Page 51 of 609

Child Seat PlacementWe strongly recommend placing a
forward-facing child seat in a back
seat, not the front.Placing a forward-facing child seat inthe front seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passenger's airbag can be
hazardous.
If the vehicle seat is too
far forward, or the child's head is
thrown forward during a collision, an
inflating airbag can strike the child
with enough force to cause very
serious or fatal injuries. Even with advanced front airbags
that automatically turn the
passenger's front airbag off (see page
36), a back seat is the safest place for
a small child.
If it is necessary to put a forward-
facing child seat in the front, move
the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, be sure the child seat is
firmly secured to the vehicle and the
child is properly strapped in the seat.
Placing a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat can result
in serious injury or death if the
front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-
facing child seat in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, and properly restrain
the child.
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When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear the lap/
shoulder belt.
The following pages give instructions
on how to check proper seat belt fit,
what kind of booster seat to use if
one is needed, and important
precautions for a child who must sit
in front.
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger's front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.Checking Seat Belt Fit
To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly fits a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself:
1. Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably over the edge of the
seat?
Protecting Larger Children5610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
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If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in front, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat belt
properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle's or
booster's seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
age 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.
If the passenger's front airbag
inflates in a moderate to severe
frontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child's body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries.Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can safely ride in front,
there are other important factors you
should consider.
Physical SizePhysically, a child must be large
enough for the lap/shoulder belt to
properly fit (see pages 16 and 56). If
the seat belt does not fit properly,
with or without the child sitting on a
booster seat, the child should not sit
in front.MaturityTo safely ride in front, a child must
be able to follow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
Protecting Larger Children5810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
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ꭧ: If equipped
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.
MESSAGE INDICATOR (P. 71)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR (P. 72) SH-AWD INDICATOR (P. 71)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 68)
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR (P. 72)
DOOR/TAILGATE OPEN
INDICATOR (P. 74)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 72)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 67)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
(VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 69) SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 75)
ACTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 75)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 67) LOW FUEL INDICATOR (P. 75)
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR (P. 66)
COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING
SYSTEM
™(CMBS ™) INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 73)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 68)
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 73)/
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 73)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP (P. 67)
VSA OFF INDICATOR
(P. 69)
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR (P. 70) BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 74)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATORꭧ(P. 73)
MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY (P. 77)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR (P. 70)
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P. 67) LIGHT ON INDICATOR (P. 72)
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR (P. 68)
Instrument Panel
65
Instruments and Controls
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Page 73 of 609

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 airbag
system components. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 86). For more
information, see page 35.
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 page 86).
For more information, see page 35.
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 page 87).
For more information, see page 455.
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ꭧ1: If equipped
ꭧ 2: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 3: Refer to the navigation system manual. For how to operate
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink by voice, see page 380.
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM (BSI) OFF BUTTON
ꭧ 1
(P. 476)VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
(P. 468)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 164) HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL/
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(P. 127)
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS (P. 133) CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (P. 342)/
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
BUTTONS
ꭧ
1
(P. 350)
STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS
(P. 302) WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 125)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
(P. 132)
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P. 36)
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
(P. 131)REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P. 131)
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKETS
(P. 175)
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
(P. 156)/
SEAT HEATER AND SEAT
VENTILATION BUTTONS
ꭧ 1
(P. 157)
ACTIVE DAMPER
SYSTEM SWITCH
ꭧ 1
(P. 478)
HORN
ꭧ
2
BSI ALERT INDICATOR
ꭧ1
(P. 473)
COLLISION MITIGATION
BRAKING SYSTEM ™(CMBS ™)
OFF BUTTON
ꭧ 1
(P. 461)
HEADLIGHT WASHER
SWITCH
ꭧ 1
(P. 126)
DISTANCE
BUTTON
ꭧ1
(P. 354)
PADDLE SHIFTERS
(P. 441)
BLUETOOTH
HANDSFREELINK
BUTTON (P. 363) VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS
ꭧ
3
Controls Near the Steering Wheel12410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 161 of 609

MDX, Technology Package, and U.S.Technology Package with EntertainmentmodelsBoth front seats are equipped with
seat heaters. Because of the sensors
for the side airbag cutoff system,
there is no heater in the passenger's
seat-back. The ignition switch must
be in the ON (II) position to use the
heaters.
Push the front of the switch, HI, to
rapidly heat up the seat. After the
seat reaches a comfortable
temperature, select LO by pushing
the back of the switch. This will keep
the seat warm.
U.S. Technology Package with
Entertainment, Advance Package withEntertainment and Canadian modelsThe outer second row seat cushions
and seat-backs are equipped with
seat heaters. Turning the switch on
the driver side warms the outer seat
behind the driver's seat only. The
passenger side switch warms the
outer seat behind the front passenger
seat.
Passenger's
Seat
HEATERS Driver's
Seat
Front seat HI
LOW
Second row seat
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In the HI setting, the heater turns off
when the seat gets warm, and turns
back on after the seat's temperature
drops.
In the LO setting, the heater runs
continuously. It does not cycle with
temperature changes.
Follow these precautions when using
the seat heaters:●
Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly, because it draws
large amounts of current from the
battery.
●
If the engine is left idling for an
extended period, do not use the
seat heaters even on the LO
setting. It can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
A multi-information display message
may inform you when the battery
charge is getting low. See page 82 for
more information. Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation
If equippedBoth front seats are equipped with
seat heaters and an air ventilation
system. The passenger seat only has
heaters in the seat bottom because of
the side airbag system.
The ignition switch must be in the
ON (II) position to use the heaters
and the air ventilation system.
To use the heaters, press thebutton. The indicator (red) next to
the button will come on. There are
four settings in the heaters:
HI
-Three indicators on.
MID -Two indicators on.
LO -One indicator on.
OFF -All indicators off.
Passenger's
seat
HEATERS Driver's
seat
VENTS
FRONT SEAT HEATER AND
SEAT VENTILATION
SWITCHES
INDICATOR
CONTINUED
Seat Heaters, Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation
157
Instruments and Controls
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