2008 Acura RDX Owner's Manual

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spills immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
2.
1. 4. 5.
6.
3.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
341
RESERVE TANK
RADIATOR CAP
MAX
MIN
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Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.To check the
windshield washer f luid level, open
the hood and look the windshield
washer reservoir located behind the
lef t headlight. You will see a ‘‘1/2’’
mark on the reservoir.
If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
On U.S. models:
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
342
Front
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR Fill up to here
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CONT INUED
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
1.
2.
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
343
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
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Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug, then
add the f luid into the f ill hole to
bring it to the level between the
upper and lower marks on the
dipstick.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
5.
6.
3.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
344
FILL PLUG
HOT
MARK
LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of mileage.
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
345
MAX
MIN
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Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
346
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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2008 RDX

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
347
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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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.
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. 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.
1.
2.
3. 1.
2.
4.
5.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal/
Parking L ight Bulb
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
348
BULB
SOCKET SOCKET BULB
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