display Acura MDX 2012 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2012, Model line: MDX, Model: Acura MDX 2012Pages: 621, PDF Size: 11.15 MB
Page 8 of 621

Your Vehicle at a Glance(main controls)
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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)
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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)
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last page
Contents
1
Page 19 of 621

Introduction
The following pages provide
instructions on how to properly
protect the driver, adult passengers,
and teenage children who are large
enough and mature enough to drive
or ride in the front.
See pages 40-60 for important
guidelines on how to properly protect
infants, small children, and larger
children who ride in your vehicle.1. Close and Lock the Doors
After everyone has entered the
vehicle, be sure the doors and the
tailgate are closed and locked.
Your vehicle has a door/
tailgate open indicator (red)
on the instrument panel to indicate
when any door or the tailgate is not
tightly closed.
See page 140 for how to lock the
doors, and page 76 for how the door/
tailgate open indicator works.
Your vehicle has a door and tailgate
open indicator on the multi-
information display to indicate when
a specific door or the tailgate is not
tightly closed. You will see the
appropriate indicator and the
message for each condition.
When one or more doors are not
tightly closed, the‘‘DOOR OPEN’’
message will come on.
Protecting Adults and Teens12
Page 28 of 621

Seat Belt System Components
Your seat belt system includes lap/
shoulder belts in all seating
positions. The front seat belts are
also equipped with automatic seat
belt tensioners and, on models with
collision mitigation braking system™
(CMBS™), seat belt e-pretensioners.
The seat belt system
includes an indicator on the
instrument panel and a beeper to
remind you and your front passenger
to fasten your seat belts.
This system monitors the front seat
belts. If you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position before your
seat belt is fastened, the beeper will
sound and the indicator will flash. If
your seat belt is not fastened before
the beeper stops, the indicator will
stop flashing but remain on.
If a front passenger does not fasten
their seat belt, the indicator will
come on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.If either the driver or a front
passenger does not fasten their seat
belt while driving, the beeper will
sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals.
You will also see a‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT’’or‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 87).
When no one is sitting in the front
passenger's seat, the indicator
should not come on and the beeper
should not sound. When an infant or
small child is riding there, the
indicator may not come on and the
beeper may not sound.
CONTINUED
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts
21
Driver and Passenger Safety
Page 43 of 621

How the SRS Indicator Works
The SRS indicator alerts you
to a potential problem with
your airbag system components.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on briefly then goes off. This
tells you the system is working
properly.
If the indicator comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you
should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:
●
If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position.
●
If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
●
If the indicator comes on or flashes
on and off while you drive.You will also see a‘‘CHECK AIRBAG
SYSTEM’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 87).
If you see any of these indications,
the airbag system components may
not work properly when you need
them.
Ignoring the SRS indicator can
result in serious injury or death
if the airbag systems or
tensioners do not work
properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS indicator alerts you to
a possible problem.How the Side Airbag Off Indicator
Works
U.S. Canada
This indicator
alerts you that the
passenger's side airbag has been
automatically shut off. It does
not
mean there is a problem with your
side airbags.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the indicator
should come on briefly and then go
out (see page 70). If it does not come
on, stays on, or comes on while
driving without a passenger in the
front seat, you will also see a
‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF’’
message on the multi-information
display. Have the system checked
(see page 87).
Additional Information About Your Airbags36
Page 72 of 621

This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.Control Locations
..........................
66
Instrument Panel
..........................
67
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
68
Gauges
..........................................
78
Multi-Information Display
.............
79
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel
.....................................
125
Windshield Wipers and
Washers
..............................
126
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
...............................
127
Turn Signal and Headlights
........
128
Hazard Warning Button
..............
132
Rear Window Defogger
...............
132
Instrument Panel Brightness
......
133
Steering Wheel Adjustments
.......
134
Keys and Locks
...........................
136
Immobilizer System
....................
138
Ignition Switch
............................
139
Door Locks
.................................
140
Childproof Door Locks
............
141
Tailgate
.......................................
141
Power Tailgate
........................
142
Remote Transmitter
....................
145Seats
...........................................
149
Detachable Anchor
.................
155
Seat Heaters
................................
157
Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
...............................
158
Power Windows
..........................
160
Moonroof
....................................
163
Parking Brake
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164
Mirrors
.......................................
165
Driving Position Memory
System
....................................
168
Interior Lights
.............................
170
Interior Convenience Items
.........
173
Beverage Holders
...................
174
Console Compartment
............
175
Storage Compartment
.............
175
Glove Box
...............................
175
Sunglasses Holder
..................
176
Sun Visor
................................
176
Vanity Mirror
..........................
177
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
177
AC Power Outlet
.....................
178
Instruments and Controls
65
Instruments and Controls
Page 74 of 621

ᤳ: If equipped
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.
MESSAGE INDICATOR (P. 73)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR (P. 74)
SH-AWD INDICATOR (P. 73)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 70)
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR (P. 74) DOOR/TAILGATE OPEN
INDICATOR (P. 76)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 74)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 69)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
(VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 71)
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 77)
ACTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM INDICATOR
ᤳ(P. 77) PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 69)LOW FUEL INDICATOR (P. 77) SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR (P. 68) COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING
SYSTEM™(CMBS™) INDICATOR
ᤳ(P. 75)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 36, 70)
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
ᤳ(P. 75)/
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) INDICATOR
ᤳ(P. 75) MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP (P. 69)
VSA OFF INDICATOR
(P. 71)
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR (P. 72)
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM INDICATOR
ᤳ(P. 76) CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATORᤳ(P. 75) MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY (P. 79)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR (P. 72)
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P. 69)LIGHT ON INDICATOR (P. 74)
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR (P. 70)
Instrument Panel
67
Instruments and Controls
Page 75 of 621

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
information about your vehicle.
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on.
If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.If either of you do not fasten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals, and you
will see a‘‘FASTEN SEAT BELT’’or
‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER SEAT
BELT’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 87).
For more information, see page 21.
Instrument Panel Indicators68
Page 76 of 621

Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running, or if a
‘‘CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’
message is on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page 562.Charging System
Indicator
If it comes on when the engine is
running, the battery is not being
charged, and you will see a‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page 562.Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
You will also see a‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’message on the
multi-information display. For more
information, see page 563.
U.S. Canada
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
released can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will
sound, and you will also see a
‘‘RELEASE PARKING BRAKE’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 87).2. If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a‘‘LOW
BRAKE FLUID’’or‘‘CHECK
BRAKE SYSTEM’’message on the
multi-information display (see
pages 87). For more information,
see page 564.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
69
Instruments and Controls
Page 77 of 621

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 airbag
system components. You will also
see a‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 87). For more
information, see page 36.
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 page 87).
For more information, see page 36.
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 page 88).
For more information, see page 461.
Instrument Panel Indicators70
Page 78 of 621

Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It flashes when VSA is
active (see page 473).
If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, there is a problem with
the VSA or Hill Start Assist system.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 88).
Take your vehicle to a dealer to have
it checked. Without VSA, your
vehicle still has normal driving
ability, but will not have VSA traction
and stability enhancement. For more
information, see page 473.
This indicator may also come on if
there is a problem with the trailer
stability assist function (see page
498).
VSA Off Indicator
It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more information, see
page 473.
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is burned
out (see page 529). Replace the bulb
as soon as possible, since other
drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
71
Instruments and Controls