tailgate Acura RDX 2013 Owner's Guide

107Controls
Opening and Closing the TailgatePrecautions for Opening/Closing the TailgateAlways make sure individuals and objects are clear of the tailgate before opening or
closing it.■
Opening the tailgate
• Open the tailgate all the way.
u If it is not fully opened, the tailgate may come down accidentally by its own
weight.
• Be careful when it is windy. The wind may cause the tailgate to close.
■
Closing the tailgate
Keep the tailgate closed while driving to: uAvoid possible damage.
u Prevent exhaust gas from leaking into the vehicle.2 Carbon Monoxide Gas P. 64
1Precautions for Opening/Closing the Tailgate
Be careful not to hit your head on the tailgate or to
put your hands between the tailgate and the cargo
area when closing the gate.
When operating the power tailgate, make sure there
is enough space around your vehicle. People near the
tailgate may be seriously hurt if the tailgate hits or
closes on their heads. Be especially cautious if
children are around.
When you are storing or picking up luggage from the
cargo area while the engine is idling, do not stand in
front of the exhaust pipe. You may get burned.
Do not allow any passenger in the cargo space. They
may get hurt during hard braking, a sudden
acceleration, or a crash.
3
WARNING
Closing a power tailgate while anyone is
in the path of the tailgate can cause
serious injury.
Make sure everyone is clear before
closing the tailgate.Models with power tailgate

108
uuOpening and Closing the Tailgate uOpening/Closing the Tailgate Using the Tailgate Release Button
Controls
Opening/Closing the Tailgate Using the Tailgate Release Button
When all the doors are unlocked, the tailgate
is unlocked. Press the tailgate release button
and lift open the tailgate.
To manually close the tailgate, grab the inner
handle, pull the tailgate down, and push it
closed from outside.
1Opening/Closing the Tailgate Using the Tailgate Release Button
Do not leave the keyless access remote inside the
cargo area and close the tailgate. The beeper sounds
and the tailgate cannot be closed.
Tailgate Release
Button
Inner Handle

109
uuOpening and Closing the Tailgate uOpening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
Continued
Controls
Opening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
The power tailgate can be operated by pressing the power tailgate button on the
remote transmitter, pressing the power tailgate switch on the dashboard, or
pressing the button on the tailgate.■
The power tailgate can be opened when:
• The tailgate is fully closed.
• The shift lever is in
(P
.
• Press and hold the tailgate button on the remote transmitter for about one
second.
u If you have changed the POWER TAILGATE KEYLESS OPEN MODE setting to
WHEN UNLOCKED , you need to unlock the tailgate before you press the
tailgate button to open it.
2 Customized Features P. 87
■
The power tailgate can be closed when:
• The tailgate is fully open.
• The shift lever is in
(P
.
• Press and hold the tailgate button on the remote transmitter for about one
second.
1Opening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
The power tailgate may not open or close under the
following conditions:•The vehicle is parked on a steep hill.•The vehicle is swayed in a strong wind.•The tailgate or the roof is covered with snow or ice.
If you close the power tailgate when all the doors are
locked, the power tailgate locks automatically.
If you replace the battery or the power tailgate fuse
while the tailgate is open, the power tailgate may be
disabled. The power tailgate resumes once you
manually close the tailgate.
Installing aftermarket components other than Acura
genuine accessories on the power tailgate may
prevent it from fully opening or closing.
Make sure the power tailgate is fully open before you
get your luggage in and out.
Make sure the power tailgate is fully closed before
you start the vehicle.
* Not available on all models

uuOpening and Closing the Tailgate uOpening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
110Controls
Press the power tailgate button for more than
one second to operate.
To reverse direction while the power tailgate is
in operation, press the button again. The
beeper sounds three times and the tailgate
reverses direction.
■
Customizing when to open the tailgate
ANYTIME: The power tailgate unlocks and opens at the same time. This is the
default setting.
WHEN UNLOCKED: The tailgate opens when all doors are unlocked.2Customized Features P. 87
To open or close the power tailgate, press the
tailgate button on the dashboard for about
one second. The beeper sounds and some
exterior lights flash.
To reverse direction while the power tailgate is
in operation, press the button again. The
beeper sounds three times and the tailgate
reverses direction.
■
Remote Transmitter
1Opening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
If the power tailgate meets resistance while opening
or closing, the auto reverse feature reverses the
direction. The beeper sounds three times.
The auto reverse function stops sensing when the
tailgate is almost closed to make sure that it fully
closes.
Do not touch the sensors located on both sides of the
tailgate. The power tailgate does not close if you
touch either sensor when you are trying to close the
tailgate.
Be careful not to scratch the sensors with a sharp
object. If scratched, they can be damaged, and the
power tailgate closing feature malfunctions.
Power
Tailgate
Button
■
Power Tailgate Button
Power Tailgate Button
* Not available on all models

