ignition Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Guide

With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.The dial on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights. Turn the dial
to adjust the brightness.Push the red button to the right of
the display to turn on the hazard
warning lights (f our-way f lashers).
This causes all f our outside turn
signals and both indicators in the
instrument panel to f lash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traf f ic, or if your vehicle is disabled.
Canadian Models
Daytime Running L ights
Instrument Panel Brightness Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button
74
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL DIAL

Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.Turn the f og lights on and of f by
pressing the button. The indicator in
the button lights to show the f og
lights are on.
You can use the f og lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
They will go of f when you turn the
headlights of f or onto high beam.
The rear window def ogger will clear
fog,frost,andthinicefromthe
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and off. The indicator in
the button lights to show the
def ogger is on. If you do not turn it
of f , the def ogger will shut itself of f
af ter about 15 minutes. It also shuts
of f when you turn of f the ignition.
You have to turn it on again when
you restart the vehicle. Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side to side.
Rear Window Def ogger
Fog Lights
Rear Window Def ogger, Fog Lights
Inst rument s and Cont rols75

The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the door
locks. You can keep the glove box
locked when you leave your vehicle
and the valet key at a parking f acility.Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only an Acura-approved key blank.
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 f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
Keys
Inst rument s and Cont rols77
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK) VALET KEY
(GRAY)

The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undriveable.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start the engine, contact your Acura
dealer.As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer Syst em
Inst rument s and Cont rols78

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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
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 f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II). Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) 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
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II) ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols79

The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear f rom accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position, the door
cannot be opened f rom the inside
regardless of the position of the lock
tab. To open the door, pull the lock
tab up and use the outside door
handle.
To lock all doors and the tailgate,
press the master door lock switch on
either f ront door, press the lock tab
down on the driver’s door, or use the
keyontheoutsidelockonthedriver’s
door.
Pressing up on either master door
lock switch will unlock all of the
doors and the tailgate. With the driver’s door open and the
key in the ignition, both master door
lock switches are disabled. They are
not disabled if the driver’s door is
closed. Pushing the switch down on
the open passenger’s door will lock
all doors and the tailgate.
To open the tailgate, pull the handle,
then lif t up. To close the tailgate, use
the inner handle to pull it down, then
press down on the back edge.
Keep the tailgate closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging the
tailgate and to prevent exhaust gas
f rom getting into the interior. See
on page
.
The lock tab on any door locks and
unlocks that door. To unlock the driver’s door f rom the outside, turn
the key and release it. If you turn
and hold it, all doors and the tailgate
unlock.
51
Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Childproof Door L ocks
Tailgate
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
L ockout Prevent ion
80
LOCK LEVER
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
LOCK TAB

µµ
µ Press this button once
to unlock the driver’s door and the
tailgate. Push it twice to unlock the
other doors. Some exterior and
interior lights will f lash twice when
you push the button. If you do not
open any door or the tailgate within
30 seconds, they will automatically
relock.
When you press the UNLOCK
button, the f ront and rear individual
map lights and the cargo area light,
depending on their switch positions,
will come on (see page ). If you
do not open any door or the tailgate,
the lights stay on for about 30
seconds, then go out. If you relock
thedoorsandthetailgatewiththe
remote transmitter before 30
seconds have elapsed, the lights will
go of f immediately. Pressthisbuttonfor
about 1 second to attract attention;
thehornwillsoundandtheexterior
lights will f lash f or about 30 seconds.
To cancel panic mode, press any
other button on the remote
transmitter or turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
Avoid dropping or throwing the
transmitter.
Protect the transmitter from
extreme temperature.
Do not immerse the transmitter in
any liquid.
Press this button once to
lock all doors and the tailgate. Some
exterior and interior lights will f lash.
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 f ully closed. If you lose a transmitter, the
replacement needs to be
reprogrammed by an Acura dealer.
96
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Remote Transmitter
UNL OCK
PA NIC
LOCK
Remote Transmitter Care
81
LED
UNLOCK
BUTTON PANIC
BUTTON LOCK
BUTTON

µ
See pages f or important saf ety
inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 11 12
The controls f or the power
adjustable front seats are on the
outside edge of each seat bottom.
You can adjust the seats with the
ignition switch in any position. Make
all seat adjustments bef ore you start
driving.
Adjusts the seat-back
angle f orward or
backward.
Moves the seat forward
and backward.
On the Touring Package, you can
only adjust the passenger seat-back
angle, lumbar support, and move the
seat bottom forward and backward.
Increases or decreases
the lumbar support.
(Driver’s touring seat
only)
Moves the f ront of the
seat up or down and the
rear of the seat up or
down.
Raises or lowers the seat.
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Front Seat Power A djustments
84

The left and right halves can be
f olded up separately.To get into the third row seats, pull
uptheleveronthesideof the
passenger’s side second row seat-
back. The seat-back will tilt f orward,
and the seat will slide f orward.
After you return the seat-back to the
upright position, push the whole seat
backwards until it latches. Make
sure the seat is f ully latched bef ore
sitting in it.
To change the seat-back angle of the
seats in the second row, pull up on
thehandleontheoutsideof theseat-
back. If you are f olding the lef t half of
the seat, use the ignition key to
release the center seat belt from
the detachable anchor. Allow the
seat belt to retract into the roof.
Insert the latch plate into the roof
holder.
Lower the head restraint to its
lowest position.
Pull up the handle on the outside
of the seat-back.
Fold the seat-back forward.
Reverse this procedure to return the
seat to the upright position. Make
sure the seat is locked securely
bef ore driving. 2.
3. 1.
4. Folding the Second Seat
A djusting the Second Seat T hird Row A ccess
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols87
HANDLERELEASE LEVER

Store the head restraints in the
storage compartment. Make sure
the head restraints are f ace up
(storing them face down can
damage the compartment or the
headrests), then insert the shaf ts
into the holes in the sides of the
storage compartment.
Pull on the handle on the back of the
seat-back, move the seat-back to the
desired position, and release the
handle. Let the seat-back latch in the
new position.
Use the ignition key to release the
seat belt from the detachable
anchor.Unlock the seat-back by pulling
the handle. Push the seat-back
forward.
Make sure the outer shoulder belts
are positioned on each hook
whenever the third seat is f olded.
Remove the head restraints by
pushing the release buttons and
pulling the restraints out. To f old the third row seat,
the second row must be f olded down
or completely up right.
Reverse this procedure to return the
seat to the upright position. Make
sure the seat is locked securely
bef ore driving. Reinstall the head
restraints. Reconnect the seat belts
to the detachable anchors.
Make sure all items in the cargo area
are secured. Loose items can f ly
f orward and cause injury if you have
to brake hard. See
on page .
1. 2.
3.4.
165
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
A djusting the T hird Row Seat
Folding the T hird Row Seat Carrying Cargo
88
NOTE:
HANDLE
THIRD
SEAT