display Acura MDX 2008 Owner's Manual

2008 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
..... 61
Features (
climate control,audio,rear entertainment,steering wheel,security,cruise control,and other convenience items
)
......... 169
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 321
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 337
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 381
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................... 423
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 449
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 465
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 469
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-STX-6102

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The f ollowing 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 f ront.
See pages f or important
guidelines on how to properly
protect inf ants, small children, and
larger children who ride in your
vehicle.
After everyone has entered the
vehicle, be sure the doors and the
tailgate are closed and locked.
When the tailgate is not tightly
closed, the ‘‘TAILGATE OPEN’’
message will come on.
When one or more doors are not
tightly closed, the ‘‘DOOR OPEN’’
message will come on.
Your vehicle has a door and tailgate
monitor on the multi-inf ormation
display to indicate when a specif ic
door or the tailgate is not tightly
closed. You will see the appropriate
indicator and the message f or each
condition.
3741
CONT INUED
Introduction
Close and L ock the Doors
1.
Protecting A dults and Teens
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
11
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This system uses the same sensors
as the front airbags to monitor
whether the f ront seat belts are
latched or unlatched, and how much
weight is on the f ront passenger’s
seat (see pages and ).If either the driver or a f ront
passenger does not f asten their seat
belt while driving, the beeper will
sound and the indicator will f lash
again at regular intervals.
When no one is sitting in the f ront
passenger’s seat, or a child or small
adult is riding there, the indicator
should not come on and the beeper
should not sound.
You will also see a ‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT’’ or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
The seat belt system
includes an indicator on the
instrument panel and a beeper to
remind you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts.
This system monitors the f ront seat
belts. If you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position bef ore your
seat belt is f astened, the beeper will
sound and the indicator will f lash. If
your seat belt is not f astened bef ore
the beeper stops, the indicator will
stop f lashing but remain on.
If a f ront passenger does not f asten
their seat belt, the indicator will
come on about 6 seconds af ter the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
Your seat belt system includes lap/
shoulder belts in all seven seating
positions. The f ront seat belts are
also equipped with automatic seat
belt tensioners.
2930 81
Additional Inf ormation About Your Seat Belts
Seat Belt System Components
20
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When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on brief ly then goes of f . This
tells you the system is working
properly.This indicator
alerts you that the
passenger’s side airbag has been
automatically shut off. It does
mean there is a problem with your
side airbags.
The SRS indicator alerts
you to a potential problem
with your airbags or seat belt
tensioners.
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
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
AIRBAG SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
).
If you see any of these indications,
the airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when you
need them. When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the indicator
should come on brief ly and then go
out (see page ). If it does not
come on, stays on, or comes on while
driving without a passenger in the
f ront seat, you will also see a
‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF’’
message on the multi-information
display. Have the system checked
(see page ).
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66
81
How the Side Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
How the SRS Indicator Worksnot
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
33
U.S.
Canada
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.
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This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .62
............................
Instrument Panel .63
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .64
.............................................
Gauges .72
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .73
Controls Near the Steering
.........................................
Wheel .115
Windshield Wipers and
.................................
Washers .116
Rear Window Wiper and ...................................
Washer .117
.........
Turn Signal and Headlights .118
...............
Hazard Warning Button .122
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .122
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .123
......
Steering Wheel Adjustments .124
.............................
Keys and Locks .126
......................
Immobilizer System .128
..............................
Ignition Switch .129
....................................
Door Locks .130
............
Childproof Door Locks .131
..........................................
Tailgate .131
..........................
Power Tailgate .132
.....................
Remote Transmitter .135
...............................................
Seats .140
...................
Detachable Anchor .146 ..................................
Seat Heaters .148
............................
Power Windows .149
.......................................
Moonroof .152
...............................
Parking Brake .153
...........................................
Mirrors .154
Driving Position Memory
........................................
System .157
...............................
Interior Lights .159
.........
Interior Convenience Items .162
.....................
Beverage Holders .163
.............
Console Compartment .164
..............
Storage Compartment .164
..................................
Glove Box .164
....................
Sunglasses Holder .165
.............................
Cargo Hooks .165
...................................
Sun Visor .166
............................
Vanity Mirror .166
........
Accessory Power Sockets .166
.......................
AC Power Outlet .167
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
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Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.: If equipped
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
A/T TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.65)
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR FOG LIGHT INDICATORACTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORCRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
(P.70)
(P.71)
(P.66)
(P.69)
(P.65)
(P.68)
(P.65) (P.70)(P.67)(P.67)
(P.71)
(P.70)
(P.70)
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR (P.71)
(P.68)
(P.66)
(P.66)
(P.70)
(P.64)
(P.73)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
MESSAGE INDICATOR
(P.69)
(P.437) (P.70)
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CHARGINGSYSTEMINDICATOR
SH-AWD INDICATOR®
2008 MDX

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.For more inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to f asten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
f astened your seat belt.
If your f ront passenger does not
f asten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds af ter the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position bef ore f astening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator f lashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
f lashing but remains on. If either of you do not f asten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will f lash
again at regular intervals, and you
will also see a ‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT’’ or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER
SEAT BELT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
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20
Instrument Panel Indicators
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
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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).For more inf ormation,
see page .
If this indicator comes on when
the engine is running, the battery
is not being charged, and you will
also see a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. For more
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely
damaged if this indicator f lashes
or stays on when the engine is
running, or if a ‘‘CHECK ENGINE
OIL LEVEL’’ message is on the
multi-inf ormation display. For
more information, see page .
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page . This indicator has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not f ully
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 ).
1.
2.
81
436
436 437 438
81
Instrument Panel Indicators
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
U.S. Canada
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This indicator comes on brief ly 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 f ront
airbags. This indicator will also alert
you to a potential problem with your
side airbags, passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system, side curtain
airbags, or automatic seat belt
tensioners. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator normally comes on
f or a f ew 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 f unction. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK ABS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
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 of f . You will also
see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
For more inf ormation, see page .
81 33 81
357
81
33
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Side Airbag Of f
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
66
U.S. Canada
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
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
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator may also come on if
there is a problem with the trailer
stability assist f unction (see page). This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator has f our f unctions.
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
It f lashes when trailer stability
assist is activating (see page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message and a
‘‘CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST’’ message on the multi- inf ormation display (see page ).
The lef t 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 ). 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 f lash.
1.
2.
3.
4.
81 81
359
375 359
359 375 404
Instrument Panel Indicators
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
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