airbag Acura MDX 2011 Service Manual

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, stability, and reliability.
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
page 560) 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.
Accessories and Modifications42610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with non-
Acura 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.
Accessories and Modifications
427
Before Driving
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
●
Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
Also, keep all cargo below the
bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
●
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
●
Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
●
If you fold down the second or
third row seats, tie down items that
could be thrown about the vehicle
during a crash or sudden stop.
●
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page 60.
●
If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
431
Before Driving
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
426
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
138
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
175
AC Power Outlet
........................
176
Active Damper System
...............
478
Active Head Restraints
...............
151
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
398
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
345
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
512
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
....
133
Advanced Airbags
........................
30
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 26
Air Conditioning System
............
180
Rear A/C Control
....................
185
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
187
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
534, 535
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
418
Antifreeze
...................................
514 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator
............................
68, 456
Operation
................................
455
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
305
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.......................................
138
Audio System
......................
190, 209
Automatic Climate Control.........
181
Automatic Lighting Off Feature
...................................
130
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
23
Automatic Speed Control
...........
342
Automatic Transmission
............
437
Capacity, Fluid
........................
572
Checking Fluid Level
..............
517
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
441
Shifting
...................................
438
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
437
Shift Lever Positions
...............
438
Shift Lock Release
...................
440
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
304 B
Battery
Charge Low
..............................
82
Charging System Indicator
........................
67, 556
Jump Starting
..........................
552
Maintenance
...........................
541
Specifications
..........................
573
Before Driving
...........................
417
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 21
Beverage Holders
......................
172
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
......................................
470
Bluetooth
®Audio
.......................
295
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
......
362
Booster Seats
...............................
57
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

BrakesAnti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
455
Break-in, New Linings
.............
418
Bulb Replacement
...................
525
Fluid
.......................................
519
Parking
...................................
163
System Design
........................
455
System Indicator
...............
67, 558
Wear Indicators
.......................
455
Braking System
..........................
454
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
418
Brightness Control,
Instruments
............................
132
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
................
525, 526
Brake Lights
...........................
525
Front Parking Lights
...............
523
Front Side Marker Lights
........
523
Headlights
..............................
521
Rear Bulbs
..............................
525
Rear License Plate Lights
........
527
Specifications
..........................
573
Taillights
.................................
525
Turn Signal Lights
..........
523, 525
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
521 C
Capacities Chart
.........................
572
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
60
Cargo
.........................................
428
Cargo Hooks
..............................
432
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
428
Carrying Cargo
..........................
428
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
244
CD Error Messages
...................
243
CD Player
..................................
232
Certification Label
......................
570
Chains, Tires
..............................
540
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
545
Changing Oil How to
....................................
512
When to
..................................
501
Charging System Indicator
...........................
67, 556
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
435
Childproof Door Locks
...............
140
Child Safety
..................................
39
Booster Seats
...........................
57
Child Seats
....................
44, 45, 47 Important Safety Reminders
.....
43
Infants
......................................
44
Larger Children
.......................
56
LATCH
.....................................
49
Risks with Airbags
...................
40
Small Children
.........................
45
Tethers
....................................
53
Warning Labels
........................
41
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
40
Child Seats
.............................
39, 47
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
49
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
53
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
528
Client Service Information
..........
586
Climate Control System
.............
180
Clock
..........................................
306
Code, Audio System
...................
305
CO in the Exhaust
................
60, 580
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
436
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
457
Compact Spare Tire
....................
544
Compass Operation
....................
338
Console Compartment
...............
173
Consumer Information
...............
586
Controls, Instruments and
............
63
IndexII10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Emergency Brake
......................
163
Emergency Flashers
..................
131
Emergency Towing
....................
566
Emissions Controls
....................
580
Emissions Testing
......................
583
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
514
Check Starting System
............
437
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
76
If it Won't Start
........................
551
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
501
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
67, 556
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
511
Overheating
............................
554
Specifications
..........................
573
Speed Limiter
..........................
440
Starting
...................................
436
Engine Coolant
..........................
514
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
418
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
580
Exhaust Fumes
............................
60
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
581 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
183
Features
.....................................
179
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
528
Oil
...........................................
512
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
131
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
545
Floor Mats
.................................
529
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
.........
517
Brake
......................................
519
Location
..................................
509
Power Steering
........................
520
Windshield Washer
.................
516
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
300
Fog Lights
..................................
129
Folding the Second Seat
.............
152
Folding the Third Seat
...............
153
Four-way Flashers
......................
131 Front Airbags
.........................
10, 29
Front Seat
..................................
148
Adjusting
.................................
148
Air Ventilation
.........................
157
Heaters
...................................
156
Fuel
............................................
418
Economy
.................................
423
Fill Door and Cap
....................
419
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
Octane Requirement
...............
418
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
566
Reserve Indicator
.....................
75
Tank, Filling the
......................
419
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
420
Fuel Economy
............................
423
Fuses, Checking the
..................
560
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
424
Gasoline
.....................................
418
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
IndexIV10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
65
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
.......
68, 456
Active Damper System
......
75, 478
Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)
...................................
73
A/T Temp
................................
70
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
....................................
74
Brake (Parking and Brake System)
.........................
67, 558
Charging System
..............
67, 556
Collision Mitigation Braking
System ™
...............................
73
Cruise Control
..........................
73
Cruise Main
.............................
73
Door and Tailgate Open
...........
74
Fog Lights
................................
72
High Beam
...............................
72
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
72
Lights On
.................................
72
Low Fuel
..................................
75
Low Oil Pressure
..............
67, 556
Low Tire Pressure
....................
70
Maintenance Minder
TM
...........
501
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557 Passenger Airbag Off
...............
36
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
21, 66
Security System
.......................
75
SH-AWD
®.................................
71
Side Airbag Off
....................
35, 68
SRS
.....................................
35, 68
System Message
.................
71, 85
Tire Pressure Monitor
..............
70
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
...............................
69
VSA OFF
..................................
69
VSA System
.............................
69
Individual Map Lights
................
169
Infant Restraint
............................
44
Infant Seats
..................................
44
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
53
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
534
Inside Mirror
.............................
163
Inspection, Tire
..........................
536
Installing a Child Seat
..................
48
Instrument Panel
..........................
65
Instrument Panel Brightness
.....
132
Instruments and Controls
.............
63
Interface Dial
.............................
209
Interior Lights
............................
168
Introduction
...................................
i iPod
®..........................................
275
iPod
®Error Messages
................
283
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
545
Jack, Tire
...................................
545
Jump Starting
.............................
552
K
Keys
...........................................
135
L
Label, Certification
.....................
570
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
127
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
16, 22
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
49
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
521
Indicator
...................................
65
Interior
....................................
168
Parking
...................................
127
IndexVI10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
132
Park Gear Position
.....................
438
Parking
......................................
448
Parking Brake
............................
163
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator
...........................
67, 558
Parking Lights
...........................
127
Parking Over Things that Burn
................................
448, 582
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
36
PGM-FI System
..........................
581
Playing a Disc
............................
232
Playing an iPod
®.........................
275
Playing a USB Flash Memory Device
....................................
284
Playing Disc
...............................
200
Playing Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Audio (Models with navigationsystem)
...............................
247
Playing the AM/FM Radio
...............................
191, 210
Playing the XM
®Radio
........
195, 223
Pollen Filter
...............................
528 Power Seat Adjustments
............
148
Power Socket Locations
.............
175
Power Steering Fluid
.................
520
Power Windows
.........................
158
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
19
Preparing to Drive
......................
435
Proper Seat Belt Usage
................
16
Protecting Adults and Teens
........
12
Additional Safety Precautions
...
20
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
19
Protecting Children
......................
39
General Guidelines
..................
39
Protecting Infants
.....................
44
Protecting Larger Children
......
56
Protecting Small Children
........
45
Using Child Seats with Tethers
.................................
53
Using LATCH
..........................
49
R
Radiator Overheating
.................
554
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
190
Radio/Disc Sound System
............................
191, 210 Radio Theft Protection
...............
305
Readiness Codes
........................
583
Rear A/C Unit
............................
185
Rear Audio Control Panel
...........
312
Rear Entertainment System
.......
307
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
525
Rearview Mirror
.........................
163
Rearview Mirror with Rearview Camera Display
......................
414
Rear Window Defogger
..............
131
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
...................................
126
Recalling a Memorized Driving Position
..................................
147
Reclining the Seat Backs
............
148
Reclining the Second Seats
........
152
Refueling
....................................
419
Reminder Indicators
.....................
66
Remote Audio Controls
..............
302
Remote Control (RES)
...............
331
Remote Transmitter
...................
144
Replacement Information Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
528
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
512
Fuses
......................................
559
IndexVIII10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Light Bulbs
.............................
521
Schedule
.................................
508
Spark Plugs
.............................
573
Timing Belt
.............................
520
Tires
.......................................
538
Wiper Blades
..........................
530
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash
........................................
25
Reporting Safety Defects
............
588
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant
............................
422, 514
Restraint, Child
............................
39
Reverse Gear Position
................
439
Rotation, Tire
.............................
538
S
Safety Belts
..............................
9, 21
Safety Defects, Reporting
...........
588
Safety Features
..............................
8
Airbags
...............................
10, 26
Door Locks
..............................
12
Head Restraints
........................
15
Seat Belts
........................
9, 16, 21
Seats & Seat-Backs
..............
14, 15 Safety Labels, Location of
.............
61
Safety Messages
..........................
iii
Seat Belt e-pretensioners
..............
24
Seat Belts
.................................
9, 21
Additional Information
.............
21
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
19
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
...........................
23
Cleaning
..................................
528
e-pretensioner
..........................
24
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
16, 22
Maintenance
............................
25
Reminder Indicator and Beeper
.............................
21, 66
System Components
................
21
Use During Pregnancy
.............
19
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
..................................
16, 22
Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation
..............................
157
Seats
..........................................
148
Adjusting the Second Seat
.......
152
Air Ventilation
.........................
157
Folding the Second Seat
..........
152
Folding the Third Seat
............
153
Head Restraints
.......................
149 Heaters
...................................
156
Position Memory
....................
166
Third Row Access
...................
153
Seats, Adjusting the
...................
148
Security System
.........................
337
Security System Indicator
............
75
Sensors Driver's Seat Position Sensor
...
30
Front Passenger's Weight Sensors
................................
30
Impact Sensors
........................
26
Serial Number
............................
570
Service Intervals
.........................
501
Service Manual (U.S. only)
........
589
Service Station Procedures
........
419
SH-AWD
®...................................
446
Indicator
...................................
71
Shifting the Automatic Transmission
..........................
438
Shift Lever Position Indicators
...
437
Shift Lock Release
......................
440
Side Airbags
.................................
32
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
35
How Your Side Airbags Work
..
32
CONTINUED
Index
IX
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Side Curtain Airbags
....................
34
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
34
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in
.......................
523
Signaling Turns
............................
69
Snow Tires
.................................
540
Sound System
.....................
190, 209
Spare Tire
..................................
544
Inflating
...........................
534, 544
Specifications
..........................
573
Spark Plugs
................................
573
Specifications
.............................
572
Speed Control
............................
342
Speed Limiter
.............................
440
Speedometer
................................
76
SRS, Additional Information
.........
26
Additional Safety Precautions
...
38
Airbag Service
..........................
37
Airbag System Components
.....
26
How the Side Airbag Off
Indicator Works
...................
35
How the SRS Indicator Works
..
35
How Your Front Airbags Work
....................................
29
How Your Side Airbags Work
..
32 How Your Side Curtain Airbags
Work
....................................
34
SRS Indicator
.........................
35, 68
START (Ignition Key
Position)
.................................
138
Starting the Engine
....................
436
Auto Control Mode
.................
436
In Cold Weather at High Altitude
................................
436
With a Dead Battery
................
552
State Emissions Testing
.............
583
Steam Coming from Engine
.......
554
Steering Wheel Adjustments
............................
133
Anti-theft Column Lock
...........
138
Buttons
...........................
302, 342
Position Memory
....................
166
Stereo Sound System
..........
190, 209
Storage Compartment
................
173
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
542
Sunglasses Holder
.....................
174
Sun Visor
...................................
174
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™
(SH-AWD
®) System
................
446 Supplemental Restraint
System
............................
10, 26
Servicing
..................................
37
SRS Indicator
......................
35, 68
System Components
................
26
Synthetic Oil
..............................
512
T
Tachometer
..................................
76
Tailgate
......................................
140
Open Indicator
.........................
74
Opening the
............................
140
Power
......................................
141
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
.....
525
Taking Care of the Unexpected
............................
543
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
574
Emissions Control Systems
.....
580
Three Way Catalytic Converter
............................
582
Tire Labeling
...........................
576
IndexX10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu