ignition Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Manual

Your seat belt system includes lap/
shoulder belts in all seven seating
positions. The f ront seat belts are
also equipped with automatic seat
belt tensioners.The seat belt system
includes an indicator on the
instrument panel and a beeper to
remind you and your passengers to
f asten your belts. The lap/shoulder belts in the center
seat of the second row and both of
the third row seats are equipped with
a detachable anchor that has two
parts: a small latch plate and a
buckle.
The detachable anchor should
normally be latched whenever the
seats-backs are in an upright position.To fasten the belt, insert the latch
plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is
latched (see page f or how to
properly position the belt).
To unlock the belt, push the red
PRESSbuttononthebuckle.Guide
the belt across your body so that it
retracts completely. Af ter exiting the
vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the
way and will not get closed in the
door.
All seat belts have an emergency
locking retractor. In normal driving,
the retractor lets you move f reely in
your seat while it keeps some
tension on the belt. During a collision
or sudden stop, the retractor
automatically locks the belt to help
restrain your body.
If you turn the ignition to ON (II)
bef ore f astening your seat belt, the
beeper will sound and the indicator
will f lash. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator will stop f lashing but
remain on.
The lap and shoulder belt goes over
your shoulder, across your chest,
and across your hips.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator will f lash
again at regular intervals. 16
CONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Seat Belts
Seat Belt System Components L ap/Shoulder Belt
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
21

CONT INUED
Automatic front seat belt
tensioners (see page ).Weight sensors that monitor the
weight on the f ront passenger’s
seat. If the weight of an inf ant or
small child is detected, the
passenger’s f ront airbag will be
turned of f (see page ).
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe front impact or
side impact.
Height and position sensors that
can detect whether a child is in the
passenger’s side airbag path and
signal the control unit to turn the
airbag off (see page ).
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 (see page
). A rollover sensor that can detect if
your vehicle is about to roll over
and signal the control unit to
deploy both side curtain airbags
and f ront seat belt tensioners (see
page ).
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, the seat belt
tensioners, and driver and f ront
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is in ON (II). Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
An indicator on the instrument
panel that alerts you that the
passenger’s side airbag has been
turned of f (see page ).
An indicator on the dashboard that
alerts you that the passenger’s
f ront airbag has been turned of f
(see page ).
22
33
28 33
3332
31
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
25

If you see any of these indications,
the airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when you
need them.
The SRS indicator alerts
you to a potential problem
with your airbags, sensors, or seat
belt tensioners.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), this indicator will come on
brief ly then go out. This tells you the
system is working properly.
If the indicator comes on at any
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked
by your dealer. For example:
If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition to
ON (II).
If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive. This indicator
alerts you that the
passenger’s side airbag has been
automatically shut off. It does
mean there is a problem with your
side airbags.
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 come on, stays on, or
comes on while driving without a
passenger in the f ront seat, have the
system checked. 60
How the Side Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
How the SRS Indicator Works
not
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
32
U.S.
CanadaIgnoring 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.

µ
Children
who play in vehicles can
accidentally get trapped inside.
Teach your children not to play in
or around vehicles.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash. Even very young
children learn how to unlock
vehicle doors, turn on the ignition
switch, and open the tailgate,
which can lead to accidental injury
or death.
Leaving children without
adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces,
and can be very hazardous.
For example, infants and small
childrenleftinavehicleonahot
day can die f rom heatstroke. A
child lef t alone with the key in the
ignition can accidentally set the
vehicle in motion, possibly injuring
themselves or others.
Protecting Children General Guidelines
L ock all doors and t ailgat e when
your vehicle is not in use.
Never let two children use the
same seat belt . K eep vehicle keys and remot e
transmitters out of the reach ofchildren.
Do not leave children alone in a vehicle.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
39

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58
............................
Instrument Panel .59
....................
Instrument Indicators .60
.............................................
Gauges .68
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .70
Windshield Wipers and ...................................
Washers .71
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .73
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 74
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 76
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 76
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
.........................................
Fog Light .77
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 78
..................................................
Keys .79
........................
Immobilizer System .80
................................
Ignition Switch .81
......................................
Door Locks .82
.......................
Remote Transmitter .83
.................................................
Seats .86
....................................
Seat Heaters .91
..............................
Power Windows .92
.........................................
Moonroof .93
.................................
Parking Brake .94 .............................................
Mirrors .95
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .97
.................................
Interior Lights .99
.........
Interior Convenience Items . 101
.....................
Beverage Holders .102
.............
Console Compartment . 102
..................................
Glove Box .102
...................
Rear Compartment . 103
.............................
Cargo Hooks .103
...................................
Sun Visor .103
............................
Vanity Mirror .103
........
Accessory Power Sockets . 104
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
57

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your seat belt,
the beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals.See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
reminds you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts. A beeper also
sounds if you have not f astened your
seat belt.
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), see page f or
more inf ormation. If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a
potential problem with your f rontairbags or automatic seat belt
tensioners. This indicator will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your side airbags, passenger’s side
airbag automatic cutoff system,
driver’s seat position sensor, f ront
passenger’s weight sensors, or side
curtain airbags. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut off. For more
inf ormation, see page .
273
272
272 32 32
32
Instrument Panel Indicators
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Side A irbag Of f
Indicator
60
U.S.
Canada

This indicator has two f unctions:This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
It is a reminder to check the
parking brake. A beeper sounds if
you try to drive with the parking
brake not fully released. Driving
with the parking brake not fully
released can damage the brakes
and tires. This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It will go of f if you
have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer. With
the indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock. For more inf ormation, see
page .
If the indicator remains on after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
20980
274
Instrument Panel Indicators
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
U.S. Canada

If a brake light does not work, theindicator comes on
when you push the brake pedal with
the ignition switch to ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Replace the bulb as
soon as possible (see page ). The appropriate indicator comes on
in this display if the tailgate or any
door is not closed tightly.
All of the indicators in the monitor
display come on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II).
When you press the Hazard Warning
button, both turn signal lights blink.
All turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash. The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicator does not
blink or blinks rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page ). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling. 246
247
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Brake L amp Indicator Door and Tailgate Open Monitor
Instrument Panel Indicators
62
BRAKE LAMP

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
with the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See pagef or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See page
f or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon. This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
fluidwhenyouseethisindicator
comes on (see page ).
146 74
76 241
Canadian models only
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator High Beam Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Washer Level Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63

This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. The indicator
should come on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II). If it comes on while driving,
it indicates the transmission f luid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If this
indicator comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the 4WD
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer to have it checked.
If the indicator blinks while driving,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. This indicator
will also come on when the light
switch is in AUTO and the lights
turn on automatically.
If you turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
without turning of f the light switch,
this indicator will remain on. A
reminder chime will also sound when
you open the driver’s door.
U.S. models only
U.S. Models except Touring
Lights On Indicator A/T Temperature
IndicatorVTM-4 Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
64
Continuing to drive with the VTM-4
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
Continuing to drive with the A/T
Temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.