Page 124 of 517

If you remove the key from the
ignition switch with the headlight
switch on, but do not open the door,
the lights will turn off after 10
minutes.
The lights will turn on again when
you unlock or open the driver's door.
If you unlock the door, but do not
open it within 15 seconds, the lights
will go off. With the driver's door
open, you will hear a lights on
reminder beeper.
You can change the‘‘HEADLIGHT
AUTO OFF TIMER ’’setting on the
multi-information display (see page
100). Daytime Running Lights
With the headlight switch off or in
the
position, the high beam
headlights and the high beam
indicator come on with reduced
brightness when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and release the parking
brake. They remain on until you turn
the ignition switch off, even if you set
the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
If you see a ‘‘CHECK DRL SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display, there is a problem with the
daytime running light system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Fog Lights
Turn the fog lights on and off by
turning the switch next to the
headlight switch.
You can use the fog lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
They will go off when the headlights
are turned off.
Turn Signals and Headlights
119
Instruments and Controls
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Page 125 of 517
The knob on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights. Turn the
knob to adjust the brightness.
Separate adjustments can be made
when the headlights are on and off.You will hear a beep when maximum
or minimum brightness is reached.
You will also hear a beep when the
maximum level is canceled by
turning the knob a click to the left.
To reduce glare at night, the
instrument panel illumination dims
when you turn the light switch to the
or
position.
The level of brightness is shown on
the multi-information display while
you adjust it. It goes out 5 seconds
after you finish adjusting.
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL KNOB
U.S. model is shown
Instrument Panel Brightness12010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 151 of 517

Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.The inside mirror can automatically
darken to reduce glare. To turn on
this feature, press the button on the
bottom of the mirror. The AUTO
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When it is on, the mirror darkens
when it senses the headlights of a
vehicle behind you, then returns to
normal visibility when the lights are
gone. Press the button again to turn
off this feature.
There is also a sensor on the back of the
mirror. Items hung on the mirror may
block this sensor and affect its
performance.On models without navigation systemWhen you shift to reverse with the
ignition switch in the ON (II) position,
the rear view is shown on the left side
of the inside mirror. For more
information, see page 348.
Adjusting the Power Mirrors1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's
side).
INDICATOR SENSOR
AUTO BUTTON
SELECTOR SWITCH
Mirrors14610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 299 of 517

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables from
theft. The horn sounds and a
combination of headlights, parking
lights, side marker lights, and
taillights flashes if someone attempts
to break into your vehicle or remove
the radio. This alarm continues for 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.
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
doors and the tailgate from the
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.
Once the security system is set,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause the
alarm to activate. It will also activate
if the audio unit is removed from the
dashboard or the wiring is cut.The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger inside the locked vehicle
turns the ignition switch on.
The security system will not set if the
hood, tailgate, or any door is not fully
closed. Before you leave the vehicle,
make sure the doors, tailgate, and
hood are securely closed.
NOTE:
To see if the system is set
after you exit the vehicle, press the
LOCK button on the remote
transmitter within 5 seconds. If the
system is set, a beep will sound.
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Security System29410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Page 422 of 517

U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with#will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be performed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
multi-information display. Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●Engine oil level
-Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
356.●Engine coolant level -Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 357.●Automatic transmission -Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
427.
●Brakes -Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 429.●Tires -Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
445.●Lights -Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 431.
Maintenance Minder™
417
Maintenance
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Page 436 of 517

Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
Low Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low beam headlight bulbs are
high voltage discharge tube. High
voltage can remain in the circuit even
with the light switch off 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.Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
2. Remove the bulb by turning it about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
3. Insert the new bulb into the hole,and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
4. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb.
5. Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
BULB CONNECTOR
CONTINUED
Lights
431
Maintenance
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Page 464 of 517

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting
on page 461.
●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified mechanic to
determine the problem (see
Emergency Towing on page 475).
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page 450).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 461).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
459
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Page 475 of 517
Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
you should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages
473 and 474, or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that device. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is
the cause. Replace any blown fuses,
and check if the device works.1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are off.
2. (Under-hood fuse boxes) Remove the cover from the fuse
box.
3. Check each of the large fuses inthe under-hood fuse box by
looking through the side window
at the wire inside. Remove the
screws with a Phillips-head
screwdriver.FUSE BLOWN
BLOWN
Fuses47010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu