2008 Acura RDX Owner's Manual

Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom 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
your vehicle.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
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
(6)
(5)
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
285
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
Max Load (870 lbs) Cargo Weight
(570 lbs)
Max Load (870 lbs) Cargo Weight (270 lbs)
Max Load (870 lbs) Cargo Weight (120 lbs)
\f—\f—\fy
\f
y
() 
\fy\f\fy
2008 RDX

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown 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 f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals.
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.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.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If youfoldtherearseatsdown,tie
down items that could be thrown
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 interf ere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
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.If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 110 lbs (50 kg). 56
Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
286
\f—\f—\f
y
\f
y
() 
\fy\f
y
2008 RDX

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.
Cargo Hooks/Hanger Bars Optional Cargo Net
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
287
HOOK HANGER
BARS
\f—\f—\f
y
\fy
() 
\fy\fy
2008 RDX

288
\f—\f—\f
y
\fy
() 
\fy\fy
2008 RDX

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 .290
........................
Preparing to Drive .291
.......................
Starting the Engine .292
..............
Automatic Transmission .293
Driving with the Paddle
.......................................
Shif ters .297
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System .301
...........................................
Parking .303
.............................
Braking System .304
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .305
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) .307
Vehicle Stability Assist ............................
(VSA) System .312
...........................
Towing a Trailer .314
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines .321
Driving
Driving
289
\f—\f—\f
y
\f\fy
() 
\fy\fy
2008 RDX

Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles. 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 modif y 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. 321
Driving Guidelines
290
——
y


y
() 
yy
2008 RDX

Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ). Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Youshoulddothesechecksand
adjustments bef ore you drive your
vehicle:
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
135
119
14
144
61 71
77
Preparing to Drive
Driving
291
——
y
y
() 
yy
2008 RDX

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.Your vehicle has an electric vacuum
pump located in the engine
compartment. When you drive in
coldweatherorthinnerairathigh
altitude, the electric vacuum pump
operates more f requently af ter the
engine is started.
When the electric vacuum pump is in
operation, it makes some mechanical
noises come f rom the engine
compartment. This is normal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Starting the Engine
292
T he 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. For
more inf ormation, see page .The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
121
\f—\f—\f
y
\f\fy
() 
\fy\fy
2008 RDX