sensor Acura MDX 2009 User Guide

How Your Side Curtain Airbags
WorkIn a Side ImpactIn a moderate to severe side impact,
sensors will detect rapid acceleration
and signal the control unit to
instantly inflate the side curtain
airbag and activate the seat belt
tensioner on the driver's or the
passenger's side of the vehicle.If the impact is on the passenger's
side, the passenger's side curtain
airbag will inflate even if there are no
occupants on that side of the vehicle.
In a RolloverIf the rollover sensor detects your
vehicle is about to roll over, it signals
the control unit, which immediately
deploys both side curtain airbags and
activates both front seat belt
tensioners.
The airbag on the passenger's side
will deploy, and the seat belt
tensioner will activate, even if there
are no passengers on that side of the
vehicle.
To get the best protection from the
side curtain airbags, occupants
should wear their seat belts and sit
upright and well back in their seats.
Additional Information About Your Airbags3208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

How the Passenger Airbag Off
Indicator WorksThis indicator alerts you that the
passenger's front airbag has been
shut off because weight sensors
detect about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less
(the weight of an infant or small
child) on the front passenger's seat.
It does
not mean
there is a problem
with the airbag. Be aware that objects placed on the
front seat can cause the indicator to
come on.
If no weight is detected on the front
seat, the airbag will be automatically
shut off. However, the indicator will
not come on.
The passenger airbag off indicator
may come on and off repeatedly if the
total weight on the seat is near the
airbag cutoff threshold.
If an adult or teenage passenger is
riding in front, move the seat as far to
the rear as possible, and have the
passenger sit upright and wear the
seat belt properly.
If the indicator comes on with no
front seat passenger and no objects
on the seat, or with an adult riding
there, something may be interfering
with the weight sensors. Look for
and remove:
●Any items under the front
passenger's seat.●Any object(s) hanging on the seat
or in the seat-back pocket.●Any object(s), such as a folded-
down back seat, that are touching
the rear of the seat-back.
If no obstructions are found, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible.
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR U.S.CanadaAdditional Information About Your Airbags3408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Airbag Service
Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance free, and there are no
parts you can safely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:●An airbag ever inflates.
Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Any
seat belt tensioner that activates
must also be replaced.
Do not try to remove or replace
any airbag by yourself. This must
be done by an authorized dealer or
a knowledgeable body shop.
●The SRS indicator alerts you to a
problem.
Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
●If your vehicle has a moderate to
severe impact.
Even if your airbags
do not inflate, your dealer should
inspect the driver's seat position
sensor, the front passenger's
weight sensors, the front seat belt
tensioners, and all seat belts and
their anchors worn during a crash
to make sure they are operating
properly. Additional Safety Precautions
●Do not attempt to deactivate your
airbags.
Together, airbags and seat
belts provide the best protection.
●Do not tamper with airbag components or wiring for any
reason.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.
●Do not expose the front
passenger's seat-back to liquid.
If
water or another liquid soaks into
a seat-back, it can prevent the side
airbag cutoff system from working
properly.
CONTINUED
Additional Information About Your Airbags
35
Driver and Passenger Saf et y
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●Do not remove or modify a frontseat without consulting your
dealer.
This could make the
driver's seat position sensor or the
front passenger's weight sensors
ineffective. If it is necessary to
remove or modify a front seat to
accommodate a person with
disabilities, first contact Acura
Client Services at 800-382-2238.
●Do not cover or replace front seat- back covers without consulting
your dealer.
Improperly replacing
or covering front seat-back covers
can prevent your side airbags from
inflating during a side impact.
Additional Information About Your Airbags3608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

When you reset Trip A, average fuel
economy A is reset at the same time.
When you reset Trip B, average fuel
economy B is reset.
In the customizing mode, you can set
Trip A and average fuel economy A
to reset at the same time when you
refuel your vehicle (see page92).Outside Temperature
This shows the outside Fahrenheit
temperature in U.S. models, and
Celsius temperature in Canadian
models.The temperature sensor is in the
front bumper. The temperature
reading can be affected by heat
reflection from the road surface,
engine heat, and the exhaust from
surrounding traffic. This can cause
an incorrect temperature reading
when your vehicle speed is under 19
mph (30 km/h). When you start your
trip, the sensor is not fully
acclimatized, therefore it may take
several minutes until the proper
temperature is displayed.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.
You can adjust the outside
temperature display (see page91).
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
U.S.
CANADA
Multi-Information Display7608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

The automatic lighting feature is
controlled by a sensor located on top
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.Fog Lights
Turn the fog lights on and off by
turning the switch next to the
headlight switch.
You can use the fog lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
With the light switch in the AUTO
position, you can also use the fog
lights when the headlights turn on
automatically. They will go off when
the headlights turn off.
Daytime Running Lights
With the headlight switch off, the
daytime running lights come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and release the
parking brake. They remain on until
you turn the ignition switch off, even
if you set the parking brake.
When the headlights are on, the
daytime running lights are off.
LIGHT SENSOR
Turn Signal and Headlights12008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Auto-ReverseThe power tailgate has an auto-
reverse feature. If it meets resistance
while opening or closing, it will beep
three times and reverse direction.
However, the tailgate may not
reverse immediately. Always make
sure passengers and objects are clear
of the tailgate before opening or
closing it.
Closing a power tailgate while
anyone is in the path of the
tailgate can cause serious
injury.
Make sure everyone is clear
before closing the power
tailgate.Also check that passengers,
especially children, do not have their
hands on the edge of the tailgate or
on the tailgate sill. The auto reverse
feature stops working when the
tailgate is about to latch so the motor
can pull the tailgate shut.
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected, goes dead, or the fuse
is removed while the tailgate is fully
open, the power tailgate needs to be
reset. After connecting the battery or
installing the fuse, close the tailgate
fully by hand.
The power tailgate may not open or
close under the these conditions:
●The vehicle is parked on a steep
hill.●When the vehicle is swayed in a
strong wind.
●When the tailgate or the roof is
covered with snow or ice.
Do not install any accessories on the
tailgate. It may cause the tailgate not
to function properly. If there is snow
or ice on the tailgate, make sure to
remove it before you operate the
tailgate.
If you push the tailgate release
button inside the handle while the
tailgate is opening or closing, it will
stop moving. You need to open or
close it the rest of the way manually.
The tailgate has sensors on both
sides. Be careful not to damage
them. If the sensors are damaged,
the power tailgate does not function
properly.
CONTINUED
Tailgate
133
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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Adjusting the Second Row SeatsTo change the seat-back angle of the
seats in the second row, pull up on
the handle on the outside of the seat-
back, and push the seat-back.
Overall, the seat-back has six
different positions.Folding the Second Row Seats
The left and right halves can be
folded separately.
1. To unlatch the detachable anchor
before folding the seat-back, insert
the latch plate into the slot on the
side of the anchor buckle (see
page146)and allow the seat belt to
retract. Store the detachable
anchor and seat belt latch plates in
the retractor housing.
2. Lower the head restraints to their lowest positions.
3. Pull up the handle on the outside of the seat-back.
4. Fold the seat-back forward.
Reverse this procedure to return the
seat to the upright position. Make
sure the seat is locked securely
before driving. Make sure that the folded seat-back
does not press against the front
passenger's seat, as this could cause
the weight sensors to work
improperly.
HANDLE
Seats14408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Both front seats are equipped with
seat heaters. Because of the sensors
for the side airbag cutoff system,
there is no heater in the passenger's
seat-back. The ignition switch must
be in the ON (II) position to use the
heaters.
Push the front of the switch, HI, to
rapidly heat up the seat. After the
seat reaches a comfortable
temperature, select LO by pushing
the back of the switch. This will keep
the seat warm.
U.S. Entertainment Packages andCanadian modelsThe outer second row seat cushions
and seat-backs are equipped with
seat heaters. Turning the switch on
the driver side warms the outer seat
behind the driver's seat only. The
passenger side switch warms the
outer seat behind the front passenger
seat.
Passenger's
Seat
HEATERS Driver's
Seat
Front seat HI
LOW
Second row seat
Seat Heaters14808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound if
the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.Mirrors
Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror can automatically
darken to reduce glare. To turn on
this feature, press the button on the
bottom of the mirror. The AUTO
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When it is on, the mirror darkens
when it senses the headlights of a
vehicle behind you, then returns to
normal visibility when the lights are
gone. Press the button again to turn
off this feature.INDICATOR
AUTO BUTTON SENSOR
Parking Brake, Mirrors15408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX