2012 Acura RDX Owner's Manual

Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle's
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system. Before installing any accessory:
●Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.●Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see
page 469) or interfere with proper
operation of your vehicle.●Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.●Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
these areas may interfere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with non-
Acura components could seriously
affect your vehicle's handling,
stability, and reliability.
Here are some examples:
●Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.●Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can affect the
handling, stability, and reliability.
CONTINUED
Accessories and Modifications
363
Before Driving
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

●Non-Acura wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).●Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.●Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.Accessories and Modifications36411/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●Glove box●Front door pockets●Door lining pockets●Seat-back pockets●Center pocket●Console compartment●Cargo area, including the rear
seats when folded down.●Roof-rack (if equipped)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect
your vehicle's handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsafe. Before carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
following pages.
DOOR LINING POCKETS
FRONT DOOR POCKET CENTER POCKET
GLOVE BOX
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
CARGO AREA
SEAT BACK POCKETS
CARGO HOOKS
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
365
Before Driving
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 870 lbs (395 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
－
1. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs. ’’on your vehicle's
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) ＝650 lbs.)
Carrying Cargo36611/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

5. Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load Passenger Weight Cargo Weight
(870 lbs) (395 kg) (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) (259 kg)
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs) (570 lbs)(870 lbs) (150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(270 lbs)
Max Load
Passenger Weight Cargo Weight
(395 kg) (68 kg x 4 = 272 kg)
(123 kg)(870 lbs)Passenger Weight
Cargo Weight
Max Load
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs) (120 lbs)
(395 kg) (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) (55 kg)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
367
Before Driving
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.●Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
●If you fold the rear seats down, tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Also, keep all cargo
below the bottom of the windows.
If it is higher, it could interfere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.●Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.●Do not put any items on top of the
cargo area cover. They can block
your view and be thrown around
the vehicle during a crash.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
●Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.●If you fold the rear seats down, tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Keep all cargo below
the bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
Carrying Cargo36811/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

●If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility ofcarbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page 57.●●If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 110 lbs (50 kg). Cargo Hooks/Hanger Bars
To secure the cargo, you can use the
four cargo hooks in the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook.
The cargo hooks on the floor can be
used to install the cargo net for
securing items. The hanger bars can be used to hang
items. The hanger bar is designed to
hang light items (maximum load: 11
lbs or 5 kg on each side). Heavy
items may damage the bars.
HANGER
BARS
HOOK
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
369
Before Driving
11/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu

Optional Cargo Net
The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items from being thrown
forward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Heavy items should be secured to
the cargo area floor with the hooks
or cinch straps attached to the cargo
hooks.Carrying Cargo37011/06/16 17:42:51 12 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK650 enu