maintenance Acura RDX 2012 Workshop Manual

Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
－Required Federal Explanation48611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle's engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating from the tank
also produces hydrocarbons.
Controlling the production of NOx,
CO, and HC is important to the
environment. Under certain
conditions of sunlight and climate,
NOx and HC react to form
photochemical‘‘smog. ’’Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas. The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act
ᤳ
sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
work and what to do to maintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
418.ᤳIn Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specified in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manufactured. Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Your vehicle has a positive crankcase
ventilation system. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine's
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The positive crankcase
ventilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
Emissions Controls
487
Technical Information
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 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
61STK05 2010-2012 Acura RDX Service Manual
61STK05EL 2012 Acura RDX Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
61STK30 2007 Model series Acura RDX Body Repair Manual
31STK650 2012 Acura RDX Owner's Manual
31STK850 2012 Acura RDX Navigation System Manual
31STKM50 2012 Acura RDX Maintenance Journal
31STKQ50 2012 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

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

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
..........................................
356
Horn
......................................
4, 113
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
...................................
478 Ignition
Keys
........................................
122
Switch
.....................................
125
Timing Control System
...........
488
Immobilizer System
...................
124
Important considerations when selecting a child seat
................
44
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
TM
...........
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 OFF
..................................
69
VSA System
.............................
68
Individual Map Lights
................
152
Infant Restraint
............................
41
Infant Seats
..................................
41
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
51
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
444
Recommended Pressures
.......
445
Inside Mirror
.............................
146
Inspection, Tire
..........................
445
Installing a Child Seat
..................
45
Instrument Panel
..........................
63
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

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 Indicator
...................................
63
Interior
....................................
151
Parking
...................................
116
Turn Signal
.............................
116
Load Limit
...........................
366, 397
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....
125
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
......
125
Childproof Door
......................
127
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
354
Glove Box
...............................
155
Lockout Prevention
.................
127
Power Door
.............................
126
Tailgate
...................................
128
Low Coolant Level
......................
358
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)
...........
365 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
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
IndexVI11/06/16 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

Readiness Codes
........................
490
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
433
Rear Seat Folding Down
.............
138
Rearview Mirror
.........................
146
Rearview Mirror with Rearview Camera Display
......................
348
Rear Window Defogger
..............
121
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
...................................
115
Recalling a Memorized Driving Position
..................................
133
Reclining the Seat Backs
............
134
Refueling
....................................
354
Reminder Indicators
.....................
64
Remote Audio Controls
..............
289
Remote Transmitter
...................
130
Replacement Information Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
439
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
422
Fuses
......................................
469
Light Bulbs
.............................
431
Schedule
.................................
418
Spark Plugs
.............................
480
Tires
.......................................
447
Wiper Blades
..........................
440 Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash
........................................
23
Reporting Safety Defects
............
496
Required Engine Oil
..................
420
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant
............................
358, 424
Restraint, Child
............................
36
Reverse Gear Position
................
377
Reverse Tilt Door Mirror
...........
147
Rotation, Tire
.............................
447
S
Safety Belts
..............................
9, 20
Safety Defects, Reporting
...........
496
Safety Features
..............................
8
Airbags
...............................
10, 24
Door Locks
..............................
12
Head Restraints
........................
15
Seat Belts
........................
9, 15, 20
Seats & Seat-Backs
..............
13, 14
Safety Labels, Location of
.............
58
Safety Messages
..........................
iii
Seat Belts
.................................
9, 20
Additional Information
.............
20 Advice for Pregnant Women
....
18
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
...........................
22
Cleaning
..................................
438
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
15, 21
Maintenance
............................
23
Reminder Indicator and Beeper
.............................
20, 64
System Components
................
20
Use During Pregnancy
.............
18
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
..................................
15, 21
Seats
..........................................
134
Armrest
...................................
138
Head Restraints
.......................
135
Heaters
...................................
141
Position Memory
....................
148
Seats, Adjusting the
...................
134
Security System
.........................
294
Security System Indicator
............
70
Sensors
Driver's Seat Position Sensor
...
28
Front Passenger's Weight Sensors
................................
28
Impact Sensors
........................
24
Serial Number
............................
478
IndexVIII11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Taking Care of theUnexpected
............................
453
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
.............................
482
Emissions Control Systems
.....
487
Three Way Catalytic Converter
............................
489
Tire Labeling
...........................
484
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
485
Temperature, Outside
..................
76
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
22
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
51
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
291
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
489
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel
.....................................
122
Time, Setting the
........................
293
Tire Chains
................................
449
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
455
Tire Information
.........................
484
Tire Labeling
..............................
484 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
.......................
390, 485
Low Tire Pressure Indicator.....
71
Tire Pressure Monitor
.......
78, 391
Tires
..........................................
444
Air Pressure
............................
445
Chains
.....................................
449
Checking Wear
.......................
445
Compact Spare
........................
454
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
482
Inflation
...................................
444
Inspection
...............................
445
Labeling
..................................
484
Maintenance
...........................
446
Pressure Monitoring System
...
390
Replacing
................................
447
Rotating
..................................
447
Snow
.......................................
448
Specifications
..........................
481
Tools, Tire Changing
.................
455
To Play the Radio
.......................
174
Towing A Trailer
..................................
397
Emergency Wrecker
...............
475
Equipment and Accessories
....
399 Trailer Towing Tips
.................
401
Weight Limit
...........................
397
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
..............................
390
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
485
Transmission Checking Fluid Level
..............
427
Fluid Selection
........................
428
Identification Number
.............
478
Shifting the Automatic
.............
376
Treadwear
..................................
482
Trip Meter
...................................
76
Turbo Boost Meter
......................
73
Turn Signals
.................................
69
Turn Signals and Headlights
......
116
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the
..........................................
453
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only)
..............................
482
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
352
IndexX11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu