TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND
INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT
PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE
UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
This Owner’s Guide is intended to help you quickly get acquainted with your 2016
Acura MDX. It provides basic information and instructions on technology and
convenience features, as well as emergency procedures and how to get assistance.
This guide is for vehicles sold in the United States and Canada. It covers all MDX
models, so you may fi nd descriptions of features and equipment that are not in
your vehicle. Images throughout this guide are from U.S. vehicles and represent
features and equipment that are available on some, but not all, models.
This guide is not intended to be a substitute for the Owner’s Manual. The Owner
Information CD enclosed in your glove box kit includes the Owner’s Manual,
Navigation Manual, and vehicle and tire warranties in electronic format. This
information can be viewed on a computer (PC or Mac platform) and saved or
printed for your reference. You can also visit owners.acura.com (U.S.) or myacura.ca
(Canada) to view the complete and most current information.
If you are the fi rst registered owner of your vehicle, you may request a
complimentary printed copy of the Owner’s Manual, Navigation Manual, or Vehicle
Warranty up to six months after vehicle purchase. To request a copy, visit owners.
acura.com (U.S.) or myacura.ca (Canada) and create or log in to your account. In
Canada, please request a copy from your Acura dealer.
American Honda Motor Company strives to be proactive in protecting our
environment and natural resources. By using electronic delivery for a considerable
portion of the information typically found in a vehicle owner’s manual, we are
further reducing our impact on the environment.
Acura Total Luxury Care Roadside Assistance
Your Acura TLC Roadside Assistance representative is here to help you
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Under your 4-year/50,000-mile (80,000 km)
warranty, the following benefi ts are available:
- Towing services — full cost of towing to the closest Acura dealer
- Roadside assistance — jump starting, fuel delivery, lockout, and fl at tire
- Trip planning — detailed trip routing, emergency services, and more
Call (800) 594-8500 (U.S.) or (800) 565-7587 (Canada)
Acura Client Relations
Your authorized Acura dealer should be able to answer any questions you have
about your vehicle. However, if you are dissatisfi ed with the information you
receive, you can call Acura Client Relations (see page 149).
Call (800) 382-2238 (U.S.) or (888) 922-8729 (Canada)
INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS
*if equipped
VISUAL INDEX ................................... 1
Steering Wheel and Nearby
Controls .............................................. 1
Dashboard and Ceiling Controls .....2
SAFETY INFORMATION .................. 3
Important Safety Information ....... 3
Seat Belts ...........................................5
Airbags ............................................... 9
Child Safety .....................................15
Safety Label Locations .................. 22
Reporting Safety Defects .............. 23
INSTRUMENT PANEL .................... 24
Malfunction Indicators .................. 24
Condition Indicators ...................... 26
On/Off Indicators .......................... 27
Multi-Information Display ........... 28
VEHICLE CONTROLS ..................... 29
Using the Remote Transmitter ..... 29
Keyless Access System .................. 30
Power Tailgate Operation ..............31
Door Operation from Inside the
Vehicle ............................................. 32
Power Window Operation ............ 33
Power Moonroof Operation ........ 34
Interior and Exterior Lights........... 35
One-Touch Turn Signal .................. 36
Wiper Operation ............................ 37
Adjusting the Seats ........................ 39
Adjusting the Mirrors..................... 42
Adjusting the Steering Wheel ...... 43
Driving Position Memory System ... 43
Rear Seats ........................................ 44
HomeLink® Garage Opener .......... 46
Climate Control System................ 47Seat Heaters and Ventilation* ..... 50
Customized Features ......................51
AUDIO AND CONNECTIVITY ...... 52
Basic Audio Operation ................... 52
On-Demand Multi-Use Display
(ODMD) ........................................... 54
FM/AM Radio .................................. 55
SiriusXM® Radio ............................. 56
Compact Disc (CD) or USB Flash
Drive ................................................. 57
Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Audio* .... 58
iPod® ................................................ 59
Bluetooth® Audio ........................... 60
Pandora® ..........................................61
AcuraLink featuring Aha™ ............ 62
Rear Entertainment System
(RES)* .............................................. 63
BLUETOOTH® HANDSFREELINK® ...67
Basic HFL Operation ...................... 67
Pairing a Phone ............................... 69
Making a Call .................................. 70
SMS Text Messaging and E-Mail ... 73
Siri™ Eyes Free ............................... 74
ACURALINK
®* ................................. 75
AcuraLink Messages ....................... 75
Subscription Features .................... 76
NAVIGATION* ................................77
Basic Navigation Operation ..........77
Entering a Destination .................. 80
Routing ............................................ 82
DRIVING .......................................... 84
Before Driving ................................. 84
Maximum Load Limit ..................... 86
Towing a Trailer .............................. 88
10 || 11 SAFETY SAFETY
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND
INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT
PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE
UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Side Airbags
The side airbags help protect the upper torso and pelvis of the driver or a front
passenger during a moderate-to-severe side impact. They are housed in the
outside edge of the driver’s and front passenger’s seat-backs. Both are marked
SIDE AIRBAG.
