weight Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Manual

Devices intended to improve
occupant comf ort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can
reduce the protective capability of
the seat belt and increase the
chance of serious injury in a crash.
Carrying hard or sharp
objects on your lap, or driving with
a pipe or other sharp objects in
your mouth, can result in injuries
if your f ront airbag inf lates.
Do not place the rear f loor mat
under the f ront passenger’s seat.
This could make the front
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective. Make sure the rear
f loor mat is hooked over the f loor
mat anchor (see page ). If your
hands or arms are close to an
airbag cover, they could be injured
if the airbag inf lates. If a side airbag or a
side curtain airbag inf lates, a cup
holder or other hard object
attached on or near the door could
be propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone.
This could cause
problems with the driver’s seat
position sensor or the f ront
passenger’s seat weight sensors.
(See page f or more inf ormation.) This could make the driver’s seat
position sensor or the f ront
passenger’s seat weight sensors
inef f ective (see page f or more
inf ormation).
Objects on
the covers marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’
could interf ere with the proper
operation of the airbags or be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone if the airbags inf late.
3232
218
Protecting A dults and Teens
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Do not put any accessories on seat belts.
Do not place hard or sharp object sbet ween yourself and a f rontairbag. K eep your hands and arms away
f rom t he airbag covers. Do not at t ach hard object s on or
near a door.
Do not place any it ems under t hefront seats.
Do not modif y t he f ront seat s.
Do not at t ach or place object s on
the f ront airbag covers.
18

Your Airbag System (SRS) includes:Two side airbags, one f or the
driver and one f or a f ront
passenger. The airbags are stored
in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked ‘‘SIDE
AIRBAG’’ (see page ). Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG’’ (see page ).
Two side curtain airbags, one f or
each side of the vehicle. The
airbags are stored in the f ront, and
rear pillars and above the windows.
The f ront and rear pillars on both
sides are marked ‘‘SIDE
CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page ).
Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ). 23
27
20
28
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
A irbag System Components
22
(5)
(3)
(4)
(4)
(5)(2)
(10) (8) (10)(8)(9)
(11)
(7)
(9)(1)
(6)
(1) Driver’s Front Airbag
(2) Passenger’s Front Airbag
(3) Control Unit
(4) Seat Belt Tensioners
(5) Side Airbags
(6) Side Curtain Airbags
(7) Driver’s Seat Position Sensor
(8) Front Passenger’s Seat Weight Sensors
(9) Front Impact Sensor
(10) Side Impact Sensors
(11) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
frontpassengerseatbeltusewhen
the ignition is in the ON (II)
position.If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, sensors will
detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the
control unit will instantly inf late the
driver’s and f ront passenger’s f ront
airbags, at the appropriate time and
with the f orce needed.
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal impact,
side impact or rollover.
A driver’s seat position sensor that
monitors the distance of the seat
from the front airbag. If the seat is
too f ar f orward, the airbag will
inf late with less f orce.
Sensors that can detect whether a
child’s head is in the deployment
path of the passenger’s side airbag
and automatically turn the airbag
of f (see page ). Front passenger’s weight sensors
that monitor the weight on the
f ront passenger’s seat. These
prevent the passenger’s f ront
airbag from inflating if the weight
is less than about 65 lbs (30 kg)
(see page ).
An indicator on the dashboard that
alerts you that the passenger’s
f ront airbag has been turned of f
(see page ). An indicator on the instrument
panel that alerts you that the f ront
passenger’s side airbag has been
turned of f (see page ). Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash. The SRS indicator on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with your
airbags (see page ).
26
29
30
27 28
CONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
How Your Front Airbags Work
23

The driver’s advanced front airbag
system includes a seat position
sensor under the seat. If the seat is
positioned too f ar f orward, the
airbag will inf late sequentially,
regardless of the severity of the
impact.When the airbag is turned of f , an
indicator in the center of the
dashboard will come on indicating
‘‘Passenger Airbag Of f ’’ (see page
).
To ensure that the passenger’s
advanced front airbag system will
work properly,
This includes: A rear passenger pushing or
pulling on the back of the
passenger’s seat.
Moving the f ront seat f orcibly
back against cargo on the seat or
f loor behind it.
Hanging heavy items on the f ront
passenger seat, or placing heavy
items in the seat-back pocket.
If there is no passenger in the f ront
seat, the
but the
indicator .
The passenger’s advanced f ront
airbag system has weight sensors
under the seat. If the sensors detect
a total weight on the seat of about 65
lbs ( 30kg) or less, the system will
automatically turn the passenger’s
front airbag off.
If there is a problem with the sensor,
the SRS indicator will come on in the
instrument panel and the airbag will
inf late in the normal manner
regardless of the driver’s seating position.
30
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
do not do anyt hing
t hat would increase or decrease t he weight on t he f ront passenger’s seat . airbag will be of f
will not come on
26
DRIVER’S
SEAT
POSITION
SENSOR PASSENGER’S
SEAT WEIGHT
SENSOR

To reduce the chance of airbag-
caused injuries, the system shuts of f
the passenger’s f ront airbag when
the total weight on the f ront
passenger’s seat is about 65 lbs
(30 kg) or less.
If no one is riding in the f ront
passenger’s seat, the airbag will be
automatically shut off, but the
indicator light will not come on.
However, if the light comes on with
no passenger in the f ront, or with an
adult in the seat, there may be a
problem with the advanced airbag
system. Have the vehicle checked by
the dealer as soon as possible.
The Passenger Airbag Of f indicator
may also come on and of f repeatedly
if total weight on the seat is near the
airbag cutof f threshold (65 lbs or 30
kg).
This indicator alerts you that the
passenger’s f ront airbag has been
shut of f . It does not mean there is a
problem with the airbag.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the indicator should come
on brief ly and go out (see page ).
If it doesn’t light, stays on, or comes
on while driving without a passenger
in the front seat, have the system
checked. A f ront seat passenger should not
use a cushion or other object as a
backrest. It may prevent the cutof f
system f rom working properly.
58How the Passenger Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety30
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

your dealer
should inspect the driver’s seat
position sensor and the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors to
make sure they are operating
properly.
Take your vehicle to an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance-f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:
Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. If a
f ront airbag inf lates, the seat belt
tensioners must also be replaced.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an Acura dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop.
If this happens, have the passenger
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. If the passenger must ride in
front, move the seat as far to the
rear as possible, have the passenger
sit upright and wear the seat belt
properly.
This indicator may come on and of f
repeatedly if objects are placed on
the front passenger’s seat, or if the
interior temperature of the vehicle
changes suddenly when a door is
opened.
See page f or more inf ormation
about the passenger’s advanced
f ront airbag.
25
If your vehicle has a moderat e t o
severe impact , and even if yourairbags do not inf late,
T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o a problem.
An airbag ever inf lates.Airbag Service
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety31

Pushing or
pulling on the back of the seat,
placing heavy items in the back
seat pocket, pushing cargo against
the seat, or hanging heavy items
on the seat back can interf ere with
the proper operation of the
passenger’s advanced front airbag.
Do not remove or modif y a f ront
seat without consulting an Acura
dealer. This could make the driver’s
seat position sensor or the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective. If it is necessary to
remove or modif y a f ront seat to
accommodate a person with
disabilities, f irst contact Acura
Client Services at 800-382-2238.
Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.
If water or another liquid
or spilled water soaks into a seat-
back, it can prevent the side airbag
cutof f system f rom working
properly.
This could make the
driver’s seat position sensor and
the f ront passenger’s weight
sensors inef f ective. This could make the front
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective.
Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision.
This could make the driver’s seat
position sensor and the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective.
Do not do anyt hing t hat would
increase or decrease weight on t hef ront passenger’s seat .
Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason.
Do not expose t he f ront seat -backsto liquid.
Do not place any it ems under t hefront seats. Do not place t he second row f loor
mat under t he f ront passenger’sseat .
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -back covers wit hout consult ing anAcura dealer.
Do not modif y t he f ront seat s.Additional Saf ety Precautions
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety32

µ
With this system, the front
passenger’s airbag is turned of f if
sensors detect a total weight of less
thanabout65lbs(30kg)intheseat.
(See page f or additional
inf ormation about how the f ront
passenger’s advanced airbag works.)
Even if the passenger’s f ront airbag
is turned of f , we strongly
recommend that children age 12 and
under ride properly restrained in a
back seat where they will be saf er.
Front airbags have been designed to
help protect adults in a moderate to
severe f rontal collision. To do this,
the passenger’s f ront airbag is quite
large, and it can inflate with enough
f orce to cause very serious injuries.
To help prevent airbag-caused
injuries to children, this vehicle has
an advanced airbag system.
According to accident statistics,
children of all ages and sizes are
saf er when they are restrained in a
back seat. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration and
Transport Canada recommend that
all children age 12 and under be
properly restrained in a back seat.
Children who ride in the second or
thirdrowarelesslikelytobeinjured
by striking interior vehicle parts
during a collision or hard braking.
Also, children cannot be injured by
an inf lating airbag when they ride in
the back. 25
The Passenger’s Front Airbag
Can Pose Serious Risks
All Children Should Sit in a Back
Seat
Protecting Children General Guidelines
Driver and Passenger Saf ety34

Only a rear-f acing child seat provides
proper support f or a baby’s head,
neck, and back.
An inf ant must be properly
restrained in a rear-f acing, reclining
child seat until the child reaches the
seat maker’s weight or height limit
f or the seat, and the child is at least
one year old.Two types of seats may be used: a
seat designed exclusively f or inf ants,
or convertible seat used in the rear-
f acing, reclining mode.
If placed
f acing f orward, an inf ant could be
very seriously injured during a
f rontal collision. When properly installed, a rear-
f acing child seat may prevent the
driver or a f ront passenger f rom
moving the seat as far back as
recommended, or f rom locking the
seat-back in the desired position. A rear-f acing child seat should
always be installed in a back seat, not
in the front. Even with advanced
airbags, which can automatically
turn the passenger’s f ront airbag of f
(see page ), a back seat is the
saf est place f or an inf ant.
In either of these situations, we
strongly recommend that you install
the child seat in a dif f erent back
seating position or get a smaller rear-
f acing child seat.30
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
Protecting Inf ants
Child Seat T ype
Do not put a rear-f acing child seat ina f orward-f acing position. Child Seat Placement
38
Placing a rear-facing child seat
in the front seat can result in
serious injury or death during a
collision.
Always place a rear-facing child
seat in the back seat, not the
front.

A child who is at least one year old,
and who fits within the child seat
maker’s weight and height limits,
should be restrained in a f orward-
f acing, upright child seat.Of the different seats available, we
recommend those that have a f ive-
point harness system as shown.
We also recommend that a small
child uses the child seat as long as
possible, until the child reaches the
weight or height limit f or the seat.
We strongly recommend placing a
forward-facing child seat in a back
seat,notthefront.Evenwith
advanced airbags, which can
automatically turn the passenger’s
front airbag off (see page ), a
back seat is the safest place for a
small child.
If it is necessary to put a f orward-
f acing child seat in the f ront, move
the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, be sure the child seat is
f irmly secured to the vehicle, and the
child is properly strapped in the seat.30
CONT INUED
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Protecting Small Children
Child Seat T ype Child Seat Placement
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
39
Placing a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat can result
in serious injury or death if the
front airbag inflates.
Ifyoumustplaceaforward-
facing child seat in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, and properly restrain
the child.