Acura MDX HYBRID (2020 year). Manual in english - page 2

28

Quick

 Referenc

e Guide

Handling the Unexpected 

(P613)

Flat Tire 

(P615)

●

Park in a safe location and repair the flat 
tire using the tire repair kit.

●

Park in a safe location and replace the 
flat tire with the compact spare tire 
located under the cargo area.

Indicators Come On 

(P642)

●

Identify the indicator and consult the 
owner’s manual.

Models with temporary tire repair kit

Models with a compact spare tire

Power System Won’t 
Start 

(P635)

●

If the battery is dead, jump start using a 
booster battery.

Blown Fuse 

(P648)

●

Check for a blown fuse if an electrical 
device does not operate.

Overheating 

(P640)

●

Park in a safe location. If you do not see 
steam under the hood, open the hood, 
and let the engine cool down.

Emergency Towing 

(P657)

●

Call a professional towing service if you 
need to tow your vehicle.

29

Quick

 Referenc

e Guide

What to Do If

Why do I hear an operating 
noise when applying the 
brakes?

This can occur when the ABS activates and does not indicate a 
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never 
pump the brake pedal.

2

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) 

(P524)

The rear door cannot be 
opened from inside the 
vehicle. Why?

Check if the childproof lock is in the 
lock position. If so, open the rear 
door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, slide the 
lever upwards to the unlock 
position.

Why do the doors lock 
after I unlocked the doors?

If you do not open the doors within 30 seconds, the doors are 
relocked automatically for security.

Why does the beeper 
sound when I open the 
driver’s door?

The beeper sounds when:

●

The power mode is in ACCESSORY.

●

The exterior lights are left on.

30

Quick

 Referenc

e Guide

Why does a beeper sound 
when I walk away from the 
vehicle after I close the 
door?

The beeper sounds if you move outside the walk away auto lock 
operating range before the door completely closes.

2

Locking the doors and tailgate (Walk away auto lock

®

) 

(P148)

Why does the beeper 
sound when I start driving?

The beeper sounds when the driver and/or front passenger are 
not wearing their seat belts.

Pulling the electric parking 
brake switch does not 
release the parking brake. 
Why?

Pull the electric parking brake switch with the brake pedal 
depressed.

I’m seeing an amber 
indicator of a tire with an 
exclamation point. What is 
that?

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) needs attention. 
Check tire pressure.

2

If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks 

(P646)

31

Quick

 Referenc

e Guide

Depressing the accelerator 
pedal does not release the 
parking brake 
automatically. Why?

●

Fasten the driver’s seat belt.

●

Check if the transmission is in 

(

P

 or 

(

N

. If so, select any other 

position.

Why does the gear position 
automatically change to 

(

P

 

when I open the driver’s 
door to check for parking 
space lines when 
reversing?

●

Fasten the driver’s seat belt.

●

Close the driver’s door and manually change the gear 
position.

u

When opening the driver’s door

 

(P468)

Why do I hear a screeching 
sound when I apply the 
brake pedal?

The brake pads may need to be replaced. Have your vehicle 
inspected by a dealer.

Unleaded gasoline with a 
Pump Octane Number 
(PON) of 91 or higher is 
recommended.
Is it possible to use 
unleaded gasoline with a 
Pump Octane Number 
(PON) of 87 or lower on 
this vehicle?

Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic 
knocking noise in the engine and will result in decreased engine 
performance.
Use of a gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to 
engine damage.
The use of regular unleaded gasoline can cause metallic 
knocking noises in the engine and will result in decreased 
engine performance.

33

Safe Driving

You can find many safety recommendations throughout this chapter, and throughout this manual.

