2008 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

When you remove the key f rom the
ignition switch, the steering wheel
automatically moves f ully in and up.If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
f use f or the power tilt and telescopic
steering wheel is removed, the
power tilt and telescopic steering
wheel system needs to be reset
when you reconnect the battery or
install the f use.
Insert the key into the ignition
switch, and remove it. The steering
wheel automatically moves f ully in
and up to let you know the system is
reset.
To change the ‘‘AUTO TILT &
TELESCOPE STEERING WHEEL’’
setting, see page .
The steering wheel then returns to
its original position when you insert
the key back in the ignition switch.
Steering wheel movement is also
controlled by the driving position
memory system (see page ).
99
157
Steering Wheel A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols
125
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These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the driver’s
door lock. You can keep the glove
boxlockedwhenyouleaveyour
vehicle and the valet key at a parking
f acility. Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only Acura-approved key blanks. The valet key does not contain a
battery. Do not try to take it apart.
Keys and Locks
126
KEY
NUMBER
TAGMASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER
MDX, Technology, and Sport
Packages models shown. U.S. Entertainment Packages and
Canadian Elite Package models shown.KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER
VALET KEY
(Light Gray)
VALET KEY
(Light Gray)
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2008 MDX

Always use the f ully-extended key
when you insert it to the ignition
switch. If the key does not f ully
extend, the immobilizer system may
not operate properly and prevents
f rom starting the engine.Thekeymaycomeincontactwith
your f inger while being retracted or
extended. Make sure your f ingers do
not touch the pivot of the key when
retracting or extending the key.
The master key can be retracted into
theremotetransmitter.Tousethe
key, push the release button to
release the key f rom the transmitter.
The key should be f ully extended.
To retract the key, push the release
buttonandatthesametimepushthe
key into the remote transmitter until
it is securely latched.
Keys and Locks
Retractable Master Key
Inst rument s and Cont rols
127
Push
RELEASE BUTTON
U.S. Entertainment Packages and
Canadian Elite Package models shown.
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As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on
brief ly, then go of f . If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position, remove the key,
reinsert it, and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position again.
The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key. If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
dealer.
Immobilizer System
128
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key to the LOCK (0)
position, the shif t lever must be in
Park, and you must push the key in
slightly. If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or the
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
Inst rument s and Cont rols
129
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To lock all doors and the tailgate,
press the bottom of the master door
lock switch on either f ront door, pull
the lock tab above the driver’s door
handle, or use the key on the outside
lock on the driver’s door.
Pressing the top of either master
door lock switch will unlock all doors
and the tailgate.All doors and the tailgate can be
locked f rom the outside by using the
key in the driver’s door lock. To
unlock only the driver’s door, insert
the key, turn the key, and release it.
The remaining doors and the tailgate
unlock when you turn the key a
second time within a f ew seconds.To change the ‘‘KEY AND REMOTE
UNLOCK MODE’’ setting, see page
.
When the vehicle speed reaches
about 10 mph (about 15 km/h) or
more, all the doors lock
automatically.
To change the ‘‘AUTO DOOR
LOCK’’ setting, see page .
When you shif t to P af ter driving, the
driver’s door unlocks.
To change the ‘‘AUTO DOOR
UNLOCK’’ setting, see page .
The lock tab on any passenger’s door
locks and unlocks that door. 109
106107
Door L ocks
130
UNLOCK
LOCK LOCK
UNLOCK
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With any door and the tailgate open
andthekeyintheignition,both
master door lock switches are
disabled. They are not disabled if all
thedoorsandthetailgateareclosed.
If you try to lock an open driver’s
door by pulling the lock tab rearward
the lock tab on the driver’s door pops
out.To open the tailgate, push up inside
the handle, then lift up. To close the
tailgate, use the inner handle to pull
it down, then press down on the back
edge.
Keep the tailgate closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging the
tailgate and to prevent exhaust gas
f rom getting into the interior. Seeon page
.
The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear f rom accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position (lever is
down), the door cannot be opened
fromtheinsideregardlessof the
position of the lock tab. To open the
door, push the lock tab f orward and
use the outside door handle.
58
Door L ocks, T ailgat e
L ockout Prevent ionChildproof Door L ocks
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Tailgate
Inst rument s and Cont rols
131
LOCK
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2008 MDX

The tailgate can also be closed by
pressing the button on the tailgate. If
you press the button again while the
tailgate is closing, you will hear three
beeps, and the tailgate will stop
moving, reverse direction, and stop
at the f ully opened position.
Press and hold the tailgate button on
the remote transmitter or the switch
f or about 1 second to open or close
the tailgate. Each time you press the
button on the remote transmitter or
the switch, you will hear a beep, and
some f ront and rear lights will f lash.
If you push the same button or
switch again while the tailgate is
opening or closing, you will hear
three beeps, and the tailgate will stop
moving, reverse direction, and stop
at the f ully opened or closed position.
The tailgate can be opened and
closed with the remote transmitter
(see page ) or the switch in the
driver’s door pocket when both f ront
doors are unlocked. 135U.S. Entertainment Packages and
Canadian Elite Package models
Power Tailgate
Tailgate
132
TAILGATE SWITCH
POWER TAILGATE SWITCH
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