2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

Message Indicator
This indicator comes on when there
is a system message on the multi-
information display. Press the INFO
button on the steering wheel (see
page73)to see the message (see
page81).
Most of the time, this indicator
comes on along with other indicators
in the instrument panel such as the
seat belt reminder indicator, SRS
indicator, VSA system indicator, etc.
Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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 SH-AWD system. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page82).Take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it checked.
For more information, see page348. If the indicator blinks while driving,
it indicates the differential
temperature is too high.
You will also see a
‘‘SH-AWD DIFF
TEMP. HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page82).
Pull to the side of the road when it is
safe, shift to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
69
Inst rument s and Cont rols
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go off 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 fuel system will be
disabled (see page128).
Lights On Indicator
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
off the light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the
driver's door.Fog Light Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. For more
information, see page120.
High Beam Indicator
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page118.Cruise Main Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button (see
page270).Cruise Control Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page270
for information on operating the
cruise control.
Instrument Panel Indicators7008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Active Damper System
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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-information display.
Have the vehicle checked by your
dealer as soon as possible. For more
information, see page361. Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 2.9 U.S. gal (10.8
ꤲ) of fuel
remaining in the tank.
When the needle reaches E, there is
a very small amount of fuel in the
tank. Security System Indicator
This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page269
for more information on the security
system.
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Instrument Panel Indicators
71
Inst rument s and Cont rols
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Temperature Gauge
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. For
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system, see page434.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
U.S. model is shown.TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGEGauges7208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

The multi-information display in the
instrument panel displays various
information and messages when the
ignition switch is in the ON (II)
position. Some of the messages help
you operate your vehicle more
comfortably.Others help to keep you
aware of the periodic maintenance
your vehicle needs for continued
trouble-free driving.
When you open the driver's door, a
‘‘Welcome ’’message is shown on the
multi-information display. When you
turn the ignition switch from the ON
(II) position to the ACCESSORY (I)
position, a ‘‘Goodbye ’’message is
shown on the display.
To change the display, press the
INFO (▲ /▼ ) button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the main
menu appears (see page74). With the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position, the multi-information
display changes as shown on the
next page each time you press the
INFO (▲
/▼ ) button or SEL/RESET
button.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, your last
selection is displayed.
In the multi-information display, the
system message is also displayed
(see page80)and you can customize
your vehicle control settings (see
page83).
SEL/
RESET
BUTTON
INFO (
▲/▼ )
BUTTON
CONTINUED
Multi-Information Display
73
Inst rument s and Cont rols
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Main MenuTire Pressure for each tire (See page77) Go to Customize Menu (See page83)
Go to HandsFreeLink Menu (See page278)
INFO button
SEL/RESET button
(See page75)
Trip Computer (See page78)
(See page75)
(See page75)
Multi-Information Display7408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

When the main menu is blank,
SH-AWD or TIRE PRESSURE,
pressing the SEL/RESET button
changes the display to‘‘trip meter/
odometer ’’ ‘‘outside temperature/
odometer ’’and ‘‘engine oil life/
odometer ’’. Odometer
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial
regulations to disconnect, reset, or
alter the odometer with the intent to
change the number of miles or
kilometers indicated. Trip Meter
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. There
are two trip meters: Trip A and Trip
B. Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two different distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the SEL/RESET
button until the number resets to
‘‘
0.0. ’’
ODOMETER
TRIP METER
CONTINUED
Multi-Information Display
75
Inst rument s and Cont rols
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

When you reset Trip A, average fuel
economy A is reset at the same time.
When you reset Trip B, average fuel
economy B is reset.
In the customizing mode, you can set
Trip A and average fuel economy A
to reset at the same time when you
refuel your vehicle (see page92).Outside Temperature
This shows the outside Fahrenheit
temperature in U.S. models, and
Celsius temperature in Canadian
models.The temperature sensor is in the
front bumper. The temperature
reading can be affected by heat
reflection from the road surface,
engine heat, and the exhaust from
surrounding traffic. This can cause
an incorrect temperature reading
when your vehicle speed is under 19
mph (30 km/h). When you start your
trip, the sensor is not fully
acclimatized, therefore it may take
several minutes until the proper
temperature is displayed.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.
You can adjust the outside
temperature display (see page91).
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
U.S.
CANADA
Multi-Information Display7608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX