Acura MDX 2009 Owner's Manual

U.S. Owners
Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:New Vehicle Limited Warranty
－
covers your new vehicle, except for
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
defects in materials and
workmanship.
Emissions Control Systems Defects
Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty
－ these two
warranties cover your vehicle's
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet for exact
information.
Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty
－ this warranty gives up to
100% credit toward a replacement
battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty
－ a seat
belt that fails to function properly is
covered by a limited warranty. Please
read your warranty booklet for
details.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
－
all exterior body panels are covered
for rust-through from the inside for
the specified time period with no
mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty
－ Acura
accessories are covered under this
warranty. Time and mileage limits
depend on the type of accessory and
other factors. Please read your
warranty manual for details.
Replacement Parts Limited Warranty－ covers all Acura replacement parts
against defects in materials and
workmanship.
Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty
－ provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from your dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty
－ provides
coverage for as long as the purchaser
of the muffler owns the vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2009 Acura warranty information
booklet that came with your vehicle
for precise information on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle's original
tires are covered by their
manufacturer. Tire warranty
information is in a separate booklet.
Canadian Owners
Please refer to the 2009 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
467
Warrant y and Client R elat ions
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or American Honda Motor Co., Inc.To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590. You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle
safety from http://www.safercar.gov.Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles)46808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S.only)The publications shown below can be purchased from Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:●Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)●Go online atwww. helminc. com
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Publication
Form Number Form Description
61STX02 2007-2009 Acura MDX Service Manual
61STX02EL 2009 Acura MDX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
61STX30 2008 Acura MDX Body Repair Manual
31STX620 2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual
31STX820 2009 Acura MDX
Navigation System Owner's Manual
31STXM20 2009 Acura MDX Maintenance Journal 31STXQ20 2009 Acura MDX Quick Start Guide
ACU-R Order Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Service Manual:
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures for
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
for the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
for most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in
your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
469
W arrant y and Client R elat ions
2009 MDX

47008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
330
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
166
AC Power Outlet
........................
167
Active Damper System
...............
361
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
307
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
394
Advanced Airbags
.................. ......
29
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
170
Rear A/C Control
....................
175
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
177
Air Pressure, Tires
.....................
415
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
322
Antifreeze
...................................
396
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
66, 357
Operation
................................
357
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
235 Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock
.......................................
129
Audio System
..............
180, 181,200
Auto Control Mode, Starting
Engine
....................................
339
Automatic Climate Control
.........
170
Automatic Lighting
....................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
.................. .............
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
270
Automatic Transmission
............
341
Capacity, Fluid
........................
452
Checking Fluid Level
..............
399
Shifting
...................................
341
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
341
Shift Lever Positions
...............
342
Shift Lock Release
...................
346
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
232
B
Battery Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 436 Jump Starting
..........................
432
Maintenance
...........................
421
Specifications
..........................
453
Before Driving
...........................
321
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
163
Booster Seats
...............................
55
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
357
Break-in, New Linings
.............
322
Bulb Replacement
...................
406
Fluid
.......................................
401
Parking
...................................
153
System Indicator
...............
65, 438
Wear Indicators
.......................
357
Braking System
..........................
356
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
322
Brightness Control, Instruments
............................
123
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Bulb ReplacementBack-up Lights
........................
407
Brake Lights
...........................
406
Front Parking Lights
...............
404
Front Side Marker Lights
........
404
Headlights
..............................
403
Rear Bulbs
..............................
406
Specifications
..........................
453
Taillights
.................................
406
Turn Signal Lights
..........
404, 406
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
403
C
Cancel Button
............................
272
Capacities Chart
.........................
452
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
...... ......
58
Cargo
.........................................
332
Cargo Area Light
........................
161
Cargo Hook
................................
336
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
332
Carrying Cargo
..........................
332
CAUTION, Explanation of
...... .......
iii
CD Care
.....................................
229
Certification Label
......................
450 Chains, Tires
..............................
420
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
425
Changing Oil How to
....................................
394
When to
..................................
383
Charging System Indicator
...........................
65, 436
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
338
Childproof Door Locks
...............
131
Child Safety
..................................
37
Booster Seats
...........................
55
Child Seats
..........................
42, 45
Important Safety Reminders.....
41
Infants
......................................
42
Large Children
.........................
54
LATCH
.....................................
47
Risks with Airbags
...................
38
Small Children
.........................
43
Tethers
....................................
51
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
38
Child Seats
.............................
37, 45
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
47
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
51
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
409
Client Services
...........................
466
Climate Control System
.............
170 Clock
..........................................
236
Code, Audio System
...................
235
CO in the Exhaust
................
58, 460
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
339
Compact Spare Tire
....................
424
Console Compartment
...............
164
Consumer Information (U.S. only)
.......................................
466
Controls, Instruments and
............
61
Coolant Adding
....................................
396
Checking
................................
326
Proper Solution
.......................
396
Temperature Gauge
.................
72
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
460
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
70
Cruise Control Operation
...........
270
Cup Holders
...............................
163
Customize Settings
.. ....................
83
Door/Window Setup
...............
105
Lighting Setup
.........................
100
Meter Setup
.............................
89
Position Setup
..........................
97
Setting to Default
.....................
86
Wiper Setup
............................
113
IndexII08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

D
DANGER, Explanation of
..............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
120
Dead Battery
..............................
432
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
468
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
122
Defrosting the Windows
............
174
Differential Fluid
........................
452
Dimensions
................................
452
Dimming the Headlights
............
118
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
399
Engine Oil
...............................
326
Directional Signals
.......................
67
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
357
Disc Care
........ ...........................
229
Disc Changer
......................
190, 218
Disc Changer Error Messages
........................
199, 228
Disc Player
..........................
190, 218
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
395
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
131 Locking and Unlocking
...........
130
Lockout Prevention
.................
131
Monitor
................ ....................
11
Power Door Locks
..................
130
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
454
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
337
Economy
.................................
327
Driving Guidelines
.....................
338
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
157
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
409
DVD Player
................................
239
DVD Player Error Messages
...............................
265
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
327
Emergencies on the Road
..........
423
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
432
Brake System Indicator
...........
438
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
425
Charging System Indicator
.....
436 Checking the Fuses
................
440
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
424
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
122
Jump Starting
..........................
432
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.....
436
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................................
437
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
446
Overheated Engine
.................
434
Towing
....................................
446
Emergency Brake
......................
153
Emergency Flashers
..................
122
Emergency Towing
....................
446
Emissions Controls
....................
460
Emissions Testing
......................
463
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

EngineAdding Engine Coolant
...........
396
Check Starting System
............
340
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
72
If it Won ’t Start
........................
431
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 437
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
383
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
65, 436
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
393
Overheating
............................
434
Specifications
..........................
453
Speed Limiter
..........................
346
Starting
...................................
339
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
322
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
460
Exhaust Fumes
............................
58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
461
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
18 F
Fan, Interior
...............................
173
Features, Comfort and Convenience
...........................
169
Filling the Fuel Tank
..................
323
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
409
Oil
...........................................
394
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
122
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
425
Floor Mats
.................................
410
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
399
Brake
......................................
401
Power Steering
........................
402
Windshield Washer
.................
398
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
205
Fog Lights
..................................
120
Folding the Second Seat
.............
144
Folding the Third Seat
...............
145
Four-way Flashers
......................
122
Front Airbags
...........................
9, 27 Front Seat
..................................
140
Adjusting
.............................. ...
140
Airbags
.................................
9, 27
Heaters
...................................
148
Fuel
............................................
322
Fill Door and Cap
....................
323
Gauge
......................................
72
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
71
Octane Requirement
...............
322
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
446
Oxygenated
.............................
322
Reserve Indicator
.....................
71
Tank, Filling the
......................
323
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
324
Fuel Economy
............................
327
Fuses, Checking the
..................
440
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
327
Gasohol
......................................
322
Gasoline
.....................................
322
Gauge
......................................
72
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
71
IndexIV08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Octane Requirement
...............
322
Tank, Refueling
.......................
323
Gas Station Procedures
..............
323
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature
.........................
72
Fuel
..........................................
72
Speedometer
............................
72
Tachometer
..............................
72
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
...................................
364
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)
...................................
364
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
.........
342
Glove Box
..................................
164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
...................................
364
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
403
HandsFreeLink
®........................
278
HFL Buttons
...........................
280
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
122 Headlights
.................................
118
Aiming
....................................
403
Automatic Lighting
.................
118
Daytime Running Lights
.........
120
High Beam Indicator
................
70
High Beams, Turning on
.........
118
Lights On Indicator
..................
70
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
118
Reminder Chime
.....................
118
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
403
Turning on
..............................
118
Washers
..................................
117
Headphones
...............................
266
Head Restraints
..........................
141
Heated Mirror
............................
156
Heaters, Seats
............................
148
Heating and Cooling
..................
170
High-Low Beam Switch
..............
118
HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
276
Hood, Opening and Closing
the
..........................................
325
Horn
..........................................
115 I
Identification Number,
Vehicle
...................................
450
Ignition Keys
........................................
126
Switch
.....................................
129
Timing Control System
...........
461
Immobilizer System
...................
128
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
63
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
..............
66
Active Damper System
......
71, 361
A/T Temp
................................
68
Brake (Parking and Brake System)
.........................
65, 438
Charging System
..............
65, 436
Cruise Control
..........................
70
Cruise Main
.............................
70
Fog Lights
................................
70
High Beam
...............................
70
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
70
Lights On
.................................
70
Low Fuel
..................................
71
Low Oil Pressure
..............
65, 436
Low Tire Pressure
....................
68
Maintenance Minder
...............
383
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................................
437
Passenger Airbag Off
.. .............
34
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
20, 64
Security System
.......................
71
SH-AWD
®.................................
69
Side Airbag Off
............ .............
66
SRS
.....................................
33, 66
System Message
.................
69, 80 Tire Pressure Monitor
..............
68
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
...............................
67
VSA Activation
.........................
67
VSA System
.............................
67
Individual Map Lights
................
160
Infant Restraint
............................
42
Infant Seats
..................................
42
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
51
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
415
Inside Mirror
.............................
154
Inspection, Tire
..........................
417
Installing a Child Seat
..................
46
Instrument Panel
..........................
63
Instrument Panel Brightness
..............................
123
Instruments and Controls
.............
61
Interface Dial
.............................
200
Interior Lights
............................
159
Introduction
...................................
i
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
425
Jack, Tire
...................................
425 Jump Starting
.............................
432
K
Keyless Memory Settings
..........
139
Keys
...........................................
126
L
Label, Certification
.....................
450
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
118
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
15, 21
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
47
Light Control Switch
..................
159
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
403
Indicator
.......... .........................
63
Interior
....................................
159
Parking
...................................
118
Load Limit
...........................
333, 364
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
......
129
Childproof Door
......................
131
IndexVI08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX