2007 Acura RDX Owner's Manual

When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.
Although non-Acura accessories may
f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
CONT INUED
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
285
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
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Non-Acura wheels can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and are not
compatible with the tire pressu re
monitoring system.
Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Removing
parts from your vehicle,
or replacing componen ts with non-
Acura components could seriously
affect your vehicl e’s handling,
stability, and reliability.
Herearesomeexamples:
Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can affect
the handling and stability.
Befo
re installing any accesso ry:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer f or assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. In these areas,
accessories may interf ere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags. Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
398 Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
286
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Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Door lining pockets
Center pocket
Console compartment
Cargo area, including the rear
seatswhenfoldeddown. Front door pockets
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
287
GLOVE BOX
CARGO AREA CENTER POCKET
FRONT DOOR POCKET
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
DOOR LINING POCKETS
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µ·
Steps
for determining correct load
limit:
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
The
maximum load for your vehicle
is 870 lbs for U.S. vehicles, and 395
kg for Can adian vehicles. This figure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer. Locate
the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 870
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
(The placard is on the driv er’s
doorjamb.)
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
870 lbs.
The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capaci ty.
For example, if the maximum load
is 870 lbs and there will be five 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capaci ty is 120 lbs.
(870 750 (5 150) = 120 lbs.) Determine
the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
in the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capaci ty
calc ulated in step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) or the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
317
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
288
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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Store or secure all items that could
be thro wn around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
Be
sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
under the seats and interfere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, the proper operation of the
seats, or proper operation of the
sensors under the seats.
Do not put any items on top of the
cargo area cover. They can block
your view and be thrown around
the vehicle during a crash. Distribute
cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thro wn
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
Ifyoufoldtherearseatsdown,tie
down items that could be thro wn
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Also, keep all cargo
below the bottom of the windows.
If it is higher, it could interfere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags. If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your dealer
for further information.
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack. 58
Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
289
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To secure the cargo, you can use the
f our cargo hooks on the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook.The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items f rom being thrown
f orward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Heavy items should be secured to
the cargo area floor with the hooks
or cinch straps attached to the cargo
hooks.
The hanger bars can be used to hang
items. The hanger bar is designed to
hang light items (maximum load: 11
lbs or 5 kg on each side). Heavy
items may damage the bars.
The cargo hooks on the f loor can be
used to install the cargo net f or
securing items.
Carrying Cargo
Cargo Hooks/Hanger Bars Optional Cargo Net
290
HOOKHANGER
BARS
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the super handling-all wheel
drive (SH-AWD) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .292
........................
Preparing to Drive .293
.......................
Starting the Engine .294
..............
Automatic Transmission .295
Driving with the Paddle
.......................................
Shif ters .299
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System .303
...........................................
Parking .305
.............................
Braking System .306
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .307
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) .309
Vehicle Stability Assist ............................
(VSA) System .315
...........................
Towing a Trailer .317
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .324
Driving
Driving
291
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Because your vehicle rides higher
off the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicl es have a signifi cantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
ve hicles.
Your
vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier. To
prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof. Your
vehicle is equipped with a
super handling-all wheel drive (SH-
AWD) system. When the system
senses a loss of one or more wheel
traction, it automatically transfers
some power to the other wheels.
This gives you better traction and
mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
brakingthatyouwouldinatwo-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page f or of f -highway driving
guidelines. 324
Driving Guidelines
292
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