2015 Acura MDX ECU

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vISUAL INDex
Dashboard and Ceiling Controls
1 Color information display
2 On-Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD)
p. 53
3 Hazard warning button
4 Climate control buttons p. 46
5 Moonroof switch p. 33
Map lights p. 35
HomeLink® buttons p. 45
AcuraLink® buttons* p. 73
6 Power window switches p. 32
Door lock switches p. 31
Door mirror controls p. 41
Power folding mirror button* p. 41
7 Power tailgate button* p. 30
Fuel fill door handle p. 107
8 Hood release handle p. 124
9 Driving Position Memory System
buttons p. 42
10 Integrated Dynamics System
(IDS) button p. 94
11 Parking brake p. 95
12 Audio/phone/navigation/Surround
View Camera* buttons p. 50, 65,
75, 105
13 Rear entertainment system* p. 62
14 USB port p. 51
Auxiliary input jack p. 51
Accessory power socket p. 51
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Your safety—and the safety of others—is very important, and operating this vehicle safely
is an important responsibility. While we strive to help you make informed decisions about
safety, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with
operating or maintaining your vehicle. Therefore, you must use your own good judgment.
Important Safety Information
This guide explains many of your vehicle’s safety features and how to use them. Please read
this information carefully. Following the instructions below will also help to keep you and
your passengers safe.
Important Safety Precautions
•  Always wear your seat belt.
•  Secure all children in the proper restraint system.
•  Be aware of airbag hazards.
•  Don’t drink and drive.
•  Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely.
•  Control your speed.
•  Keep your vehicle in safe condition.
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying close
attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash. Remember,
situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to divert some
attention away from driving.
Important Handling Information Your vehicle has a higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only
on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway driving.
It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off
the ground, it has a higher center of gravity, making it more susceptible to tripping or
rollover if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your
passengers always wear seat belts.
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13
*if equipped
14

