Acura RDX (2021 year). Manual in english - page 5

76

Safe Driving

Safety Labels

Label Locations

These labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels 
carefully.

If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the U.S. dashboard label which may be removed by the owner), contact a dealer 
for a replacement.

Dashboard

U.S. models only

Air Conditioner System

U.S. models

Canadian models

Radiator Cap

U.S. models only

Sun Visor

Sun Visor

U.S. models

Canadian models

77

Instrument Panel

This chapter describes the buttons, indicators, and gauges that are used while driving.

Indicators

............................................ 78

Multi-Information Display Warning and 

Information Messages.................... 101

Gauges and Displays

Gauges............................................ 130
Multi-Information Display ................ 131
Head-Up Display

*

............................ 142

* Not available on all models

78

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Indicators

M

 (sequential mode) 

Indicator/Gear 
Selection Indicator



 P. 83

Parking Brake and 
Brake System 
Indicator (Red)

Parking Brake and 
Brake System 
Indicator (Amber)

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Automatic Brake 
Hold System Indicator

Automatic Brake Hold 
Indicator

U.S.

Canada

*1 : When you set the power mode to ON, these indicators come on to indicate that system checks are being performed. They go off a few seconds later or after the engine 

has started. If an indicator does not come on or turn off, there may be a malfunction in the corresponding system. To resolve the issue, follow the instructions in the 
owner's manual. 



 P. 79

*1

Malfunction Indicator 
Lamp

Charging System 
Indicator

Anti-lock Brake System 
(

ABS

) Indicator

Seat Belt Reminder 
Indicator

Low Fuel Indicator

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 

(VSA

®

) System Indicator

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 

(VSA

®

) 

OFF

 Indicator

Supplemental Restraint 
System Indicator

Auto High-Beam 
Indicator

Low Tire Pressure/TPMS 
Indicator

Electric Power Steering 
(EPS) System Indicator

Turn Signal and Hazard 
Warning Indicators

Lights On Indicator

High Beam Indicator

Fog Light Indicator

*

Maintenance Minder 
Indicator

System Message Indicator

Super Handling-All Wheel 
Drive

TM

 (

SH-AWD

®

) 

System Indicator

*

Adaptive Cruise Control 
(

ACC

) with Low Speed 

Follow Indicator 
(Amber)

Lane Keeping Assist 
System (

LKAS

) Indicator 

(Amber)

Road Departure Mitigation 
(RDM) Indicator

Blind spot information 
System Indicator

*



 P. 80



 P. 81



 P. 81



 P. 82



 P. 83

*1

*1



 P. 90

*1

*1

Gear Position Indicator



 P. 83

Transmission System 
Indicator



 P. 84

Auto Idle Stop System 
Indicator (Amber)/
Auto Idle Stop 
Indicator (Green)



 P. 86



 P. 87



 P. 87



 P. 88



 P. 88



 P. 91



 P. 89

*1

*1

*1



 P. 89

*1



 P. 88



 P. 91



 P. 95

*1



 P. 91



 P. 91



 P. 94



 P. 91

Immobilizer System 
Indicator



 P. 92

Security System Alarm 
Indicator 



 P. 92



 P. 93



 P. 94



 P. 95



 P. 96



 P. 100

*1

Adaptive Cruise Control 
(

ACC

) with Low Speed 

Follow Indicator (Green)



 P. 95

*1

Lane Keeping Assist 
System (

LKAS

) Indicator 

(Green)



 P. 95

*1

*1

*1

*1

*1

Collision Mitigation 
Braking System

TM

 

(CMBS

TM

) Indicator

*1



 P. 98

*1

* Not available on all models

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Parking Brake 
and Brake 
System 
Indicator (Red)

•

Comes on when the parking brake 
is applied, and goes off when it is 
released.

•

Comes on when the brake fluid 
level is low.

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the brake system.

•

The beeper sounds and the 
indicator comes on if you drive with 
the parking brake not fully released.

•

Comes on for about 30 seconds 
when you pull or push the electric 
parking brake switch when the 
power mode is in ACCESSORY or 
VEHICLE OFF.

•

Stays on for about 30 seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
VEHICLE OFF while the electric 
parking brake is set.

•

Comes on while driving 

- Make sure 

the parking brake is released. Check the 
brake fluid level.

2

What to do when the indicator 
comes on while driving

 P. 622

•

Comes on along with the brake system 
indicator (amber)

 -Immediately stop in a 

safe place. Contact a dealer for repair. The 
brake pedal becomes harder to operate. 
Depress the pedal further than you 
normally do.

•

Comes on along with the ABS 
indicator 

- Have your vehicle checked by 

a dealer.

2

If the Brake System Indicator (Red) 
Comes On or Blinks

 P. 622

•

Blinks and the brake system indicator 
(amber) comes on at the same time 

- 

There is a problem with the electric 
parking brake system. The parking brake 
may not be set.
Avoid using the parking brake and have 
your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

2

If the Brake System Indicator (Red) 
Comes On or Blinks at the Same Time 
When the Brake System Indicator 
(Amber) Comes On

 P. 624

U.S.

Canada

(Red)

80

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Parking Brake 
and Brake 
System 
Indicator 
(Amber)

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
a system related to braking other 
than the conventional brake 
system.

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the electric brake system.

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the electric parking brake system.

•

Stays on constantly 

- Avoid high speeds 

and sudden braking. Take the vehicle to a 
dealer immediately.

•

Comes on while driving 

- Avoid using 

the parking brake and have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer immediately.

●

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the radar sensor.

●

Indicator may come on temporarily 
when the Maximum Load Limit is 
exceeded.

●

Make sure the total load is within the 
Maximum Load Limit.

2

Maximum Load Limit

 P. 409

●

Stays on constantly 

- Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer.

U.S.

Canada

(Amber)

U.S.

Canada

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Parking Brake 
and Brake 
System 
Indicator 
(Amber)

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the automatic brake hold system.

2

Automatic Brake Hold

 P. 503

Automatic 
Brake Hold 
System 
Indicator

●

Comes on when the automatic 
brake hold system is on.

2

Automatic Brake Hold

 P. 503

Automatic 
Brake Hold 
Indicator

●

Comes on when the automatic 
brake hold is activated.

2

Automatic Brake Hold

 P. 503

—

U.S.

Canada

(Amber)

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

82

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Malfunction 
Indicator Lamp

•

After you have set the power mode 
to ON, the vehicle performs system 
checks. However, if the readiness 
codes have not been set by that 
time, this indicator will blink five 
times and then go off.

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the emissions control systems.

•

Blinks when a misfire in the 
engine’s cylinders is detected.

•

Readiness codes are part of the on board 
diagnostics for the emissions control 
systems.

2

Testing of Readiness Codes

 P. 645

•

Comes on while driving 

- Have your 

vehicle checked by a dealer.

•

Blinks while driving 

- Stop in a safe 

place where there are no flammable 
objects. Stop the engine for 10 minutes or 
more, and wait for it to cool down. Then, 
take your vehicle to a dealer.

2

If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp 
Comes On or Blinks

 P. 621

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Charging 
System 
Indicator

•

Comes on when the battery is not 
charging.

•

Comes on while driving 

- Turn off the 

climate control system and rear defogger 
in order to reduce electricity consumption.

2

If the Charging System Indicator 
Comes On

 P. 621

Gear Position 
Indicator

•

Indicates the current gear selection.

2

Shifting

 P. 426

—

M

 (sequential 

mode) 
Indicator/Gear 
Selection 
Indicator

•

Comes on when the sequential 
mode is applied.

2

Sequential Mode

 P. 432

—

84

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Transmission 
System 
Indicator

•

The current gear selection blinks if 
the transmission system has a 
problem.

•

Blinks while driving

 - Avoid sudden 

starts and acceleration and have your 
vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.

•

The indicated current gear selection 
blinks if the transmission system is 
problem and the performance of 
the vehicle is reduced.

•

Avoid sudden starts, sudden acceleration 
and high speed, and have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer immediately.

•

The indicated current gear selection 
blinks if the transmission system is 
problem and the paddle shifters 
cannot be used.

•

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Transmission 
System 
Indicator

•

The current gear position or all the 
gear positions blink if there is a 
problem with the transmission and 
the vehicle is no longer able to run.

•

Immediately park your car in a safe place.

2

Emergency Towing

 P. 634

•

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

•

The current gear position or all the 
gear positions blink if there is a 
problem with the transmission and 
it is not possible to select 

(

P

.

•

Depending on the circumstances, you can 
set the power mode to on as an 
emergency measure.

2

If the Transmission System Indicator 
Blinks along with the Warning 
Message

 P. 626

•

While the vehicle is stopped, apply the 
parking brake.

