Page 130 of 489

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)
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX
Page 131 of 489
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.
\f—\f—\fy\f
y
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX
Page 132 of 489

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.
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX
Page 133 of 489

µµ
µ
µ
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
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX
Page 134 of 489

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
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX
Page 135 of 489

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
\f—\f—\fy\f\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX
Page 139 of 489
µ
If youcannotopenthetailgate,
remove the cover on the back of the
tailgate(seepage).Pushthe
release lever to the right as shown,
then pull the outer handle to open
the tailgate. Press this button once to
lock all doors and the tailgate. Some
exterior lights will f lash. When you
push LOCK twice within 5 seconds,
you will hear a beep to verify that the
doors and tailgate are locked and the
security system has set. This button
does not work if any door or tailgate
is not f ully closed. To change the ‘‘KEYLESS LOCK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT’’ setting,
see page .
134 110
CONT INUED
MDX, Technology, and U.S. Sport
Packages models
Tailgate, Remote Transmitter
LOCK
Remote Transmitter
Inst rument s and Cont rols
135
UNLOCK
BUTTON
PANIC
BUTTON
LOCK
BUTTON
UNLOCK
BUTTON
PANIC
BUTTONLOCK
BUTTON
U.S. Entertainment Packages and
Canadian Elite Package models
TAILGATE
BUTTON
MDX, Technology, and U.S. Sport
Packages models
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
\fy
2008 MDX
Page 140 of 489

µµµ
Press this button once
to unlock the driver’s door. Push it
twice to unlock the other doors.
Some exterior lights will f lash twice
when you push the button. If you do
not open any door or the tailgate
within 30 seconds, they will
automatically relock.
To change the ‘‘KEY AND REMOTE
UNLOCK MODE’’ setting, see page
.
To change the ‘‘SECURITY
RELOCK TIMER’’ setting, see page . When you press the UNLOCK
button, the f ront and rear individual
map lights and the cargo area light,
depending on their switch positions,
will come on (see page ). If you
do not open any door or the tailgate,
the lights stay on for about 30
seconds, then go out. If you relock
thedoorsandthetailgatewiththe
remote transmitter before 30
seconds have elapsed, the lights will
go of f immediately.
Press and hold the
TAILGATE button to open or close
the power tailgate. When the tailgate
begins to move, you will hear a beep,
and some f ront and rear lights will
flash.
If you push the same button again
while the tailgate is opening or
closing, three beeps sound, the
tailgate stops moving, reverses direction and stops in the f ully
opened or f ully closed position.
Press and hold this
button for about 1 second to attract
attention; the horn will sound, and
the exterior lights will f lash f or about
30 seconds. To cancel panic mode,
press any other button on the remote
transmitter, or turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. Panic
mode does not work when the key is
in the ignition switch.
109
111 160
U.S. Entertainment Packages and
Canadian Elite Package models
Remote Transmitter
UNL OCK
TAILGATEPA NIC
136
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX