airbag Acura MDX 2009 Owner's Guide

Protecting InfantsChild Seat TypeAn infant must be properly restrained
in a rear-facing, reclining child seat
until the child reaches the seat
maker's weight or height limit for the
seat, and the child is at least one year
old.
Only a rear-facing child seat provides
proper support for a baby's head,
neck, and back.Two types of seats may be used: a
seat designed exclusively for infants,
or a convertible seat used in the rear-
facing, reclining mode.
Do not put a rear-facing child seat in
a forward-facing position.
If placed
facing forward, an infant could be
very seriously injured during a
frontal collision.
Rear-facing Child Seat PlacementA rear-facing child seat can be placed
in any seating position in the back
seat, but not in the front.
Never put a
rear-facing child seat in the front seat.
If the passenger's front airbag
inflates, it can hit the back of the
child seat with enough force to kill or
seriously injure an infant.
When properly installed in the
second row, a rear-facing child seat
may prevent the driver or a front
passenger from moving their seat as
far back as recommended, or from
locking their seat-back in the desired
position.
It can also interfere with proper
operation of the passenger's
advanced front airbag system.
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Child Seat PlacementWe strongly recommend placing a
forward-facing child seat in a back
seat, not the front.Placing a forward-facing child seat inthe front seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passenger's airbag can be
hazardous.
If the vehicle seat is too
far forward, or the child's head is
thrown forward during a collision, an
inflating airbag can strike the child
with enough force to cause very
serious or fatal injuries. Even with advanced front airbags
that automatically turn the
passenger's front airbag off (see page
34),a back seat is the safest place for
a small child.
If it is necessary to put a forward-
facing child seat in the front, move
the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, be sure the child seat is
firmly secured to the vehicle and the
child is properly strapped in the seat.
Placing a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat can result
in serious injury or death if the
front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-
facing child seat in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, and properly restrain
the child.
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When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear a lap/shoulder
belt.
The following pages give instructions
on how to check proper seat belt fit,
what kind of booster seat to use if
one is needed, and important
precautions for a child who must sit
in front.
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger's front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.Checking Seat Belt Fit
To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly fits a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself:
1. Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably over the edge of the
seat?
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If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in front, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat belt
properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle's or
booster's seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
age 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.
If the passenger's front airbag
inflates in a moderate to severe
frontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child's body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries.Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can safely ride in front,
there are other important factors you
should consider.
Physical SizePhysically, a child must be large
enough for the lap/shoulder belt to
properly fit (see pages15and54).If
the seat belt does not fit properly,
with or without the child sitting on a
booster seat, the child should not sit
in front.MaturityTo safely ride in front, a child must
be able to follow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
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ꭧ: If equipped
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.SH-AWD INDICATOR
(P. 69)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 70)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 65)
A/T TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
(P. 68)
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
(P. 65)
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR (P. 70)CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR (P.
70)
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 71)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 65)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 67)
VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR (P. 67)CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR (P.
70)
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR (P.
71)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P.
68)
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
(P.
66)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.
66)
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
(P.
70)
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR (P.
64)
MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY (P.
73)
MESSAGE INDICATOR
(P. 69)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 70)
ACTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 71)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 66)
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
(P. 437)
Instrument Panel
63
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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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.
Instrument Panel Indicators6608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
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ꭧ1: If equipped
ꭧ 2: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
HEADLIGHT WASHER
SWITCH
ꭧ 1
(P. 117)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
(P. 360)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 155)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P. 157)
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P. 130)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 149)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON
(P. 323)
POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON
ꭧ 1(P. 132) HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL/
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(P.
118)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE (P. 325)STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS (P.
124)CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS (P.
270)
STEERING WHEEL
AUDIO CONTROLS
(P.
233) WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.
116) INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
(P.
123)
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P. 34)
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
(P. 122)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P. 122)
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKETS
(P. 166)
SEAT HEATER
SWITCHES
(P. 148)
ACTIVE DAMPER
SYSTEM SWITCH
ꭧ 1
(P. 361)
HORN
ꭧ
2
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
115
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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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
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Modifying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your vehicle unsafe. Before
you make any modifications or add
any accessories, be sure to read the
following information.
Accessories
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have been
designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Acura accessories may
fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and could
adversely affect your vehicle's
handling and stability.
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle's
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system. Before installing any accessory:
●Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.●Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see
page440)or interfere with proper
operation of your vehicle.●Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
these areas may interfere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.●Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.
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Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with
aftermarket components could
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:●Lowering your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.●Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can affect the
handling and stability.●Non-Acura wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).
●Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's safety
features can make the systems
ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
CONTINUED
Accessories and Modifications
331
Bef ore Driving
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