2005 Acura MDX airbag

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your seat belt,
the beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals.See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
reminds you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts. A beeper also
sounds if you have not f astened your
seat belt.
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), see page f or
more inf ormation. If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a
potential problem with your f rontairbags or automatic seat belt
tensioners. This indicator will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your side airbags, passenger’s side
airbag automatic cutoff system,
driver’s seat position sensor, f ront
passenger’s weight sensors, or side
curtain airbags. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut off. For more
inf ormation, see page .
273
272
272 32 32
32
Instrument Panel Indicators
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Side A irbag Of f
Indicator
60
U.S.
Canada

Î
Î
To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘Acura’’ logo.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
70
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4
LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
FOG LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS HORN
CRUISE CONTROL
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM OFF
SWITCH
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
CRUISE CONTROL
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATORHAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
(P.74)
(P.77)
(P.146)
(P.212)
(P.130)
(P.78) (P.146)
(P.33)
(P.71) (P.77)
(P.204)
(P.76)
(P.76)

Both f ront seats are equipped with
seat heaters. The passenger seat is
only heated in the seat bottom
because of the side airbag of f system.
The ignition switch must be in the
ON (II) position to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comf ortable temperature,
select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm.
To f old the third row seat,
the second row must be f olded down
or completely up right.
Unlock the seat-back by pulling
the handle. Push the seat-back
forward.
Make sure the outer shoulder belts
are positioned on each hook
whenever the third seat is f olded.
Reverse this procedure to return the
seat to the upright position. Make
sure the seat is locked securely
bef ore driving. Reinstall the head
restraints. Reconnect the seat belts
to the detachable anchors.
Make sure all items in the cargo area
are secured. Loose items can f ly
f orward and cause injury if you have
to brake hard. See
on page . In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes.
Follow these precautions when using
the seat heaters:
Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly, because it draws
large amounts of current f rom the
battery.
If the engine is lef t idling f or an
extended period, do not use the
seat heaters, even on the LO
setting. It can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
4.
193 Seat Heaters
Carrying Cargo
Seats, Seat Heaters
Inst rument s and Cont rols
91
NOTE:
SEAT HEATERS

The OnStarsystem in your vehicle
gives you access to a wide range of
services and information with the
touch of a button. An OnStar advisor
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
The Saf e and Sound Plan provides
these f eatures: Roadside Assistance
Emergency Services
Automatic Notif ication of Airbag
Deployment
Accident Assist
Remote Door Locking/Unlocking
Stolen Vehicle Tracking
Misplaced Vehicle Assistance
Online Concierge Services. The Directions and Connections
Plan provides these additional
f eatures:
Route Support
Ride Assist
Inf ormation and Convenience
Services
The Luxury and Leisure Plan adds
personal concierge services.
The OnStar buttons and indicator
are located on the ceiling near the
f ront map lights.
U.S. Touring model with NavigationSystemOnStar Control Panel
OnSt ar
Features
173
EMERGENCY BUTTON SYSTEM
STATUS
INDICATOR
CALL ANSWER/
CALL END BUTTON
OnStar
BUTTON
VOICE
ACTIVATED
KEYPAD

µµ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ If you are ever in an
accident that causes the airbags to
deploy, the OnStar system
automatically places a call (provided
the OnStar system and your vehicle’s
electrical system are still intact). The
advisor will attempt to speak to you
to evaluate the situation, and contact
the nearest emergency services
provider.
The OnStar
advisor can help you if you are ever
in a minor accident by asking you f or
inf ormation about the accident.
Complete, detailed inf ormation will
make it easier to complete accident
reports and insurance claims.
The OnStar system uses the Global
Positioning System (GPS) to locate
your vehicle whenever you place a
call. This allows the advisor to
quickly contact the nearest services
without requiring you to provide
detailed directions.
Contact
the OnStar advisor if you need
assistance with a problem (f lat tire,
out of f uel, etc.) while traveling. The
advisor will contact an appropriate
agency to come and assist you.
Contact an
OnStar advisor if you have an
emergency situation. The advisor
will contact the nearest emergency
services provider (ambulance, f ire
department, etc.) and advise them of
your situation.
This indicator shows you the status
of the system.
The system is ready
for use.
Acallisin
progress.
There is a problem
with the system. Press the OnStar
button to contact an advisor. If the
call connects, the advisor will assist
you with verif ying the system’s
operation. If you are not able to
contact an advisor, take your vehicle
to an Acura dealer to have the
system diagnosed.
There is a problem
with the system while a call is in
progress. A utomatic Notif ication of A irbag
Deployment
A ccident A ssist
Saf e and Sound Plan Features
Roadside Assistance
Emergency Services
System Status Indicator
Solid Green
Blinking Green
Solid Red
Blinking Red
OnSt ar
176

Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows as these may interf ere
with proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Bef ore installing any accessory,
have the installer contact your
dealer f or assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.280
A ccessories and Modif ications
A ccessories
Bef ore Driving
191
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Some examples are:Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect handling and stability. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
af termarket components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire Pressure
Monitoring System. Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Modif ying Your Vehicle
192

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack. Theseparationnetcanbeusedto
hold back sof t, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy
items should be properly secured on
the f loor of the cargo area. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
being thrown f orward in a crash or a
sudden stop.
The cargo cover can be used to
cover the cargo area behind the third
row seats. When the third row seats
are folded down, the cargo cover can
be installed in a f orward position and
extended over the larger cargo area.
Do not install the cargo cover in the
f orward position if the third row
seats are not f olded down.
If youfolddownthesecondor
third row seats, f ollow the
instructions above and be sure to
keep all cargo near the windows
below the bottom of the windows.
If cargo is higher, it could
interf ere with proper operation of
thesidecurtainairbags. 54
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning Optional Separation Net
Optional Cargo Cover
Bef ore Driving
195