key Acura MDX 2009 Service Manual

3. Put a cloth on the edge of the shiftlock release slot cover. Use a small
flat-tipped screwdriver or metal
fingernail file to carefully pry up
the edge of the cover and remove
it from the slot.
4. Insert a key into the shift lockrelease slot.
5. Push down on the key while you press the release button on the
front of the shift lever and move
the shift lever out of Park to
neutral. 6. Remove the key from the shift lock
release slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the driver's side. Press
the brake pedal, and restart the
engine.
If you need to use the shift lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
COVER
RELEASE
BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
Automatic Transmission
347
Driving
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2009 MDX

Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
another qualified technician.
Low Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself. If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the front bulkhead cover
(see page392).
3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
4. Remove the bulb by turning it about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
BULB
CONNECTORCONTINUED
Lights
403
Maint enance
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting
on page432.●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page446.If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal
connections (see page421).You
can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page432).
The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position,
but the engine does not run.
●Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page70).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
431
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
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2009 MDX

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
330
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
166
AC Power Outlet
........................
167
Active Damper System
...............
361
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
307
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
394
Advanced Airbags
.................. ......
29
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
170
Rear A/C Control
....................
175
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
177
Air Pressure, Tires
.....................
415
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
322
Antifreeze
...................................
396
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
66, 357
Operation
................................
357
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
235 Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock
.......................................
129
Audio System
..............
180, 181,200
Auto Control Mode, Starting
Engine
....................................
339
Automatic Climate Control
.........
170
Automatic Lighting
....................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
.................. .............
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
270
Automatic Transmission
............
341
Capacity, Fluid
........................
452
Checking Fluid Level
..............
399
Shifting
...................................
341
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
341
Shift Lever Positions
...............
342
Shift Lock Release
...................
346
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
232
B
Battery Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 436 Jump Starting
..........................
432
Maintenance
...........................
421
Specifications
..........................
453
Before Driving
...........................
321
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
163
Booster Seats
...............................
55
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
357
Break-in, New Linings
.............
322
Bulb Replacement
...................
406
Fluid
.......................................
401
Parking
...................................
153
System Indicator
...............
65, 438
Wear Indicators
.......................
357
Braking System
..........................
356
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
322
Brightness Control, Instruments
............................
123
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Octane Requirement
...............
322
Tank, Refueling
.......................
323
Gas Station Procedures
..............
323
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature
.........................
72
Fuel
..........................................
72
Speedometer
............................
72
Tachometer
..............................
72
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
...................................
364
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)
...................................
364
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
.........
342
Glove Box
..................................
164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
...................................
364
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
403
HandsFreeLink
®........................
278
HFL Buttons
...........................
280
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
122 Headlights
.................................
118
Aiming
....................................
403
Automatic Lighting
.................
118
Daytime Running Lights
.........
120
High Beam Indicator
................
70
High Beams, Turning on
.........
118
Lights On Indicator
..................
70
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
118
Reminder Chime
.....................
118
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
403
Turning on
..............................
118
Washers
..................................
117
Headphones
...............................
266
Head Restraints
..........................
141
Heated Mirror
............................
156
Heaters, Seats
............................
148
Heating and Cooling
..................
170
High-Low Beam Switch
..............
118
HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
276
Hood, Opening and Closing
the
..........................................
325
Horn
..........................................
115 I
Identification Number,
Vehicle
...................................
450
Ignition Keys
........................................
126
Switch
.....................................
129
Timing Control System
...........
461
Immobilizer System
...................
128
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
63
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
..............
66
Active Damper System
......
71, 361
A/T Temp
................................
68
Brake (Parking and Brake System)
.........................
65, 438
Charging System
..............
65, 436
Cruise Control
..........................
70
Cruise Main
.............................
70
Fog Lights
................................
70
High Beam
...............................
70
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
70
Lights On
.................................
70
Low Fuel
..................................
71
Low Oil Pressure
..............
65, 436
Low Tire Pressure
....................
68
Maintenance Minder
...............
383
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................................
437
Passenger Airbag Off
.. .............
34
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
20, 64
Security System
.......................
71
SH-AWD
®.................................
69
Side Airbag Off
............ .............
66
SRS
.....................................
33, 66
System Message
.................
69, 80 Tire Pressure Monitor
..............
68
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
...............................
67
VSA Activation
.........................
67
VSA System
.............................
67
Individual Map Lights
................
160
Infant Restraint
............................
42
Infant Seats
..................................
42
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
51
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
415
Inside Mirror
.............................
154
Inspection, Tire
..........................
417
Installing a Child Seat
..................
46
Instrument Panel
..........................
63
Instrument Panel Brightness
..............................
123
Instruments and Controls
.............
61
Interface Dial
.............................
200
Interior Lights
............................
159
Introduction
...................................
i
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
425
Jack, Tire
...................................
425 Jump Starting
.............................
432
K
Keyless Memory Settings
..........
139
Keys
...........................................
126
L
Label, Certification
.....................
450
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
118
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
15, 21
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
47
Light Control Switch
..................
159
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
403
Indicator
.......... .........................
63
Interior
....................................
159
Parking
...................................
118
Load Limit
...........................
333, 364
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
......
129
Childproof Door
......................
131
IndexVI08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Fuel Fill Door
..........................
323
Glove Box
...............................
164
Lockout Prevention
.................
131
Power Door
.............................
130
Tailgate
...........................
131, 132
Low Coolant Level
......................
326
Lower Anchors
.............................
47
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
71
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
65, 436
Lubricant Specifications Chart
......................................
452
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
332
M
Maintenance
..............................
381
Main Items and Sub Items
......
387
Minder
....................................
383
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
389
Safety
......................................
382
Schedule
.................................
390
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.......
437
Memory, Driving Position
..........
157 Message Display
..........................
80
Message Indicator
.......................
69
Meters, Gauges
............................
72
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
322
Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
155
Modifications
.............................
331
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
331
Moonroof
...................................
152
Multi-Information Display
............
73
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
342
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
322
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
450
O
Odometer
.....................................
75
Odometer, Trip
............................
75
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
378
Off-Road Precautions
..................
378 Oil
Change, How to
......................
394
Change, When to
....................
383
Checking Engine
....................
326
Life, Engine
.............................
383
Pressure Indicator
.............
65, 436
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
393
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
129
Outside Mirrors
.........................
154
Outside Temperature
...................
76
Overheating, Engine
..................
434
Owner's Maintenance Checks
...................................
389
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
322
P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
123
Park Gear Position
.....................
342
Parking
......................................
350
Parking Brake
............................
153
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
...........................
65, 438
Parking Lights
...........................
118
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

SRS, Additional Information
.........
24
Additional Safety Precautions
..........................
35
Airbag Service
..........................
35
Airbag System Components
.....
24
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
33
How the SRS Indicator Works
..................................
33
How Your Front Airbags Works
..................................
27
How Your Side Airbags
Work
....................................
30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
32
SRS Indicator
.........................
33, 66
START (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Starting the Engine
....................
339
Auto Control Mode
.................
339
In Cold Weather at High
Altitude
................................
340
With a Dead Battery
................
432
State Emissions Testing
.............
463
Steam Coming from Engine
.......
434 Steering Wheel
Adjustment
..............................
124
Anti-theft Column Lock
...........
129
Buttons
....................
233, 270,280
Position Memory
....................
157
Stereo Sound System
....................
180, 181,200
Storage Compartment................
164
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
422
Sunglasses Holder
.....................
165
Sun Visor
...................................
166
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™
(SH-AWD
®) System
................
348
Supplemental Restraint System
..............................
9,24
Servicing
.............. ....................
35
SRS Indicator
......................
33, 66
System Components
................
24
Synthetic Oil
..............................
394
T
Tachometer
..................................
72
Tailgate
......................................
131
Opening the
............................
131 Open Monitor
......................
....
11
Power
......................................
132
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
............................................
406
Taking Care of the Unexpected
............................
423
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
454
Emissions Control Systems
.....
460
Three Way Catalytic Converter
............................
462
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
458
Temperature Gauge
.....................
72
Temperature, Inside Sensor
.......
179
Temperature, Outside
..................
76
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
22
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
51
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
235
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
462
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel
.....................................
124
Timing Belt
................................
402
IndexX08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX