Acura MDX (2018 year). Manual - part 5

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

68

Safe Driving

A tether anchorage point is provided behind 
each second and third row seating position.
If you have a child restraint system that comes 
with a tether but can be installed with a seat 
belt, the tether may be used for additional 
security.

■

Adding Security with a Tether

1

Adding Security with a Tether

Always use a tether for forward facing child seats 
when using the seat belt or lower anchors.

Models with second row captain seat

Tether Anchorage Points

Tether Anchorage Points

Models with second row bench seat

Tether Anchorage Points

Third row seat

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Continued

Safe Driving

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Using a second row anchor

1. Put the outer head restraint to its upper-

most position, then route the tether strap 
between the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

1. Put the outer head restraint to its upper 

most position, then route the tether strap 
outside the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

Models with second row captain seat

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Outer positions

Straight Top Tether Type

Outer positions

Other Top Tether Type

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

1. Put the center head restraint to its lowest 

position, then route the tether strap over 
the top of the head restraint and secure the 
tether strap hook to the anchor. Make sure 
the strap is not twisted.

2. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 

child seat manufacturer.

Anchor

Models with second row bench seat

Tether Strap Hook

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Center position of second row bench seat

All positions

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

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Using a third row anchor

1. Pull up the head restraint and push 

rearwards until it latches, then route the 
tether strap through the head restraint legs. 
Make sure the strap is not twisted.

1. Pull up the head restraint and push 

rearwards until it latches, then route the 
tether strap outside the head restraint legs. 
Make sure the strap is not twisted.

2. Open the anchor cover.
3. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 

child seat manufacturer.

Other Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Third row seat

Straight Top Tether Type

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

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Child Safety

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Safety of Larger Children

Safe Driving

Safety of Larger Children

The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind 
of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who 
must sit in front.

When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the 
following questions.

■

Checklist

• Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over 

the edge of the seat?

• Does the shoulder belt cross between the 

child’s neck and arm?

• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as 

possible, touching the child’s thighs?

• Will the child be able to stay seated like this 

for the whole trip?

If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder 
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a 
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.

■

Protecting Larger Children

■

Checking Seat Belt Fit

1

Safety of Larger Children

3

WARNING

Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in 
front can result in injury or death if the 
passenger’s front airbag inflates.

If a larger child must ride in front, move the 
vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible, 
have the child sit up properly and wear the 
seat belt properly, using a booster seat if 
needed.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Larger Children

Safe Driving

If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used 
properly, position the child in a booster seat in 
the rear seat. For the child’s safety, check that 
the child meets the booster seat 
manufacturer’s recommendations.

Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever 
have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:
• Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information 

in this manual.

• Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.
• Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the 

seat.

■

Monitoring child passengers

We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on child passengers. Even older, more 
mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts and sit up 
properly.

■

Booster Seats

1

Booster Seats

When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the 
instructions that came with it, and install the seat 
accordingly.
There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a 
booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat 
belt correctly.

Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces and 
territories require children to use a booster seat until 
they reach a given age or weight (e.g. 6 years or 60 
lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or 
province, or territory where you intend to drive.

■

Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks

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Safe Driving

Exhaust Gas Hazard

Carbon Monoxide Gas

The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless, 
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon 
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.

■

Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever

• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.

When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into 
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the tailgate 
open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below.

1. Select the fresh air mode.

2. Select the 

 mode.

3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.

Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked 
vehicle with the engine running.

1

Carbon Monoxide Gas

An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up 
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed. 
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the 
garage immediately after starting the engine.

3

WARNING

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.

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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

U.S. models only

Dashboard

U.S. models only

Sun Visor

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Instrument Panel

This chapter describes the buttons, indicators, and gauges that are used while driving.

Indicators ............................................ 78

Multi-Information Display (MID) Warning 

and Information Messages ............. 100

Gauges and Multi-Information Display 

(MID)

Gauges............................................ 119
MID ................................................. 120

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Indicators

Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Brake System 
Indicator (Red)

●

Comes on for a few seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
ON, then goes off.

●

Comes on when the brake fluid 
level is low.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with the brake system.

●

Comes on while driving - Check the brake 
fluid level.

2 What to do when the indicator comes on 

while driving P. 655

●

Comes on along with the ABS indicator - 
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red) 

Comes On P. 655

U.S.

Canada

(Red)

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Brake System 
Indicator (Amber)

●

Comes on for a few seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
ON, then goes off.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with a system related to braking 
other than the conventional 
brake system.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with the electric parking brake 
system.