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Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of a serious injury or
death in a crash, even though your vehicle has airbags.
Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear them
properly.
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Seat Belt Inspection
Regularly check the condition of your seat belts as follows:
•  Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear.
•  Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily. If a belt does not
retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem. Only use a mild soap and
warm water. Do not use bleach or cleaning solvents. Make sure the belt is completely
dry before allowing it to retract.
Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide proper
protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.
A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of protection in
a subsequent crash. Have your seat belts inspected by a dealer after any collision.
Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if
the seat belts do not work properly when needed.
Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon as
possible.
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Fastening a Seat BeltAdjust your seat to the proper position (see page 38), and then follow the below steps.
1. Pull the seat belt out slowly.
2. Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is secure. Make sure that
the belt is not twisted or caught on anything.
On models with CMBS
TM, the front seat belts retract
automatically.
3. Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible across
your hips, then pull up on the shoulder part of the belt
so the lap part fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic
bones take the force of a crash and reduces the chance
of internal injuries.
4. If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove any
slack, then make sure that the belt rests across the
center of your chest and over your shoulder. This spreads
the forces of a crash over the strongest bones in your
upper body.
To release the belt, push the red PRESS button
then guide the belt by hand until it has
retracted completely.
Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor
The front seats have adjustable shoulder anchors to accommodate taller and shorter
occupants.
1. Move the anchor up and down while holding the release
button.
2. Position the anchor so that the belt rests across the
center of your chest and over your shoulder. Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death in a
crash.
Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.
Pull
out
slowl y.
Lap belt
as low as
possible
Latch
plate
Buckle
Pull out
slowl y.
Lap belt
as low as
possible
Latch
plate
Buckle
Pull out
slowl y.
Lap belt
as low as
possible
Latch
plate
Buckle
Push
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9 Impact sensors that can detect a
moderate-to-severe front or side
impact.
10 An indicator on the dashboard that alerts you that the front
passenger’s front airbag has been
turned off.
11 An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible
problem with the airbag system or
seat belt tensioners.
12 Safing sensor
13 A rollover sensor that detects whether the vehicle is about to roll
over.
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any airbag
system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer in the following situations:
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be replaced.
When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s seat
position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt tensioners, and
each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
Do not remove or modify a front seat without first consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver’s seat position sensor or the weight sensors in the
passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate
a person with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S. vehicles, call Acura Client
Relations at (800) 382-2238. For Canadian vehicles, call Acura Client Services at (888)
922-8729.
Child Safety
Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are either
unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle collisions are the number one cause
of death of children ages 12 and under.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend
that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear seat. Some states or
provinces/territories have laws restricting where children may ride.
To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province, and
territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride in a
vehicle.
Protecting Child Passengers—Important Considerations •  An inflating front or side airbag can injure or kill a child sitting in the front seat.
•  A child in the front seat is more likely to interfere with the driver’s ability to safely
control the vehicle.
•  Statistics show that children of all sizes and ages are safer when they are properly
restrained in a rear seat.
•  Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt
portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
•  Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the event of a
collision.
•  Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would likely
press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
•  Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very seriously
injured in a crash.
•  Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows, or seat adjustments.
•  Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when the
inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate vehicle
controls, causing it to move unexpectedly.
Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously
injured or killed in a crash.
Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child
seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt, using a
booster seat if necessary.
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Protecting Infants
An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the infant
reaches the seat maker’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the infant is at least one
year old. Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat for a child up to two years
old if the child’s height and weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.
Child seats must be placed and secured in a rear seating position. Rear-facing child seats
should never be installed in a forward-facing position.
When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent
the driver or a front passenger from moving their seat all
the way back, or from locking their seat-back in the desired
position. If this occurs, we recommend that you install the
child seat directly behind the front passenger’s seat, move the
seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or,
you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat. Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or wrap one around their neck can
result in serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat belt and make sure any unused
seat belt a child can reach is buckled, fully retracted, and locked.
Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or
death during a crash.
Always place a rear-facing child seat in the rear seat, not the front.
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Protecting Smaller Children
If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the child seat
manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured forward-facing
child seat.
We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing child seat
in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can
be hazardous, even with advanced front airbags that
automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A rear
seat is the safest place for a child.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious
injury or death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat
as far back as possible, and properly restrain the child.
Selecting a Child Seat
Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Some
have a rigid-type connector, while others have a flexible-type connector. Both are equally
easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be installed using
the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat manufacturer’s use and
care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to
maximizing your child’s safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible child
seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security. This is
because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured with a lap
belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat manufacturer may
advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat once a child reaches
a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual for proper installation
instructions.
Important considerations when selecting a child seat
Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
•  The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.
•  The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
•  The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
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Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in the second-row seats. A child seat is
attached to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.
1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.
2. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then attach
the child seat to the lower anchors according to the
instructions that came with the child seat. Make sure
that the lower anchors are not obstructed by the seat
belt or any other object.
outer seats: Raise the head restraint to its
highest position, then route the tether strap
between the head restraint legs, and secure the
tether strap hook onto the anchor.
Center seat: Lower the center head restraint to
its lowest position, then route the tether strap
over the top of the head restraint and secure the
tether strap hook onto the anchor.
3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the child seat
maker.
4. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by rocking
it forward and back and side to side; little movement
should be felt.
5. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child can reach is
buckled, the lockable retractor is activated, and the belt
is fully retracted and locked.
Marks
Lower anchors Rigid type
Flexible type
Tether strap hook
Anchor
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt 1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt through the child seat according to
the seat maker’s instructions, and insert the latch plate
into the buckle. Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.
3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out
until it stops. This activates the lockable retractor.
4. Let the seat belt completely wind up into the retractor,
then try to pull it out to make sure the retractor is
locked. If you are able to pull the shoulder belt out, the
lockable retractor is not activated. Pull the seat belt all
the way out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.
5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near the buckle,
and pull up to remove any slack from the lap part of the
belt. When doing this, place your weight on the child
seat and push it into the vehicle seat.
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by rocking
it forward and back and side to side; little movement
should be felt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child can reach is
buckled, the lockable retractor is activated, and the belt
is fully retracted and locked.
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle and
allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

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Adding Security with a Tether
A tether anchorage point is provided behind each second- and third-row seating position.
A child seat that is installed with a seat belt and comes with a tether can use the tether
for additional security.
Second-row seats
1. For outer seats: Raise the head restraint to its highest
position, then route the tether strap through the head
restraint legs.
For center seat: Lower the head restraint to
its lowest position, then route the tether strap
through the head restraint legs.
2. Make sure the strap is not twisted, and secure the tether
strap hook onto the anchor.
3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the child seat
manufacturer.
Third-row seats
1. Pull up the head restraint and push rearward until it
latches, then route the tether strap through the head
restraint legs.
2. Open the anchor cover.
3. Make sure the strap is not twisted, and secure the tether
strap hook onto the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the child seat
manufacturer.
Protecting Larger Children
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt.
Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then ensure the following:
•  The child’s knees bend comfortably over the edge of the
seat.
•  The shoulder belt crosses between the child’s neck and
arm.
•  The lap part of the seat belt is as low as possible, touching
the child’s thighs.
•  The child can stay seated for the whole trip.
Tether anchorage points
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in the front can result in injury or
death if the passenger’s front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, have the child sit up properly and wear the seat belt properly, using
a booster seat if needed.
Safety Label Locations
Safety labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause
serious injury or death. Read these labels carefully.
Sun viso r
U.S. mode ls
Canadian models
Radiator cap U.
S. models
U.S. models only
Dashboard
Canadian modelsDoorjamb
s
U.S. models only
Sun viso
r
If a lap/shoulder belt cannot be used properly, position the child in a booster seat in a
rear seating position. For the child’s safety, check that the child meets the booster seat
manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories 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 state or province/territory where you intend to drive.
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Second-row seat
Anchor
Tether strap hook
Third-row seat

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veHICLe CoNTroLS
veHICLe CoNTroLS
Folding Down the Second-row Seats
Separately fold down the left and right halves of the second-row seat to make room for
cargo.
1. Store the center seat belt by inserting the latch plate
into the slot on the side of the anchor buckle.
2. Retract the seat belt into the holder on the ceiling.
3. Lower the center head restraint to its lowest position.
Put the armrest back into the seat-back.
4. Pull up the seat-back angle adjustment lever.
To return the seat to its original position, pull up the seat-back to an upright position
until it is securely latched into place. Reposition the seat belts as necessary.
Folding Down the Third-row Seats
Separately fold down the left and right halves of the third-row seat to make room for
cargo.
1. Pull the handle on the seat-back. The head restraint
folds down.
2. Push the seat-back forward while pulling the handle.
To return the seat to its original position, pull up the seat-
back while pulling up the handle. Push the head restraint
up to its original position.
Lever
Handle
HomeLink® Garage opener
Program your vehicle to operate up to three remote-controlled devices around your home—
such as garage doors, lighting, or home security systems—using the buttons on the ceiling.
Training a Button Park near the system you want to program, and follow the instructions in the flowchart
below.
Pr ess and hold the button on the r emote
and the HomeLink button at the same
time. Then, while continuing to hold the
HomeLink button, pr ess and release the
button on the r emote every 2 seconds.
Does the LED blink at a fa ster ra te within 20 seconds ?
Press and hold the
HomeLink button
again. T
raining
complete
YES
NO
HomeLink indicator
ashes for 2 seconds,
then rem ains on. HomeLink LED
r
emains on.YES
NO
YES
NO
P osition the remote transmitter
1–3 inches (3–8 cm) from the
HomeLink button you want to program.1
Press and hold the desir ed HomeLink
button and the button on the r emote
transmitter .
Does the HomeLink indicat or (LED) blink at a f ast er
rate after about 10 seconds ?
2
a
The remote has a ro lling code. Press
the “learn” button on the
r emote-contr olled device (e.g., garage
door opener).
Pr ess the pr ogrammed HomeLink
button again; the remote-contr olled
device should operate.
Within 30 seconds, pr
ess and hold the
pr ogrammed HomeLink button for 2
seconds.a
Pr ess and hold the programmed
HomeLink button for about a second.
Does the devic e (garage door opener) work?
3
b
4
5
To retrain a button or erase codes, see the Owner’s Manual on the Owner Information
CD or at owners.acura.com (U.S.)  or myacura.com (Canada). If you need help, visit www.
homelink.com.
HomeLink indicator
HomeLink buttons

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Subscription Features
In addition to standard service, receive benefits such as collision notification, emergency
assistance, online security, enhanced navigation seraches, and important messages
about your vehicle. Requires enrollment and privacy agreement. To subscribe or get more
information, visit owners.acura.com (U.S.) or myacura.ca (Canada) or contact a dealer.
emergency Assistance
If your vehicle’s airbags deploy or if the unit detects that the vehicle is severely impacted,
your vehicle automatically attempts to connect to the AcuraLink operator if there is
cellular coverage.
If you need to manually connect to the operator, open
the cover on the ceiling console and press ASSIST when
the vehicle is on.
Once connected, information about your vehicle,
its positioning, and its condition will be sent to the
operator; you can also speak to the operator when
connected.
Color information display
oDmD screen
ASSIST
button
Security Features
To use security features, you need your user ID and personal identification number (PIN).
Some of these features are also available with the AcuraLink smartphone app. Visit
owners.acura.com/apps (U.S.) or myacura.ca (Canada) to download.
•  Stolen  vehicle  tracking: Searches and tracks down your vehicle position.
•  Remote  door lock/unlock: Remotely lock or unlock doors.
•  Vehicle finder: Locate your vehicle in large areas, such as a crowded parking lot.
•  Security  alarm notification: If your vehicle’s security system detects tampering, the
provider notifies you.
operator Assistance
Press LINK on the ceiling console to connect to an
operator when trying to find a destination or for
roadside assistance.
LINK button
ACURALINK®
ACURALINK®