2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2009 Acura MDX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the
instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer's staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.As you read this manual, you will find
information that is preceded by a
symbol. This information is
intended to help you avoid damage to
your vehicle, other property, or the
environment.
Introduction
i
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2009 MDX

California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly referred to as event data recorders. These
devices record front seat belt use, front passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the failure of
any airbag system component. This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record information about powertrain performance. The data
can be used to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It
may also be combined with data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential.Introductionii08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make informed
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other information on labels and in
this manual. This information alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, including:
●Safety Labels
－on the vehicle.●Safety Messages －preceded by a safety alert symbol
and one of
three signal words: DANGER,WARNING ,orCAUTION .
These signal words mean:
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don't follow instructions.You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don't follow instructions.You CAN be HURT if you don't follow
instructions.
●Safety Headings －such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.●Safety Section －such as Driver and Passenger Safety.●Instructions －how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information －please read it
carefully.
A Few Words About Safety
iii
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2009 MDX

Your MDX has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only on pavement. Higher ground
clearance has many advantages for off-highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off the ground, it has a high
center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear
seat belts.
For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page338of this manual and theOff-Highway Driving Guidelines
section on page378.Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of
control or an accident.
Important Handling Informationiv08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

2009 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual


Contents


Owner's Identification Form

Introduction
.............................................................................................................................\
............................. i


A Few Words About Safety ......................................................................\
........................................................ iii


Important Handling Information ........................................................................\
............................................ iv

Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) ....................................................\
................................................ 3

Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ......................\
.............................. 5
Instruments and Controls

(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
..... 61
Features
(
climate control,audio,rear entertainment,steering wheel,security,cruise \
control,and other convenience items
)
......... 169
Before Driving
(fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ................\
..................................................... 321
Driving
(engine and transmission operation) .........................................\
....................................................... 337
Maintenance
(minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 381
Taking Care of the Unexpected
(flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................... 423
Technical Information
(vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 449
Warranty and C
lient Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) .......... 465

Index ........................................................................\
....................................................... ................\
........................ I


Service Information Summary
( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
\
\

1 00X31-STX-6200

Contents
A convenient reference to the
sections in this manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
A quick reference to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Important information about the
proper use and care of your vehicle's
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable information on how to
protect children with child restraints.
Instruments and Controls
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and
gauge, and how to use the controls
on the dashboard and steering
column.
Features
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, rear
entertainment system, and other
convenience features.Before Driving
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
Driving
The proper way to start the engine,
shift the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you're
planning to tow a trailer.
Maintenance
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance
service. There is also a list of things
to check and instructions on how to
check them.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience, and
details how to handle them.
Technical Information
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Warranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual for detailed
information.
Index
Service Information Summary
A summary of the information you
need when you pull up to the fuel
pump.Overview of Contents208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

ꭧ: If equipped
DRIVER'S FRONT
AIRBAG (P.9,27)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P.157)
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P.130)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE HANDLE
(P.153)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.149)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON
(P.323)
POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON
ꭧ(P. 132)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE (P.325) PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL (P.153)AUXILIARY INPUT JACKS
ꭧ
(P.
267) HEADPHONE CONNECTORS
ꭧ
(P.
268)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS (P.63)
HomeLink
®BUTTONS
(P.276) MOONROOF SWITCH
(P.152)MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
ꭧ
(P.
154)
PASSENGER'S
FRONT AIRBAG
(P.9,27)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM (P.170)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.180)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.341)
REAR CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
(P.175)
GAUGES (P.72)
CONTINUED
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
Your V ehicle at a Glance
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2009 MDX

ꭧ1:To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 2: If equipped
HEADLIGHT WASHER
SWITCH
ꭧ 2
(P. 117)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
(P. 359)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 155)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P. 157)
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P. 130)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 153)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 149)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON
(P. 323) POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON
ꭧ
2
(P. 132) HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.
325) HORN
ꭧ
1
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS
(P. 124)
HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL/
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(P.
118) STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS
(P.
233) WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.
116) INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
(P.
123)
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P. 34)
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
(P. 122)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P. 122)
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKETS
(P. 166)
SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
(P. 148)
ACTIVE DAMPER
SYSTEM SWITCH
ꭧ 2
(P. 361)
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
(P.
270)
Your Vehicle at a Glance408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX