Page 244 of 442

The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and the tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doorsandthetailgatefromthe
outside with the key, driver’s lock
tab, door lock master switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system indicator on the instrument
panel starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself . The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights, and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or 2 minutes, then
the system resets. To reset an
alarming system before the 2
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s door with the key or the
remote transmitter.Once the security system is set,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause it to
alarm. It also alarms if the radio is
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.To see if the system is set
af ter you exit the vehicle, press the
LOCK button on the remote
transmitter within 5 seconds. If the
system is set, a beep will sound. The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. Bef ore you leave the
vehicle, make sure the doors,
tailgate, and hood are securely
closed. The alarm will also be activated if
the passenger inside the locked
vehicle turns the ignition switch on.
Security System
240
NOTE:SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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Page 281 of 442
Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .278
.................
Fuel Recommendation .278
.........
Service Station Procedures .279
....................................
Ref ueling .279
........
Check Fuel Cap Message .280
.....
Tighten Fuel Cap Message .281
Opening and Closing
................................
the Hood .282
...................................
Oil Check .283
.............
Engine Coolant Check . 283
...............................
Fuel Economy .284
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 285
.............................
Carrying Cargo .287
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
277
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Page 286 of 442
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the lef t until
you f eel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up to release it.
Lif t up the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
1.
2.3.
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
282
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCHGRIP
CLIP
SUPPORT ROD
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Page 353 of 442

Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation display
(depending on models). The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it. Check the oil f ilter to make sure
its gasket did not stick to the f ilter
base. A stuck gasket could cause
an oil leak.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician. 1.
2.3.
4.
5.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
349
WASHER
OIL
FILTER
OIL DRAIN
BOLT
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Page 357 of 442
Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
To check the
windshield washer fluid level, open
the hood and look the windshield
washer reservoir located behind the
left headlight. You will see a ‘‘1/2’’
mark on the reservoir.
You will see a ‘‘WASHER FLUID
LOW’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
The
washer level indicator will come
on when the level is low (see page
).
85
74
On U.S. models:
On Canadian RDX with TechnologyPackage model
On Canadian RDX model
CONT INUED
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
353
WASHER LEVEL INDICATOR
Front
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR
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Page 363 of 442

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied technician.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Remove the bulb by turning it
about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down. Open the hood.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
Headlight A iming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
359
BULB
CONNECTORHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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Page 364 of 442
Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Open the hood. Remove the
socket f rom the headlight
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Install the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place. Remove the bulb f rom the socket
by pushing the bulb in and turning
it counterclockwise until it unlocks. Open the hood. Remove the
socket f rom the headlight
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
1.
2.
3. 1.
2. 4.
5.
3.
4.
Lights
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
Replacing a Front T urn Signal/
Parking L ight Bulb
360
BULB
SOCKET BULB
SOCKET
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Page 372 of 442
To replace a f ront wiper blade:Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm: Press and hold the lock tab.
Slide the blade assembly toward
the lock tab until it releases
from the wiper arm.
When replacing a wiper blade,
make sure not to drop the wiper
blade or wiper arm down on the
windshield.
Raise each wiper arm of f the
windshield, lif ting the driver’s side
first, then the passenger’s side.
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
2.
1.
Wiper Blades
368
WIPER ARMS
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the wiper arms.
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