steering Acura RDX 2018 Owner's Guide

164
Controls
Adjusting the Seats
Adjusting the Seat Positions
Adjust the driver’s seat as far back as possible
while allowing you to maintain full control of
the vehicle. You should be able to sit upright,
well back in the seat and be able to
adequately press the pedals without leaning
forward, and grip the steering wheel
comfortably. The passenger’s seat should be
adjusted in a similar manner, so that it is as far
back from the front airbag in the dashboard
as possible.
■Adjusting the front power seats
1Adjusting the Seats
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and Transport Cana da recommend that drivers allow
at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the center of the
steering wheel and the chest.
Always make seat adjustments before driving.
3WARNING
Sitting too close to a front airbag can result
in serious injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.
Always sit as far back from the front
airbags as possible while maintaining
control of the vehicle.
Move back.
Allow sufficient
space.
Horizontal Position
Adjustment
Height Adjustment
*
Seat-back Angle
Adjustment Lumbar Support
Adjustment
*
* Not available on all models

Continued165
uuAdjusting the Seats uAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
Adjust the driver’s seat -back to a comfortable,
upright position, leaving ample space
between your chest and the airbag cover in
the center of the steering wheel.
The front seat passenger should also adjust
their seat-back to a comfortable, upright
position.
Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer rests against the
occupant’s chest reduces the protective capa bility of the belt. It also increases the
chance of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a
seat-back is reclined, the gr eater the risk of injury.
■Adjusting the Seat-Backs1Adjusting the Seat-Backs
Do not put a cushion, or other object, between the
seat-back and your back. Do ing so may interfere with
proper seat belt or airbag operation.
If you cannot get far e nough away from the steering
wheel and still reach th e controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some type of adaptive
equipment may help.
3WARNING
Reclining the seat-back too far can result in
serious injury or death in a crash.
Adjust the seat-back to an upright position,
and sit well back in the seat.

188
Features
Audio System*
About Your Audio System
On models with navigation system, see Navigation System Manual for operation of
the audio system, AcuraLink, Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ®, and voice commands for
these features.
The audio system features AM/FM radio and the SiriusXM ® Radio service. It can also
play audio CDs, WMA/MP3/AAC files, iPod, iPhone, USB flash drives, and
Bluetooth ® devices.
You can operate the audio sy stem from the buttons and sw itches on the panel, or
the remote controls on the steering wheel.1About Your Audio System
SiriusXM ® Radio is available on a subscription basis
only. For more information on SiriusXM ® Radio,
contact a dealer.
2 General Information on the Audio System
*
P. 220
SiriusXM ® Radio is available in the United States and
Canada, except Ha waii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.
SiriusXM ® is a registered trademark of SiriusXM
Radio, Inc.
Video CDs, DVDs, and 3-inch (8-cm) mini CDs are not
supported.
iPod, iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc.
State or local laws may pr ohibit the operation of
handheld electronic devi ces while operating a
vehicle.
Remote Control iPod
USB Flash
Drive
* Not available on all models

192
Features
Audio System Basic Operation*
To use the audio system function, the power mode must be in ACCESSORY or ON.
Use the selector knob or SETUP button to
access some audio functions.
Press to switch between the normal and
extended display fo r some functions.
Selector knob: Rotate left or right to scroll
through the available choices. Press to set
your selection.
SETUP button: Press to select any mode such
as the RDS Information, Sound Settings, Play
Mode, Resume/Pause, or Adjust Clock.
BACK button: Press to go back to the
previous display.
button: Press to change the audio/
information screen brightness. The brightness
can be set differently for the day time and
night time.
Press once for the day time mode.
Press twice for the night time mode.
Adjust the brightness using . 1 Audio System Basic Operation*
These indications are used to show how to operate
the selector knob.
Rotate to select.
Press to enter.
Press the MODE,
(+, (-, or button on the
steering wheel to cha nge any audio setting.
2 Audio Remote Controls P. 191
Setup Menu Items
2 Radio Data System (RDS) P. 201
2 Adjusting the Sound P. 199
2 How to Select a Play Mode P. 206
2 To pause or resume a file P. 216
2 Setting the Clock P. 12034
BACK
Button
Selector
Knob
SETUP
Button
Button
Menu Display
* Not available on all models

201
uuAudio System Basic Operation*uPlaying the AM/FM Radio
Features
Provides text data information related to your selected RDS capable FM station.
■RDS information
1.Press the SETUP button and rotate to
select RDS Information .
2. Each time you press , the RDS
Information switches between on and off.
■To find an RDS station from your selected program category
1.Press the CATEGORY bar to display and
select an RDS category.
2. Use SKIP or SCAN to select an RDS station.
■Radio Data System (RDS)1Playing the AM/FM Radio
The ST indicator appears on the display indicating
stereo FM broadcasts.
Stereo reproduction in AM is not available.
Switching the Audio Mode
Pressing the MODE button on the steering wheel.
2 Audio Remote Controls P. 191
You can store 6 AM stations and 12 FM stations into
the preset button memory. FM1 and FM2 let you
store six stations each.
A.SEL function scans and stores up to 6 AM stations
and 12 FM stations with a strong signal into the
preset button memory.
If you do not like the stati ons auto select has stored,
you can manually store your preferred frequencies.
RDS Category

uuAudio System Basic Operation*uPlaying Bluetooth ® Audio
216
Features
1. Make sure that your phone is paired and
linked to HFL.
2. Press the AUX button.
If the phone is not re cognized, another HFL-
compatible phone, which is not compatible
for Bluetooth ® Audio, may be already linked.
■To pause or resume a file
1. Press the SETUP button.
2. Rotate to select Resume/Pause, then press .
Each time you press , the setting sw itches between Pause and Resume.
Press the (pick-up) button on the steering
wheel to receive a call when Bluetooth® Audio
is playing.
2 Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® P. 226
Press the (hang-up) bu tton to end the call
and return to Bluetooth® Audio.
■To Play Bluetooth® Audio Files1To Play Bluetooth ® Audio Files
To play the audio files, y ou may need to operate your
phone. If so, follow the phone manufacturer’s
operating instructions.
The pause function may no t be available on some
phones.
If any audio device is conne cted to the auxiliary input
jack, you may need to press the AUX button
repeatedly to select the Bluetooth® Audio system.
Switching to another mode pauses the music playing
from your phone.
■Switching to HFL1 Switching to HFL
If you receive a call while Bluetooth® Audio is in the
pause mode, it will resume play after ending the call.
Button
Button

226
Features
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ®
For models with navigation system, see Navigation System Manual for how to
operate Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ®.
Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ® (HFL) allows you to place and receive phone calls using
your vehicle’s audio system, without handling your cell phone.
Using HFL
(Pick-up) button: Press to go directly to the Phone screen or to answer an
incoming call.
(Hang-up) button: Press to end a call.
(Talk) button: Press to call a number with a stored voice tag.
(Back) button: Press to cancel a command.
PHONE button: Press to go directly to the Phone screen.
Selector knob: Rotate to select an item on the screen, then press .
■HFL Buttons
1Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ®
To use HFL, you need a Bluetooth-compatible cell
phone. For a list of compatible phones, pairing
procedures, and special feature capabilities:
•U.S.: Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink , or call 1-
888-528-7876.
•Canada: Visit www.handsfreelink.ca , or call 1-888-
528-7876.
Voice control tips
•Aim the vents away from the ceiling and close the
windows, as noise coming fr om them may interfere
with the microphone.
•Press and release the button when you want to
call a number using a st ored voice tag. Speak
clearly and naturally after a beep.
•If the microphone picks up vo ices other than yours,
the command may be misinterpreted.
•To change the volume level, use the audio system’s
volume knob or the remote audio controls on the
steering wheel.
State or local laws may pr ohibit the operation of
handheld electronic devi ces while operating a
vehicle.
Models with navigation system
Models without navigation system
Talk Button
Volume upMicrophone
Hang-up Button
Pick-up Button
Volume down
Selector Knob
PHONE Button
Back Button

Continued259
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, sto pping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 261
•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 in terfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do no t let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driv ing and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock al l doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 130
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 164
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 166
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wh eel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 160
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 161
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. Howeve r, 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.

263Continued
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain.
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
• Excessive tongue load reduces front tire
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
• To achieve a proper tongue load, start by
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the lo ad as needed.
■Towing Load Limits1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by th e manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 432
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Tongue LoadTongue Load

275
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way th at you would raise the center of gravity.
• Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of ca rgo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something un der the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information P. 28
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on the
full left or right position for a while, the electric power
steering (EPS) system heats up . The system goes into a
protective mode, and limits its performance. The
steering wheel becomes harder and harder to operate.
Once the system cools down, the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the engine will shut down and all steering
and brake power assist functi ons will stop, making it
difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
( N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acce leration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You
should also follow this when the brake pads are replaced.