2012 Acura MDX engine

Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly
coded key, the indicator will blink,
and the engine's fuel system will be
disabled (see page 138).
Lights On Indicator
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or
position. This indicator will
also come on when the light switch is
in AUTO and the lights turn on
automatically. If you turn the ignition
switch to the ACCESSORY (I) or the
LOCK (0) position without turning
off the light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the
driver's door.
Fog Light Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. For more
information, see page 130.High Beam Indicator
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page 128.
Instrument Panel Indicators74

Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. For
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system, see page 560.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
U.S. model is shown.TEMPERATURE
GAUGETACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
Gauges78

When the main menu is blank,
SH-AWD or TIRE PRESSURE,
pressing the SEL/RESET button
changes the display to‘‘trip meter/
odometer’’ ‘‘outside temperature/
odometer’’and‘‘engine oil life/
odometer’’.Odometer
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial/
territorial regulations to disconnect,
reset, or alter the odometer with the
intent to change the number of miles
or kilometers indicated.Trip Meter
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. There
are two trip meters: Trip A and Trip
B. Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two different distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the SEL/RESET
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0.’’
ODOMETER
TRIP METER
CONTINUED
Multi-Information Display
81
Instruments and Controls

When you reset Trip A, average fuel
economy A is reset at the same time.
When you reset Trip B, average fuel
economy B is reset.
In the customizing mode, you can set
Trip A and average fuel economy A
to reset at the same time when you
refuel your vehicle (see page 102).Outside Temperature
This shows the outside Fahrenheit
temperature in U.S. models, and
Celsius temperature in Canadian
models.The temperature sensor is in the
front bumper. The temperature
reading can be affected by heat
reflection from the road surface,
engine heat, and the exhaust from
surrounding traffic. This can cause
an incorrect temperature reading
when your vehicle speed is under 19
mph (30 km/h). When you start your
trip, the sensor is not fully
acclimatized, therefore it may take
several minutes until the proper
temperature is displayed.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.
You can adjust the outside
temperature display (see page 101).
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
U.S.
CANADA
Multi-Information Display82

Engine Oil LifeThis shows the remaining life of the
engine oil. It shows 100% after the
engine oil is replaced and the display
is reset. The engine oil life is
calculated based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions. For more information,
see page 507.SH-AWD Torque Distribution
Monitor
This monitor shows how much
torque is being delivered to each
wheel. For more information, see
page 452.Tire Pressure Monitor
When the tire pressure monitor is
shown on the multi-information
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown.
You can see the pressure of each tire
in this monitor. If one or more tires
are low, inflate them to the correct
pressure. For more information, see
page 455.
ENGINE OIL LIFE
U.S.
Canada
CONTINUED
Multi-Information Display
83
Instruments and Controls

System MessagesIf there is a problem with your
vehicle, for example, the engine oil
level is low or a door is not fully
closed, the multi-information display
will show you the problem. It does
this by interrupting the current
display with one or more messages.The system message(s) triggers the
appropriate indicator(s) on the
instrument panel, including the
system message indicator, to come
on. The system message indicator
does not go off until the problem(s)
is corrected.
You will also hear a beep when the
system message comes on for the
first time.
Most of the messages are displayed
for about 5 seconds, and then the
normal display returns. If there are
several system messages to be
shown, the display switches these
messages every 5 seconds.To cancel the message(s) before 5
seconds have elapsed, press the
INFO (
/
) button on the steering
wheel.
Even if you press the INFO (
/
)
button, some messages stay on or
come on again at regular intervals
until the problem is corrected.
You can see the message(s) again by
pressing the INFO (
/
) button
repeatedly if the system message
indicator remains lit on the
instrument panel.
Here is a list of all messages:
SYSTEM MESSAGE INDICATOR
Multi-Information Display86

When the light switch is in either of
these positions, the lights on
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This indicator stays on if you leave
the lights on and turn the ignition
switch to the ACCESSORY (I) or
LOCK (0) position.
High Beams－To switch from low
beams to high beams, push the left
lever forward until you hear a click.
The blue high beam indicator will
come on (see page 74). Pull it back to
return to low beams. To flash the
high beams, pull the lever back
lightly, then release it. The high
beams stay on as long as you hold
the lever back.AUTO－The automatic lighting
feature turns on the headlights and
all other exterior lights, when it
senses low ambient light.
To turn on automatic lighting, turn
the light switch to AUTO at any time.
The lights will come on automatically
when the outside light level becomes
low (at dusk, for example). The
lights on indicator comes on as a
reminder. The lights and indicator
will turn off automatically when the
system senses high ambient light.
The lights will remain on when you
turn off the ignition switch. They will
turn off automatically when you
remove the key and open the driver's
door. To turn them on again, either
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position or turn the light switch
to the
position.Even with the automatic lighting
feature turned on, we recommend
that you turn on the lights manually
when driving at night or in a dense
fog, or when you enter dark areas
such as long tunnels or parking
facilities.
To change the‘‘AUTO LIGHT
SENSITIVITY’’setting, see page 113.
Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle for an extended period (a
week or more). You should also turn
off the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or off for a long time.
CONTINUED
Turn Signal and Headlights
129
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