dashboard Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

11
Quick Reference Guide
Climate Control System (P 163)
● Press the driver's or passenger’s AUTO button to activate the climate control system.
● Press the button to turn the system on or off.
● Press the button to defrost the windshield.
The climate control syst em is voice operable. See the navi gation system manual for complete
details.
Models with navigation system
(Fan Control) Bar
(Rear Window Defogger/
Heated Mirror) Button
(Windshield Defroster) Button
A/C (Air Conditioning)
Button
Air flows from dashboard vents
and back of the center console.Air flows from floor and
dashboard vents, and back of
the center console.
Air flows from floor vents.
Air flows from floor and
windshield defroster vents.
(ON/OFF
) Button
(Recirculation) Button
Passenger’s Side MODE
Control Button
Passenger’s Side
Temperature
Control Switch
SYNC (Synchronized)
Button Driver’s Side
AUTO
Button
Driver’s Side
Temperature
Control Switch Driver’s Side
MODE
Control Button Passenger’s Side
AUTO
Button
Clock (P 102)
aPress the SETUP button.
bTurn the selector knob to select CLOCK
ADJUST , then press the knob.
cTurn the selector knob to select the
clock display setting, hours, or minutes,
then press the knob.
dTurn the selector kn ob to change the
clock display setting, hours, or minutes,
then press the knob.
eSelect Set with the selector knob, then
press the knob to complete clock
adjustment.
The navigation system re ceives signals from
GPS satellites, updating the clock
automatically.
Models without navigation system
Models with navigation system

15
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P 269)
Under the Hood (P 277)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid.
● Check the battery regularly.
aPull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
bLocate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
cWhen finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights (P 291)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades (P 298)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P 300)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pre ssures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.

36
uuAirbags uAirbag System Components
Safe Driving
The front, front side, and side curtain
airbags are deployed according to the
direction and severity of impact. The airbag
system includes:
aTwo SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
front airbags. The driver’s airbag is stored
in the center of the steering wheel; the
front passenger’s airbag is stored in the
dashboard. Both are marked SRS
AIRBAG.
bTwo side airbags, one for the driver and
one for a front passen ger. The airbags are
stored in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked SIDE AIRBAG.
cTwo side curtain airbags, one for each
side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored
in the ceiling, above the side windows.
The front and rear pillars are marked
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG .
dAn electronic control unit that continually
monitors and records information about
the sensors, the airbag activators, the
seat belt tensioners, and driver and front
passenger seat belt use when the ignition
switch is in ON
w*1.
eAutomatic front seat belt tensioners. The
driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts
incorporate sensors that detect whether
or not they are fastened.
The front seat belt tensioners also include
the e-pretensioners.
fA driver’s seat position sensor. If the seat
is too far forward, the airbag will inflate
with less force.
gWeight sensors in the front passenger’s
seat. The front passenger’s airbag will be
turned off if the weight on the seat is 65
lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant
or small child).
Models with CMBSTM
hImpact sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe front impact, side
impact, or if your vehicle is about to
rollover.
iAn indicator on the dashboard that alerts
you that the front passenger’s front
airbag has been turned off.
jSensors that can detect if a child or small
statured adult is in the deployment path
of the front passenger’s side airbag.
kAn indicator on the instrument panel that
alerts you to a possible problem with your
airbag system or seat belt tensioners.
lAn indicator on the instrument panel that
alerts you that the fro nt passenger’s side
airbag has been turned off.
mSafing Sensor
*1: Models with the keyless access system
have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ignition switch.

37
uuAirbags uAirbag System Components
Safe DrivingAirbags can pose serious hazards. To do their job, airbags must inflate with
tremendous force. So, while airbags help save lives, they can cause minor injuries,
sometimes even fatal ones if occupants are not wearing their seat belts properly and
sitting correctly.
What you should do: Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as
far back from the steering wheel as possib le while allowing full control of the
vehicle. A front passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as
possible.
Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that
can occur in a severe crash, even when s eat belts are properly worn and the airbags
deploy.
Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front airbag.
Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp
object in your mouth, can result in in juries if your front airbag inflates.
Do not attach or place objects on the front airbag covers. Objects on the
covers marked SRS AIRBAG could interfere with the pr oper operation of the airbags
or be propelled inside the vehicle an d hurt someone if the airbags inflate.
■Important facts about your airbags1Important facts about your airbags
Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags. Together,
airbags and seat belts provide the best protection.
When driving, keep hands and arms out of the
deployment path of the front airbag by holding each
side of the steering wheel. Do not cross an arm over
the airbag cover.

38
uuAirbags uTypes of Airbags
Safe Driving
Types of Airbags
Your vehicle is equipped with three types of airbags:
• Front airbags: Airbags in front of the driver ’s and front passenger’s seats.
• Side airbags: Airbags in the driver’s and front passenger’s seat-backs.
• Side curtain airbags: Airbags above the side windows.
Each is discussed in the following pages.
Front Airbags (SRS)
The front SRS airbags inflate in a moderate to severe frontal collision to help protect
the head and chest of the driver and/or front passenger.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indica tes that the airbags are designed to
supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant’s primary
restraint system.
The front airbags are housed in the center of the steering wheel for the driver, and
in the dashboard for the front passenge r. Both airbags are marked SRS AIRBAG.
■Housing Locations
1Types of Airbags
The airbags can inflate whenever the ignition switch
is in ON
(w*1.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition
switch.
1 Front Airbags (SRS)
Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags
(SRS)
Your vehicle is equipped with dual-stage, multiple-
threshold front airbags (SRS).
During a frontal crash severe enough to cause one or
both front airbags to deploy, the airbags can inflate
at different rates, dependi ng on the severity of the
crash, whether or not the seat belts are latched,
and/or other factors. Frontal airbags are designed to
supplement the seat belts to help reduce the
likelihood of head and chest injuries in frontal
crashes.

41
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe DrivingYour front airbags have advanced features to help reduce the likelihood of airbag
related injuries to smaller occupants.
The driver’s advanced front airbag system
includes a seat position sensor.
If the seat is too far forward, the airbag
inflates with less force, regardless of the
severity of the impact.
The passenger’s advanced front airbag system
has weight sensors.
Although Acura recommends against carrying
an infant or small child in front, if the sensors
detect the weight of a child (up to about 65
lbs or 29 kg), the system will automatically
turn off the passenger’s front airbag.
■Advanced Airbags1 Advanced Airbags
If there is a problem with the driver’s seat position
sensor, the SRS indicator will come on and the airbag
will inflate with full (normal) force, regardless of the
driver’s seating position.
For both advanced front airbags to work properly:
•Do not spill any liquid on or under the seats.•Do not put any object un der the passenger’s seat.•Make sure any objects are positioned properly on
the floor. Improperly positioned objects can
interfere with the advanced airbag sensors.
•All occupants should sit upright and wear their seat
belts properly.
•Do not place any cover ov er the passenger side
dashboard.
Make sure the floor mat behind the front passenger’s
seat is hooked to the floor mat anchor. An improperly
placed mat can interfere wi th the advanced airbag
sensors. 2 Floor Mats P. 314
Driver’s
Seat
Position
Sensor
Passenger’s
Seat
Weight
Sensors

51
uuChild Safety uProtecting Child Passengers
Safe Driving
• Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt
portion of the lap/shoulder belt or th e lower anchors of the LATCH system.
• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the
event of a collision.
• Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would
likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
• Never let two children use the same s eat belt. Both children could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.
• Do not leave children in the vehicle unat tended, especially in hot weather when
the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.1 Protecting Child Passengers
To deactivate a lockable re tractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
To remind you of the passenger’s front airbag
hazards and child safety, your vehicle has warning
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the
front visors. Please read an d follow the instructions
on these labels. 2 Safety Labels P. 65
3WARNING
Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or
wrap one around their neck can result in
serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat
belt and make sure any unused seat belt a
child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,
and locked.

65
Safe Driving
Safety Labels
Label Locations
These labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels
carefully.
If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the U. S. dashboard label which may be removed by the owner), contact a dealer
for a replacement.
Sun Visor U.S. models Canadian models
Radiator Cap DoorjambsU.S. models
U.S. models only Dashboard
Canadian models
Doorjambs

143Continued
Controls
Adjusting the Seats
Adjusting 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
1 Adjusting the Seats
The National Highway Traffi c 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 adjust ments before driving.
3WARNING
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
(Driver’s side only)

163Continued
Controls
Climate Control System
Using Automatic Climate Control
The automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you select.
The system also selects the proper mix of heat ed or cooled air that will, as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior temperature to your preference.
Use the system when the engine is running.
1. Press the driver’s or passenger’s AUTO button.
2. Adjust the interior temperature using the dr iver’s side or passenger’s side control
switch.
3. Press the button to cancel.
■Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the (Recirculation) button and switch the mode depending on
environmental conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicator on): Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior through
the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off): Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system in
fresh air mode in normal situations.
1 Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are pressed while using the climate
control system in AUTO, the function of the button
that was pressed will take priority.
The AUTO indicator will go off, but functions
unrelated to the button that was pressed will be
controlled automatically.
To prevent cold air from blowing in from outside, the
fan may not start immediately when the AUTO
button is pressed.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down
more rapidly by partially opening the windows,
turning the system on AUTO, and setting the
temperature to low. Cha nge the fresh mode to
recirculation mode until th e temperature cools down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or upper
limit, Lo or Hi is displayed.
Pressing the button switches the climate
control system between on and off. When turned on,
the system returns to your last selection.
Dashboard vents
and back of the
center console Dashboard and floor
vents, and back of the
center console Floor vents Floor and
defroster vents
(Driver’s side only)
Driver’s Side AUTO Button
Driver’s Side
Temperature
Control Switch (Recirculation)
Button
A/C (Air Conditioning) Button Passenger’s Side
Temperature
Control Switch
(Fan Control) Bar
Passenger’s Side AUTO Button