2012 Acura RDX open hood

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 audio unit. This alarm continues
for two minutes, then the system
resets. To deactivate the system
before the two 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, or use 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 sets,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause the
alarm to activate. It also activates if
the audio unit is removed from the
dashboard or the wiring is cut.The alarm also activates if a
passenger inside the locked vehicle
turns the ignition switch on.
The security system does 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 five 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 System29411/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
information 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
...........................
352
Fuel Recommendation
................
352
Service Station Procedures
.........
354
Refueling
.................................
354
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
.....
355
Opening and Closing the
Hood
...................................
356
Oil Check
................................
357
Engine Coolant Check
............
358
Fuel Economy
.............................
358
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
362
Carrying Cargo
...........................
365
Before Driving
351
Before Driving
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Opening and Closing the Hood1. Park the vehicle, and set theparking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2. Put your fingers under the frontedge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the left until
you feel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up to release it.
Lift up the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves stiffly,
or if you can open the hood without
lifting the handle, the mechanism
should be cleaned and lubricated.
3. Holding the grip, pull the support rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood.
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH
GRIP
SUPPORT ROD CLIP
Service Station Procedures35611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
information display. The oil and filter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1. Run the engine until it reachesnormal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
4. Check the oil filter to make sure its gasket did not stick to the filter
base. A stuck gasket could cause
an oil leak.
5. Install a new oil filter according to the instructions that come with it.
OIL
FILTER
OIL DRAIN
BOLT WASHER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter42211/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
On U.S. models:
To check the
windshield washer fluid level, open
the hood and look at the windshield
washer reservoir located behind the
left headlight. You will see a ‘‘1/2 ’’
mark on the reservoir.
On Canadian modelsIf the washer fluid is low, a
‘‘ WASHER FLUID LOW ’’message
appears on the multi-information
display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR Front
Fill up to here
Windshield Washers42611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

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
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Replacing a Front Turn Signal/
Parking Light Bulb1. Open the hood. Remove the socketfrom the headlight assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
2. Remove the bulb from the socket by pushing the bulb in and turning
it counterclockwise until it
unlocks. 3. Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in
place.
4. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
5. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place. Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
1. Open the hood. Remove the socket
from the headlight assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
2. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
BULB
SOCKET
SOCKET BULB
Lights43211/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Replace them if you find signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
To replace a front wiper blade:
1. Raise each wiper arm off thewindshield, lifting the driver's side
first, then the passenger's side.Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the wiper arms.
2. Disconnect the blade assemblyfrom 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.
WIPER ARMS
Wiper Blades44011/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu