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu