2012 Acura MDX tailgate

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

If you push the same button again
while the tailgate is opening or
closing, three beeps sound, the
tailgate stops moving, reverses
direction and stops in the fully
opened or fully closed position.
PANIC－Press and hold this
button for about 1 second to attract
attention; the horn will sound, and
the exterior lights will flash for about
30 seconds. To cancel panic mode,
press any other button on the remote
transmitter, or turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. Panic
mode does not work when the key is
in the ignition switch.
Remote Transmitter Care●
Avoid dropping or throwing the
transmitter.
●
Protect the transmitter from
extreme temperatures.
●
Do not immerse the transmitter in
any liquid.
●
If you lose a transmitter, the
replacement needs to be
reprogrammed by your dealer.
Replacing the Transmitter Battery
If it takes several pushes on the
button to lock or unlock the doors
and the tailgate, replace the battery
as soon as possible.
Battery type: CR1616
To replace the battery:
1. Remove the screw at the base of
the transmitter with a small
Phillips-head screwdriver.
NOTE:Be careful when removing
this screw as the head of the screw
can strip out.
2. Separate the keypad from the
transmitter by pushing any button
from outside.
SCREW KEYPAD
Remote Transmitter146

Courtesy LightsThe courtesy lights between the
front map lights come on when the
parking lights are turned on. To
adjust its brightness, press either of
the instrument panel brightness
control buttons (＋or－) with the
ignition switch in the ON (II)
position.Tailgate Lights
The lights in the tailgate have an on-
off switch to control if the lights
come on when the tailgate is opened.
The tailgate lights do not come on
when any other doors are opened.Individual Interior Lights
The courtesy lights in all four doors
come on when you open any door.
The light around the ignition switch
comes on when any door is opened.
After you close the door, the ignition
switch light stays on for about 30
seconds regardless of the interior
light dimming time setting (see page
111).
COURTESY LIGHT
Interior Lights172

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables from
theft. The horn sounds and a
combination of headlights, position
lights, side marker lights and
taillights flashes if someone attempts
to break into your vehicle or remove
the audio unit. This alarm continues
for two minutes, then the system
resets. To deactivate the system
before the two minutes have elapsed,
unlock the driver's door with the key
or the remote transmitter.
The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors from the outside with the key,
or use driver's lock tab, door lock
master switch, or remote transmitter.
The security system indicator on the
instrument panel starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself.
Once the security system sets,
opening any door, tailgate, or hood
without using the key or the remote
transmitter, will cause the alarm to
activate. It also activates if the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position, the audio unit is
removed from the dashboard or the
wiring is cut.The security system does not set if
any door, the tailgate, or hood is not
fully closed. Before you leave the
vehicle, make sure the doors, tailgate
and hood are securely closed.
To see if the system sets after you
exit the vehicle, press the LOCK
button on the remote transmitter
within five seconds. If the system is
set, the horn will beep once.
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Security System
341
Features

Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
●
Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
Also, keep all cargo below the
bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
●
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
●
Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
●
If you fold down the second or
third row seats, tie down items that
could be thrown about the vehicle
during a crash or sudden stop.
●
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility ofcarbon monoxide
poisoning,follow the instructions
on page 61.
●
If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
Carrying Cargo436