2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

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 the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System138

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 Switch
139
Instruments and Controls

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
119.
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 116.
When you shift to P after driving, the
driver's door unlocks.
To change the‘‘AUTO DOOR
UNLOCK’’setting, see page 117.
UNLOCK
LOCK
LOCK
UNLOCK
Door Locks140

Lockout PreventionWith any door and the tailgate open
and the key in the ignition, both
master door lock switches are
disabled. They are not disabled if all
the doors and the tailgate are closed.
If you try to lock an open driver's
door by pulling the lock tab rearward
the lock tab on the driver's door pops
out.Childproof Door Locks
The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear from accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position (lever is
down), the door cannot be opened
from the inside regardless of the
position of the lock tab. To open the
door, push the lock tab forward and
use the outside door handle.Tailgate
To open the tailgate, push up inside
the handle, then lift up. To close the
tailgate, use the inner handle to pull
it down, then press down on the back
edge.
Keep the tailgate closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging the
tailgate and to prevent exhaust gas
from getting into the interior. See
Carbon Monoxide Hazardon page
61.
LOCK
Door Locks, Tailgate
141
Instruments and Controls

Power TailgateThe tailgate can be opened and closed
with the remote transmitter (see page
145) or the button in the driver's door
pocket when both front doors are
unlocked.
Press and hold the tailgate button on the
remote transmitter or the button for
about 1 second to open or close the
tailgate. Each time you press the button
on the remote transmitter or the button,
you will hear a beep, and some front and
rear lights will flash.
If you push the same button again
while the tailgate is opening or
closing, you will hear three beeps,
and the tailgate will stop moving,
reverse direction, and stop at the
fully opened or closed position.
The tailgate can also be closed by
pressing the button on the tailgate. If
you press the button again while the
tailgate is closing, you will hear three
beeps, and the tailgate will stop
moving, reverse direction, and stop
at the fully opened position.
POWER TAILGATE BUTTON
TAILGATE BUTTON
Tailgate142

Auto-ReverseThe power tailgate has an auto-
reverse feature. If it meets resistance
while opening or closing, it will beep
three times and reverse direction.
However, the tailgate may not
reverse immediately. Always make
sure passengers and objects are clear
of the tailgate before opening or
closing it.
Closing a power tailgate while
anyone is in the path of the
tailgate can cause serious
injury.
Make sure everyone is clear
before closing the power
tailgate.Also check that passengers,
especially children, do not have their
hands on the edge of the tailgate or
on the tailgate sill. The auto reverse
feature stops working when the
tailgate is about to latch so the motor
can pull the tailgate shut.
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected, goes dead, or the fuse
is removed while the tailgate is fully
open, the power tailgate needs to be
reset. After connecting the battery or
installing the fuse, close the tailgate
fully by hand.
The power tailgate may not open or
close under the these conditions:
●
The vehicle is parked on a steep
hill.
●
When the vehicle is swayed in a
strong wind.
●
When the tailgate or the roof is
covered with snow or ice.
Do not install any accessories on the
tailgate. It may cause the tailgate to
malfunction. If there is snow or ice
on the tailgate, make sure to remove
it before you operate the tailgate.
If you push the tailgate release
button inside the handle while the
tailgate is opening or closing, it will
stop moving. You need to open or
close it the rest of the way manually.
The tailgate has sensors on both
sides. Be careful not to damage
them. If the sensors are damaged,
the power tailgate does not function
properly.
CONTINUEDTailgate
143
Instruments and Controls

If you try to drive off with the tailgate
not closed completely, a beeper
sounds and a‘‘DOOR & TAILGATE
OPEN’’message is shown on the
multi-information display.
Keep the tailgate closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging the
tailgate and to prevent exhaust gas
from getting into the interior. See
Carbon Monoxide Hazardon page
61.
If there is a problem in the power
tailgate system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK POWER TAILGATE’’
message on the multi-information
display. Have the system checked by
your dealer.
With this message shown on the
multi-information display, you can
still open or close the tailgate
manually.Unlocking the Tailgate
If the power door lock system cannot
unlock the tailgate, unlock it
manually.
Use a small flat-tip screwdriver to
remove the cover on the back of the
tailgate.
Push the release lever to the right as
shown.
If you need to unlock the tailgate
manually, it means there is a
problem with the tailgate. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
Tailgate144

LOCK－Press this button once to
lock all doors and the tailgate. Some
exterior lights will flash. When you
push LOCK twice within 5 seconds,
you will hear a beep to verify that the
doors and tailgate are locked and the
security system has set. This button
does not work if any door or tailgate
is not fully closed.
To change the‘‘KEYLESS LOCK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT’’setting,
see page 120.UNLOCK－Press this button once
to unlock the driver's door. Push it
twice to unlock the other doors.
Some exterior lights will flash twice
when you push the button. If you do
not open any door or the tailgate
within 30 seconds, they will
automatically relock.
To change the‘‘KEY AND REMOTE
UNLOCK MODE’’setting, see page
119.
To change the‘‘SECURITY RELOCK
TIMER’’setting, see page 121.The door activated spotlights come
on when you press the UNLOCK
button if the door activated position
is selected by pressing the light
control button (DOOR). If you do not
open any door within 30 seconds (or
whatever setting of the interior light
dimming time is set to), the lights
will fade out. If you relock the doors
with the remote transmitter before 30
seconds have elapsed, the lights will
go off immediately.
TAILGATE－Press and hold the
TAILGATE button to open or close
the power tailgate. When the tailgate
begins to move, you will hear a beep,
and some front and rear lights will
flash.
UNLOCK
BUTTONLOCK
BUTTON
PANIC
BUTTON TAILGATE
BUTTON
CONTINUED
Remote Transmitter
145
Instruments and Controls