2008 Acura MDX sport mode

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Front airbags have been designed to
help protect adults in a moderate to
severe f rontal collision. To do this,
the passenger’s f ront airbag is quite
large, and it can inflate with enough
f orce to cause very serious injuries.
According to accident statistics,
children of all ages and sizes are
saf er when they are restrained in a
back seat.
If the vehicle seat is
too far forward, or the child’s head is
thrown f orward during a collision, an
inflating front airbag can strike the
child with enough f orce to kill or
very seriously injure a small child.
Whenever possible,
larger children should sit in the back
seat, on a booster seat if needed, and
be properly restrained with a seat
belt. (See page f or important
inf ormation about protecting larger
children.)
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
aged 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat. Some
states have laws restricting where
children may ride.
Children who ride in the back are
less likely to be injured by striking
interior vehicle parts during a
collision or hard braking. Also,
children cannot be injured by an
inflating front airbag when they ride
in the back.
Even though your vehicle has an
advanced front airbag system that
automatically turns the passenger’s
f ront airbag of f (see page ),
please f ollow these guidelines:
If
the airbag inf lates, it can hit the back
of the child seat with enough force
to kill or very seriously injure an
inf ant. 34
54
The Passenger’s Front Airbag
Can Pose Serious Risks
All Children Should Sit in a Back
Seat
Protecting Children General Guidelines
Small Children
Placing a f orward-f acing child seat inthe f ront seat of a vehicle equippedwit h a passenger’s f ront airbag canbe hazardous.
Larger ChildrenChildren who have outgrown childseat s are also at risk of being injuredor killed by an inf lat ing passenger’sfront airbag.
Inf ant s
Never put a rear-f acing child seat inthe f ront seat of a vehicle equippedwit h a passenger’s f ront airbag.
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If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in f ront, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
age 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.
If the passenger’s front airbag
inf lates in a moderate to severe
f rontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child’s body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries.Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can saf ely ride in f ront,
there are other important f actors you
should consider.
Physically, a child must be large
enough f or the lap/shoulder belt to
properly f it (see pages and ). If
the seat belt does not f it properly,
with or without the child sitting on a
booster seat, the child should not sit
in f ront.
To saf ely ride in f ront, a child must
be able to f ollow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
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54
Protecting L arger Children
When Can a L arger Child Sit in
Front
Physical Size
Maturity
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2008 MDX

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the system. While this indicator is on,
the comfort button will not work, and
the system will remain in the sport
mode. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ADS SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer as
soon as possible. For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 1.8 US gal (7.0
)of fuel
remaining in the tank bef ore the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of f uel remaining in the tank
when the needle reaches E. You will
also see a ‘‘LOW FUEL’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ). This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
security system.
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361
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Active Damper System
Indicator
L ow Fuel Indicator Security System Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
71
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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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

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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
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Each socket is intended to supply
power f or 12 volt DC accessories
that are rated 120 watts or less (10
amps).
To use an accessory power socket,
the ignition switch must be in the
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) position.
The accessory power socket is
located at the back of the f ront
console compartment. None of the sockets will power an
automotive type cigarette lighter
element.
There is a 115 volt AC power outlet
inside the f ront console
compartment. To use the AC power
outlet, open the lids and open the
outlet cover. Insert the plug into the
receptacle slightly, turn it 90°
clockwise, then push in the plug all
the way.
CONT INUED
U.S. Entertainment Packages andCanadian Elite Package models
MDX, Technology, and U.S. Sport
Packages models
AC Power Outlet
Interior Convenience Items
Inst rument s and Cont rols
167
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2008 MDX

The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D’’ indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page).
These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in. In the Sequential
SportShif t Mode, the ‘‘M’’ indicator
next to the ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on,
and the illuminated number under
the charging system indicator shows
you the gear you have selected. To shif t f rom Park to any position,
pressfirmlyonthebrakepedal,and
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.
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Shif t L ever Position Indicators Shif ting
Automatic Transmission
Driving
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2008 MDX

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With the shif t lever in ‘‘D’’ position,
you can select the Sequential
SportShift mode to shift gears much
like a manual transmission, but
without a clutch pedal.
To enter the Sequential SportShif t
mode, move the shif t lever f urther to
the driver’s side. To return to ‘‘D,’’
move the shift lever to the
passenger’s side.
In Sequential SportShif t mode, each
time you push f orward on the shif t
lever, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear. Pull back on the lever to
downshif t. The number of the gear
selected is displayed on the
instrument panel.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘M’’ position, the display
shows the selected gear. The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(5,4,3,2,or1).There
is no automatic downshif t when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor.
When you accelerate away f rom a
stop, the transmission starts in f irst
gear. You have to manually upshift
between f irst and f if th gears. Make
sure you upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the tachometer’s red
zone.
CONT INUED
Sequential SportShif t Mode
Automatic Transmission
Driving
343
SELECTED GEAR
( ) DOWN SHIFT
( ) UP SHIFT
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2008 MDX