2011 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

Adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel by pressing the＋
or － button. Press the ＋button to
increase the brightness and the －
button to decrease it. The brightness
can be set differently for when the
headlights are on, and when they are
off.
The level of brightness is shown on
the multi-information display while
you adjust it. It goes out 5 seconds
after you finish adjusting. To reduce glare at night, the
instrument panel illumination dims
when you turn the light switch to
or
. To cancel the glare reduction
function, set the brightness to the
highest level, then press the ＋
button. You will hear a beep when it
is canceled.
You can customize when the glare
reduction function starts. To change
‘‘ AUTO INTERIOR
ILLUMINATION ’’, see page 104 for
more information.
Instrument Panel Brightness13210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Make any steering wheel adjustment
before you start driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
in a crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Move the steering wheel in, out, up,
or down by pushing and holding the
adjustment switch in that direction.Release the switch when the steering
wheel reaches the desired position.
Make sure the steering wheel points
towards your chest, not toward your
face, and that you can see the
instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
ADJUSTMENT SWITCH
CONTINUED
Steering Wheel Adjustments
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When you remove the key from the
ignition switch, the steering wheel
automatically moves fully in and up.
To change the‘‘AUTO TILT &
TELESCOPE STEERING WHEEL ’’
setting, see page 108.
The steering wheel then returns to
its original position when you insert
the key back in the ignition switch.
Steering wheel movement is also
controlled by the driving position
memory system (see page 166). If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
fuse for the power tilt and telescopic
steering wheel is removed, the
power tilt and telescopic steering
wheel system needs to be reset when
you reconnect the battery or install
the fuse.
Insert the key into the ignition
switch, and remove it. The steering
wheel automatically moves fully in
and up to let you know the system is
reset.Steering Wheel Adjustments13410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

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
box locked when you leave your
vehicle and the valet key at a parking
facility.You should have received a key
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.
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 from direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
●
Do not drop the keys or set heavy
objects on them.
●
Keep the keys away from liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a soft cloth.
The valet key does not contain a
battery. Do not try to take it apart.
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER VALET KEY
(Light Gray)
CONTINUED
Keys and Locks
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Retractable Master KeyThe master key can be retracted into
the remote transmitter. To use the
key, push the release button to
release the key from the transmitter.
The key should be fully extended. To
retract the key, push the release
button and at the same time push the
key into the remote transmitter until
it is securely latched.Always use the fully-extended key
when you insert it to the ignition
switch. If the key does not fully
extend, the immobilizer system may
not operate properly and may
prevent the engine from starting.
The key may come in contact with
your finger while being retracted or
extended. Make sure your fingers do
not touch the pivot of the key when
retracting or extending the key.
RELEASE BUTTON
Push
Keys and Locks13610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle from theft. If an
improperly coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine's fuel
system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on
briefly, then go off. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position, remove the key,
reinsert it, and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position again.
The system may not recognize your
key's coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
chain) is near the ignition switch
when you insert the key.If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle inoperable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
dealer.
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any
interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user'sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System
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The ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK (0), ACCESSORY (I), ON (II),
and START (III).
LOCK (0)－You can insert or remove
the key only in this position. To turn
the key to the LOCK (0) position, the
shift lever must be in Park, and you
must push the key in slightly.
If the front wheels are turned, the anti-
theft lock may make it difficult to turn
the key. Firmly turn the steering wheel
to the left or right as you turn the key.
ACCESSORY (I) －You can operate
the audio system and the accessory
power sockets in this position.
ON (II) －This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch from the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
START (III) －Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or the
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver's door. Remove the key to
turn off the beeper.
The shift lever must be in Park
before you can remove the key from
the ignition switch.
Ignition Switch13810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

To lock all doors and the tailgate,
press the bottom of the master door
lock switch on either front door, pull
the lock tab above the driver's door
handle, or use the key on the outside
lock on the driver's door.
Pressing the top of either master
door lock switch will unlock all doors
and the tailgate.
The lock tab on any passenger's door
locks and unlocks that door.
All doors and the tailgate can be
locked from the outside by using the
key in the driver's door lock. To
unlock only the driver's door, insert
the key, turn the key, and release it.
The remaining doors and the tailgate
unlock when you turn the key a
second time within a few seconds.To change the
‘‘KEY AND REMOTE
UNLOCK MODE ’’setting, see page
118.
When the vehicle speed reaches
about 10 mph (about 16 km/h) or
more, all the doors lock
automatically.
To change the ‘‘AUTO DOOR
LOCK ’’setting, see page 115.
When you shift to P after driving, the
driver's door unlocks.
To change the ‘‘AUTO DOOR
UNLOCK ’’setting, see page 116.
UNLOCK
LOCK
LOCK
UNLOCK
CONTINUED
Door Locks
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