•

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

86

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Auto Idle Stop 
Indicator 
(Green)

●

Comes on when Auto Idle Stop is in 
operation. The engine automatically 
shuts off.

2

Auto Idle Stop

 P. 436

—

Auto Idle Stop 
System 
Indicator 
(Amber)

●

Comes on when the Auto Idle Stop 
system has been turned off by the 
Auto Idle Stop system 

OFF

 button.

2

Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF

 P. 437

●

Blinks if there is a problem with the 
Auto Idle Stop system.

●

Blinks 

- Have your vehicle checked by a 

dealer.

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Seat Belt 
Reminder 
Indicator

•

Blinks and the beeper sounds for a 
few seconds if you are not wearing 
a seat belt when you set the power 
mode to ON, then the indicator 
comes on. 

•

If the front passenger is not 
wearing a seat belt, the indicator 
comes on a few seconds later.

•

Blinks while driving if either you 
and/or the front passenger has not 
fastened a seat belt. The beeper 
sounds and the indicator blinks at 
regular intervals.

•

The beeper stops and the indicator goes 
off when you and the front passenger 
fasten their seat belts.

•

Stays on after you and/or the front 
passenger has fastened the seat 
belt(s) 

- A detection error may have 

occurred in the sensor. Have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer.

2

Seat Belt Reminder

 P. 38

Low Fuel 
Indicator

•

Comes on when the fuel reserve is 
running low (approximately 2.4 
U.S. gal./9.1 Liter left).

•

Blinks if there is a problem with the 
fuel gauge.

•

Comes on 

- Refuel your vehicle as soon 

as possible.

•

Blinks 

- Have your vehicle checked by a 

dealer.

88

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Anti-lock Brake 
System (

ABS

) 

Indicator

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the ABS.

•

Stays on constantly 

- Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer. With this indicator 
on, your vehicle still has normal braking 
ability but no anti-lock function.

2

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

 P. 505

Supplemental 
Restraint 
System 
Indicator

•

Comes on if a problem with any of 
the following is detected:

-

Supplemental restraint system

-

Side airbag system

-

Side curtain airbag system

-

Seat belt tensioner

•

Stays on constantly 

- Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer.

Electric Power 
Steering (EPS) 
System 
Indicator

•

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the EPS system.

•

Stays on constantly 

- Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer.

2

If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) 
System Indicator Comes On

 P. 623

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Vehicle Stability 
Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

) 

System 
Indicator

●

Blinks when VSA

®

, or trailer stability 

assist is active.

●

Comes on if there is a problem with 
the brake assist system, VSA

®

 

system or hill start assist system.

●

Stays on constantly 

- Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer.

2

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

), aka 

Electronic Stability Control (ESC), 
System

 P. 442

Vehicle Stability 
Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

) 

OFF

 Indicator

●

Comes on when you partially 
disable VSA

®

.

2

VSA

®

 On and Off

 P. 443

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Low Tire 
Pressure/TPMS 
Indicator

●

Comes on if the tire pressure of any 
of the tires becomes significantly 
low.

●

Blinks for about one minute, and 
then stays on if there is a problem 
with the TPMS, or when a compact 
spare tire

*

 is temporarily installed.

●

Comes on while driving 

- Stop in a safe 

place, check tire pressures, and inflate the 
tire(s) if necessary.

●

Blinks and remains on 

- Have your 

vehicle checked by a dealer. If the vehicle 
is fitted with a compact spare tire, get your 
regular tire repaired or replaced and put 
back on your vehicle as soon as you can.

* Not available on all models

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Turn Signal and 
Hazard 
Warning 
Indicators

•

Blinks when you operate the turn 
signal lever.

•

Blink along with all turn signals 
when you press the hazard warning 
button.

•

Does not blink or blinks rapidly

2

Replacing Light Bulbs

 P. 557

—

High Beam 
Indicator

•

Comes on when the high beam 
headlights are on.

—

—

Lights On 
Indicator

•

Comes on when the light switch in 
a position other than 

OFF

 or when 

the switch is set to 

AUTO

 and the 

exterior lights come on.

•

If you set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF 
while the lights are on, a chime sounds 
when the driver’s door is opened.

—

Fog Light 
Indicator

*

•

Comes on when the fog lights are 
on.

—

—

Auto High-
Beam Indicator

•

Comes on when all the operating 
conditions of the auto high-beam 
are met.

2

Auto High-Beam

 P. 194

—

* Not available on all models