2012 Acura RDX automatic transmission

Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid.Automatic Transmission Fluid
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message on the multi-information
display.
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
DIPSTICK
CONTINUED
Windshield Washers, Automatic Transmission Fluid
427
Maintenance
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

3. Insert the dipstick all the way intothe transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be between
the upper and lower marks.
5. If the level is below the lowermark, remove the fill plug, then
add the fluid into the fill hole to
bring it to the level between the
upper and lower marks on the
dipstick.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Always use Acura ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid).
Use only Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid). Do not mix with
other transmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Acura ATF DW-1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting from the use of
transmission fluid other than Acura
ATF DW-1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
HOT
MARK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
FILL PLUG
Automatic Transmission Fluid42811/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

The engine number is stamped into
the front of the engine block.
The transmission number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBERENGINE NUMBER
Identification Numbers
479
Technical Information
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

DimensionsLength182.5 in (4,635 mm)
Width 73.6 in (1,870 mm)
Height 65.2 in (1,655 mm)
Wheelbase 104.3 in (2,650 mm)
Track Front 61.9 in (1,572 mm)
Rear 62.6 in (1,590 mm)WeightsGross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached to
the driver's doorjamb.EngineType Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC i-VTEC
4 cylinder gasoline engine with turbo charger, intercooler
Bore x Stroke 3.39 x 3.90 in (86.0 x 99.0 mm)
Displacement 140.3 cu-in (2,300 cm
3)
Compression ratio 8.8
Spark plugs SILKR8A-S (NGK)
Seating CapacitiesTotal 5
Front 2
Rear 3
CapacitiesFuel tankApprox.
18.0 US gal (68 L)
Engine oil Change
ᤳ 1
Including
filter 5.0 US qt (4.7 L)
Without filter 4.8 US qt (4.5 L)
Total 6.1 US qt (5.8 L)
Engine coolant Change
ᤳ 2
1.85 US gal (7.0 L)
Total 2.22 US gal (8.4 L)
Automatic
transmission fluid Change
2WD 3.0 US qt (2.8 L)
SH-AWD 3.1 US qt (2.9 L)
Total 2WD 8.8 US qt (8.3 L)
SH-AWD 8.2 US qt (7.8 L)
Rear differential
fluid (SH-AWD) Change 2.67 US qt (2.53 L)
Total 2.93 US qt (2.77 L)
Transfer assembly
fluid (SH-AWD) Change 0.45 US qt (0.43 L)
Total 0.48 US qt (0.45 L)
Windshield
washer reservoir U.S. Vehicles 2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
Canada
Vehicles 4.8 US qt (4.5 L)
ᤳ1: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
ᤳ2: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine Reserve tank capacity:
0.18 US gal (0.7 L)
Specifications48011/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
362
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
125
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
157
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
332
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
421
Adjusting the Sound
............
177, 224
Adjusting the Steering Wheel....
122
Advanced Airbags
........................
28
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
164
Usage
......................................
165
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
444, 445
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
352
Antifreeze
...................................
424
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator
............................
66, 388
Operation
................................
388
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
291
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.......................................
125 Armrests
....................................
138
Audio Antenna
...........................
439
Audio System
......................
172, 216
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature
...................................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
300
Automatic Transmission
............
376
Capacity, Fluid
........................
480
Checking Fluid Level
..............
427
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
380
Shifting
...................................
376
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
376
Shift Lever Positions
...............
377
Shift Lock Release
...................
379
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
291
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
65, 465
Jump Starting
..........................
461 Maintenance
...........................
450
Specifications
..........................
481
Before Driving
...........................
351
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
156
Bluetooth
®Audio
................
212, 280
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®......
306
Booster Seats
...............................
54
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
388
Break-in, New Linings
.............
352
Bulb Replacement
...................
434
Fluid
.......................................
429
Parking
...................................
150
System Design
........................
387
System Indicator (Amber)
.......
468
System Indicator (Red)
...........
467
Wear Indicators
.......................
387
Braking System
..........................
387
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
352
Brightness Control,
Instruments
............................
120
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Customized Settings
....................
82
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
119
Dead Battery
..............................
461
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
121
Defrosting the Windows
............
167
Dimensions
................................
480
Dimming the Headlights
............
116
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
427
Engine Oil
...............................
357
Directional Signals
...............
69, 116
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
387
Disc Care
...................................
257
Disc Changer
......................
185, 239
Disc Changer Error Messages
........................
195, 255
Disc Player
..........................
185, 239
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
423
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
127 Locking and Unlocking
...........
126
Power Door Locks
..................
126
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
482
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
371
Economy
.................................
358
Driving Guidelines
.....................
372
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
148
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
380
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
439
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
358
Emergencies on the Road
..........
453
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
461
Brake System Indicator
...
467, 468
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
455
Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 465
Checking the Fuses
................
470
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
455 Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
121
Jump Starting
..........................
461
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
65, 465
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 466
Overheated Engine
.................
463
Towing
....................................
475
Emergency Brake
......................
150
Emergency Flashers
..................
121
Emergency Towing
....................
475
Emissions Controls
....................
487
Emissions Testing
......................
490
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
424
If it Won't Start
........................
459
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 466
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
411
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
65, 465
Overheating
............................
463
Specifications
..........................
480
Speed Limiter
..........................
378
Starting
...................................
374
Engine Coolant
..........................
424
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Engine Number
.........................
479
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
352
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
487
Exhaust Emissions Controls
......
488
Exhaust Fumes
............................
57
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
....................................
18
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
166
Features
.....................................
163
Filters
Dust and Pollen
.......................
439
Oil
...........................................
422
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
121
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
455
Floor Mats
.................................
438
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
427
Brake
......................................
429
Location
..................................
419
Power Steering
........................
430
Windshield Washer
.................
426 FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
287
Fog Lights
..................................
119
Folding the Rear Seats Down
.....
138
Four-way Flashers
......................
121
Front Airbags
.........................
10, 26
Front Door Pockets
....................
155
Front Seat Heaters
...................................
141
Front Seat Power Adjustments
...........................
134
Fuel
............................................
352
Economy
.................................
358
Fill Door and Cap
....................
354
Gauge
......................................
73
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
68
Octane Requirement
...............
352
Reserve Indicator
.....................
68
Tank, Filling the
......................
354
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
355
Fuel Economy
............................
358
Fuses, Checking the
..................
470
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
360 Gasoline
.....................................
352
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
68
Octane Requirement
...............
352
Tank, Refueling
.......................
354
Gas Station Procedures
..............
354
Gauges Fuel
..........................................
73
Speedometer
............................
73
Tachometer
..............................
73
Turbo Boost Meter
..................
73
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic
Transmission
...............
376, 377
Glove Box
..................................
155
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
398
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
398
H
HandsFreeLink
®........................
306
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
121
Headlights Aiming
....................................
431
IndexIV11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Service Intervals
.........................
411
Service Manual (U.S. only)
........
497
Service Station Procedures
........
354
Setting the Clock
........................
293
SH-AWD
®...................................
384
Indicator
...................................
70
Torque Distribution Monitor
...
384
Shifting the Automatic Transmission
..........................
376
Shift Lever Position Indicators
...
376
Shift Lock Release
......................
379
Side Airbags
.................................
30
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
32
How Your Side Airbags Work..30
Side Curtain Airbags
....................
31
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
31
Side Marker Lights, Bulb Replacement in
.......................
432
Signaling Turns
............................
69
Snow Tires
.................................
448
Sound System
.....................
172, 216
Spare Tire
..................................
454
Inflating
...........................
444, 454
Specifications
..........................
481 Spark Plugs
................................
480
Specifications
.............................
480
Speed Control
............................
300
Speed Limiter
.............................
378
Speedometer
................................
73
SRS, Additional Information
.........
24
Additional Safety Precautions
...
35
Airbag Service
..........................
34
Airbag System Components
.....
24
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
32
How the SRS Indicator Works..32
How Your Front Airbags Work
....................................
26
How Your Side Airbags Work..30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
31
SRS Indicator
.........................
32, 65
START (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
125
Starting the Engine
....................
374
Auto Control Mode
.................
375
In Cold Weather at High Altitude
................................
374
With a Dead Battery
................
461
State Emissions Testing
.............
490 Steam Coming from Engine
.......
463
Steering Wheel Adjustments
............................
122
Anti-theft Column Lock
...........
125
Buttons
...........................
289, 300
Stereo Sound System
..........
172, 216
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
451
Sun Visor
...................................
157
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™
(SH-AWD
®) System
................
384
Supplemental Restraint System
............................
10, 24
Servicing
..................................
34
SRS Indicator
......................
32, 65
System Components
................
24
System Messages
........................
79
T
Tachometer
..................................
73
Tailgate
......................................
128
Opening the
............................
128
Open Monitor
..........................
12
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
.....
433
CONTINUED
Index
IX
INDEX
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu