Acura MDX 2012 Owner's Manual

OWNER_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_______________________________________________________
STREET
_________________________________ _________________________________ ___________________
CITY STATE/PROVINCE/TERRITORY ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
V. I. N. ___________________________________________________________
DELIVERY DATE__________________________________________________
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
DEALER NAME___________________DEALER NO. ___________________
ADDRESS_______________________________________________________
STREET
_________________________________ _________________________________ ___________________
CITY STATE/PROVINCE/TERRITORY ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
OWNER'S SIGNATURE___________________________________________
DEALER'S SIGNATURE___________________________________________
This owner's manual should be considered a
permanent part of the vehicle and should
remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This Owner's Manual covers all models of the
MDX. You may find descriptions of
equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner's manual
(including the front cover) represent features
and equipment that are available on some,
but not all, models. Your particular model
may not have some of these features.
The information and specifications included
in this publication were in effect at the time of
approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or
change specifications or design at any time
without notice and without incurring any
obligation whatsoever.
POUR CLIENTS CANADIEN
AVIS IMPORTANT: Si vous avez
besoin d'un Manuel du Conducteur
en français, veuillez demander à
votre concessionnaire de
commander le numéro de pièce
33STXC50
Owner's Identification

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2012 Acura MDX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the Maintenance Minder™shown in
the instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it
preserves your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in
mind that your dealer's staff is specially trained in servicing the many
systems unique to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction
and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.As you read this manual, you will find
information that is preceded by a
symbol. This information is
intended to help you avoid damage to
your vehicle, other property, or the
environment.
Introduction
i

Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment
or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds
or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:•
How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
•
How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
•
How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR
under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are recorded.
However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying
data routinely acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In
addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.
The data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else except as legally required or with the
permission of the vehicle owner.
Introductionii

California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record information about powertrain performance. The data
can be used to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It
may also be combined with data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential.California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act
The airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR type batteries in this vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special
handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/
Introduction
iii

Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make informed
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other information on labels and in
this manual. This information alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, including:
●
Safety Labels－on the vehicle.
●
Safety Messages－preceded by a safety alert symbol
and one of
three signal words:DANGER,WARNING,orCAUTION.
These signal words mean:
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don't follow instructions.You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don't follow instructions.You CAN be HURT if you don't follow
instructions.
●
Safety Headings－such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
●
Safety Section－such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
●
Instructions－how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information－please read it
carefully.
A Few Words About Safetyiv

Your MDX has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only on pavement. Higher ground
clearance has many advantages for off-highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off the ground, it has a high
center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear
seat belts.
For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read‘‘Driving Guidelines’’on page 440 of this manual and theOff-Highway Driving Guidelines
section on page 500. Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of
control, a crash, or rollover.
Important Handling Information
v

Your Vehicle at a Glance(main controls)
....................................................................................................................
3
Driver and Passenger Safety(seat belts, SRS, and child protection)
...........................................................................
5
Instruments and Controls(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
...........
65
Features(
climate control, audio, rear entertainment, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and other convenience items
)..
181
Before Driving(fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading)
.......................................................................................
421
Driving(engine and transmission operation)
...........................................................................................................
439
Maintenance(minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)
...........................................................
505
Taking Care of the Unexpected(flat tire, Jump starting, overheating, and fuses)
...................................................
549
Technical Information(vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls)
........................................................
575
Warranty and Client Relations (U.S. and Canada only)(warranty and contact information)
...............................
593
Index
..............................................................................................................................................................................
I
INDEX
Service Information Summary(fluid capacities and tire pressures)
...............................................................
last page
Contents
1

Contents
A convenient reference to the
sections in this manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
A quick reference to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Important information about the
proper use and care of your vehicle's
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable information on how to
protect children with child restraints.
Instruments and Controls
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and
gauge, and how to use the controls
on the dashboard and steering
column.
Features
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, rear
entertainment system, and other
convenience features.Before Driving
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
Driving
The proper way to start the engine,
shift the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you're
planning to tow a trailer.
Maintenance
The Maintenance Minder™shows
you when you need to take your
vehicle to the dealer for maintenance
service. There is also a list of things
to check and instructions on how to
check them.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience, and
details how to handle them.Technical Information
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Warranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual for detailed
information.
Index
Service Information Summary
A summary of the information you
need when you pull up to the fuel
pump.Overview of Contents2

ᤳ: If equippedDRIVER'S FRONT
AIRBAG (P. 10, 30)
DRIVING POSITION
MEMORY SYSTEM
(P. 168)
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
(P. 140)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 164)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 160)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE BUTTON
(P. 424)
POWER TAILGATE
BUTTON (P. 142)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE (P. 426)PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL (P. 164)AUXILIARY INPUT
JACKS
ᤳ(P. 339)HEADPHONE
CONNECTORS
ᤳ(P. 340) INSTRUMENT PANEL
INDICATORS (P. 67)HOMELINK BUTTONS
(P. 363)MOONROOF SWITCH
(P. 163)MIRROR CONTROL
AUTO BUTTON
(P. 165)
PASSENGER'S
FRONT AIRBAG
(P. 10, 30)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM (P. 182)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P. 192)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P. 443)
REAR CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
(P. 187) GAUGES (P. 78)
AC POWER OUTLET
(P. 178)
USB ADAPTER
CABLE
ᤳ(P. 280) AUXILIARY INPUT
JACKS (P. 307)
CONTINUED
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
Your Vehicle at a Glance