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To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
1:
If equipped
2:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE HANDLE POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
MIRROR CONTROLS PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS
HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL/
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTSHORN
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P.117)
(P.130) (P.132) (P.124) (P.122)
(P.122)
(P.34)
(P.123)
(P.116)
(P.118)
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKETS
HEADLIGHT WASHER
SWITCH
POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON ACTIVE DAMPER
SYSTEM SWITCH
(P.360)
(P.155)
(P.157)
(P.153) (P.149)(P.323) (P.233)
(P.325) (P.166)
(P.148)
(P.361)
(P.270)
1
2
2 2
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2008 MDX
Your f ront airbags are also dual-
threshold airbags. Airbags with this
f eature have two deployment
thresholds that depend on whether
sensors detect the occupant is
wearing a seat belt or not.
If the occupant’s belt is , the
airbag will inf late at a slightly higher
threshold, when the airbag would be
needed to supplement the protection
provided by the seat belt.
Your f ront airbags are dual-stage
airbags. This means they have two
inf lation stages that can be ignited
sequentially or simultaneously,
depending on crash severity.
In a crash, both stages
will ignite simultaneously to provide
the quickest and greatest protection.
In a crash, one stage will
ignite first, then the second stage
will ignite a split second later. This
provides longer airbag inf lation time
with a little less force.
The total time for inflation and
def lation is one-tenth of a second, so
f ast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until
they see them lying in their laps.
After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder f rom the airbag’s surf ace.
Although the powder is not harmf ul,
people with respiratory problems
mayexperiencesometemporary
discomf ort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is saf e to do
so.
If the occupant’s belt is ,
the airbag will deploy at a slightly
lower threshold, because the
occupant would need extra
protection.
Dual-T hreshold A irbags
latched
Dual-Stage A irbags
more severeless severe not lat ched
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
28
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2008 MDX
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
........
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
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Forinstructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system, see page .This shows how much f uel you
have. It may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount.
434
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
72
U.S. model is shown.SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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Î TRIP B
LOW
MIN
OFF
ENGLISH
FRENCH
SPANISH
5°F 0°F 5°F
(U.S.) 3°C 0°C 3°C
(Canada)
ON
OFF
HIGH
MID
LOW
MANUAL ONLY
IGN OFF
TRIP A
MAX
HIGH
MID
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
MET ER SET UP
(P.89)
POSITION SETUP
(P.97)
90
91
92
93
94
95
98
99
LANGUAGE SELECT ION
ADJUST OUTSIDE
TEMP. DISPLAY
TRIP A & AVG. FUEL
RESET with REFUEL
ADJUST
ALARM VOLUME
ELAPSED TIME RESET
AUTO INTERIOR
ILLUMINATION
MEMORY POSIT ION LINK
AUTO TILT & TELESCOPE
STEERING WHEEL Changes the language used in the display.
Changes the outside temperature reading above or
below its current reading.
Causes trip meter A and the average fuel economy
to reset when you refuel.
Changes the indicator alarm volumes into three
levels.
Resets the elapsed time of your current trip.
Changes the interior light sensitivity to your liking.
Changes the driver’s seat, the steering wheel, and
the outside mirror positions to a stored setting.
Moves the steering wheel fully in and up when the
key is removed.
: Default setting
Setting Option
Group Setup Page
Menu Item Description
Multi-Inf ormation Display
84
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2008 MDX
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Menu Item Description
Group Setup Page
Setting Option
INTERIOR LIGHT
DIMMING T IME
HEADLIGHT
AUTO OFF TIMER
AUTO LIGHT
SENSITIVITY
AUTO DOOR LOCK
AUTO DOOR UNLOCK
KEY AND REMOTE
UNLOCK MODE
KEYLESS LOCK
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
SECURITY RELOCK
TIMER
WIPER ACTION Changes how long (in seconds) the interior lights
stay on after you close the doors and the tailgate.
Changes how long (in seconds) the exterior lights
stay on after you close the driver’s door.
Changes the timing of when the headlights come
on. The headlight switch needs to be in the AUTO
position.
Changes the setting of when to automatically lock
the doors.
Changes the setting of when to automatically
unlock the driver’s/all the doors.
Changes which doors unlock with the remote
transmitter in a first push.
The exterior lights flash each time you press the
LOCK or UNLOCK button. A beeper will also
sound when you press the LOCK button twice.
Changes how long it takes (in seconds) for the
doors to relock and the security system to set after
you unlock but do not open the door.
Changes the wiper operation between two settings
when the wiper switch is in the INT position.
Set/Cancel all the customized settings as default.
LIGHTING SETUP
(P.100)
DOOR/WINDOW
SETUP
(P.105)
WIPER SETUP
(P.113)
DEFAULT ALL
(P.86) 101
102
103
106
107
109
110
111
113
86
60 sec
30 sec
60 sec
30 sec
15 sec
MAX
HIGH
MID
SHIFT FROM P
WITH VEH SPD
OFF
IGN OFF
OFF
DRIVER DOOR
ALL DOORS
ON
OFF
90 sec
60 sec
30 sec
INTERMITTENT
WITH VEH SPD
SET
CANCEL 15 sec
0sec
LOW
MIN
: Default setting
SHIFT TO P DRIVER DOOR/ ALL DOORS
Multi-Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
85
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2008 MDX