Additional Safety Precautions●Never let passengers ride in thecargo area or on top of a folded-
down back seat.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
●Passengers should not stand up or change seats while the vehicle is
moving.
A passenger who is not
wearing a seat belt during a crash
or emergency stop can be thrown
against the inside of the vehicle,
against other occupants, or out of
the vehicle.
●Two people should never use the
same seat belt.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
●Do not put any accessories on seat
belts.
Devices intended to improve
occupant comfort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can
reduce the protective capability of
the belt and increase the chance of
serious injury in a crash.
●Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front
airbag.
Carrying hard or sharp
objects on your lap, or driving with
a pipe or other sharp object in your
mouth, can result in injuries if your
front airbag inflates.
●Keep your hands and arms away
from the airbag covers.
If your
hands or arms are close to an
airbag cover, they could be injured
if the airbag inflates.
●Do not attach or place objects on
the front airbag covers.
Objects on
the covers marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG ’’
could interfere with the proper
operation of the airbags or be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone if the airbags inflate.
●Do not attach hard objects on or
near a door.
If a side airbag or a
side curtain airbag inflates, a cup
holder or other hard object
attached on or near the door could
be propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone.
●Do not cover or replace front seat-back covers withoutconsulting your dealer.Improperly replacing or covering
front seat-back covers can prevent
your side airbags from inflating
during a side impact.
Protecting Adults and Teens
19
Driver and Passenger Safety
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
The passenger's advanced front
airbag system has weight sensors
under the seat. Although Acura does
not encourage carrying an infant or
small child in front, if the sensors
detect the weight of an infant or
small child (up to about 65 lbs or 29
kg), the system will automatically
turn the passenger's front airbag off.
Be aware that objects placed on the
passenger's seat can also cause the
airbag to be turned off.When the passenger airbag gets
turned off by the weight sensors, a
‘‘
passenger airbag off ’’indicator in
the center of the dashboard comes
on (see page 33).
If the weight sensors detect there is
no passenger in the front seat, the
airbag is automatically turned off.
However, the passenger airbag off
indicator in this situation will not
come on.
To ensure that the passenger's
advanced front airbag system will
work properly,
do not do anything
that would increase or decrease the
weight on the front passenger's seat.
This includes:●A rear passenger pushing or
pulling on the back of the front
passenger's seat.
●Moving the front seat forcibly back
against cargo on the seat or floor
behind it.●Hanging heavy items on the front
passenger seat, or placing heavy
items in the seat-back pocket.●Moving the front seat or seat-back
forcibly back against the folded
rear seat.●Back seat passengers should not
wedge objects or intentionally
force their feet under the front
passenger seat.
Also, make sure the floor mat
behind the front passenger's seat
is properly positioned on the floor
(see page 438). If it is not, the mat
may interfere with the proper
operation of the front passenger's
seat and its sensors.
PASSENGER'S
SEAT WEIGHT
SENSORS
Additional Information About Your Airbags
29
Driver and Passenger Safety
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
How the Passenger Airbag Off
Indicator WorksThis indicator alerts you that the
passenger's front airbag has been
shut off because weight sensors
detect about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less
(the weight of an infant or small
child) on the front passenger's seat.
It does
not mean
there is a problem
with the airbag. Be aware that objects placed on the
front seat can cause the indicator to
come on.
If no weight is detected on the front
seat, the airbag will be automatically
shut off. However, the indicator will
not come on.
The passenger airbag off indicator
may come on and off repeatedly if the
total weight on the seat is near the
airbag cutoff threshold.
If an adult or teenage passenger is
riding in front, move the seat as far to
the rear as possible, and have the
passenger sit upright and wear the
seat belt properly.
If the indicator comes on with no
front seat passenger and no objects
on the seat, or with an adult riding
there, something may be interfering
with the weight sensors. Look for
and remove:
●Any items under the front
passenger's seat.●Any object(s) hanging on the seat
or in the seat-back pocket.●Any object(s), such as a folded-
down back seat, that are touching
the rear of the seat-back.
If no obstructions are found, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible.
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR
Canada
U.S.
Additional Information About Your Airbags
33
Driver and Passenger Safety
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations
..........................
62
Instrument Panel
..........................
63
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
64
Gauges
..........................................
73
Turbo Boost Meter
...................
73
Fuel Gauge
...............................
73
Multi-Information Display
.............
74
System Messages
.....................
79
Customized Settings
.................
82
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel
.....................................
113
Windshield Wipers and
Washers
..............................
114
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
...............................
115 Turn Signals and Headlights
.......
116
Instrument Panel Brightness
......
120
Rear Window Defogger
...............
121
Hazard Warning Button
..............
121
Steering Wheel Adjustments
.......
122
Keys and Locks
...........................
122
Immobilizer System
....................
124
Ignition Switch
............................
125
Door Locks
.................................
126
Power Door Locks
..................
126
Childproof Door Locks
............
127
Tailgate
.......................................
128
Remote Transmitter
....................
130
Seats
...........................................
134
Front Seat Power
Adjustments
........................
134
Head Restraints
.......................
135
Armrests
.................................
138
Folding the Rear Seats Down
..................................
138
Seat Heaters
................................
141
Power Windows
..........................
142
Moonroof
....................................
144 Mirrors
.......................................
146
Adjusting the Power
Mirrors
...............................
146
Reverse Tilt Door Mirror
........
147
Heated Mirrors
.......................
147
Driving Position Memory
System
....................................
148
Parking Brake
.............................
150
Interior Lights
.............................
151
Ceiling Lights
.........................
151
Individual Map Lights
.............
152
Courtesy Lights
......................
153
Cargo Area Light
.....................
153
Interior Convenience Items
.........
154
Glove Box
...............................
155
Front Door Pockets
.................
155
Beverage Holders
...................
156
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
157
Sun Visor
................................
157
Vanity Mirror
..........................
158
Console Compartment
............
158
Cargo Area Cover
...................
160
Coat Hook
...............................
161
Instruments and Controls
61
Instruments and Controls
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
ArmrestsThe lid of the console compartment
can be used as an armrest.
The rear seat armrest is in the center
of the rear seat. Pivot it down to use
it.
A beverage holder is located in the
armrest.Folding the Rear Seats Down
The rear seat-backs can be folded
down to give more cargo room. Each
side folds down separately. So you
can still carry a passenger in the rear
seat.
Remove any items from the seat
before folding down the seat-back.
Make sure there are no items on the
floor before folding down the seats.
Front
Rear
Seats13810/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
1. Move the front seats as far forwardas possible. Make sure the front
seat-backs are in the upright
positions.
2. Store the center seat belt buckle into the pocket in the rear seat-
back.
3. Lower the head restraints to their lowest positions.
4. Push the armrest back in place.
5. Lift the front edge of the rear seatcushion, then pull up on the rear of
the seat cushion, then fold the
cushion forward.
6. Pull up the release lever on theoutside of the seat-back.
Fold the seat-back forward.
7. Move the front seats backward to the desired position.
BUCKLE
RELEASE LEVER
CONTINUED
Seats
139
Instruments and Controls
10/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
Do not put any heavy items on the
seat-back when it is folded down.
Make sure all items in the cargo area
are secured. Loose items can fly
forward and cause injury if you have
to brake hard (SeeCarrying Cargo
on page 364).
Make sure that the folded down rear
seat does not interfere with the front
passenger's seat-back. This will
cause the front passenger's weight
sensors and the front passenger's
seat belt reminder indicator to work
improperly (see pages 21 and 33).
Also check the passenger airbag off
indicator to assure proper operation
of the passenger's front airbag.
After returning the seat-back to the
upright position, tug on the seat-back
to make sure it is latched. If the seat-
back is not latched fully, the seat belt
will not work properly and you will
see the red indicator behind the
release lever as shown. To return the seat cushion to its
original position, lift up the seat
cushion, then place the rear of the
seat cushion at the base of the seat-
back. Use the seat buckles as guides.
Lower the front of the seat cushion
until it locks into place.
Make sure the seat-back and seat
cushion are locked securely and all
rear shoulder belts are positioned in
front of the rear seat-backs.
RELEASE
LEVER
INDICATOR
Seats14010/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
To Play the Radio
The ignition switch must be in the
ACCESSORY (I) or the ON (II)
position. Turn the system on by
pushing the PWR/VOL knob, or the
AM or FM button. Adjust the volume
by turning the PWR/VOL knob.
The band and frequency that the
radio was last tuned to is displayed.
To change bands, press the AM or
FM button. On the FM band,‘‘ST ’’
will be shown on the center display if
the station is broadcasting in stereo.
Stereo reproduction on AM is not
available.
XM Radio information is available on
page 179.
SCAN
INDICATOR
A.SEL
INDICATOR
AM BUTTON A.SEL/RDM BUTTON
TUNE/FOLDER BAR
PWR/VOL KNOB
PRESET BARS
U.S. model is shown. SEEK/SKIP BAR
SCAN BUTTON
FM BUTTON STEREO
INDICATOR
Playing the FM/AM Radio (Models without navigation system)17410/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu