climate control Acura MDX 2006 Owner's Manual

2006 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.

Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................................. i
A Few Wo r

ds About Safety ........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.......................................................4
Driver and Pas

senger Safety ........................................................................\
...............................................7
P r

oper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Cont r
ols........................................................................\
...................................................57
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
...............................105
How t o
op era

te the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................... .
............. .

187
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................199
The proper way to start

the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.........................................................................227
T h
e Ma int

enance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................259
This section covers severa l pr

oblems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
.......................................................281
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and techni

cal information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)..................................................................... 295
A summary of th
e warr anties coverin

g your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
......................................299
How t o
order manuals an

d other technical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
......................................................................................... I
Service Inf ormat

ion Summary
A summary of informat

ion you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
MIRROR
CONTROLSPOWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL REAR A/C CONTROL ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET GLOVE BOX AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
GAUGES (P.68)
(P.82)
(P.96)
(P.92)
(P.94)(P.111)
(P.104)(P.102) (P.112)
(P.106)
(P.93)
MOONROOF
INSTRUMENT PANEL (P. 59)
(P.190) (P.189)

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.With the tailgate open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system/climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system as f ollows:
Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
54
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

Control L ocations
58
MIRROR
CONTROLS
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLEPARKING BRAKE
PEDALREAR A/C CONTROL ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET GLOVE BOX AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
GAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE
INSTRUMENT PANEL (P.
59)
(P.68)
(P.82)
(P.96)
(P.92)
(P.94)(P.111)
(P.104)(P.102) (P.112)
(P.106)
MOONROOF (P.93)
(P.190) (P.189)

The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section
describes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, ref er to the
operating instructions that came
with it.) The climate control system in your
vehicle provides a comfortable
driving environment in all weather
conditions.
Your vehicle has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it..............
Vents, Heating, and A/C . 106
.............................
Airflow Buttons .107
...................
Rear Climate Control . 111
..............
Climate Control Sensors . 111
..........................
Playing the Radio .112
............................
Radio Reception .116
........
Playing XM
Satellite Radio . 118
..................................
Playing a CD .123
...................................
CD Changer .126
....................
Protecting Your CDs .128
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 129
.............
Steering Wheel Controls . 130
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 131
........
Rear Entertainment System . 132
............................
Security System .145
...............................
Cruise Control .146
..............................
Trip Computer .149
.
Rear View Camera and Monitor . 155
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .156
..........................
HandsFreeLink .161
............................................
OnStar .175
Features
Features
105
TM

ÚÜ
Û
Ý
The climate control system f or your
vehicle can also be operated using
the voice control system. See the
Navi section in your Quick Start
Guide f or an overview of this system,
and the Navigation System manual
f or complete details.
When the indicator in the button is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
recirculated throughout the system.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (Fresh Air mode).
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
Push the button to increase the
temperature of air f low. Push the
button to decrease it. When you set
the temperature to its lower limit or
its upper limit, the system runs at f ull
cooling or heating only. It does not
regulate the interior temperature.
This button or icon turns the air
conditioningonandoff.Youwillsee
A/C ON or A/C OFF in the display.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).
Push the button or icon to
increase the f an speed and air f low.
Push the button or icon to
decrease it.
77Only on models equipped withNavigation System
Airflow Buttons
Voice Control System Recirculation Button
Temperature Control Buttons
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button/
Icon
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Fan Speed Control Button/Icon
Features
107

The Automatic Climate Control
system can adjust the f an speed and
airflow levels to maintain the interior
temperature you select.Press the AUTO button.
Set the desired temperature with
the temperature control buttons.
You will see FULL AUTO in the
system’s display.
The system automatically selects the
proper mix of conditioned and/or
heated air that will, as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior
temperature f rom its current level to
the set temperature. In FULL AUTO
the rear A/C control panel cannot be
used. In cold weather, the f an will not
come on automatically until the
heater starts to develop warm air.
You can manually select various
f unctions of the Climate Control
system when it is in FULL AUTO.
All other f eatures remain
automatically controlled.
Manually selecting a f unction causes
thewordFULLinthedisplaytogo
out.
Press the OFF button. However, a
lack of airf low can cause the
windowstofogup.Youshouldkeep
the fan on at all times so stale air and
moisture do not build up in the
interior and cause fogging.
If you set the temperature to its
lower or its upper limit, the system
runs at f ull cooling or heating only. It
does not regulate the interior
temperature.
Select . The system
automatically switches to Fresh
Air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator will not come
on in U.S. vehicles, if the A/C was
off to start with.
Select .
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum level.
For your saf ety, make sure you have
a clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving. To clear the windshield f aster, you
can close the dashboard corner vents
by rotating the wheel below each
vent. This sends more warm air to
the windshield def roster vents. Once
the windshield is clear, select Fresh
Air mode to avoid f ogging the
windows. 1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
T o Remove Exterior Frost or Ice
From the Windows
Manual Operation
To Turn Everything Off
Using A utomatic Climate Control
110

Press the RR A/C MANUAL button
to enable the rear A/C control panel.
The indicator in the button will come
on. A passenger in the second row
can then use the temperature control
dial, f an speed dial, and mode
buttons to adjust the temperature
and airflow to their preference. This
is limited by the system’s minimum
and maximum temperature.Individual rear control
settings are shut off when the
ignition is turned off and return to
the automatic settings. They must be
reset when the ignition is turned on
again.
Theclimatecontrolsystemhastwo
sensors. A sunlight sensor is in the
top of the dashboard, and a
temperature sensor is next to the
steering column. Do not cover the
sensors or spill any liquid on them.
Rear Climate Control, Climate Control Sensors
Using the Rear A /C Unit Climate Control Sensors
Features
111
NOTE:
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL
MODE BUTTONS
FAN SPEED CONTROL DIAL

Clock
Direction of travel
Outside temperature
Instantaneous f uel mileageTheAvgdisplayshowsyouthe
average f uel economy since you
last reset the display.
The E/T is the elapsed time that
the ignition has been on. It
automatically resets to 0.0 when it
reaches twelve hours. This display
can be reset at any time.
The display also has manual
f unctions f or the Climate Control
System. Ref er to page .
All models of MDX have a trip
computer. To operate the trip
computer on models with the
navigation system, ref er to the
navigation manual.
The Trip Computer displays the
f ollowing inf ormation.
The temperature sensor is located
in the f ront bumper, and can be
affected by heat from the road
surf ace, engine heat, and the
exhaust f rom the surrounding
traf f ic. Because of these
conditions, it may take a while f or
the temperature to read correctly. The Range, or estimated distance
you can travel on the fuel
remaining in the tank estimated
f rom the f uel economy you have
gotten over the last several miles
(kilometers).
The Trip display shows you the
total distance you have driven
since it was last reset.
Press the TRIP button to show either
the range and Avg f uel economy, or
the E/T and Trip odometer.
To reset the Avg f uel economy, E/T,
and Trip odometer, press and hold
the RESET button until you hear a
beep.
The outside temperature, f uel
economy, range, and trip odometer
can be displayed in either English or
Metric units. To change between
units, press the TRIP button and
hold it f or f ive seconds.
106
(Without Navigation System)
Changing and Resetting the
Display
Changing Units of Measurement
Trip Computer
150

Î
ε µ
Î Here are some guidelines f or using
voice control:
To enter a command, press the top
of the TALK/BACK button. Then,
af ter the beep, say your command
in a clear, natural tone.
For best system operation, set the
climate control f an speed to low,
and direct the center vents away
f rom the microphone in the ceiling.
If the HFL does not recognize a
command, its response is, ‘‘Pardon.’’
If it doesn’t recognize the
command a second time, its
response is, ‘‘Please repeat.’’ If it
doesn’t recognize the command a
third time, it plays the Help
prompt. To hear a list of available options
at any time, press the top of the
TALK/BACK button, wait f or the
beep, and say, ‘‘Hands f ree link
help.’’
Many commands can be spoken
together. For example, you can
say, ‘‘Dial 123-456-7891.’’
To enter a string of numbers in a
Call or Dial command, you can say
them all at once, or you can
separate them in blocks of 3, 4, 7,
10, and 11.
To skip a voice prompt, press the
Talk button while the HFL is
speaking. The HFL will then begin
listening f or your next command.
Signal Strength Indicates the
network signal strength.
ROAM Status (models without
navigation system) Indicates
your phone is roaming.
Some phones will not send this
inf ormation to the HFL.
TheHFLisoperatedbytheHFL
TALK/BACKbuttonontheleftside
of the steering wheel. The next f ew
pages provide easy-to-use
instructions f or all basic f eatures of
the HFL. All phones may not
operate identically, and some may
cause inconsistent operation of the
HFL. :
CONT INUED
HandsFreeL ink
Using Voice Control
How to Use the HFL
Features
163
NOTE:
TM