Acura RDX 2013 Repair Manual

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
60Safe Driving
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted
and locked.
2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 52
Two tether anchorage points are provided
behind the rear outer seating positions and
one in the ceiling for the rear center. A child
seat that is installed with a seat belt and
comes with a tether can use the tether for
additional security.
1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
■
Adding Security with a Tether
Tether Anchorage Points
Anchor Fitting
1Adding Security with a Tether
Since a tether can provide additional security to the
lap/shoulder seat belt installation, we recommend
using a tether whenever one is available.

61
uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
■
Using an outer anchor
1. Put the head restraint to its upper-most
position, then route the tether strap
through the head restraint legs. Make sure
the strap is not twisted.
2. Secure the tether strap hook onto the
anchor.
3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
■
Using the center anchor
1. Lower the head restraint to its lowest
position.
2. Open the anchor cover.
3. Route the tether strap over the head
restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
4. Secure the tether strap hook onto the
anchor.
5. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
Tether
Strap
Hook
Anchor
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor

62
uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger ChildrenThe following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind
of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who
must sit in front.
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the
following questions.
■
Checklist
• Do the child's knees bend comfortably over
the edge of the seat?
• Does the shoulder belt cross between the
child's neck and arm?
• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as
possible, touching the child's thighs?
• Will the child be able to stay seated like this
for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.
■
Protecting Larger Children
■
Checking Seat Belt Fit
1 Safety of Larger Children
3
WARNING
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in
front can result in injury or death if the
passenger's front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the
vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible,
have the child sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly, using a booster seat if
needed.

63
uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used
properly, position the child in a booster seat in
a rear seating position. For the child's safety,
check that the child meets the booster seat
manufacturer's recommendations.
Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever
have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:
• Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information
in this manual.
• Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.
• Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the
seat.
■
Monitoring child passengers
We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on child passengers. Even older, more
mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts and sit up
properly.
■
Booster Seats
1 Booster Seats
When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the
instructions that came with it, and install the seat
accordingly.
There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a
booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat
belt correctly.
Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces and
territories require children to use a booster seat until
they reach a given age or weight (e.g. 6 years or 60
lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or
province, or territory where you intend to drive.
■
Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks

64Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas HazardCarbon Monoxide GasThe engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.■
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the 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.
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.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1 Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3
WARNING
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.

65Safe Driving
Safety LabelsLabel LocationsThese labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels
carefully.
If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the U.S. dashboard label which may be removed by the owner), contact a dealer
for a replacement.
Sun Visor
U.S. models Canadian models
Radiator Cap U.S. models
U.S. models only
Dashboard
Canadian modelsDoorjambs
U.S. models only
Sun Visor

66

67
Instrument Panel
This chapter describes the buttons, indicators, and gauges that are used while driving.
Indicators............................................ 68
Multi-Information Display Warning and
Information Messages ...................... 78
Gauges and Multi-Information Display
Gauges .............................................. 82
Multi-Information Display .... .............. 83

68Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
(Red)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.●Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the brake system.●The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive with
the parking brake not fully released.
●Comes on while driving - Make sure the
parking brake is released. Check the brake
fluid level.
2 Wh at to d o w hen t he in di cat o r co mes
on while driving P. 335
●Comes on along with the ABS indicator
- Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 335
Brake System
Indicator
(Amber)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on if there is a problem with
hydraulic brake boost system.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
U.S.Canada(Red)U.S.Canada(Amber)
U.S.Canada

69
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off when
the engine starts.●Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place.
2 If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 333
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off either
when the engine starts or after
several seconds if the engine does
not start. If “readiness codes” have
not been set, it blinks five times
before it goes off.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the emissions control system.●Blinks when a misfire in the
engine's cylinders is detected.
●Readiness codes are part of the on board
diagnostics for the emissions control
systems.
2Testing of Readiness Codes P. 349
●Comes on while driving - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.●Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe place
where there are no flammable objects.
Stop the engine for 10 minutes or more,
and wait for it to cool down. Then, take the
vehicle to a dealer.
2 If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks P. 334
Charging System
Indicator
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off when
the engine starts.●Comes on when the battery is not
charging.
●Comes on while driving - Turn off the
climate control system and rear defogger in
order to reduce electricity consumption.
2 If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 333