Acura MDX 2008 Owner's Manual

Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the
instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer’s staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Congratulations! Your selection of a 2008 Acura MDX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Introduction
i
\f—\f—\fy\f\fy
()-
\fy\f\f\fy
2008 MDX

Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
def ects or other reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record inf ormation about powertrain perf ormance. The data
can be used to verif y emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may
also be combined with data f rom other sources f or research purposes, but it remains conf idential.
Introduction
WARNING:
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly ref erred to as event data recorders. These
devices record f ront seat belt use, f ront passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the f ailure
of any airbag system component.
ii
\f—\f—\fy\f\fy
()-
\fy\f\f\fy
2008 MDX

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement. You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. on the vehicle.
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions
Saf ety L abels
AFewWordsAboutSafety
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
iii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.
\f—\f—\fy\f\fy
()-
\fy\f\f\fy
2008 MDX

Your MDX has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed f or use only on pavement. Higher ground
clearance has many advantages f or of f -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 of f the ground, it has a high
center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a
signif icantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is signif icantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear
seat belts.
For inf ormation on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read ‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page of this manual and thesection on page . Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of
control or an accident. 338
377
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Important Handling Inf ormation
iv
\f—\f—\fy\f\fy
()-
\fy\f\f\fy
2008 MDX

2008 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
..... 61
Features (
climate control,audio,rear entertainment,steering wheel,security,cruise control,and other convenience items
)
......... 169
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 321
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 337
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 381
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................... 423
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 449
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 465
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 469
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-STX-6102

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, rear
entertainment system, and other
convenience f eatures. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
T aking Care of the Unexpected Warranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
Overview of Contents
2
\f—\f—\fy\f
y
()-
\fy\f\f\fy
2008 MDX

Î
Î
Î Î
Î
CONT INUED: If equipped
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE AUDIO SYSTEM
GAUGES INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
HEADPHONE CONNECTORS
AUXILIARY INPUT JACKS
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEMMIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL REAR CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
MOONROOF SWITCH
POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE HANDLE
(P.63)
(P.72)
(P.130)
(P.132) PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIRBAG
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
(P.9,27) HomeLink
BUTTONS
(P.157)
(P.153)
(P.149)
(P.323)
(P.325) (P.153)(P.267) (P.268)
(P.276)
(P.152)
(P.154)
(P.9,27) (P.170)
(P.180)
(P.341)
(P.175)
 — — y 
y
()-
 y   y
2008 MDX

Î
Î
Î Î
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
1:
If equipped
2:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE HANDLE POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
MIRROR CONTROLS PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS
HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL/
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTSHORN
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P.117)
(P.130) (P.132) (P.124) (P.122)
(P.122)
(P.34)
(P.123)
(P.116)
(P.118)
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKETS
HEADLIGHT WASHER
SWITCH
POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON ACTIVE DAMPER
SYSTEM SWITCH
(P.360)
(P.155)
(P.157)
(P.153) (P.149)(P.323) (P.233)
(P.325) (P.166)
(P.148)
(P.361)
(P.270)
1
2
2 2
\f—\f—\fy\f

y
()-
\fy\f\f\fy
2008 MDX

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features .7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors .11
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats .12
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs .13
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints .14
5. Fasten and Position the Seat
.....................................
Belts .15
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .18
...
Additional Safety Precautions .19 Additional Inf ormation About
.......................
Your Seat Belts .20
..
Seat Belt System Components .20
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .21
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .22
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance .23
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .24
......
Airbag System Components .24
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .27
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .32
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .33
How The Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .33
How the Passenger Airbag ...............
Of f Indicator Works .34
.............................
Airbag Service .35
...
Additional Safety Precautions .35
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .37
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .37 All Children Should Sit in a
.................................
Back Seat .38
The Passenger’s Front Airbag .........
Can Pose Serious Risks .38
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .40
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .40
...
Additional Safety Precautions .41
Protecting inf ants and .........................
Small Children .42
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .42
.........
Protecting Small Children .43
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .45
....................
Installing a Child Seat .46
...............................
With LATCH .47
.
With a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt .50
..............................
With a Tether .51
...........
Protecting Larger Children .54
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit .54
..................
Using a Booster Seat .55
..
When Can a Child Sit in Front .56
...
Additional Safety Precautions .57
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .58
...................................
Saf ety Labels .59
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
5
 — — y 
y
()-
 y  
 y
2008 MDX

µ
You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passengers
always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly (see page ). Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat, not the front seat. Infants and
smallchildrenshouldberestrained
in a child seat. Larger children
should use a booster seat and a lap/
shoulder belt until they can use the
belt properly without a booster seat
(see pages ).
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
15 3757
415
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Restrain All Children
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Control Your Speed
Don’t Drink and Drive
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Important Saf ety Precautions
6
\f—\f—\fy\f
y
()-
\fy\f\f

y
2008 MDX