tailgate Acura MDX 2012 Owner's Guide

If you push the same button again
while the tailgate is opening or
closing, three beeps sound, the
tailgate stops moving, reverses
direction and stops in the fully
opened or fully closed position.
PANIC－Press and hold this
button for about 1 second to attract
attention; the horn will sound, and
the exterior lights will flash for about
30 seconds. To cancel panic mode,
press any other button on the remote
transmitter, or turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. Panic
mode does not work when the key is
in the ignition switch.
Remote Transmitter Care●
Avoid dropping or throwing the
transmitter.
●
Protect the transmitter from
extreme temperatures.
●
Do not immerse the transmitter in
any liquid.
●
If you lose a transmitter, the
replacement needs to be
reprogrammed by your dealer.
Replacing the Transmitter Battery
If it takes several pushes on the
button to lock or unlock the doors
and the tailgate, replace the battery
as soon as possible.
Battery type: CR1616
To replace the battery:
1. Remove the screw at the base of
the transmitter with a small
Phillips-head screwdriver.
NOTE:Be careful when removing
this screw as the head of the screw
can strip out.
2. Separate the keypad from the
transmitter by pushing any button
from outside.
SCREW KEYPAD
Remote Transmitter146

Courtesy LightsThe courtesy lights between the
front map lights come on when the
parking lights are turned on. To
adjust its brightness, press either of
the instrument panel brightness
control buttons (＋or－) with the
ignition switch in the ON (II)
position.Tailgate Lights
The lights in the tailgate have an on-
off switch to control if the lights
come on when the tailgate is opened.
The tailgate lights do not come on
when any other doors are opened.Individual Interior Lights
The courtesy lights in all four doors
come on when you open any door.
The light around the ignition switch
comes on when any door is opened.
After you close the door, the ignition
switch light stays on for about 30
seconds regardless of the interior
light dimming time setting (see page
111).
COURTESY LIGHT
Interior Lights172

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables from
theft. The horn sounds and a
combination of headlights, position
lights, side marker lights and
taillights flashes if someone attempts
to break into your vehicle or remove
the audio unit. This alarm continues
for two minutes, then the system
resets. To deactivate the system
before the two minutes have elapsed,
unlock the driver's door with the key
or the remote transmitter.
The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors from the outside with the key,
or use driver's lock tab, door lock
master switch, or remote transmitter.
The security system indicator on the
instrument panel starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself.
Once the security system sets,
opening any door, tailgate, or hood
without using the key or the remote
transmitter, will cause the alarm to
activate. It also activates if the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position, the audio unit is
removed from the dashboard or the
wiring is cut.The security system does not set if
any door, the tailgate, or hood is not
fully closed. Before you leave the
vehicle, make sure the doors, tailgate
and hood are securely closed.
To see if the system sets after you
exit the vehicle, press the LOCK
button on the remote transmitter
within five seconds. If the system is
set, the horn will beep once.
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Security System
341
Features

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 ofcarbon monoxide
poisoning,follow the instructions
on page 61.
●
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).
Carrying Cargo436

You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully
closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 149).6. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors (see page
165).
7. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page 134).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate
are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 16).10. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 67, 78 and 87).
Preparing to Drive
441
Driving

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
●
Turn off the lights.
●
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.
●
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
●
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●
If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
●
If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
●
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.
●
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking454

5. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
6. Remove the bulb from the fog light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Rear Pillar)
1. Open the tailgate. Put a cloth on
the edge of the cover to prevent
scratches. Remove the covers by
prying the edge with a flat-tip
screwdriver.
2. Remove the two bolts, and remove
the rear light assembly from the
rear pillar.
3. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: turn signal/hazard
lights or side marker light.
COVER
BOLT
BOLT
CONTINUED
Lights
531
Maintenance

4. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.6. Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
7. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
8. Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
9. Install the rear light assembly in
the rear pillar. Tighten the two
bolts. Snap the bolt covers into
position.Replacing a Back-up Light Bulb
1. Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on
the edge of the light assembly
cover to prevent scratches.
Remove the cover by carefully
prying in the notch on its middle
edge with a flat-tip screwdriver.
BULB SOCKET
COVER
Lights532

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.●
Fill the fuel tank.
●
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
●
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
●
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
●
Block the rear wheels.
●
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
●
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
●
Disconnect the battery.
●
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.
●
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
●
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage548

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the tailgate.4. Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up
the loop to raise the cargo area
floor.
CARGO AREA
FLOOR
TOOLS
SPARE TIREJACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
551
Taking Care of the Unexpected