2016 Acura RDX USB

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
This Owner’s Guide is intended to help you quickly get acquainted with your
2016 Acura RDX. It provides basic information and instructions on technology and
convenience features, as well as emergency procedures and how to get assistance.
This guide is for vehicles sold in the United States and Canada. It covers all RDX
models, so you may find descriptions of features and equipment that are not in
your vehicle.
Images throughout this guide are from U.S. vehicles and represent features and
equipment that are available on some, but not all, models. Images shown in this
guide should be considered examples and used for demonstration purposes only.
This guide is not intended to be a substitute for the Owner’s Manual. The Owner
Information CD enclosed in your glove box kit includes the Owner’s Manual,
Navigation Manual, and vehicle and tire warranties in electronic format. This
information can be viewed on a computer (PC or Mac platform) and saved or
printed for your reference. In addition, you can visit owners.acura.com (U.S.) or
myacura.ca (Canada) to view the complete and most current information.
If you are the first registered owner of your vehicle, you may request a
complimentary printed copy of the Owner’s Manual, Navigation Manual, or Vehicle
Warranty within the first six months of vehicle purchase. To request a copy, visit
owners.acura.com and create or log in to your account. In Canada, please request a
copy from your Acura dealer.
American Honda Motor Company strives to be proactive in protecting our
environment and natural resources. By using electronic delivery for a considerable
portion of the information typically found in a vehicle owner’s manual, we are
further reducing our impact on the environment.
Acura Total Luxury Care Roadside Assistance
Your Acura TLC Roadside Assistance representative is here to help you 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. Under your 4-year/50,000-mile (80,000 km) warranty, the
following benefits are available:
•  Towing services—full cost  of towing  to the closest  Acura dealer
• Roadside assistance—jump starting,  fuel delivery, lockout, and  flat tire 
•  Trip planning—detailed  trip routing, emergency services, and more
Call (800) 594-8500 (U.S.) or (800) 565-7587 (Canada)
Acura Client Relations Your authorized Acura dealer should be able to answer any questions you have
about your vehicle. However, if you are dissatisfied with the information you
receive, you can call Acura Client Relations (see page 145).
Call (800) 382-2238 (U.S.) or (888) 922-8729 (Canada)
INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS
*if equipped
VISUAL INDEX ................................... 1
Steering Wheel and Nearby
Controls .............................................. 1
Dashboard and Ceiling Controls ..... 2
SAFETY INFORMATION .................. 3
Important Safety Information ....... 3
Seat Belts ........................................... 5
Airbags ............................................... 9
Child Safety ..................................... 15
Safety Label Locations .................. 22
Reporting Safety Defects .............. 23
INSTRUMENT P ANEL .................... 24
Malfunction Indicators .................. 24
Condition Indicators ...................... 26
On/Off Indicators .......................... 27
Multi-Information Display ........... 28
VEHICLE CONTROLS ..................... 30
Using the Remote Transmitter ..... 30
Keyless Access System ................... 31
Power Tailgate Operation ............. 32
Door Operation from Inside the
Vehicle ............................................. 33
Power Window Operation ............ 34
Power Moonroof Operation ........35
Interior and Exterior Lights ...........36
One-Touch Turn Signal .................. 37
Wiper Operation ............................ 38
Adjusting the Seats ........................ 40
Adjusting the Steering Wheel ...... 43
Driving Position Memory System ... 43
Adjusting the Mirrors .....................44
HomeLink® Garage Opener .......... 45
Climate Control System ................46
Seat Heaters or Ventilation* ........ 47Customized Settings*
....................48
Setting the Clock ............................ 49
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY ...... 50
Basic Audio Operation ................... 50
Models  without navigation
Color Information Display ............ 52
FM/AM Radio .................................. 53
SiriusXM® Radio ............................. 54
Compact Disc (CD) ........................ 55
iPod® ................................................ 56
USB Flash Drive .............................. 57
Bluetooth® Audio ........................... 58
Pandora® ......................................... 59
Models  with navigation
On-Demand Multi-Use Display™
(ODMD™) ....................................... 60
FM/AM Radio ................................... 61
SiriusXM® Radio ............................. 62
Compact Disc (CD) or USB Flash
Drive ................................................. 63
Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Audio....... 64
iPod® ................................................ 65
Bluetooth® Audio ........................... 66
Pandora® ......................................... 67
AcuraLink featuring Aha™ ............ 68
BLUETOOTH® HANDSFREELINK ® ... 69
Basic HFL Operation ...................... 69
Models  without navigation
Pairing a Phone ............................... 70
Making a Call ................................... 71
SMS Text Messaging ...................... 72
Models  with navigation
Pairing a Phone ............................... 75
Making a Call .................................. 76

2 || 3
SAFETY
VISUAL INDEX
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Dashboard and Ceiling Controls
1 Color information display p. 52
2 On-Demand Multi-Use Display™
(ODMD™)* p. 60
3 Hazard warning button
4 Climate control p. 46
5 Accessory power socket p. 50
USB port p. 50
Auxiliary input jack p. 50
6 Moonroof switch p. 35Interior lights p. 34
7 Hood release handle p. 129
8 Fuel fill door handle p. 112
9 Power window switches p. 34
Door lock switches p. 33
Door mirror controls p. 44
Driving Position Memory System
buttons p. 43
Parking brake p. 100 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
*if equipped
11
10
54
613
87911
10
Model with
navigation shown
2

50 || 51
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Basic Audio Operation
Connect audio devices in the front console, and operate buttons and displays for
the audio system.
USB Port
Connect a  USB flash  drive  or other audio  device, such as an iPod®  or iPhone®.
1. Open the USB cover.
2. Install  the iPod  dock connector  or the  USB  flash 
drive into the USB port.
Auxiliary Input Jack
Connect standard audio devices with a 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) stereo miniplug.
1. Open the AUX cover.
2. Insert the miniplug attached to the audio device
into the jack. The audio system switches to AUX
mode. Use the device to control the audio.
iPod  and iPhone  are trademarks  of Apple,  Inc.
State  or local laws may prohibit  the operation  of handheld electronic  devices while operating  a vehicle.
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
Learn how to operate the vehicle’s audio system.
Accessory Power Socket
Located in the front and center consoles. Open the
socket cover to use power when the vehicle is on.
Do not insert an automotive type cigarette lighter element. This can overheat
the power socket.
NOTICE
Adjusting the Sound
Adjust various sound settings.
Models without navigation
Use the selector knob to make and enter selections.
1. Press the SETUP button.
2. Select Sound Settings.
3. Select the setting you want, and adjust it to the
desired level.
4. Press the BACK button to exit the menu.
Models with navigation
Use the interface dial to make and enter selections.
1. From the audio screen, press the MENU button.
2. Select Sound.
3. Select the setting you want, and adjust it to the
desired level.
4. Press the BACK button to exit the menu.
You can also adjust the sound using the ODMD touchscreen. Select More, select
Sound, and select the + or - icons to adjust settings. Select X to exit the screen.
Steering Wheel Controls
Operate certain functions of the audio system using the steering wheel controls.
MODE button: Cycle through available audio
modes.
VOL (p/q) buttons: Adjust audio volume.
CH (+/-) button: Change presets, tracks, albums,
or folders.
FM/AM/XM® Radio
Press (+) or (-) for the next or previous station.
Press and hold (+) or (-) for the next or previous strong station.
CD/HDD*/iPod®/USB/Bluetooth® Audio
Press (+) or (-) for the next or previous track.
Press and hold (+) or (-) for the next or previous folder (CD/USB).
Pandora®
Press (+) for the next song.
Press and hold (+) or (-) for the next or previous station.
*if equipped

56 || 57
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Models without navigation
iPod®
Play and operate an iPod through the vehicle’s audio system. Connect your device
to the USB port (see page 50).
Searching for Music
Use the selector knob to search for tracks stored on the iPod using several
methods.
1. From the audio screen, press the selector knob
to enter the iPod menu.
2. Select a search type (artist, album, track, etc.).
3. Select the song you want to play.
iPod is  a trademark  of Apple,  Inc.
Models without navigation
USB Flash Drive
Play and  operate a  USB flash  drive  through  the vehicle’s audio system.  Connect 
your  USB flash  drive  to the  USB port (see page 50).
Searching for Music
Use the selector knob to search for tracks stored on the USB drive using several
methods.
1. Press the selector knob to enter the USB menu.
2. Select a folder or file.
3. Select the song you want to play.
State  or local laws may prohibit  the operation  of handheld electronic  devices while operating  a vehicle.  
Only launch streaming  audio on your phone  when it is safe  to do so.
SKIP bar: Change
tracks, or rewind or fast
forward within a track.
SETUP button:
Choose various play
modes, such as repeat,
random, and shuffle. AUX button: Play a
connected iPod.
Selector knob: Rotate to
change tracks. Press to
display the iPod search
menu, and rotate and
press to select items.
iPod display
CATEGORY bar: Skip
to the next folder or
the beginning of the
previous folder. SKIP bar: Change files,
or rewind or fast forward
within a file.
SETUP button:
Choose various play
modes, such as repeat
and random. AUX button: Play a
connected USB drive.
Selector knob: Rotate to
change files. Press to display
the folder list, and rotate
and press to select items. SCAN button: Press to
hear a 10-second sample
of each file on the folder.
Press again to turn off
scan.
USB display

58 || 59
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Models without navigation
Bluetooth® Audio
Play streaming or stored audio from your compatible phone through your vehicle’s
audio system. Connect your phone to Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (see page 70).
Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink (U.S.) or www.handsfreelink.ca (Canada) to
check phone compatibility. Standard data rates apply.
Notes:
•  Make sure the volume on your phone is properly adjusted.
•  You may need to enable additional settings on your phone for playback.
•  The resume/pause function and remote audio controls are not supported on all
phones.
State  or local laws may prohibit  the operation  of handheld electronic  devices while operating  a vehicle.  
Only launch streaming  audio on your phone  when it is safe  to do so.
Models without navigation
Pandora®
Play and operate Pandora from your compatible iPhone through the vehicle’s audio
system. Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink to check phone compatibility. Standard
data rates apply. Available in the U.S. only.
•  Connect your phone to the USB port (see page 50).
•  A pop-up may appear on your phone requesting you to allow access for Pandora
to be launched.
•  If you cannot operate Pandora through the audio system, it may be streaming
through Bluetooth® Audio. Make sure Pandora mode on the audio system is
selected.
•  If Pandora still does not operate, you may have to reconnect the cable.
State  or local laws may prohibit  the operation  of handheld electronic  devices while operating  a vehicle.  
Only launch streaming  audio on your phone  when it is safe  to do so.
SKIP bar: Press to
change files.
Selector knob: Display
the device name. AUX button:
Play
Bluetooth® Audio.
Preset 1 button: Pause
or resume audio.
Bluetooth Audio display
CATEGORY bar: Go to
the next or previous
station.
SKIP bar: Go to the next
song.
SETUP button: Choose
various play modes, such
as repeat and random. AUX button: Play
Pandora.
Selector knob: Enter the
Pandora menu. Select items
such as like, dislike, station
list, and bookmarks.
Pandora display

62 || 63
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Models with navigation
SiriusXM® Radio
Available on a subscription basis only. For more information or to subscribe, contact
your dealer, or visit www.siriusxm.com (U.S.) or  www.siriusxm.ca (Canada). Models with navigation
Compact Disc (CD) or
USB Flash Drive
Insert a CD to begin playing. The audio system supports audio CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-
RWs in MP3, WMA, or AAC formats.
Connect your USB flash  drive using  the USB port (see page 50).  The audio 
system supports MP3, WMA, or AAC files.
Available in  the U.S.  and  Canada,  except Hawaii,  Alaska,  and Puerto Rico.  
XM® is  a registered  trademark of Sirius XM Radio,  Inc.
To learn about additional features—such as multi-channel preset, replay, or
SportsFlash—see your Navigation Manual on the Owner Information CD or visit
owners.acura.com (U.S.) or myacura.ca (Canada).
Do not use CDs with adhesive labels or insert a damaged CD. Inserting these types
of CDs may cause them to get stuck inside or damage the audio unit.
NOTICE
Searching for MusicUse the interface dial to search for tracks on the CD or USB.
1. From the audio screen, press MENU.
2. Select Music Search.
3. Select a search type (artist, album, track, etc.) or
folder.
4. Select the song you want to play.
Interface dial
(from the Audio
Screen): Select
from the category
list, channel list, and
presets in the upper
display.
Presets: To store a
station, tune to the
desired station, select
Presets, and select and
hold the desired preset
number. Select a preset
station once stored.
NAVAUDIOAUDIONAV
Skip/seek bar:
Change the channel.
Audio Source:
Select the XM Icon.
Category bar: Change
the category.
Scan: Scan for channels.
Play/pause TAG*: Tag songs and
store to a connected
iPod or iPhone.
SiriusXM display
Audio Source:
Select the CD or
USB icon. CD slot
CD eject button
Skip/seek bar:
Change the track. Repeat: Repeat the
current track or file.
Scan: Scan tracks
on the CD or USB.
Random: Play tracks or
files in random order. Interface dial (from
the Audio screen):
Select tracks in the
upper display.
Folder: Change the
folder.
NAVAUDIOAUDIONAV
CD display

64 || 65
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Models with navigation
iPod®
Play and operate an iPod through the vehicle’s audio system. Connect your device
to the USB port (see page 50).
Models with navigation
Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Audio
When music CDs are inserted, they are automatically recorded by system default
onto the built-in HDD for later playback.
Searching for Music
Use the interface dial to search for tracks using several methods.
1. From the audio screen, press MENU.
2. Select Music Search.
3. Select a search type (artist, album, track, etc.).
4. Select the song you want to play.
You can also search for and play HDD music using Song By Voice™ (see page
151). Searching for Music Use the interface dial to search for tracks using several methods.
1. From the audio screen, press MENU.
2. Select Music Search.
3. Select a search type (artist, album, track, etc.).
4. Select the song you want to play.
You can also search for and play iPod music using Song By Voice™ (see page
151).
iPod is  a trademark  of Apple,  Inc.
Audio Source: Select
the HDD icon.
Scan: Scan all tracks or
the first track on each
album.
Interface dial (from
the Audio screen):
Select tracks in the
upper display. Repeat: Repeat the
artist, album, or
track.Album bar: Change
the album.
Random: Play the
artist, album, or tracks
in random order.
NAVAUDIOAUDIONAV
HDD display
Album bar: Change
the album.
Repeat: Repeat the
current track or file.
Skip/seek bar:
Change the track.
Play/pause
Shuffle: Play tracks
or albums in random
order. Audio Source:
Select
the iPod icon.
Interface dial (from
the Audio screen):
Select tracks in the
upper display.
NAVAUDIOAUDIONAV
iPod display

66 || 67
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Models with navigation
Bluetooth® Audio
Play streaming or stored audio from your compatible phone through your vehicle’s
audio system. Connect your phone to Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (see page 75).
Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink (U.S.) or www.handsfreelink.ca (Canada) to
check phone compatibility. Standard data rates apply. Models with navigation
Pandora®
Play and operate Pandora from your compatible phone through the vehicle’s audio
system. Connect your phone when the vehicle is stopped.
Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink to check phone compatibility. Standard data
rates apply. Available in the U.S. only.
For iPhone:
• 
Connect via Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (see page 75) or USB (see page 50).
•  If you cannot operate Pandora through the audio system, it may be streaming
through Bluetooth® Audio. Make sure Pandora mode on the audio system is
selected.
•  If Pandora still does not operate, you may have to reconnect the cable.
•  A pop-up may appear on your phone requesting you to allow access for Pandora
to be launched.
For other compatible smartphones:
•  Connect via Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (see page 75).
Notes:
•  Make sure the volume on your phone is properly adjusted.
•  You may need to enable additional settings on your phone for playback.
•  The resume/pause function and remote audio controls are not supported on all
phones.
State  or local laws may prohibit  the operation  of handheld electronic  devices while operating  a vehicle.  
Only launch streaming  audio on your phone  when safe to do so.
State or local laws may prohibit  the operation  of handheld electronic  devices while operating  a vehicle.  
Only launch streaming  audio on your phone  when it is safe  to do so.
Play/Resume
Interface dial
(from the Audio
screen): Select an
item in the upper
display.
Audio Source:
Select
the Bluetooth icon.
Pause
Skip/seek bar:
Change the track. Folder bar: Search
for a folder.
NAVAUDIOAUDIONAV
Bluetooth Audio display
Audio Source: Select
the Pandora icon. Station bar:
Change the station.
Like/Dislike a song Skip forward
Interface dial
(from the Audio
screen): Select an
item in the upper
display.
Play/Pause
NAVAUDIOAUDIONAV
Pandora display