instrument panel Acura MDX 2008 User Guide

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.For more inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. 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.
If your f ront passenger does not
f asten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds af ter the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position bef ore f astening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator f lashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
f lashing but remains on. If either of you do not f asten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will f lash
again at regular intervals, and you
will also see a ‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT’’ or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
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Instrument Panel Indicators
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
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If it stays on after you have fully
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. You will also see a ‘‘LOW
BRAKE FLUID’’ or ‘‘CHECK
BRAKE SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
pages).For more inf ormation,
see page .
If this indicator comes on when
the engine is running, the battery
is not being charged, and you will
also see a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. For more
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely
damaged if this indicator f lashes
or stays on when the engine is
running, or if a ‘‘CHECK ENGINE
OIL LEVEL’’ message is on the
multi-inf ormation display. For
more information, see page .
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page . This indicator has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not f ully
released can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
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Instrument Panel Indicators
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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U.S. Canada
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2008 MDX

This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a
potential problem with your f ront
airbags. This indicator will also alert
you to a potential problem with your
side airbags, passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system, side curtain
airbags, or automatic seat belt
tensioners. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator normally comes on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on
at any other time, there is a
problem in the ABS. If this
happens, take the vehicle to your
dealer to have it checked. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock f unction. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK ABS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut of f . You will also
see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
For more inf ormation, see page .
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Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Side Airbag Of f
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
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U.S. Canada
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2008 MDX

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
Take your vehicle to a dealer to have
it checked. Without VSA, your
vehicle still has normal driving ability,
but will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator may also come on if
there is a problem with the trailer
stability assist f unction (see page). This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator has f our f unctions.
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
It f lashes when trailer stability
assist is activating (see page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message and a
‘‘CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST’’ message on the multi- inf ormation display (see page ).
The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an 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.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle f lash.
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375 359
359 375 404
Instrument Panel Indicators
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two f unctions:This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. It should come on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission fluid
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.
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If this happens, pull to the side of
the road when it is saf e, check
which tire has lost pressure on the
multi-inf ormation display, and
determine the cause. If it is
because of a flat tire, have the flat
tire repaired as soon as possible. If
two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator begins to f lash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. The indicator continues to
f lash f or a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more inf ormation, see page
.
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-inf ormation display and
determinethecause(seepage).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
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2.
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Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator A/T Temperature
Indicator
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Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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If the indicator blinks while driving,
it indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high.
TEMP. HIGH’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page).
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 the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
display (see page ). Take your
For more inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when there
is a system message on the multi-
inf ormation display. Press the INFO
button on the steering wheel (see
page ) to see the message (see
page ).
Most of the time, this indicator
comes on along with other indicators
in the instrument panel such as the
seat belt reminder indicator, SRS
indicator, VSA system indicator, etc.
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348
Instrument Panel Indicators
Super Handling-All
Indicator
Message Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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damage to the system.
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vehicletoadealertohaveitchecked.
indicatorblinkingmaycauseserious
messageonthemulti-information
WheelDrive(SH-AWD®)
®theSH-AWD system. You will also
seea‘‘CHECKSH-AWD®SYSTEM’’
Youwillalsoseea‘‘SH-AWD®DIFF
ContinuingtodrivewiththeSH-AWD®
2008 MDX

This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button (see
page ).
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. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the f og lights. For more
inf ormation, see page . 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 the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position 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.
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then 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’s f uel system will be
disabled (see page).
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Instrument Panel Indicators
Cruise Control Indicator Cruise Main Indicator High Beam Indicator
Fog L ight Indicator Lights On Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the system. While this indicator is on,
the comfort button will not work, and
the system will remain in the sport
mode. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ADS SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer as
soon as possible. For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 1.8 US gal (7.0
)of fuel
remaining in the tank bef ore the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of f uel remaining in the tank
when the needle reaches E. You will
also see a ‘‘LOW FUEL’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ). This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
security system.
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Active Damper System
Indicator
L ow Fuel Indicator Security System Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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ÛÝÛÝ
ÛÝThe multi-inf ormation display in the
instrument panel displays various
inf ormation and messages when the
ignition switch is in the ON (II)
position. Some of the messages help
you operate your vehicle more
comf ortably.
Others help to keep you aware of the
periodic maintenance your vehicle
needs f or continued trouble-f ree
driving.
When you open the driver’s door, a
‘‘Welcome’’ message is shown on the
multi-inf ormation display. When you
turn the ignition switch from the ON
(II) position to the ACCESSORY (I)
position, a ‘‘Goodbye’’ message is
shownonthedisplay.
To change the display, press the
INFO( / )buttononthesteering
wheel repeatedly until the main
menu appears (see page ).With the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position, the multi-inf ormation
display changes as shown in the next
page each time you press the INFO
( / ) button or SEL/RESET
button.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, what you last
selected is displayed.
In the multi-information display, the
system message is also displayed
(see page ) and you can
customize your vehicle control
settings (see page ).
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CONT INUED
Multi-Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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INFO ( / )
BUTTON
SEL/
RESET
BUTTON
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ÛÝÛÝ
ÛÝ
If there is a problem with your
vehicle, f or example, the engine oil
level is low or a door is not f ully
closed, the multi-inf ormation display
will show you the problem. It does
this by interrupting the current
display with one or more messages. The system message(s) triggers the
appropriate indicator(s) on the
instrument panel, including the
system message indicator, to come
on. The system message indicator
does not go of f until the problem(s)
is corrected.
You will also hear a beep when the
system message comes on f or the
first time.
Most of the messages are displayed
f or about 5 seconds, and then the
normal display returns. If there are
several system messages to be
shown, the display switches these
messages every 5 seconds.
To cancel the message(s) bef ore 5
seconds elapsed, press the INFO
( / ) button on the steering wheel.
Even if you press the INFO ( / )
button, some messages stay on or
come on again at regular intervals
until the problem is corrected.
You can see the message(s) again by
pressing the INFO ( / ) button
repeatedly if the system message
indicator remains lit on the
instrument panel.
Here is a list of all messages:
Multi-Inf ormation Display
System Messages
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SYSTEM MESSAGE INDICATOR
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