Acura MDX 2014 Owner's Manual

uuAdjusting the MirrorsuPower Door Mirrors
160Controls
The driver’s side door mirror has outer and
inner segments.
The outer segment is slightly curved to provide
a wider angle view than a standard flat mirror.
This wider view may help you check areas that
are not visible using a standard door mirror.
■Expanded View Driver’s Mirror
Inner Segment
Outer Segment
1Expanded View Driver’s Mirror
Objects visible in the outer segment of the driver’s
side door mirror appear smaller than objects in the
rest of the mirror. But in fact, they are closer than
they appear.
Do not rely on your mirrors. Always look to the side
and behind your vehicle before changing lanes.

161
Continued
Controls
Adjusting the SeatsAdjusting the Seat Positions
Adjust the driver’s seat as far back as possible
while allowing you to maintain full control of
the vehicle. You should be able to sit upright,
well back in the seat and be able to
adequately press the pedals without leaning
forward, and grip the steering wheel
comfortably. The passenger’s seat should be
adjusted in a similar manner, so that it is as far
back from the front airbag in the dashboard
as possible.
■Adjusting the front power seats
1Adjusting the Seats
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and Transport Canada recommend that drivers allow
at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the center of the
steering wheel and the chest.
Always make seat adjustments before driving.
Once a seat is adjusted correctly, rock it back and
forth to make sure it is locked in position.
3
WARNING
Sitting too close to a front airbag can result
in serious injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.
Always sit as far back from the front
airbags as possible while maintaining
control of the vehicle.
Move back. Allow sufficient
space.
Horizontal Position
Adjustment
Height Adjustment
Seat-back Angle
Adjustment Lumbar Support
Adjustment
*
* Not available on all models

162
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
■Adjusting the second row manual seats
Seat-back Angle
AdjustmentPull up the lever to change
the angle.
Horizontal Position
AdjustmentPull up the bar to move the
seat, then release the bar.

Continued
163
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a comfortable,
upright position, leaving ample space
between your chest and the airbag cover in
the center of the steering wheel.
The front seat passenger should also adjust
their seat-back to a comfortable, upright
position.
Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer rests against the
occupant’s chest reduces the protective capability of the belt. It also increases the
chance of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a
seat-back is reclined, the greater the risk of injury.
■Adjusting the Seat-Backs
1Adjusting the Seat-Backs
Do not put a cushion, or other object, between the
seat-back and your back. Doing so may interfere with
proper seat belt or airbag operation.
If you cannot get far enough away from the steering
wheel and still reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some type of adaptive
equipment may help.
3
WARNING
Reclining the seat-back too far can result in
serious injury or death in a crash.
Adjust the seat-back to an upright position,
and sit well back in the seat.

uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
164Controls
Your vehicle is equipped with head restraints
in all seating positions.
Head restraints are most effective for
protection against whiplash and other rear-
impact crash injuries when the center of the
back of the occupant’s head rests against the
center of the restraint. The tops of the
occupant’s ears should be level with the
center height of the restraint.
■Adjusting the front and second row outer head restraint positions
To raise the head restraint: Pull it upward.
To lower the head restraint: Push it down
while pressing the release button.■Adjusting the Head Restraints
1Adjusting the Head Restraints
In order for the head restraint system to work
properly:•Do not hang any items on the head restraints, or
from the restraint legs.•Do not place any objects between an occupant and
the seat-back.•Install each restraint in its proper location.
3
WARNING
Improperly positioning head restraints
reduces their effectiveness and increases
the likelihood of serious injury in a crash.
Make sure head restraints are in place and
positioned properly before driving.
Position head in the center
of the head restraint.

Continued
165
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
A passenger sitting in the second row center
seating position should adjust the height of
their head restraint to an appropriate position
before the vehicle begins moving.
To raise the head restraint:
Pull it upward.
To lower the head restraint:
Push it down while pressing the release
button.
Head restraints can be removed for cleaning or repair.
To remove a head restraint:
Pull the restraint up as far as it will go. Then push the release button, and pull the
restraint up and out.
To reinstall a head restraint:
Insert the legs back in place, then adjust the head restraint to an appropriate height
while pressing the release button. Pull up on the restraint to make sure it is locked
in position.
■Changing the Second Row Center Seat Head Restraint
Position■Removing and Reinstalling the Head Restraints
1Removing and Reinstalling the Head Restraints
3
WARNING
Failure to reinstall, or correctly reinstall, the
head restraints can result in severe injury
during a crash.
Always replace the head restraints before
driving.
Front and second row head restraints

166
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
A passenger in the third row seating position
should put the head restraint in the upright
position before the vehicle begins moving.
To fold down the head restraint:
Pull the handle.
To put the head restraint back in the
upright position:
Pull up the head restraint and push rearward
until it latches.
■Folding Down the Third Row Head Restraint
Handle

167
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their
seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their
seats, with their feet on the floor until the vehicle is safely parked and the engine is
off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if
an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly
increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.■Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
1Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
3
WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat,
with your feet on the floor.

168
uuAdjusting the SeatsuRear Seats
Controls
Rear Seats
Pressing the button on the seat-back, or seat
cushion tilts the second row outer seat's seat-
back forward.
uThe whole seat slides forward.
Pulling up on the strap also tilts the seat-back
forward.
■Third Row Seat Access
1Third Row Seat Access
The button is disabled when the vehicle is moving.
When you enter the third row seat, be careful not to
trip over the second row seat belt.
Strap

Continued
169
uuAdjusting the SeatsuRear Seats
Controls
Separately fold down the left and right halves of the second row seat to make room
for cargo.
1.Store the center seat belt first. Insert the latch plate into the slot on the side of the
anchor buckle.
2.Retract the seat belt into the holder on the ceiling.
2Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor P. 36
3.Lower the center head restraint to its lowest position. Put the armrest back into
the seat-back.
4.Pull up on the seat-back angle adjustment
lever.
To return the seat to the original position, pull
up the seat-back in the upright position.■Folding Down the Second Row Seat
1Folding Down the Second Row Seat
Make sure that the folded seat-back does not press
against the front passenger seat, as this can cause the
weight sensors in the front passenger seat to work
improperly.
2Passenger Airbag Off Indicator P. 52
The front seats must be far enough forward so they
do not interfere with the second row seats as they
fold down.
To lock the seat-back upright, push it backwards until
it locks.
Make sure the seat-back, head restraints and seat
cushion are securely latched back into place before
driving. Also, make sure all rear shoulder belts are
positioned in front of the seat-back, and the center
shoulder belt is re-positioned in the holding slot.
Lever