Acura RDX (2019 year). Instruction — part 4

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Airbags

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Side Airbags

Safe Driving

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When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle’s framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.

■

When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe

It is possible for a side airbag not to deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was toward the
far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle’s crushable body parts absorbed
most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have been
needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

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Airbags

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Side Curtain Airbags

Safe Driving

Side Curtain Airbags

The side curtain airbags help protect the heads of the driver and passengers in the
outer seating positions during a moderate-to-severe side impact. The side curtain
airbags equipped in this vehicle are also designed to help reduce the likelihood of
partial and complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes,
particularly rollover crashes.

The side curtain airbags are located in the
ceiling above the side windows on both sides
of the vehicle.

The side curtain airbag is designed to deploy
in a rollover or a moderate-to-severe side
impact.

■

Housing Locations

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Side Curtain Airbags

If the SRS control unit senses that your vehicle is
about to rollover, it immediately deploys both side
curtain airbags and activates both front seat belt
tensioners.

If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the
passenger’s side curtain airbag deploys even if there
are no occupants on that side of the vehicle.

To get the best protection from the side curtain
airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts
properly and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof
pillars as they can interfere with the proper operation
of the side curtain airbags.

Side Curtain Airbag Storage

■

Operation

Deployed Side Curtain Airbag

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Airbags

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Airbag System Indicators

Safe Driving

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When side curtain airbags deploy in a frontal collision

One or both side curtain airbags may also inflate in a moderate-to-severe angled
frontal collision.

Airbag System Indicators

If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on and a
message appears on the multi-information display.

■

When the power mode is set to ON

The indicator comes on for a few seconds,
then goes off. This tells you the system is
working properly.

If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, have the
system checked by a dealer as soon as possible. If you don’t, your airbags and seat
belt tensioners may not work properly when they are needed.

■

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

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Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

3

WARNING

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in
serious injury or death if the airbag systems
or tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts
you to a possible problem.

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Airbags

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Airbag System Indicators

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Safe Driving

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When the passenger front airbag off
indicator comes on

The indicator comes on to alert you that the
passenger’s front airbag has been turned off.

This occurs when the weight sensors detect
about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an
infant or small child, on the seat.

Children age 12 or under should always ride properly restrained in a back seat.

2 Child Safety P. 58

If the front passenger’s seat is empty, the indicator will come on and, in the event of
a crash, the front passenger’s airbag will not deploy. The front passenger’s knee
airbag will not deploy either.

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Passenger Front Airbag Off Indicator

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Passenger Front Airbag Off Indicator

To ensure the passenger is detected properly, confirm that:

•

There is no child seat or other object pressing
against the rear of the seat-back.

•

There is no rear passenger pushing or pulling on
the back of the front passenger’s seat.

•

The front seat or seat-back is not forced back
against an object on the seat or floor behind it.

•

There is no object placed under or beside the front
passenger’s seat.

•

The occupant is sitting in an upright position and
the seat back is not excessively reclined.

•

The occupant is not leaning against the door or
center console.

•

The occupant’s feet are placed on the floor in front
of them.

•

There are no objects hanging from the front
passenger’s seat.

•

Only small, lightweight objects are in the seat-back
pocket.

The passenger front airbag off indicator may come
on and go off periodically if the total weight on the
seat is near the airbag cutoff threshold.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as
possible if:

•

All of the above conditions are met, and the
indicator comes on with an adult seated in the
front passenger seat.

•

The seat is empty and the indicator is off.

Do not allow an adult passenger to ride in the front
seat when the indicator is on.

U.S.

Canada

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Airbags

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Airbag Care

Safe Driving

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 consulting a dealer

This would likely disable or affect the proper operation of 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, or for U.S. vehicles, Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and for
Canadian vehicles, Acura Client Services at 1-888-9-ACURA-9.

1

Airbag Care

We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

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Safe Driving

Child Safety

Protecting Child Passengers

Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are
either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle crashes are the
number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

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.

Children should sit properly restrained in a rear seat. This is because:

• 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.

1

Protecting Child Passengers

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.

3

WARNING

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.

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Child Safety

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Protecting Child Passengers

Safe Driving

• 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 seat
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.

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Protecting Child Passengers

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

To remind you of the passenger’s front airbag
hazards and child safety, your vehicle has warning
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the
front visors. Please read and follow the instructions
on these labels.

2 Safety Labels P. 72

3

WARNING

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.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Safety of Infants and Small Children

An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the
infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the
infant is at least one year old.

■

Positioning a rear-facing child seat

Child seats must be placed and secured in a
rear seating 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. Make sure that there is no contact between the child seat
and the seat in front of it.

It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger’s advanced front airbag
system.

2 Airbags P. 42

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.

■

Protecting Infants

1

Protecting Infants

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.

Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a
forward facing position.

Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions before installation.

Do not allow a front seat to rest against a child seat
installed in a rear seating position:
The weight sensor in the front seat may not correctly
detect the actual weight of the occupant.

3

WARNING

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.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

If a child is at least one year old and has exceeded the weight and height limitations
of a rear-facing child seat, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured
forward-facing child seat until they exceed the weight and height limitations for the
forward-facing child seat.

■

Forward-facing child seat placement

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.

■

Protecting Smaller Children

1

Protecting Smaller Children

Educate yourself about the laws and regulations
regarding child seat use where you are driving, and
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

3

WARNING

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.

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

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 including recommended expiration dates
as well as the instructions in this instruction. 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 instruction
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.

■

Selecting a Child Seat

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Selecting a Child Seat

Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is
simple.

LATCH-compatible child seats have been developed
to simplify the installation process and reduce the
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

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. Raise the head restraint to its highest

position.

2. Locate the anchor marks affixed to the base

of the seat cushion.

3. Pull out the anchor covers with the marks to

expose the lower anchors.

4. 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.

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When installing the child seat, make sure
that the lower anchors are not
obstructed by the seat belt or any other
object.

■

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

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Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat
installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the
child seat is properly secured to the vehicle.
A child seat that is not properly secured will not
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

3

WARNING

Never attach two child seats to the same
anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not
be strong enough to hold two child seat
attachments and may break, causing
serious injury or death.

Marks

Covers

Rigid Type

Lower Anchors

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

5. Route the tether strap between the head

restraint legs, and secure the tether strap
hook to the anchor.

5. Route the tether strap outside the head

restraint legs, and secure the tether strap
hook to the anchor.

6. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

7. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.

8. 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.

2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 58

1

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

Installing a LATCH-compatible child seat in the
rear center seat
Each outer rear seat is equipped with a pair of lower
anchors which are used to secure a LATCH-
compatible child seat. The rear center seat, however,
is not equipped with anchors of any kind.
The inner and outer anchors are spaced apart at a
standard distance of 11 inches (280 mm). The
distance between the two inner anchors is 16.3
inches (415 mm).
LATCH-compatible restraint systems that are fitted
with rigid-type attachments cannot be installed in the
rear center seat. However, a system fitted with
flexible-type attachments can be installed in the
center seat, provided that the manufacturer’s
instructions for that system permit the use of the
inner anchors with the stated spacing.
Before seating a child, make sure that the system is
properly attached to both the lower anchors and
tether anchors.

3

WARNING

Do not use the lower inner anchors of the
outer rear seats to secure a LATCH-
compatible child seat to the rear center
seat, unless the manufacturer’s instructions
for that system permit the use of inner
anchors with the stated spacing.

Flexible Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

A child seat can be installed with a lap/shoulder belt in any rear seat or, if absolutely
necessary, the front passenger seat.

1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt through the child seat

according to the seat manufacturer’s
instructions, and insert the latch plate into
the buckle.

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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 retract a few inches and

check that the retractor has switched
modes by pulling on the webbing. It should
not pull out again until it is reset by
removing the latch plate from the buckle.

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If you are able to pull the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Slowly pull the seat belt all the
way out, and repeat steps 2 – 3.

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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

1

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

A child seat that is not properly secured will not
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

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.

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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; less than one inch of movement
should occur near the seat belt.

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.

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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

A tether anchorage point is provided behind
each rear seating position.
If you have a child seat that comes with a
tether but can be installed with a seat belt, the
tether may be used for additional security.

■

Using an outer anchor

1. Put 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.

1. Put the head restraint to its upper-most

position, then route the tether strap outside
the head restraint legs. Make sure the strap
is not twisted.

2. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

■

Adding Security with a Tether

1

Adding Security with a Tether

Always use a tether for forward-facing child seats
when using the seat belt or lower anchors.

Tether Anchorage Points

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

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Using an center anchor

1. Lower the head restraint to its lowest

position.

2. Route the tether strap over the head

restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.

2. Route the tether strap outside the head

restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.

3. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

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