instrument panel Acura MDX 2009 User Guide

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
information about your vehicle.
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on.
If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position. If either of you do not fasten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals, and you
will also see a
‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT ’’or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
For more information, see page20.
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Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running, or if a
‘‘ CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’
message is on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page436.Charging System
Indicator
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-information
display. For more information, see
page436.Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page437.
U.S. Canada
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
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 page81). 2. 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
pages81).For more information,
see page438.
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Instrument Panel Indicators
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Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly 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 front 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-information
display (see page81).For more
information, see page33.
U.S. Canada
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
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 off. You will also
see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
For more information, see page33.
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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 function. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81).
For more information, see page357.
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Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on and stays on at any
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-
information display (see page81).
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
information, see page359.
This indicator may also come on if
there is a problem with the trailer
stability assist function (see page
376).
VSA Activation Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more information, see
page359.
This indicator has four functions.
1. It comes on as a reminder that you have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
2. It flashes when VSA is active (see page359).
3. It flashes when trailer stability assist is activating (see page376).
4. 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-
information display (see page81).
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left 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 page404).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 flash.
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Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two functions:
1. If it comes on while driving, it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low
on pressure.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page82).
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-information display and
determine the cause (see page352). If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
information 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
underinflated, call a professional
towing service. For more
information, see page446.
2. If this indicator begins to flash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display. The indicator continues to
flash for a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more information, see page
354.
A/T Temperature
Indicator
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission fluid. It should come on
for a few 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 safe, shift
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-
information display (see page82).
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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Message Indicator
This indicator comes on when there
is a system message on the multi-
information display. Press the INFO
button on the steering wheel (see
page73)to see the message (see
page81).
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.
Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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 SH-AWD system. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page82).Take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it checked.
For more information, see page348. If the indicator blinks while driving,
it indicates the differential
temperature is too high.
You will also see a
‘‘SH-AWD DIFF
TEMP. HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page82).
Pull to the side of the road when it is
safe, shift to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
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Instrument Panel Indicators
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Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go off 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 fuel system will be
disabled (see page128).
Lights On Indicator
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
off the light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the
driver's door.Fog Light Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. For more
information, see page120.
High Beam Indicator
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page118.Cruise Main Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button (see
page270).Cruise Control Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page270
for information on operating the
cruise control.
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Active Damper System
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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-information display.
Have the vehicle checked by your
dealer as soon as possible. For more
information, see page361. Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 2.9 U.S. gal (10.8
ꤲ) of fuel
remaining in the tank.
When the needle reaches E, there is
a very small amount of fuel in the
tank. Security System Indicator
This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page269
for more information on the security
system.
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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The multi-information display in the
instrument panel displays various
information and messages when the
ignition switch is in the ON (II)
position. Some of the messages help
you operate your vehicle more
comfortably.Others help to keep you
aware of the periodic maintenance
your vehicle needs for continued
trouble-free driving.
When you open the driver's door, a
‘‘Welcome ’’message is shown on the
multi-information display. When you
turn the ignition switch from the ON
(II) position to the ACCESSORY (I)
position, a ‘‘Goodbye ’’message is
shown on the display.
To change the display, press the
INFO (▲ /▼ ) button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the main
menu appears (see page74). With the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position, the multi-information
display changes as shown on 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, your last
selection is displayed.
In the multi-information display, the
system message is also displayed
(see page80)and you can customize
your vehicle control settings (see
page83).
SEL/
RESET
BUTTON
INFO (
▲/▼ )
BUTTON
CONTINUED
Multi-Information Display
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System MessagesIf there is a problem with your
vehicle, for example, the engine oil
level is low or a door is not fully
closed, the multi-information 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 off until the problem(s)
is corrected.
You will also hear a beep when the
system message comes on for the
first time.
Most of the messages are displayed
for 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) before 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:
SYSTEMMESSAGE INDICATOR
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