For Safe Driving

Important Safety Precautions.............. 34
Important Handling Information......... 36
Your Vehicle’s Safety Features............ 37
Safety Checklist ................................. 38

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts ........................ 39
Fastening a Seat Belt .......................... 42
Seat Belt Inspection............................ 46

Airbags

Airbag System Components............... 47
Types of Airbags ................................ 50
Front Airbags (SRS) ............................ 50
Driver’s Knee Airbag .......................... 54
Side Airbags....................................... 56
Side Curtain Airbags .......................... 58
Airbag System Indicators.................... 59
Airbag Care ....................................... 61

Child Safety

Protecting Child Passengers ............... 62
Safety of Infants and Small Children .. 64
Safety of Larger Children ................... 78

Exhaust Gas Hazard

Carbon Monoxide Gas....................... 80

Safety Labels

Label Locations .................................. 81

34

Safe 

Driving

For Safe Driving

The following pages explain your vehicle’s safety features and how to use them 
properly. The safety precautions below are ones that we consider to be among the 
most important.

Important Safety Precautions

■

Always wear your seat belt

A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to 
supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped 
with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and 
wear them properly.

■

Restrain all children

Children ages 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the 
front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger 
children should use a booster seat and a lap/shoulder seat belt until they can use the 
belt properly without a booster seat.

■

Be aware of airbag hazards

While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants 
who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children, 
and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and 
warnings in this manual.

■

Don’t drink and drive

Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to 
changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. 
So don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your friends drink and drive, either.

1

Important Safety Precautions

Some states, provinces and territories prohibit the use 
of cell phones other than hands-free devices by the 
driver while driving.

35

uu

For Safe Driving

u

Important Safety Precautions

Safe 

Driving

■

Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely

Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying 
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash. 
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to 
divert some attention away from driving.

■

Control your speed

Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher 
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds. 
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum 
speed posted.

■

Keep your vehicle in safe condition

Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition 
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.

■

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle

Children, pets and people needing assistance left unattended in the vehicle may be 
injured if they activate one or more of the vehicle controls. They may also cause the 
vehicle to move, resulting in a crash in which they and/or another person(s) can be 
injured or killed. Also, depending on the ambient temperature, the temperature of 
the interior may reach extreme levels, which can result in harm or death. Even if the 
climate control system is on, never leave them in the vehicle unattended as the 
climate control system can shut off at any time.

36

uu

For Safe Driving

u

Important Handling Information

Safe 

Driving

Important Handling Information

Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use 
only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway 
driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also 
provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.

These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher 
off the ground, it has a higher center gravity making it more susceptible to tipping 
or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher 
rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is 
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, 
make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.

1

Important Handling Information

For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover, 
read:

2

Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle

 

P. 463

2

Off-Highway Driving Guidelines

 P. 455

Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result 
in a crash or a rollover.

37

uu

For Safe Driving

u

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Safe 

Driving

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

The following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and 
your passengers.

1

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Your vehicle is equipped with many features that 
work together to help protect you and your 
passengers during a crash.

Some features do not require any action on your part. 
These include a strong steel framework that forms a 
safety cage around the passenger compartment, 
front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering 
column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat 
belts in a sufficient crash.

However, you and your passengers cannot take full 
advantage of these features unless you remain seated 
in the correct position and always wear your seat 
belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to 
injuries if they are not used properly.

6
7
8
9

10

12

Safety Cage
Crush Zones
Seats and Seat-Backs
Head Restraints
Collapsible Steering Column
Seat Belts
Front Airbags

Side Curtain Airbags
Door Locks

Side Airbags

11

Seat Belt Tensioners

6

7

8

9

9

10

11

11

12

7

Knee Airbag

10

38

uu

For Safe Driving

u

Safety Checklist

Safe 

Driving

Safety Checklist

For the safety of you and your passengers, make a habit of checking these items 
each time before you drive.

•

After everyone has entered the vehicle, be sure all doors and the tailgate are 
closed and locked. Locking the doors and the tailgate helps prevent an occupant 
from being ejected and an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door or the 
tailgate.

2

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside

 P. 154

•

Adjust your seat to a position suitable for driving. Be sure the front seats are 
adjusted as far to the rear as possible while allowing the driver to control the 
vehicle. Sitting too close to a front airbag can result in serious or fatal injury in a 
crash.

2

Adjusting the Seats

 P. 194

•

Adjust head restraints to the proper position. Head restraints are most effective 
when the center of the head restraint aligns with the center of your head. Taller 
persons should adjust their head restraint to the highest position.

2

Adjusting the Front and Second Row Outer Head Restraint Positions

 P. 201

•

Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly. Confirm that any 
passengers are properly belted as well.

2

Fastening a Seat Belt

 P. 42

•

Protect children by using seat belts or child seats according to a child’s age, height 
and weight.

2

Child Safety

 P. 62

1

Safety Checklist

If the door and/or tailgate open message appears on 
the multi-information display (MID), a door and/or 
the tailgate is not completely closed. Close all doors 
and the tailgate tightly until the message disappears.

2

Multi-Information Display (MID) Warning 
and Information Messages

 P. 105

39

Continued

Safe 

Driving

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Seat belts are the single most effective safety device because they keep you 
connected to the vehicle so that you can take advantage of many built-in safety 
features. They also help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the 
vehicle, against any passengers, or out of the vehicle. When worn properly, seat 
belts also keep your body properly positioned in a crash so that you can take full 
advantage of the additional protection provided by the airbags.

In addition, seat belts help protect you in almost every type of crash, including:

-

frontal impacts

-

side impacts

-

rear impacts

-

rollovers

■

Lap/shoulder seat belts

All six or seven seating positions are equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts with 
emergency locking retractors. In normal driving the retractor lets you move freely 
while keeping some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop the 
retractor locks to restrain your body.
The front passenger’s, second row and third row seat belts also have a lockable 
retractor for use with child seats.

2

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

 P. 72

1

About Your Seat Belts

Seat belts cannot completely protect you in every 
crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your 
risk of serious injury.

Most states and all Canadian provinces and territories 
require you to wear seat belts.

If you extend the seat belt too quickly, it will lock in 
place. If this happens, slightly retract the seat belt, 
then extend it slowly.

3

WARNING

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases 
the chance of serious injury or death in a 
crash, even though your vehicle has 
airbags.

Be sure you and your passengers always 
wear seat belts and wear them properly.

uu

Seat Belts

u

About Your Seat Belts

40

Safe 

Driving

■

Proper use of seat belts

Follow these guidelines for proper use:

•

All occupants should sit upright, well back in the seat, and remain in that position 
for the duration of the trip. Slouching and leaning reduce the effectiveness of the 
belt and can increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

•

Never place the shoulder part of a lap/shoulder seat belt under your arm or 
behind your back. This could cause very serious injuries in a crash.

•

Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could be very 
seriously injured in a crash.

•

Do not put any accessories on the seat belts. Devices intended to improve comfort 
or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability 
and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

The seat belt system includes an indicator on 
the instrument panel to remind the driver or a 
front passenger or both to fasten their seat 
belts.
If you set the power mode to ON and a seat 
belt is not fastened, a beeper will sound and 
the indicator will blink. After a few seconds, 
the beeper will stop and the indicator will 
come on and remain illuminated until the seat 
belt is fastened.

The beeper will periodically sound and the 
indicator will blink while the vehicle is moving 
until the seat belt is fastened.

■

Seat Belt Reminder

1

About Your Seat Belts

If a front passenger and rear seat passenger moves 
around and extends the seat belt, the lockable 
retractor may activate. If this happens, release the 
retractor by unfastening the seat belt and allow the 
belt to retract completely. Then refasten the belt.

1

Seat Belt Reminder

The indicator will also come on if a front passenger 
does not fasten their seat belt within six seconds after 
the power mode is set to ON.

When no one is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, 
the indicator will not come on and the beeper will not 
sound.
The indicator also may not come on and the beeper 
may not sound when the occupant is not heavy 
enough to trigger the weight sensor. Such occupants 
(e.g., infants and smaller children) should be moved 
to the rear seat as a deploying front airbag likely will 
injure or kill them.

2

Protecting Child Passengers

 P. 62

41

uu

Seat Belts

u

About Your Seat Belts

Safe 

Driving

The front seats are equipped with automatic 
seat belt tensioners to enhance safety.

The tensioners automatically tighten the front 
seat belts during a moderate-to-severe frontal 
collision, sometimes even if the collision is not 
severe enough to inflate the front airbags or 
the driver’s knee airbag.

■

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

1

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

The seat belt tensioners can only operate once.
If a tensioner is activated, the SRS indicator will come 
on. Have a dealer replace the tensioner and 
thoroughly inspect the seat belt system as it may not 
offer protection in a subsequent crash.

During a moderate-to-severe side impact, the 
tensioner on that side of the vehicle also activates.

42

uu

Seat Belts

u

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe 

Driving

Fastening a Seat Belt

After adjusting a front seat to the proper position, and while sitting upright and well 
back in the seat:

2

Adjusting the Seats

 P. 194

1.

Pull the seat belt out slowly.

2.

Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then 
tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is 
secure.

u

Make sure that the belt is not twisted or 
caught on anything.

1

Fastening a Seat Belt

No one should sit in a seat with an inoperative seat 
belt or one that does not appear to be working 
correctly. Using a seat belt that is not working 
properly may not protect the occupant in a crash. 
Have a dealer check the belt as soon as possible.

Never insert any foreign objects into the buckle or 
retractor mechanism.

Pull out slowly.

Correct 

Seated 

Posture.

Latch Plate

Buckle

Continued

43

uu

Seat Belts

u

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe 

Driving

3.

Position the lap part of the belt as low as 
possible across your hips, then pull up on 
the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part 
fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic 
bones take the force of a crash and reduces 
the chance of internal injuries.

4.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again to 
remove any slack, then check that the belt 
rests across the center of your chest and 
over your shoulder. This spreads the forces 
of a crash over the strongest bones in your 
upper body.

The front seats have adjustable shoulder anchors to accommodate taller and shorter 
occupants.

1.

Move the anchor up and down while 
holding the release button.

2.

Position the anchor so that the belt rests 
across the center of your chest and over 
your shoulder.

1

Fastening a Seat Belt

To release the belt, push the red 

PRESS

 button and 

then guide the belt by hand until it has retracted 
completely.
When exiting the vehicle, be sure the belt is properly 
stowed so that it will not get caught in the closing 
door.

3

WARNING

Improperly positioning the seat belts can 
cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly 
positioned before driving.

Lap belt 

as low as 

possible

■

Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor

1

Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor

The shoulder anchor height can be adjusted to four 
levels. If the belt contacts your neck, lower the height 
one level at a time.

After an adjustment, make sure that the shoulder 
anchor position is secure.

Push

uu

Seat Belts

u

Fastening a Seat Belt

44

Safe 

Driving

1.

Pull out the seat belt’s small latch plate and 
the latch plate from each holding slot in the 
ceiling.

2.

Line up the triangle marks on the small 
latch plate and anchor buckle.
Make sure the seat belt is not twisted. 
Attach the belt to the anchor buckle.

3.

Insert the latch plate into the buckle. 
Properly fasten the seat belt the same way 
you fasten the lap/shoulder seat belt.

■

Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor

Models with second row bench seat

1

Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor

To unlatch the detachable anchor, insert the latch 
plate into the slot on the side of the anchor buckle.

3

WARNING

Using the seat belt with the detachable 
anchor unlatched increases the chance of 
serious injury or death in a crash.

Before using the seat belt, make sure the 
detachable anchor is correctly latched.

Small Latch Plate

Latch Plate

Small Latch Plate

Latch Plate

Small Latch Plate

Anchor Buckle

Latch 

Plate

Buckle