2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

3. Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child's neck and arm?
4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child's
thighs?
5. Will the child be able to stay
seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat.Using a Booster Seat
A child who has outgrown a forward-
facing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat until
the lap/shoulder belt fits them
properly without the booster.Some states, Canadian provinces and
territories also require children to
use a booster seat until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60 lbs). Be sure to check current
laws in the states, provinces or
territories where you intend to drive.
Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster seat meets
federal safety standards (see page
48) and that you follow the booster
seat maker's instructions.
Protecting Larger Children58

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 57). 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.
CONTINUED
Protecting Larger Children
59
Driver and Passenger Safety

If you decide that a child can safely
ride up front, be sure to:●
Carefully read the owner's manual,
and make sure you understand all
seat belt instructions and all safety
information.
●
Move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position.
●
Have the child sit up straight, back
against the seat, and feet on or
near the floor.
●
Check that the child's seat belt is
properly and securely positioned.
●
Supervise the child. Even mature
children sometimes need to be
reminded to fasten the seat belts
or sit properly.Additional Safety Precautions
●
Do not let a child wear a seat belt
across the neck.
This could result
in serious neck injuries during a
crash.
●
Do not let a child put the shoulder
part of a seat belt behind the back
or under the arm.
This could cause
very serious injuries during a
crash. It also increases the chance
that the child will slide under the
belt in a crash and be injured.
●
Two children should never use the
same seat belt.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
●
Do not put any accessories on a
seat belt.
Devices intended to
improve a child's comfort or
reposition the shoulder part of a
seat belt can make the belt less
effective and increase the chance
of serious injury in a crash.
Protecting Larger Children60

Your vehicle's exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
follow the information on this page.
Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:●
The vehicle is raised for an oil
change.
●
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
●
The vehicle was in a crash that
may have damaged the underside.
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.With the tailgate open, airflow can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle's
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows,
and set the climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconfined area, adjust the climate
control system as follows:
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the
mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
61
Driver and Passenger Safety

RADIATOR CAPDASHBOARD
BATTERY LABEL
U.S. models only
These labels are in the locations shown. They warn
you of potential hazards that could cause serious
injury or death. Read these labels carefully.
If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except
for the U.S. dashboard label which may be removed
by the owner), contact your dealer for a replacement.Safety Labels62

SUN VISORU.S. models
U.S. models
DOORJAMBSU.S. models Canadian models
Canadian models
Safety Labels
63
Driver and Passenger Safety

64

This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.Control Locations
..........................
66
Instrument Panel
..........................
67
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
68
Gauges
..........................................
78
Multi-Information Display
.............
79
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel
.....................................
125
Windshield Wipers and
Washers
..............................
126
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
...............................
127
Turn Signal and Headlights
........
128
Hazard Warning Button
..............
132
Rear Window Defogger
...............
132
Instrument Panel Brightness
......
133
Steering Wheel Adjustments
.......
134
Keys and Locks
...........................
136
Immobilizer System
....................
138
Ignition Switch
............................
139
Door Locks
.................................
140
Childproof Door Locks
............
141
Tailgate
.......................................
141
Power Tailgate
........................
142
Remote Transmitter
....................
145Seats
...........................................
149
Detachable Anchor
.................
155
Seat Heaters
................................
157
Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
...............................
158
Power Windows
..........................
160
Moonroof
....................................
163
Parking Brake
.............................
164
Mirrors
.......................................
165
Driving Position Memory
System
....................................
168
Interior Lights
.............................
170
Interior Convenience Items
.........
173
Beverage Holders
...................
174
Console Compartment
............
175
Storage Compartment
.............
175
Glove Box
...............................
175
Sunglasses Holder
..................
176
Sun Visor
................................
176
Vanity Mirror
..........................
177
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
177
AC Power Outlet
.....................
178
Instruments and Controls
65
Instruments and Controls