2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

The automatic lighting feature is
controlled by a sensor located on top
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.Fog Lights
Turn the fog lights on and off by
turning the switch next to the
headlight switch.
You can use the fog lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
With the light switch in the AUTO
position, you can also use the fog
lights when the headlights turn on
automatically. They will go off when
the headlights turn off.Daytime Running Lights
With the headlight switch off, the
daytime running lights come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and release the
parking brake. They remain on until
you turn the ignition switch off, even
if you set the parking brake.
When the headlights are on, the
daytime running lights are off.
LIGHT SENSOR
Turn Signal and Headlights130

If you see a‘‘CHECK DRL SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display, there is a problem with the
daytime running light system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked.
When the multi-information display
shows a‘‘DRL OFF’’message, the
daytime running lights are off.
Follow the procedure in the left
column to turn them on.Automatic Lighting Off Feature
This feature turns off the headlights,
all other exterior lights, and the
instrument panel lights within 15
seconds after you remove the key
and close the driver's door.
To change the‘‘HEADLIGHT AUTO
OFF TIMER’’setting, see page 112.
The automatic lighting off feature
activates if you leave the headlight
switch in the‘‘
’’or‘‘
’’
position or if the lights are turned on
by setting the switch in the‘‘AUTO’’
position, and you remove the key,
then open and close the driver's
door.If you turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position with the headlight
switch on, but do not open the door
the lights turn off after 10 minutes (3
minutes, if the switch is in the
‘‘AUTO’’position).
The lights turn on again when you
unlock or open the driver's door.
If you unlock the door, but do not
open it within 15 seconds, the lights
go off. With the driver's door open,
you will hear a lights-on reminder
chime.
Turn Signal and Headlights
131
Instruments and Controls

Hazard Warning ButtonPush the button between the center
vents to turn on the hazard warning
lights (four-way flashers). This
causes all four outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to flash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in
a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your vehicle is disabled.Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to
turn it on and off. The indicator in the
button lights to show the defogger is
on. If you do not turn it off, the
defogger will shut itself off after
about 15 minutes. It also shuts off
when you turn off the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you
restart the vehicle.Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside of
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.
Pushing this button also turns the
mirror heaters on or off. For more
information, see page 167.
Hazard Warning Button, Rear Window Defogger132

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 105 for
more information.
Instrument Panel Brightness
133
Instruments and Controls

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
Steering Wheel Adjustments134

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 109.
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 168).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 Adjustments
135
Instruments and Controls

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
TAGMASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTERVALET KEY
(Light Gray)Keys and Locks136

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 Locks
137
Instruments and Controls