climate control Acura RDX 2018 Owner's Manual
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Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the 
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find 
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your 
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover) 
represent features and equipment  that are available on some, but 
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these 
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles  sold in the United States and 
Canada.
The information and specifications in cluded in this publication were 
in effect at the time of approval  for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications 
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any 
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 25
For Safe Driving P. 26 Seat Belts P. 31 Airbags P. 39
2Instrument Panel  P. 67
Indicators P. 68 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 95
2Controls  P. 119
Setting the Clock P. 120 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 121
Opening and Closing the Moonroof P. 145
Adjusting the Seats P. 164
2Features  P. 187
Audio System* P. 188 Audio System Basic Operation* P. 192
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver P. 224
2 Driving  P. 257
Before Driving P. 258 Towing a Trailer P. 263
Parking Your Vehicle P. 332Multi-View Rear Camera P. 340
2Maintenance P. 345
Before Performing Maintenance P. 346 Maintenance MinderTM P. 349
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 372
Climate Control System Main tenance P. 388 Cleaning P. 389
2Handling the Unexpected P. 395
Tools P. 396 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 397
Overheating P. 420 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 422
2Information  P. 431
Specifications P. 432 Identification Numbers P. 434
Emissions Testing P. 437 Warranty Coverages P. 439 
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Contents
Child Safety P. 52Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 64Safety Labels P. 65
Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 133 Security System P. 139 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 142
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 146 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 161
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience It ems P. 171 Climate Control System P. 182
Audio Error Messages* P. 217General Information on the Audio System* P. 220
Bluetooth®  HandsFreeLink ® P. 226 Compass* P. 255
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 268 When Driving P. 270 Braking P. 320
Refueling P. 341 Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions P. 343
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 353 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 365
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 376 Battery P. 385 Remote Transmitter Care P. 386
Accessories and Modifications P. 394
Engine Does Not Start P. 414Jump Starting P. 417 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 419
Fuses P. 426 Emergency Towing P. 429When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 430
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 435 Reporting Safety Defects P. 436
Authorized Manuals P. 441 Client Service Information P. 442
Quick Reference GuideP. 4
Safe DrivingP. 25
Instrument PanelP. 67
ControlsP. 119
FeaturesP. 187
DrivingP. 257
MaintenanceP. 345
Handling the UnexpectedP. 395
InformationP. 431
IndexP. 443 
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4
Quick Reference Guide
Quick Reference Guide
Visual Index
❙Steering Wheel Adjustments (P 160)
❙ (Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) 
System OFF) Button 
(P 312)
❙System Indicators (P 68)
❙Gauges (P 95)
❙Multi-Information Display (P 96)
❙Audio/Information Screen (P 193)
❙Hazard Warning Button
❙Audio System* (P 188)
❙On Demand Multi-Use DisplayTM *
()  See Navigation System Manual
❙ENGINE START/STOP Button (P 146)
❙Rear Window Defogger (P 157) 
❙Heated Mirror Button (P 157)
❙Climate Control System (P 182)
❙Lane Departure Warning (LDW) 
Button* (P 300)
❙Parking Sensor System Button* (P 334)
❙Collision Mitigati on Braking SystemTM 
(CMBSTM) OFF Button* (P 327)
❙Power Tailgate Button (P 137)
❙Navigation System* 
()  See Navigation System Manual 
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14
Quick Reference Guide
Climate Control System (P 182)
● Press the  AUTO button to activate the climate control system.
● Press the   button to turn  the system on or off.
● Press the   button to de frost the windshield.
The climate control system is voice operable. See the navigation system manual for complete details.
Models with navigation system
Driver’s Side Temperature 
Control Dial / (Fan Control) Buttons
 (Windshield Defroster) Button
A/C
 (Air Conditioning) Button
Air flows from floor and 
windshield defroster vents. Air flows from floor vents. Air flows from floor and 
dashboard vents. Air flows from dashboard 
vents.
SYNC  (Synchronized) Button
(Recirculation) Button
AUTO  Button Passenger’s Side Temperature 
Control Dial
MODE Control Button (On/Off) Button 
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64
Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas
The 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 in spected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is m aking 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 tailgat e open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into 
the interior and create a hazardous conditio n. 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 afte r starting the engine.
3WARNING
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. 
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70
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
*1:On the left: Models without full color display 
On the right: Models with full color display
*2:Models with full color display
*3:Models without full color display
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*1
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. 422
Shift Lever 
Position 
Indicator●Indicates current shift lever position.2Shifting P. 277——
Transmission 
Indicator
●Blinks if the transmission system has a 
problem.●Blinks while driving - Avoid 
sudden starts and acceleration 
and have the vehicle checked by a 
dealer immediately.
M (sequential 
shift mode) 
Indicator/Gear 
Position 
Indicator●Comes on when the manual 
sequential shift mode is applied.
2 Sequential Shift Mode  P. 279——
*2
*3
*2
*3
*2
*3 
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uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Lane Departure 
Warning (LDW) 
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when 
you change the power mode to ON, 
then goes off.
●Comes on if there is a problem with 
the LDW system.
●Stays on constantly  - Have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer.
●Comes on when the LDW system 
shuts itself off.●Stays on  - The temperature inside the 
camera is too high.
Use the climate control system to cool down 
the camera.
The system activates when the temperature 
inside the camera cools down.
2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 284
●Stays on  - The area around the camera is 
blocked by dirt, mud, etc. Stop your vehicle 
in a safe place, and wipe it off with a soft 
cloth.
●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer if the 
indicator and message come back on after 
you cleaned the area around the camera.
2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 284
Models with LDW
* Not available on all models 
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83
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Collision 
Mitigation 
Braking System
TM 
(CMBSTM) 
Indicator
●Comes on when the CMBSTM system 
shuts itself off.●Stays on  - The area around the camera is 
blocked by dirt, mud, etc. Stop your vehicle 
in a safe place, and wipe it off with a soft 
cloth.
2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 284
●When the radar sensor gets dirty, stop your 
vehicle in a safe place, and wipe off dirt 
using a soft cloth.
●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer if the 
message does not disappear even after you 
clean the sensor cover.
2Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM 
(CMBSTM)* P. 324
●Stays on  - The temperature inside the 
camera is too high. Us e the climate control 
system to cool down the camera. The 
system activates wh en the temperature 
inside the camera cools down.
2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 284
Models with CMBSTM
* Not available on all models 
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94
uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warn ing and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
MessageConditionExplanation
●Appears if the temperature inside the camera is too 
high.
●The LKAS and ACC have been automatically canceled.
●Use the climate control system to cool down the 
camera.
●Goes off - The camera has been cooled down. Pressing 
the LKAS button and  MAIN button can resume the 
system.
2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 284
2 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)* P. 286
2 Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)* P. 303
●Appears when the area around  the camera is blocked by 
dirt, mud, etc. Stop your ve hicle in a safe place, and 
wipe it off with a soft cloth.
●May appear when driving in  bad weather (rain, snow, 
fog, etc.).
●Have your vehicle checked by  a dealer if the indicator 
and message come back on after you cleaned the area 
around the camera.
Models with LKAS
* Not available on all models 
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Controls
This chapter explains how to operate the various controls necessary for driving.
Setting the Clock.............................. 120
Locking and Unlocking the Doors Key Types and Functions .................. 121
Low Keyless Access Remote Signal Strength ..... 124Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside .......................................... 125
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside ... 130Childproof Door Locks ..................... 131
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .......... 132
Opening and Closing the Tailgate ... 133
Security System Immobilizer System .......................... 139
Security System Alarm ...................... 139
Opening and Closing the Windows .... 142Opening and Closing the Moonroof....... 145Operating the Switches Around the 
Steering Wheel ENGINE START/STOP Button............. 146
Turn Signals ..................................... 149
Light Switches.................................. 149
Fog Lights
*...................................... 152
Daytime Running Lights ................... 152
Wipers and Washers ........................ 153
Brightness Control ........................... 156
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button ... 157Driving Position Memory System ...... 158 Adjusting the Steering Wheel .......... 160
Adjusting the Mirrors Interior Rearview Mirror ................... 161
Power Door Mirrors ......................... 162
Adjusting the Seats Adjusting the Seat Positions ............. 164
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsInterior Lights .................................. 171
Interior Convenience Items .............. 173
Climate Control System Using Automatic Climate Control .... 182
Synchronized Mode ......................... 184
Automatic Climate Control Sensors.....185
* Not available on all models