Page 137 of 609
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
Page 138 of 609
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
133
Instruments and Controls
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 140 of 609

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
135
Instruments and Controls
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 141 of 609
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
Page 142 of 609

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
137
Instruments and Controls
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 143 of 609

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
Page 152 of 609

Recalling a Memorized Driving
PositionWhen you unlock the driver's door
with your remote, each remote
activates the keyless memory
settings related to that remote. The
driver's ID (DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2)
is shown on the back of each remote.Here are the settings activated with
the remote:
●
Customized settings
(see page 89).
●
Driving position memory
(see page 166).
●
Audio system settings
(see page 209).
●
Climate control settings
(see page 181).
When you unlock and open the
driver's door with the remote
transmitter, the driver's seat (except
the power lumbar feature) and
outside mirrors start to move to the
positions stored in memory. The
indicator in the related memory
button to the remote comes on. The steering wheel will move to the
stored position when you insert the
key into the ignition switch.
You will also see the
‘‘WELCOME
DRIVER 1’’ or‘‘WELCOME DRIVER
2’’ message on the multi-information
display, depending on which linked
remote transmitter is used.
Remote Transmitter
147
Instruments and Controls
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 153 of 609
Front Seat Power AdjustmentsSee pages 14-15 for important safety
information and warnings about how to properly position the seats and seat-backs.The controls for the power adjustable
front seats are on the outside edge of
each seat bottom. You can adjust the
seats with the ignition switch in any
position. Make all seat adjustments
before you start driving.
The passenger seat has the same
adjustments as the driver's seat but
without any lumbar adjustment.
Moves the seat forward
and backward.
Moves the front of the
seat up or down.
Raises or lowers the seat. Moves the whole seat up
and forward, or down
and backward. The front
of the seat also tilts up or
down at the same time.
Adjusts the seat-back
angle forward or
backward.
Increases or decreases
the lumbar support.
(Driver's seat only)
Seats14810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu