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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
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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 Defogger13212/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
Page 139 of 617
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
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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 Locks13612/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
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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
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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
Tailgate14212/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
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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
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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 Transmitter14612/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu