steering Acura MDX 2008 Owner's Manual

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
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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
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Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
However, you and your passengers
can’t take f ull advantage of these
f eatures unless you remain sitting in
a proper position and. In fact, some safety
f eatures can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
The f ollowing pages explain how you
cantakeanactiveroleinprotecting
yourself and your passengers.
Some f eatures do not require any
action on your part. These include a
strong steel f ramework that f orms a
saf ety cage around the passenger
compartment, front and rear crush
zones, a collapsible steering column,
and tensioners that tighten the f ront
seat belts in a crash.
Your Vehicle’sSaf ety Features
always wear
your seat belts
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7
(7) (9)
(3) (1)
(2)
(6)
(10) (8)
(5)
(2)(11)
(4)
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats and Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Side Airbags
(9) Side Curtain Airbags
(10) Front Seat Belt Tensioners
(11) Door Locks
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The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.
To do their job, airbags must
inf late with tremendous f orce. So
while airbags help save lives, they
can cause minor injuries or more
serious or even fatal injuries if
occupants are not properly
restrained or sitting properly. Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as f ar back f rom the
steering wheel as possible while
allowing f ull control of the vehicle. A
f ront passenger should move their
seat as far back from the dashboard
as possible. The rest of this section gives more
detailed inf ormation about how you
can maximize your saf ety.
Remember, however, that no saf ety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in a severe
crash, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.
Your Vehicle’sSaf ety Features
Airbags do not replace seat belts.
A irbags of f er no prot ect ion in rearimpact s, or minor f ront al or sidecollisions.
Airbags can pose serious hazards. What you should do:
10
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If you sit too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard, you can be
seriously injured by an inf lating f ront
airbag, or by striking the steering
wheel or dashboard.Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a
comf ortable, upright position,
leaving ample space between your
chest and the airbag cover in the
center of the steering wheel.
Passengers with adjustable seat-
backs should also adjust their seat-
back to a comf ortable, upright
position.
If you cannot get f ar enough away
f rom the steering wheel and still
reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some
type of adaptive equipment may help.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
allow at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the center of the steering
wheel and the chest. In addition to
adjusting the seat, you can adjust the
steering wheel up and down, and in
and out (see page ).
See page f or how to adjust the
f ront seats.
124 140
CONT INUED
Adjust the Seat-Backs
3.
Protecting A dults and Teens
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
13
Sitting too close to a front
airbag can result in serious
injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.
Always sit as far back from the
front airbags as possible.
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Your Airbag System (SRS) includes: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 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 side curtain airbags, one f or
each side of the vehicle. The
airbags are stored in the roof
above the side windows. The f ront
and rear pillars are marked ‘‘SIDE
CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page ). 27
30
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Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
25
(12)
(13)
(16)
(15) (14)
(17)
(12) Front Impact Sensors
(13) Side Curtain Airbags
(14) Side Impact Sensors (First)
(15) Side Impact Sensors (Second)
(16) Roll Rate Sensor
(17) Safing Sensor
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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 .62
............................
Instrument Panel .63
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .64
.............................................
Gauges .72
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .73
Controls Near the Steering
.........................................
Wheel .115
Windshield Wipers and
.................................
Washers .116
Rear Window Wiper and ...................................
Washer .117
.........
Turn Signal and Headlights .118
...............
Hazard Warning Button .122
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .122
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .123
......
Steering Wheel Adjustments .124
.............................
Keys and Locks .126
......................
Immobilizer System .128
..............................
Ignition Switch .129
....................................
Door Locks .130
............
Childproof Door Locks .131
..........................................
Tailgate .131
..........................
Power Tailgate .132
.....................
Remote Transmitter .135
...............................................
Seats .140
...................
Detachable Anchor .146 ..................................
Seat Heaters .148
............................
Power Windows .149
.......................................
Moonroof .152
...............................
Parking Brake .153
...........................................
Mirrors .154
Driving Position Memory
........................................
System .157
...............................
Interior Lights .159
.........
Interior Convenience Items .162
.....................
Beverage Holders .163
.............
Console Compartment .164
..............
Storage Compartment .164
..................................
Glove Box .164
....................
Sunglasses Holder .165
.............................
Cargo Hooks .165
...................................
Sun Visor .166
............................
Vanity Mirror .166
........
Accessory Power Sockets .166
.......................
AC Power Outlet .167
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
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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.
81
73
8282
348
Instrument Panel Indicators
Super Handling-All
Indicator
Message Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69

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

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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80
CONT INUED
Multi-Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
INFO ( / )
BUTTON
SEL/
RESET
BUTTON
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