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111
uuOpening and Closing the Tailgate uOpening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
Controls
Press the button on the tailgate to close the
power tailgate.
If you press the button again while the power
tailgate is closing, it stops and reverses
direction.
If you manually close the power tailgate, it latches automatically.
■
Power Tailgate Close Button
1 Power Tailgate Close Button
If you push the power tailgate close button while the
tailgate is automatically opening or closing, the
power tailgate operation stops. Use caution if the
tailgate stops in the middle of either operation. It may
suddenly swing up or down.
Power Tailgate
Close Button■
Auto-Closer
1Auto-Closer
The auto-closer feature does not activate if you push
the tailgate release button while the power tailgate is
closing.
Do not put any force on the tailgate while the power
tailgate is latching.
Keep your hands away from the tailgate when you
manually close the tailgate and let it latch
automatically. It is dangerous to put your hands
around the tailgate as it starts to latch itself.

uuOpening and Closing the Tailgate uOpening/Closing the Power Tailgate
*
112Controls
The power tailgate fail-safe mode detects if there is an extra load on the tailgate (for
example, it is covered with snow). If an extra load is detected, the tailgate opens
completely then lowers to the close position.■
Power Tailgate Fail-safe Mode
1Power Tailgate Fail-safe Mode
If you try to manually close the power tailgate
immediately after it fully opens, the power tailgate
fail-safe mode may activate.
Once the power tailgate fail-safe mode activates,
wait until the power tailgate fully closes. Keep away
from the power tailgate when it is in motion.
If the power tailgate fail-safe mode constantly
activates, consult at a dealer.

113
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Controls
Security SystemImmobilizer SystemThe immobilizer system prevents a key that has not been pre-registered from
starting the engine. Each key contains electronic transmitters that use electronic
signals to verify the key.
Pay attention to the following when selecting the ACCESSORY mode with the
ENGINE START/STOP button:
• Do not allow objects that emit strong radio waves near the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
• Make sure the key is not covered by or touching a metal object.
• Do not bring a key from another vehicle's immobilizer system with the keyless
access remote.Security System AlarmThe security system alarm activates when the doors, tailgate, or hood are opened
without the key, remote transmitter or keyless access system.■
When the security system alarm activates
The horn sounds intermittently, and all of the exterior lights flash.
■
To deactivate the security system alarm
Unlock the vehicle using the key, remo te transmitter, or keyless access system. The
system, along with the horn and flashing lights, is deactivated.
1Immobilizer System
NOTICELeaving the ignition key in the vehicle can result in
theft or accidental movement of the vehicle.
Always take the ignition key with you whenever you
leave the vehicle unattended.
Do not alter the system or add other devices to it.
Doing so may damage the system and make your
vehicle inoperable.1Security System Alarm
The security alarm continues for a maximum of two
minutes until the security system alarm deactivates.

uuSecurity System uSecurity System Alarm
114Controls
■
Setting the security system alarm
The security system alarm automatically sets when the following conditions have
been met:
• The power mode is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).
• The hood is closed.
• All doors and the tailgate are locked from outside with the key, remote
transmitter, or keyless access system.
■
When the security system alarm sets
The security system alarm indicator in the instrument panel blinks. When the
blinking interval changes after about 15 seconds, the security system alarm is set.
■
To cancel the security system alarm
The security system alarm is canceled when the vehicle is unlocked using the key,
remote transmitter, or keyless access system. The security system alarm indicator
goes off at the same time.
■
The panic button on the remote
transmitter
If you press the panic button for
approximately one second, the following will
occur for about 30 seconds:
• The horn sounds.
• Some exterior lights flash.
■
Canceling panic mode
Press any button on the remote transmitter, or set the power mode to ON.
■
Panic Mode
1 Security System Alarm
Do not set the security system alarm when someone
is in the vehicle or a window is open. The system can
accidentally activate when unlocking the door with
the lock tab.
If the battery goes dead after you have set the
security system alarm, the security alarm may go off
once the battery is recharged or replaced.
If this occurs, deactivate the security system alarm by
unlocking a door using the key, remote transmitter,
or keyless access system.
Do not attempt to alter this system or add another
device to it.
Panic
Button

144
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience Items uInterior Lights
Controls
■
ON
The light comes on when you open the
tailgate, and goes off when closed.
■
OFF
The light stays off with or without opening the
tailgate.
■
Cargo Area Lights
Off
On

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229
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improp erly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 231
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock all doors and the tailgate.
2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 104
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 136
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 138
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 132
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 133
■
Interior Checks
1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area or tow a trailer, have
the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified
technician.