Side Curtain Airbags
Side curtain airbags help protect the head and torso of the driver and passengers in
outer seating positions during a moderate-to-severe side impact. The side curtain
airbags equipped in this vehicle are also designed to help reduce the likelihood
of partial and complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in
crashes, particularly rollover crashes.
The side curtain airbags are located in the ceiling
above the side windows on both sides of the
vehicle.
The side curtain airbags are designed to deploy
in a rollover or moderate-to-severe side impact.
If the SRS control unit senses that your vehicle is
about to roll over, it immediately deploys both side
curtain airbags and activates both front seat belt
tensioners. If the impact is on the passenger’s side,
the passenger’s side curtain airbag will infl ate even
if there are no occupants on that side of the vehicle.
To get the best protection from the side curtain
airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts
properly and sit upright and well back in their seats.
Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof pillars, as they can interfere
with the proper operation of the side curtain airbags.
When side curtain airbags deploy in a frontal collision
One or both side curtain airbags may infl ate in a moderate-to-severe angled
frontal collision. In this case, the side curtain airbags will deploy slightly after the
front airbags.
Side curtain airbag storage
Deployed side curtain airbags
Important Facts About Your Airbags
Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as far back from the
steering wheel as possible while allowing full control of the vehicle. A front
passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as possible.
Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front airbag.
Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp
object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag infl ates.
Do not attach or place objects on the front and driver’s knee airbag covers.
Objects on the covers marked SRS AIRBAG could interfere with the proper
operation of the airbags or be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone if
the airbags infl ate.
Do not attach accessories on or near the side airbags. They can interfere with
the proper operation of the airbags, or hurt someone if an airbag infl ates.
Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof pillars. They can
interfere with the proper operation of the side curtain airbags.
Do not cover or replace the front seat-back covers. This can prevent your side
airbags from properly deploying during a side impact.
Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in serious injury or death if the airbag
systems or tensioners do not work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as possible if the SRS indicator
alerts you to a possible problem.
WARNING
Airbag System Indicators
If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator comes on and a
message appears on the multi-information display.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Indicator
If the indicator comes on at any other time besides
vehicle start-up, or does not come on at all, have
the system checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
If you don’t, your airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when they are needed.An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passenger in a crash, even
if the passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while driving.
WARNING
Airbag System
(SRS) Problem
146 || 147 SPECIFICATIONS MAINTENANCE
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND
INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT
PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE
UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Testing of Readiness Codes
Your vehicle has “Readiness Codes” as part of the onboard self-diagnostic system.
Some states refer to these codes as a test to see if your vehicle’s emissions
components are working properly. The codes may not be read if you go through the
emissions testing just after the battery has gone dead or been disconnected.
To check if they are set, set the power mode to ON without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will come on for several seconds. If it goes off, the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks fi ve times, the readiness codes are not set.
If you are required to have your vehicle emissions tested before the readiness codes
are set, prepare the vehicle for retesting by doing the following:
1. Fill the gas tank to approximately 3/4 full.
2. Park the vehicle and leave the engine off for 6 hours or more.
3. Make sure the ambient temperature is between 40°F and 95°F (4°C and 35°C).
4. Start the engine without touching the accelerator pedal, and let it idle for 20
seconds.
5. Keep the vehicle in Park (P). Increase the engine speed to 2,000 rpm, and hold it
there for about 3 minutes.
6. Let the engine idle with your foot off the accelerator for 20 seconds.
7. Select a nearby, lightly traveled major highway where you can maintain a speed
of 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h) for at least 20 minutes. Drive on the highway
with the vehicle in Drive. Do not use cruise control. When traffi c allows, drive
for 90 seconds without using the accelerator pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is OK.) If you cannot do this for a continuous 90 seconds because of
traffi c conditions, drive for at least 30 seconds, then repeat two more times (for
a total of 90 seconds).
8. Drive in city/suburban traffi c for at least 10 minutes. When traffi c conditions
allow, let the vehicle coast for several seconds without using the accelerator
pedal or the brake pedal.
9. Park the vehicle and leave the engine off for 30 minutes.
The readiness codes are erased when the battery is disconnected, and set again
only after several days of driving under a variety of conditions.
If an emissions testing facility determines that the readiness codes are not set, you
may be requested to return at a later date to complete the test, or see your dealer.
Vehicle
*1: 2WD models
*2: AWD models
ModelAcura MDX
No. of Passengers:
2 t n o r F
Rear 2nd Row 3
3rd Row 2
7 l a t o T
Weights:Gross Vehicle
Weight RatingU.S.:5,368 lbs (2,435 kg )*15,677 lbs (2,575 kg )*2Canada:2,575 kgGross Axle Weight
Rating (Front)U.S.:2,811 lbs (1,275 kg )*12,910 lbs (1,320 kg )*2Canada:1,320 kgGross Axle Weight
Rating (Rear)U.S.:2,734 lbs (1,240 kg )*12,965 lbs (1,345 kg )*2Canada:1,345 kg
Gross Combined
Weight RatingU.S.: 8,036 lbs (3,645 kg )*19,833 lbs (4,460 kg )*2Canada:4,460 kgAir Conditioning:Refrigerant TypeHFC-134a (R-134a)Charge Quantity23.8 – 25.6 oz (675 – 725 g)Lubricant TypePAG RL897
Fluids
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Recommended·Genuine Acura Motor Oil 0W-20
·API Premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil
CapacityChange 5.4 US qt (5.1 )
Change
including
filter5.7 US qt (5.4 )
SpecifiedAcura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2
Ratio 50/50 with distilled water
Capacity1.93 US gal (7.3 )
(change including the remaining 0.19 US gal
(0.72 ) in the reserve tank)
Washer Fluid
Tank CapacityU.S.: 4 US qt (3.8 )
Canada: 5.6 US qt (5.3 )
Brake FluidSpecifiedAcura Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Differential Fluid
*
Transfer Assembly Fluid*
SpecifiedAcura Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF-TYPE 3.1
or higher
Capacity Change 3.5 US qt (3.3 )
SpecifiedAcura DPSF-II
Capacity Change 1.92 US qt (1.82 )
Specified·Acura Hypoid Gear Oil HGO-1
·Hypoid gear oil SAE 75W-85 or SAE 90
(API grade GL4 or GL5)
Capacity Change 0.45 US qt (0.43 )
SPECIFICATIONS
Tires
*1: Model with 18 inch wheel
*2: Model with 19 inch wheel
RegularSize245/60R18 105H*1245/55R19 103H*2Pressure
psi (kPa [kgf/cm2])35 (240 [2.4])
Compact
Spare
*Size T165/80D17 104M
Pressure
psi (kPa [kgf/cm
2])60 (420 [4.2])
Wheel SizeRegular18 x 8J*119 x 8J*2Compact Spare*17 x 4T
Engine and Fuel
Engine
FuelDisplacement211.8 cu-in (3,471 cm3)
Spark Plugs NGK DILZKR7B11G
TypeUnleaded premium gasoline, Pump octane
number of 91 or higher
Fuel Tank Ca
pacity19.5 US gal (73.8 )
Light Bulbs
Headlights (High/Low Beam)LED
Fog Lights*LEDFront Turn Signal/Side Marker/
Parking Lights28/8 W (Amber)
Daytime Running Lights LED
Side Turn Signal Lights (on Door
Mirrors)LED
Brake Lights 21 W
Rear Side Marker LightsLED
D E L s t h g i l l i a T
Back-Up Lights21 W
Rear Turn Signal Lights 21 W
High-Mount Brake LightLED
Rear License Plate Light LED
Puddle Lights*LED
Interior Lights
Front, Second Row and Third
Row LightsLED
Front and Rear Ambient Lights LED
Vanity Mirror Lights 1.4 W
Door Courtesy Lights 3.4 W
Door Inner Handle Lights LED
Console Compartment Light 1.4 W
Glove Box Light 1.4 W
Foot Lights 5 W
Car
go Area Lights 5 W
*if equipped
148 || 149 CLIENT INFORMATION CLIENT INFORMATION
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INDEX
VISUAL INDEX
VOICE COMMAND
INDEX
SAFETY
INFORMATION
CLIENT
INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT
PANEL
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
CONTROLS
MAINTENANCE
AUDIO AND
CONNECTIVITY
HANDLING THE
UNEXPECTED
BLUETOOTH®
HANDSFREELINK®
DRIVING
ACURALINK®
NAVIGATION
Learn about information specifi c to you as an Acura client and how to get help.
Frequently Asked Questions/ Troubleshooting
Below are some frequently asked questions and troubleshooting items that you
may have about the vehicle.
Q: How do I set the vehicle clock?
A: For vehicles without navigation, see page 51. For vehicles with navigation, the
time is automatically set using GPS signals.
Q: Why doesn’t the vehicle start when I press the ENGINE START/STOP button?
A: The brake pedal must be pressed to start the engine.
Q: What is the AUTO setting on my headlight lever?
A: When in the AUTO position, the vehicle’s exterior lights will automatically turn
on or off depending on the ambient lighting.
Q: Why won’t the driver’s door unlock when I grab the door handle, even though the
keyless access remote is within range?
A: If you pull the handle too quickly, the system may not have time to confi rm the
door is unlocked. Wait to hear a beep to confi rm the door is unlocked. If you are
wearing gloves, the system may be slow to respond.
Q: After my battery was disconnected or went dead, the audio system is asking for a
code. Where do I nd this?
A: In most cases, you do not need to enter a code. Turn on the vehicle and the audio
system, and press and hold the power button until the system reactivates.
Q: Why can’t I operate Pandora through the audio system?
A: Audio may be streaming through Bluetooth® Audio. Make sure Pandora mode
is selected and the phone cable is properly connected to the USB adapter. Some
phones may prompt you to “Allow” a connection.
Q: Is my phone compatible with Bluetooth features?
A: Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink (U.S) or www.handsfreelink.ca (Canada) to
check phone compatibility for Bluetooth® Audio, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®,
and SMS text messaging.
Q: Every time I press the Talk button, the system gives me voice prompts. Can I turn
these off?*
A: Press SETTINGS. Use the interface dial to select System Settings then Voice Rec.
For the Voice Prompt option, select Off.
CLIENT INFORMATION
*if equipped
Q: Why can’t I select an item using the interface dial?*
A: To prevent driver distraction, certain items are limited are inoperable while the
vehicle is moving. Use voice commands or pull over to select the items.
Q: Where can I nd the vehicle identi cation number (VIN)?
A: Check the label on the driver’s doorjamb.
*if equipped
Contact Us
Acura dealer personnel are trained professionals. They should be able to answer
all your questions. If you encounter a problem that your dealership does not solve
to your satisfaction, please discuss it with the dealership’s service manager or
general manager. If you are dissatisfi ed with the decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact Acura Client Relations/Services.
U.S. Owners:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Relations
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238
In Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands:
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-7546Canadian Owners:
Honda Canada, Inc.
Acura Client Services
180 Honda Blvd.
Markham, ON
L6C 0H9
Tel: (888)-922-8729
Fax: (877)-939-0909
E-Mail: [email protected]
When you call or write, please give us the following information:
• Vehicle Identifi cation Number
• Date of purchase
• Odometer reading of your vehicle
• Your name, address, and telephone number
• A detailed description of the problem
• Name of the dealer who sold the vehicle to you