Acura RDX 2008 Owner's Manual

The knob on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights. Turn the knob to
adjust the brightness.
Separate adjustments can be made
when the headlights are on and of f .To reduce glare at night, the
instrument panel illumination dims
when you turn the light switch to the
or position.
You will hear a beep when maximum
or minimum brightness is reached.
You will also hear a beep when the
maximum level is canceled by
turning the knob a click to the lef t. The level of brightness is shown on
the multi-information display while
you adjust it. It goes out 5 seconds
af ter you f inish adjusting.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Inst rument s and Cont rols
117
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL KNOB
U.S. model is shown
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The rear window def ogger clears f og,
frost,andthinicefromthewindow.
Push the def ogger button to turn it
onandoff.Pushingthisbuttonalso
turns the mirror heaters on and of f .
The indicator in the button comes on
to show the def ogger is on.If you do not turn it of f , the def ogger
will automatically shut itself of f af ter
a certain period depending on the
ambient temperature. It also shuts
of f when you turn of f the ignition
switch. You have to turn it on again
when you restart the vehicle.
In cold weather, the def ogger will
not automatically shut itself of f . You
must manually shut of f the rear
window def ogger when it is no
longer needed.
Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.
Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.
Push the button between the center
vents to turn on the hazard warning
lights (f our-way f lashers). This
causes all outside turn signals and
both indicators in the instrument
panel to f lash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in
a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your vehicle is disabled.
Rear Window Def ogger Hazard Warning Button
Rear Window Def ogger, Hazard Warning Button
118
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Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down. The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the door
locks. You can keep the glove box
and console compartment locked
when you leave your vehicle and the
valet key at a parking f acility.
Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up, down, in,
and out.
Move the steering wheel up or
down, and in or out, so it points
toward your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Steering Wheel A djustment K eys
Steering Wheel A djustment, K eys and L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
119
LEVER VALET KEY
(Light Gray)
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER KEYS
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only Acura-approved key blanks.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The valet key does not contain a
battery. Do not try to take it apart. The master key can be retracted into
theremotetransmitter.Tousethe
key, push the release button to
release the key f rom the transmitter.
The key should be f ully extended.
To retract the key, push the release
buttonandatthesametimepushthe
key into the remote transmitter until
it is securely latched.Always use the f ully-extended key
when you insert it to the ignition
switch. If the key does not f ully
extend, the immobilizer system may
not operate properly and prevents
f rom starting the engine.
Thekeymaycomeincontactwith
your f inger while being retracted or
extended. Make sure your f ingers do
not touch the pivot of the key when
retracting or extending the key.Retractable Master Key
Keys and Locks
120
RELEASE BUTTON
Push
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As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on
brief ly, then go of f . If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position, remove the key,
reinsert it, and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position again. If you have lost your key and cannot start the engine, contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
121
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly. If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or the
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
You will also see a ‘‘REMOVE KEY’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page ).
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
78
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0) A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
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Each f ront door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors and the tailgate.
Push the top of the switch to lock all
doors and the tailgate; push the
bottom to unlock them.Each door has a lock tab next to the
inside door handle. When you pull
backward on the lock tab on the
driver’s door, all the doors and the
tailgate lock. Pushing f orward on the
lock tab on the driver’s door unlocks
only that door. The lock tab on the
each passenger’s door locks and
unlocks only that door.When the door is unlocked, you can
seetheredindicatoronthelocktab
next to the inside door handle.
All doors and the tailgate can be
locked f rom the outside by using the
key in the driver’s door lock. To
unlock only the driver’s door, insert
the key, turn the key, and release it.
The remaining doors and the tailgate
unlock when you turn the key a
second time within a f ew seconds.
You can change the ‘‘DOOR LOCK
MODE’’ setting on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
103
CONT INUED
Door L ocks
Power Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
123
To unlock
To lock
LOCK TAB
Passenger’s Side MASTER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH
Driver’s Side
Lock Lock
Unlock
Unlock
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When the vehicle speed reaches
about 9 mph (about 15 km/h) or
more, all the doors lock
automatically.With the driver’s door open and the
key in the ignition, both master door
lock switches are disabled. They are
not disabled if the driver’s door is
closed. Pushing the switch down on
the open f ront passenger’s door will
lock all doors and the tailgate.
To lock any passenger’s door when
getting out of the vehicle, pull
backward on the lock tab and close
the door. To lock the driver’s door,
remove the key from the ignition
switch and pull backward on the lock
tab. Then close the door.
The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear f rom accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position (lever is
down), the door cannot be opened
fromtheinsideregardlessof the
position of the lock tab. To open the
door, push the lock tab f orward and
use the outside door handle.
You can change the ‘‘AUTO DOOR
LOCK ’’ setting in the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
When you shif t to P af ter driving, the
driver’s door unlocks.
You can change the ‘‘AUTO DOOR
UNLOCK’’ setting in the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
109101 Childproof Door L ocks
Door L ocks
L ockout Prevent ion
124
LEVER
Lock
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To open the tailgate, press and hold
the switch, then lift up.To close the tailgate, hold the
tailgate handle, lower the tailgate,
then press down on the back edge.
Keep the tailgate closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging the
tailgate and to prevent exhaust gas
f rom getting into the interior. See
on page
.
The tailgate will lock when you lock
the driver’s door, and will unlock
when you unlock all doors.
You can change the ‘‘DOOR LOCK
MODE’’ setting on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
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103
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Tailgate
Inst rument s and Cont rols
125
SWITCH TAILGATE
HANDLE
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If the power door lock system cannot
unlock the tailgate, unlock it
manually.
Use a small flat-tip screwdriver to
remove the cover on the back of the
tailgate.Pushandholdthereleaseleverto
the right as shown, then push the
tailgate to open it.If you need to unlock the tailgate
manually, it means there is a
problem with the tailgate. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
Unlocking the T ailgate
Tailgate
126
COVER
LEVER
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