2008 Acura MDX immobilizer

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .62
............................
Instrument Panel .63
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .64
.............................................
Gauges .72
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .73
Controls Near the Steering
.........................................
Wheel .115
Windshield Wipers and
.................................
Washers .116
Rear Window Wiper and ...................................
Washer .117
.........
Turn Signal and Headlights .118
...............
Hazard Warning Button .122
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .122
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .123
......
Steering Wheel Adjustments .124
.............................
Keys and Locks .126
......................
Immobilizer System .128
..............................
Ignition Switch .129
....................................
Door Locks .130
............
Childproof Door Locks .131
..........................................
Tailgate .131
..........................
Power Tailgate .132
.....................
Remote Transmitter .135
...............................................
Seats .140
...................
Detachable Anchor .146 ..................................
Seat Heaters .148
............................
Power Windows .149
.......................................
Moonroof .152
...............................
Parking Brake .153
...........................................
Mirrors .154
Driving Position Memory
........................................
System .157
...............................
Interior Lights .159
.........
Interior Convenience Items .162
.....................
Beverage Holders .163
.............
Console Compartment .164
..............
Storage Compartment .164
..................................
Glove Box .164
....................
Sunglasses Holder .165
.............................
Cargo Hooks .165
...................................
Sun Visor .166
............................
Vanity Mirror .166
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Accessory Power Sockets .166
.......................
AC Power Outlet .167
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
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2008 MDX

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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.: If equipped
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
A/T TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.65)
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR FOG LIGHT INDICATORACTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORCRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
(P.70)
(P.71)
(P.66)
(P.69)
(P.65)
(P.68)
(P.65) (P.70)(P.67)(P.67)
(P.71)
(P.70)
(P.70)
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR (P.71)
(P.68)
(P.66)
(P.66)
(P.70)
(P.64)
(P.73)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
MESSAGE INDICATOR
(P.69)
(P.437) (P.70)
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CHARGINGSYSTEMINDICATOR
SH-AWD INDICATOR®
2008 MDX

This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button (see
page ).
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See pagef or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the f og lights. For more
inf ormation, see page . This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the or position. This indicator
will also come on when the light
switch is in AUTO and the lights
turn on automatically. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position without
turning of f the light switch, this
indicator will remain on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver’s door.
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink,
and the engine’s f uel system will be
disabled (see page).
128
120118
270
270
Instrument Panel Indicators
Cruise Control Indicator Cruise Main Indicator High Beam Indicator
Fog L ight Indicator Lights On Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
70
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2008 MDX

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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CONT INUED
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and tailgate
are securely closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and). Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. Depending on
the outside temperature, the starter motor runs f or about 6 to 9
seconds until the engine starts.
If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position f or more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs f or about 10 to
25 seconds until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds bef ore trying
again.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal. In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery. Apply the parking brake.
Your vehicle’s starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START
(III) position, this f eature keeps the
engine’s starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
7.
8.
9.
15
124
81
10.
63 72
154
Preparing to Drive, Starting the Engine
Starting the Engine
Driving
339
T he 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. For
more inf ormation, see page .
128
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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See on page . 421
432
432
446 70
CONT INUED
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly T he Starter Operates Normally
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
431
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2008 MDX