Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 RDX.
The 2008 Acura RDX is a compact SUV equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined, and it requires 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 motor oil for service. In terms of reliability, the 2008 model year recorded 33 total owner complaints with three recalls issued, placing it among the quieter years in the model's long-term complaint history spanning 2007 to 2025—the RDX would later experience a peak of 431 complaints in 2019 before improving to a low of just 10 in 2024, suggesting this second-year example benefits from being one of the more problem-free iterations of the nameplate.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 440 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 180.7 in |
| Overall width | 73.6 in |
| Overall height | 65.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3929 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.4 / 62.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 22 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the RDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.30 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 7.00 sec | 15.50 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 7.10 sec | 15.60 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.40 sec | 15.10 sec | 240 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.3 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Main Bearings | Except 8mm bolts, Step |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.028-0.031 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing | 14 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .99-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.50-2.83 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 35 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 440 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 47 |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.094 in / 0.35 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.106 in / 0.358 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.024 in / 0.295 in |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2008 Acura RDX sits near the beginning of its generation's federal record and represents a relatively quiet point before later volatility. With 33 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 investigations, and 70 TSBs, it improves on the 2007 launch year's 53 complaints and 73 TSBs while carrying the same recall count. The early-generation arc from 2007 through 2012 shows consistently low complaint volume—15 to 53 complaints annually and one to three recalls per year—before a sharp escalation beginning in 2013, when complaints jumped to 161 and the first investigations appeared. Within the 2008 model year, air bags dominate the complaint profile with 19 reports, while power train and electrical system each account for 2 and engine accounts for 1; the data does not specify a root cause for the air-bag reports. Crash-related complaints total 1 and fire-related complaints total 0. Given its placement in the low-complaint early phase of the generation and its year-over-year improvement from 2007, the 2008 RDX appears to be a comparatively favorable used-buy candidate among these model years, provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the recalled items have been addressed.
All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's…
Showing 5 of 70 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18-020 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| B23040A | 2023-05-17 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| BPO05022022901 | 2022-05-02 | Equipment | Dealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX… |
| B18-020 | 2022-04-08 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| B18-020 | 2022-03-01 | Equipment | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.0 qt of 5W-30. ONLY USE MOTOR OIL MEETING ACURA SPECIFICATION HT0-06 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.