2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

This section gives information 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-Information 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 Defogger
...............
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
61
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

ꭧ: If equipped
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) REAR CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
(P.
175)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.
341)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.
180)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM (P.
170)
MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
ꭧ
(P.
154)
MOONROOF SWITCH
(P.
152)
HomeLink
®BUTTONS
(P. 276)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS (P.
63)
GAUGES (P. 72)
Control Locations6208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

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

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
information about your vehicle.
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on.
If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position. If either of you do not fasten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals, and you
will also see a
‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT ’’or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
For more information, see page20.
Instrument Panel Indicators6408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running, or if a
‘‘ CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’
message is on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page436.Charging System
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged, and you will also see
a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page436.Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page437.
U.S. Canada
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
released can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will
sound, and you will also see a
‘‘RELEASE PARKING BRAKE ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page81). 2. If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a ‘‘LOW
BRAKE FLUID ’’or ‘‘CHECK
BRAKE SYSTEM ’’message on the
multi-information display (see
pages81).For more information,
see page438.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
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Inst rument s and Cont rols
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2009 MDX

Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates a potential
problem with your front airbags. This
indicator will also alert you to a
potential problem with your side
airbags, passenger's side airbag
automatic cutoff system, side curtain
airbags, or automatic seat belt
tensioners. You will also see a
‘‘ CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page81).For more
information, see page33.
U.S. Canada
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger's side airbag has
automatically shut off. You will also
see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
For more information, see page33.
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) 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 ABS. If this happens, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With this indicator on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
For more information, see page357.
Instrument Panel Indicators6608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
Take your vehicle to a dealer to have
it checked. Without VSA, your
vehicle still has normal driving
ability, but will not have VSA traction
and stability enhancement. For more
information, see page359.
This indicator may also come on if
there is a problem with the trailer
stability assist function (see page
376).
VSA Activation Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more information, see
page359.
This indicator has four functions.
1. It comes on as a reminder that you have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
2. It flashes when VSA is active (see page359).
3. It flashes when trailer stability assist is activating (see page376).
4. It comes on along with the VSA system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM ’’message and a
‘‘ CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is burned
out (see page404).Replace the bulb
as soon as possible, since other
drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
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Inst rument s and Cont rols
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2009 MDX

Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two functions:
1. If it comes on while driving, it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low
on pressure.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page82).
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-information display and
determine the cause (see page352). If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
information display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinflated, call a professional
towing service. For more
information, see page446.
2. If this indicator begins to flash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display. The indicator continues to
flash for a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more information, see page
354.
A/T Temperature
Indicator
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission fluid. It should come on
for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is safe, shift
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page82).
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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2009 MDX