●

Comes on while driving - Have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer.

●

With this indicator on, your vehicle still has 
normal braking ability.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with the automatic brake hold 
system.

2 Automatic Brake Hold P. 532

U.S.

Canada

(Amber)

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

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Indicators

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Electric Parking 
Brake Indicator

●

Comes on for a few seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
ON, then goes off.

●

Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied, and goes off 
when it is released.

●

Comes on for about 15 seconds 
then goes off when you push the 
electric parking brake switch with 
the power mode in OFF.

●

Comes on for about 15 seconds 
then goes off when you set the 
power mode to OFF with the 
parking brake applied.

●

Blinks and the electric parking brake 
system indicator comes on at the same 
time - There is a problem with the electric 
parking brake system. The parking brake may 
not be set.

●

Comes on when you pull the 
electric parking brake switch 
without depressing the brake 
pedal.

●

Depress the brake pedal to release the parking 
brake.

2 Parking Brake P. 528

Electric Parking 
Brake System 
Indicator

●

Comes on for a few seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
ON, then goes off.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with the electric parking brake 
system.

●

Comes on while driving - Avoid using the 
parking brake and have your vehicle checked 
by a dealer immediately.

2 If the Electric Parking Brake System 

Indicator Comes On P. 656

U.S.

Canada

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Automatic Brake 
Hold System 
Indicator

●

Comes on for a few seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
ON, then goes off.

●

Comes on when the automatic 
brake hold system is on.

2 Automatic Brake Hold P. 532

Automatic Brake 
Hold Indicator

●

Comes on for a few seconds 
when you set the power mode to 
ON, then goes off.

●

Comes on when the automatic 
brake hold is activated.

2 Automatic Brake Hold P. 532

—

U.S.

Canada

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Low Oil Pressure 
Indicator

●

Comes on when you set the 
power mode to ON, and goes off 
when the engine starts.

●

Comes on when the engine oil 
pressure is low.

●

Comes on while driving - Immediately stop 
in a safe place.

2 If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes 

On P. 653

Malfunction 
Indicator Lamp

●

Comes on when you set the 
power mode to ON, and goes off 
either when the engine starts or 
after several seconds if the 
engine did not start. If “readiness 
codes” have not been set, it 
blinks five times before it goes 
off.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with the emissions control 
systems.

●

Blinks when a misfire in the 
engine’s cylinders is detected.

●

Readiness codes are part of the on board 
diagnostics for the emissions control systems.

2 Testing of Readiness Codes P. 678

●

Comes on while driving - Have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer.

●

Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe place 
where there are no flammable objects. Stop 
the engine for 10 minutes or more, and wait 
for it to cool down. Then, take your vehicle to 
a dealer.

2 If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes 

On or Blinks P. 654

Charging System 
Indicator

●

Comes on when you set the 
power mode to ON, and goes off 
when the engine starts.

●

Comes on when the battery is 
not charging.

●

Comes on while driving - Turn off the 
climate control system and rear defogger in 
order to reduce electricity consumption.

2 If the Charging System Indicator Comes 

On P. 653

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Gear Position 
Indicator

●

Indicates the current gear 
selection.

2 Shifting P. 472

—

M (sequential 
mode) Indicator/
Sequential Mode 
Gear Selection 
Indicator

●

Comes on when the manual 
sequential shift mode is applied.

2 Sequential Mode P. 478

—

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Transmission 
System Indicator

●

The indicated current gear 
selection blinks if there is a 
problem with the transmission 
system.

●

Avoid sudden start and acceleration, and stop 
in a safe place immediately. 
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

●

All the gear positions may light 
for several seconds, and go off.

●

When all the gear positions light, immediately 
stop your vehicle in a safe place.

●

Indicators go off if there is no problem.
However, even if they go off, take your vehicle 
to a dealer for inspection.

●

The indicated current gear 
selection or all the gear positions 
blink if there is a problem with 
the transmission system, and the 
vehicle no longer moves.

●

Immediately stop in a safe place.

2 Emergency Towing P. 666

●

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

●

The indicated current gear 
selection or all the gear positions 
blink if you cannot select 

(

P due 

to the transmission system 
failure.

●

The engine can be activated as a temporary 
measure.

2 If the Transmission System Indicator 

Blinks along with the Warning Message 
P. 657

●

Set the parking brake when parking.

●

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

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