2015 Acura RDX ECU

2 || 3
SAFETY
VISUAL INDEX
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
Dashboard and Ceiling Controls
1 Color information display p. 47
2 Hazard warning button
3 Audio/phone/navigation* buttons
p. 47, 63, 72
4 Climate control p. 43
5 Seat heater switches p. 43
6 Accessory power socket
USB adapter cable p. 45
Auxiliary input jack p. 45
7 Moonroof switch p. 32Map lights p. 34
*if equipped
Your safety—and the safety of others—is very important, and operating this vehicle
safely is an important responsibility. While we strive to help you make informed
decisions about safety, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle. Therefore, you must
use your own good judgment.
Important Safety Information
This guide explains many of your vehicle’s safety features and how to use them.
Please read this information carefully. Following the instructions below will also
help to keep you and your passengers safe.
Important Safety Precautions•  Always wear your seat belt.
•  Secure all children in the proper restraint system.
•  Be aware of airbag hazards.
•  Don’t drink and drive.
•  Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely.
•  Control your speed.
•  Keep your vehicle in safe condition.
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe
to divert some attention away from driving.
Important Handling Information Your vehicle has a higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for
use only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-
highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain.
It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides
higher off the ground, it has a higher center of gravity, making it more susceptible
to tipping or rollover if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted
person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a
reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
SAFETY INFORMATION
6453
712

6 || 7
SAFETY
SAFETY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
Seat Belt Inspection
1. Regularly check the condition of your seat belts as follows:
•  Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear.
•  Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily. If a belt does
not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem. Only use a mild
soap and warm water. Do not use bleach or cleaning solvents. Make sure the
belt is completely dry before allowing it to retract.
Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide proper
protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.
A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of
protection in a subsequent crash. Have your seat belts inspected by a dealer after
any collision.
Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if
the seat belts do not work properly when needed.
Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Fastening a Seat BeltAdjust your seat to the proper position (see page 37), and then follow the
below steps.
1. Pull the seat belt out slowly.
2. Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug
on the belt to make sure the buckle is secure.
Make sure that the belt is not twisted or caught
on anything.
3. Position the lap part of the belt as low as
possible across your hips, then pull up on the
shoulder part of the belt so the lap part fits
snugly. This lets your strong pelvic bones take
the force of a crash and reduces the chance of
internal injuries.
4. If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove
any slack, then make sure that the belt rests
across the center of your chest and over your
shoulder. This spreads the forces of a crash over
the strongest bones in your upper body.
To release the belt, push the red PRESS button
then guide the belt by hand until it has retracted
completely.
Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor
The front seats have adjustable shoulder anchors to accommodate taller and
shorter occupants.
1. Move the anchor up and down while holding the
release button.
2. Position the anchor so that the belt rests across
the center of your chest and over your shoulder.
Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death in a
crash.
Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.
WARNING
Pull out
slowly.
Latch plate Buckle
Lap belt
as low as
possible
Push

14 || 15
SAFETY
SAFETY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
11 An indicator on the instrument
panel that alerts you to a possible
problem with your airbag system or
seat belt tensioners.
12 An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you that the front
passenger’s side airbag has been
turned off.
13 Safing sensor
14 A rollover sensor that detects whether the vehicle is about to roll
over.
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace
any airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated,  the control unit and other related parts must be 
replaced. Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it
must be replaced.
When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if  the airbags  did not inflate, have  your dealer inspect  the following:  the 
driver’s seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat
belt tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
Do not remove or modify a front seat without first consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver’s seat position sensor or the weight sensors
in the passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S.
vehicles, call Acura Client Relations at (800) 382-2238. For Canadian vehicles,
call Acura Client Services at (888) 922-8729.
Child Safety
Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are
either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle collisions are the
number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada
recommend that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear seat.
Some states or provinces/territories have laws restricting where children may ride.
To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province
and territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they
ride in a vehicle.
Protecting Child Passengers—Important Considerations
•  An inflating  front or side airbag can injure  or kill a child sitting in the front seat.
•  A child in the front seat is more likely to interfere with the driver’s ability to
safely control the vehicle.
•  Statistics show that children of all sizes and ages are safer when they are
properly restrained in a rear seat.
•  Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap
belt portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
•  Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the
event of a collision.
•  Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would
likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
•  Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
•  Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows, or seat adjustments.
•  Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather
when the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also
activate vehicle controls, causing it to move unexpectedly.
Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously
injured or killed in a crash.
Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child
seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt, using a
booster seat if necessary.
WARNING

16 || 17
SAFETY
SAFETY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
Protecting Infants
An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until
the infant reaches the seat maker’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the
infant is at least one year old. Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat
for a child up to two years old if the child’s height and weight are appropriate for
a rear-facing seat.
Child seats must be placed and secured in a rear
seating position. Rear-facing child seats should never
be installed in a forward-facing position.
When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front
passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-
back in the desired position. If this occurs, we recommend that you install the
child seat directly behind the front passenger’s seat, move the seat as far forward
as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing
child seat. Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or wrap one around their neck can
result in serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat belt and make sure any unused
seat belt a child can reach is buckled, fully retracted, and locked.
Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or
death during a crash.
Always place a rear-facing child seat in the rear seat, not the front.
WARNING
WARNING
Protecting Smaller Children
If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the
child seat manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly
secured forward-facing child seat.
We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing
child seat in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can
be hazardous, even with advanced front airbags that
automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A
rear seat is the safest place for a child.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious
injury  or death if  the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat
as far back as possible, and properly restrain the child.
WARNING
Selecting a Child Seat
Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren).  Some have a rigid-type connector,  while others have a  flexible-type 
connector. Both are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned
child seats can only be installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose,
follow the child seat manufacturer’s use and care instructions as well as the
instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to maximizing your child’s
safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible
child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security.
This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be
secured with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the
child seat manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-
compatible seat once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child
seat owner’s manual for proper installation instructions.
Important consideration when selecting a child seat
Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
•  The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.
•  The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
•  The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

18 || 19
SAFETY
SAFETY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in either of the two outer rear
seats.  A child seat is attached  to the lower anchors  with either the rigid or flexible 
type of connectors.
1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.
2. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then
attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to the instructions that came with
the child seat. Make sure that the lower anchors
are not obstructed by the seat belt or any other
object.
3. Raise the head restraint to its uppermost
position, then route the tether strap between
the head restraint legs, and secure the tether
strap hook onto the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat maker.
5. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to side;
little movement should be felt.
6. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor is
activated, and the belt is fully retracted and
locked.
Marks
Lower anchors Rigid type
Flexible type Tether strap
hook
Anchor
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt 1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt through the child seat
according to the seat maker’s instructions, and
insert the latch plate into the buckle. Insert the
latch plate fully until it clicks.
3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the
way out until it stops. This activates the lockable
retractor.
4. Let the seat belt completely wind up into the
retractor, then try to pull it out to make sure
the retractor is locked. If you are able to pull the
shoulder belt out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Pull the seat belt all the way out, and
repeat steps 3 – 4.
5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near the
buckle, and pull up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. When doing this, place your
weight on the child seat and push it into the
vehicle seat.
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to side;
little movement should be felt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor is
activated, and the belt is fully retracted and
locked.
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle and allow the seat belt to
wind up all the way.

20 || 21
SAFETY
SAFETY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
Adding Security with a Tether
A tether anchorage point is provided behind each rear seating position.
Regardless of whether it is installed with LATCH or a seat belt, a child seat that
comes with a tether should use the tether for additional security.
1. Locate the appropriate tether anchorage point
and lift the cover.
2. Raise the head restraint to its upper-most
position, then route the tether strap through the
head restraint legs. Make sure the strap is not
twisted.
3. Secure the tether strap hook onto the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
Protecting Larger Children
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the
lap/shoulder seat belt.
Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then ensure the following:
•  The child’s knees bend comfortably over the edge
of the seat.
•  The shoulder belt crosses between the child’s
neck and arm.
•  The lap part of the seat belt is as low as possible,
touching the child’s thighs.
•  The child can stay seated for the whole trip.
If a lap/shoulder belt cannot be used properly, position the child in a booster seat
in a rear seating position. For the child’s safety, check that the child meets the
booster seat manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories require children to use a
booster seat until they reach a given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or 60 lbs). Be
sure to check current laws in the state or province/territory where you intend to
drive.
Anchor fitting
Tether anchorage points Tether strap
hook
Anchor
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in the front can result in injury or
death if  the passenger’s  front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, have the child sit up properly and wear the seat belt properly, using
a booster seat if needed.
WARNING
Safety Label Locations
Safety labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that
can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels carefully.
Sun Viso r
U.S. mode ls
Canadian models
Radiator Ca p U.S. model
s
U.S. models only
Dashboard
Canadian models
Doorjamb
s
U.S. models onl
y
Sun Visor

38 || 39
VEHICLE CONTROLS
VEHICLE CONTROLS
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
Sitting improperly or out of position can result in serious injury or death in a
crash.
Always sit upright,  well back in the seat, with your  feet on the  floor.
WARNING
Adjusting the Head Restraints
Your vehicle is equipped with head restraints in all seating positions. Head
restraints are most effective for protection against whiplash and other rear-
impact crash injuries.
The center of the back of the occupant’s head
should rest against the center of the restraint.
The tops of the occupant’s ears should be level
with the center height of the restraint.
To raise the head restraint: Pull it upward.
To lower the head restraint: Push it down
while pressing the release button.
To remove the head restraint: Pull the
restraint up as far as it will go. Then push the
release button, and pull the restraint up and
out.
To reinstall a head restraint: Insert the legs
back in place, then adjust the head restraint to
an appropriate height while pressing the release
button. Pull up on the restraint to make sure it
is locked in position.
Position head in the
center of the head
restraint.
Front seat
Rear seat
For a head restraint system to work properly:
•  Do not hang any items on the head restraints or from the restraint legs.
•  Do not place any object between an occupant and the seat-back.
•  Install each restraint in its proper location. Improperly positioning head restraints reduces their effectiveness and increases the
likelihood of serious injury in a crash.
Make sure head restraints are in place and positioned properly before driving.
Failure to reinstall, or correctly reinstall, the head restraints can result in severe
injury during a crash.
Always replace the head restraints before driving.
WARNING
WARNING
Floor Mats
Position  the front and rear seat  floor mats 
properly and anchor them. If they are not properly
positioned,  the floor mats can interfere  with the 
front seat functions.
Do not put additional floor mats on top of the
anchored mats.
Rear Seats
Separately fold down the left and right halves of the rear seat to make room for
cargo.
1. Store the center seat belt by inserting the latch
plate into the slot on the side of the anchor
buckle.
2. Retract the seat belt into the holder on the
ceiling.
3. Lower the center head restraint to its lowest
position. Put the armrest back into the seat-
back.
4. From the rear door side or cargo area side, pull
the release lever.
To return the seat to its original position, pull up
the seat-back to an upright position until it is
securely latched into place. Reposition the seat
belts as necessary.
Pull
Lever
Unlock
Lock

42 || 43
VEHICLE CONTROLS
VEHICLE CONTROLS
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
VISUAL INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
ACURALINK®
INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
CLIENT
INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
DRIVING
NAVIGATION
HomeLink®
Program your vehicle to operate up to three remote-controlled devices around your
home—such as garage doors, lighting, or home security systems—using the buttons
on the ceiling.
Training a Button
Park near the system you want to program, and follow the instructions in the
flowchart below.
To retrain a button or erase codes, see the Owner’s Manual on the Owner
Information CD or visit owners.acura.com (U.S.) or www.myacura.com (Canada).
If you need help, visit  www.homelink.com.
Press and hold the button on the r emote
and the HomeLink button at the same
time. Then, while continuing to hold the
HomeLink button, pr ess and release the
button on the r emote every 2 seconds.
Does the LED blink at a fa ster ra te within 20 seconds ?
Press and hold the
HomeLink button
again. T
raining
complete
YES
NO
HomeLink indicator
ashes for 2 seconds,
then rem ains on. HomeLink LED
r
emains on.YES
NO
YES
NO
P osition the remote transmitter
1–3 inches (3–8 cm) from the
HomeLink button you want to program.1
Press and hold the desir ed HomeLink
button and the button on the r emote
transmitter .
Does the HomeLink indicat or (LED) blink at a f ast er
rate after about 10 seconds ?
2
a
The remote has a ro lling code. Press
the “learn” button on the
r emote-contr olled device (e.g., garage
door opener).
Pr ess the pr ogrammed HomeLink
button again; the remote-contr olled
device should operate.
Within 30 seconds, pr
ess and hold the
pr ogrammed HomeLink button for 2
seconds.a
Pr ess and hold the programmed
HomeLink button for about a second.
Does the devic e (garage door opener) work?
3
b
4
5
HomeLink
indicator HomeLink
buttons
Climate Control System
The automatic climate control system can maintain your preferred interior
temperature by selecting the proper mix of heated or cooled air and fan speed.
Seat Heaters
Quickly warm the front seats when the vehicle is on. An indicator in the selected
switch appears when the seat heaters are on.
LO button: Press to slowly warm the seat, or to
maintain continuous heating.
HI button: Press to quickly warm the seat. If left in
HI, the heater cycles on and off.
Return the switch to the center to turn the seat
heaters off.
Heat-induced burns are possible when using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or with sensitive skin should not use the
seat heaters.
WARNING
AUTO button:
Press, then use the
temperature control dial
to set your preferred
temperature.
ON/OFF
button
Fan speed
buttons Windshield
defroster
button
Passenger’s side
temperature
control dial
SYNC button:
Set the
passenger’s side
temperature to
the same as the
driver’s side.
Rear window
defogger
button
Recirculation
button:
Choose
recirculation or
fresh air.
A/C
button
Vent mode
button: Change
the vent source.
Driver’s side
temperature
control dial