2003 Acura MDX tailgate

To make sure you and your
passengers get the maximum
protection f rom your vehicle’s saf ety
f eatures, check the f ollowing each
time before you drive away:All adults, and children who have
outgrown child saf ety seats, are
wearing their seat belts and
wearingthemproperly(seepage ).
Any inf ant or small child is
properly restrained in a child seat
in a back seat (see page ). The rest of this section gives more
detailed inf ormation about how you
can maximize your saf ety.
Remember, however, that no saf ety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in severe
crashes, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.
Frontseatoccupantsaresitting
upright and as f ar back as possible
f rom the steering wheel and
dashboard (see page ).
Seat-backs are upright (see page
).
Head restraints are properly
adjusted (see page ).
Alldoorsandthetailgateare
closed and locked (see page ).
All cargo is properly stored or
secured (see page ).
15
22 12
13 14
12
245
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist
11

The f ollowing pages provide
instructions on how to properly
protect the driver and other adult
occupants.
These instructions also apply to
children who have outgrown child
seats and are large enough to wear
lap/shoulder belts. (See page f or
important additional guidelines on
how to properly protect larger
children.)Your vehicle has a door and tailgate
monitor light on the instrument
panel to indicate when a specif ic
door or the tailgate is not tightly
closed.
For security, locked doors can
prevent an outsider f rom
unexpectedly opening a door when
you come to a stop.
See page f or how to lock the
doors. For saf ety, locking the doors reduces
the chance that a passenger,
especially a child, will open a door
while the vehicle is moving and
accidentally f all out. It also reduces
the chance of someone being thrown
out of the vehicle during a crash.
Af ter everyone has entered the
vehicle, be sure the doors and
tailgate are closed and locked. Any driver who sits too close to the
steering wheel is at risk of being
seriously injured or killed by striking
the steering wheel or f rom being
struck by an inflating front airbag
during a crash.
38
93
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Protecting Adults
Introduction A djust the Front Seats
Close and L ock the Doors
1. 2.
12

Using this f eature will
prevent children f rom opening the
doors and accidentally f alling out
(see page ). Leaving children without
adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces,
and can be very hazardous. For
example, inf ants and small
childrenleftinavehicleonahot
day can die f rom heatstroke. And
children lef t alone with the key in
the ignition can accidentally set
the vehicle in motion, possibly
injuring themselves or others. Children who play in vehicles can
accidentally get trapped inside the
vehicle. Teach your children not to
play in or around vehicles.
Even very young
children learn how to unlock
vehicle doors, turn on the ignition,
and open the tailgate, which can
lead to accidental injury or death.
Using
this f eature will prevent children
f rom playing with the windows,
which could expose them to
hazards or distract the driver (see
page ). 99
111
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Use childproof door locks t o
prevent children f rom opening t hedoors. Do not leave children alone in your
vehicle. Lock all doors and the tailgate
when your vehicle is not in use.
K eep vehicle keys and remot etransmitters out of the reach ofchildren.
Use t he main power window
swit ch t o prevent children f romopening t he rear windows.
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety26

Your vehicle has attachment points
for a tether-style child seat to be
installed on the second or third row
as shown.There are two anchorage points on
the tailgate sill. Select the anchorage
point you want to use, and remove
the cover with a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver or f ingernail f ile.
Each second row seat has a tether
anchorage point behind the seat
back.
Since a tether can provide additional
security, we recommend using a
tether whenever one is required or
available. (Tethers are required in
Canada.)
Second Seat Installation:
Third Seat Installation:Using Child Seats with T ethers
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety42
TETHER ANCHORAGE POINT

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the under-
side. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the tailgate open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system/climate control system as
shown below.
Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system as f ollows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety62
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .66
...............................
Indicator Lights .67
.............................................
Gauges .74
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .78
...................................
Headlights .79 ....................
Automatic Lighting .80
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .81
............
Daytime Running Lights . 82
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 82
................................
Turn Signals .83
.....................
Windshield Wipers .83
..................
Windshield Washers . 87
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .87
..........................
Hazard Warning .87
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 88
.....................................
Fog Light .88
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 89
...............................
Keys and Locks .90
..............................................
Keys .90
....................
Immobilizer System . 91
............................
Ignition Switch .92
......................
Power Door Locks .93
...................
Remote Transmitter . 95
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 99
........................................
Tailgate .99
..................................
Glove Box .100
...............................................
Seats .101
..........
Power Seat Adjustments . 101
.........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 102 ........
Manual Seat Adjustments . 103
Second and Third Row seat ..........................
Adjustments .104
........................
Head Restraints .105
......................
Rear Seat Access .106
..........
Folding the Second Seat . 106
.............
Folding the Third Seat . 107
.................
Detachable Anchors . 109
..................................
Seat Heaters .110
............................
Power Windows .111
.......................................
Moonroof .114
...........................................
Mirrors .115
...............................
Parking Brake .117
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .118
...........................
Beverage Holder .121
.................
Console Compartment . 123
.......................
Rear Compartment .123
.................................
Cargo Hooks .123
........................
Sunglasses Holder .124
........................................
Sun Visor .124
................................
Vanity Mirror .125
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 125
........................................
Coin Box .127
......................................
Coat Hook .127
...............................
Interior Lights .128
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols65

Î
Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
CONT INUED
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols67
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM (VSA) INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
VTM-
4INDICATOR DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHTBRAKE LAMP INDICATOR SIDE AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE
AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
(P.376)
(P.68)
(P.68)
(P.76)
(P.72) (P.72) (P.70)
(P.71)
(P.73) (P.
68)
(P.
70)
(P.
69)
(P.
68) (P.73)
(P.
72)
(P.71)
(P.69)
(P.
69) (P.
68)
(P.71)
(P.71)

The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the tailgate or any door
is not closed tightly.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
If a brake light does not work, the
indicator comes on
when you push the brake pedal with
the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake
lights repaired right away.
342
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators Door and T ailgate Open Monitor
Brake L amp Indicator
70
BRAKE LAMP