Acura MDX (2020 year). Manual in english - page 5

74

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.

75

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.

Radiator Cap

U.S. models only

Dashboard

Air Conditioner System
U.S. models

Sun Visor

U.S. models

Canadian models

U.S. models only

Sun Visor

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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. 658

●

Comes on along with the ABS indicator

 - 

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

2

If the Brake System Indicator (Red) 
Comes On

 P. 658

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 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. 533

U.S.

Canada

(Amber)

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

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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. 529

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. 659

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. 533

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. 533

—

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. 656

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. 681

●

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. 657

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. 656

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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. 670

●

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. 661

●

Set the parking brake when parking.

●

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

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Explanation

Message

Seat Belt 
Reminder 
Indicator

●

Comes on and the beeper sounds 
if you are not wearing a seat belt 
when you set the power mode to 
ON.

●

If the front passenger is not 
wearing a seat belt, the indicator 
comes on about a few seconds 
later.

●

Blinks while driving if either you 
and/or the front passenger has 
not fastened a seat belt. The 
beeper sounds and the indicator 
blinks at regular intervals.

●

The beeper stops and the indicator goes off 
when you and the front passenger fasten their 
seat belts.

●

Stays on after you and/or the front 
passenger has fastened the seat belt(s)

 - 

A detection error may have occurred in the 
sensor. Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

2

Seat Belt Reminder

 P. 34

Low Fuel Indicator

●

Comes on when the fuel reserve 
is running low (approximately 2.5 
U.S. gal./9.5 Liter left).

●

Blinks if there is a problem with 
the fuel gauge.

●

Comes on

 - Refuel your vehicle as soon as 

possible.

●

Blinks

 - Have your vehicle checked by a 

dealer.

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Anti-lock Brake 
System (

ABS

) 

Indicator

●

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

●

If it comes on at any other time, 
there is a problem with the ABS.

●

Stays on constantly

 - Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer. With this indicator on, 
your vehicle still has normal braking ability but 
no anti-lock function.

2

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

 P. 535

Supplemental 
Restraint System 
Indicator

●

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

●

Comes on if a problem with any 
of the following is detected:

-

Supplemental restraint system

-

Side airbag system

-

Side curtain airbag system

-

Seat belt tensioner

●

Stays on constantly or does not come on 
at all

 - Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

Auto High-Beam 
Indicator

●

Comes on when all the operating 
conditions of the Auto high-
beam are met.

2

Auto High-Beam

 P. 176

—

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Explanation

Message

Vehicle Stability 
Assist

®

 (VSA

®

) 

System Indicator

●

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

●

Blinks when VSA

®

, or trailer 

stability assist is active.

●

Comes on if there is a problem 
with the VSA

®

, hill start assist, 

trailer stability assist or brake 
lighting system.

●

Stays on constantly

 - Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer.

2

Vehicle Stability Assist

®

 (VSA

®

), aka 

Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

 

P. 518

2

Trailer Stability Assist

 P. 459

2

Hill start assist system

 P. 469

●

When 

Trailer Stability Assist Problem

 is 

displayed on the MID, the VSA

®

 does not 

activate.

Vehicle Stability 
Assist

®

 (VSA

®

) OFF 

Indicator

●

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

●

Comes on when you partially 
disable VSA

®

.

2

VSA

®

 On and Off

 P. 519

—

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Indicator

Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Speed-sensitive 
Electric Power 
Steering (EPS) 
System Indicator

●

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

●

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

●

Stays on constantly or does not come on 
at all

 - Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

2

If the Speed-Sensitive Electric Power 
Steering (EPS) System Indicator Comes 
On

 P. 658

Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator

●

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

●

Comes on if the tire pressure of 
any of the tires becomes 
significantly low.

●

Blinks for about one minute, and 
then stays on if there is a problem 
with the TPMS, or when a spare 
tire

*

 is temporarily installed.

●

Comes on while driving

 - Stop in a safe 

place, check tire pressures, and inflate the 
tire(s) if necessary.

●

Blinks and remains on

 - Have your vehicle 

checked by a dealer. If the vehicle is fitted with 
a spare, get your regular tire repaired or 
replaced and put back on your vehicle as soon 
as you can.

Turn Signal and 
Hazard Warning 
Indicators

●

Blinks when you operate the turn 
signal lever.

●

Blink along with all turn signals 
when you press the hazard 
warning button.

●

Does not blink or blinks rapidly

2

Replacing Light Bulbs

 P. 593

—

High Beam 
Indicator

●

Comes on when the high beam 
headlights are on.

—

—

* Not available on all models

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Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Lights On 
Indicator

●

Comes on when the light switch 
in a position other than 

OFF

 or 

when the switch is set to 

AUTO

 

and the exterior lights come on.

●

If you set the power mode to ACCESSORY or 
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) while the exterior lights 
are on, a chime sounds when the driver’s door 
is opened.

—

Fog Light 
Indicator

*

●

Comes on when the fog lights 
are on.

—

—

Immobilizer 
System Indicator

●

Comes on briefly when you set 
the power mode to ON, then 
goes off.

●

Comes on if the immobilizer 
system cannot recognize the key 
information.

●

Blinks

 - You cannot start the engine. Set the 

power mode to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK), then 
select the ON mode again.

●

Repeatedly blinks

 - The system may be 

malfunctioning. Have your vehicle checked by 
a dealer.

●

Do not attempt to alter this system or add 
other devices to it. Electrical problems can 
occur.

—

* Not available on all models

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Name

On/Blinking

Explanation

Message

Security System 
Alarm Indicator

●

Blinks when the security system 
alarm has been set.

2

Security System Alarm

 P. 162

—

System Message 
Indicator

●

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

●

Comes on along with a beep 
when a problem is detected. A 
system message on the MID 
appears at the same time.

●

While the indicator is on, roll the multi-
function steering wheel control to see the 
message again.

●

Refer to the Indicators information in this 
chapter when a system message appears on 
the MID. Take the appropriate action for the 
message.

●

The MID does not return to the normal screen 
unless the warning is canceled, or the multi-
function steering-wheel controls is rolled.

—

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Message

Keyless Access 
System Indicator

●

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

●

Comes on as soon as a problem is 
detected in the keyless access 
system or keyless starting system.

●

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

Super Handling-
All Wheel Drive

TM

 

(

SH-AWD

®

) 

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 SH-AWD

®

 system.

●

Blinks when the differential 
temperature is too high.

●

Stays on constantly

 - The engine drives the 

front wheels only in this state. Have your 
vehicle checked by a dealer.

●

Blinks while driving

 - Stop in a safe place, 

put the transmission into 

(

P

, and idle the 

engine until the indicator goes off. If the 
indicator does not stop blinking, take your 
vehicle to a dealer.

2

Super Handling-All Wheel Drive

TM

 (SH-

AWD

®

)

*

 P. 521

* Not available on all models