Acura MDX HYBRID (2020 year). Manual in english - page 9

143

Continued

Co
ntrols

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

Key Types and Functions

This vehicle comes with the following keys:

Use the keys to turn on and off the power 
system, and to lock and unlock all the doors 
and tailgate. You can also use the keyless 
access system to lock and unlock all the doors 
and tailgate.

The built-in key can be used to lock/unlock the 
doors when the keyless access remote battery 
becomes weak and the power door lock/
unlock operation is disabled.

To remove the built-in key, slide the release 
knob and then pull out the key. To reinstall 
the built-in key, push the built-in key into the 
keyless access remote until it clicks.

1

Key Types and Functions

All the keys have an immobilizer system. The 
immobilizer system helps to protect against vehicle 
theft.

2

Immobilizer System

 P. 165

Follow the advice below to prevent damage to the 
keys:

•

Do not leave the keys in direct sunlight, or in 
locations with high temperature or high humidity.

•

Do not drop the keys or set heavy objects on them.

•

Keep the keys away from liquids, dust and sand.

•

Do not take the keys apart except for replacing the 
battery.

If the circuits in the keys are damaged, the power 
system may not activate, and the keyless access 
system may not work.
If the keys do not work properly, have them 
inspected by a dealer.

You can remotely turn the power system on using the 
two-way keyless access remote.

2

Remote Engine Start with Vehicle 
Feedback

 P. 459

■

Built-in Key

Release Knob

Built-in Key

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Low Keyless Access Remote Signal Strength

144

Co
ntrols

Contains a number that you will need if you 
purchase a replacement key.

Low Keyless Access Remote Signal Strength

The vehicle transmits radio waves to locate the keyless access remote when locking/
unlocking the doors and tailgate, or to activate the power system.

In the following cases, locking/unlocking the doors and tailgate, or activating the 
power system may be inhibited or operation may be unstable:

•

Strong radio waves are being transmitted by nearby equipment.

•

You are carrying the keyless access remote together with telecommunications 
equipment, laptop computers, cell phones, or wireless devices.

•

A metallic object is touching or covering the keyless access remote.

■

Key Number Tag

1

Key Number Tag

Keep the key number tag separate from the key in a 
safe place outside of your vehicle.
If you wish to purchase an additional key, contact a 
dealer.

If you lose your key and you cannot activate the 
power system, contact a dealer.

1

Low Keyless Access Remote Signal Strength

Communication between the keyless access remote 
and the vehicle consumes the keyless access remote’s 
battery.
Battery life is about two years, but this varies 
depending on regularity of use.
The battery is consumed whenever the keyless access 
remote is receiving strong radio waves. Avoid placing 
it near electrical appliances such as televisions and 
personal computers.

145

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

Continued

Co
ntrols

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

When you carry the keyless access remote, 
you can lock/unlock the doors and the 
tailgate.

You can lock/unlock the doors and tailgate 
within a radius of about 32 inches (80 cm) of 
the outside door handle or tailgate outer 
handle.

■

Using the Keyless Access System

1

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

If the interior light switch is in the door activated 
position, the interior light comes on when you unlock 
the doors and tailgate.
No doors opened: The light fades out after 30 
seconds.
Doors and tailgate relocked: The light goes off 
immediately.

2

Interior Lights

 P. 209

1

Using the Keyless Access System

If you do not open a door or the tailgate within 30 
seconds of unlocking the vehicle with the keyless 
access system, the doors and tailgate will 
automatically relock.

You can lock or unlock doors using the keyless access 
system only when the power mode is in VEHICLE OFF.

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

146

Co
ntrols

■

Locking the doors and tailgate

Press the door lock button on the front or rear 
doors, or on the tailgate.

u

Some exterior lights flash; the beeper 
sounds; all the doors and tailgate lock; 
and the security system sets.

1

Using the Keyless Access System

•

Do not leave the keyless access remote in the 
vehicle when you get out. Carry it with you.

•

Even if you are not carrying the keyless access 
remote, you can lock/unlock the doors and tailgate 
while someone else with the remote is within 
range.

•

The door may be unlocked if the door handle is 
covered with water in heavy rain or in a car wash if 
the keyless access remote is within range.

•

If you grip a door handle wearing gloves, the door 
sensor may be slow to respond or may not respond 
by unlocking the doors.

•

After locking the door, you have up to two seconds 
during which you can pull the door handle to 
confirm whether the door is locked. If you need to 
unlock the door immediately after locking it, wait 
at least two seconds before gripping the handle, 
otherwise the door will not unlock.

•

The door might not open if you pull it immediately 
after gripping the door handle. Grip the handle 
again and confirm that the door is unlocked before 
pulling the handle.

•

Even within the 32 inches (80 cm) radius, you may 
not be able to lock/unlock the doors with the 
keyless access remote if it is above or below the 
outside handle.

•

The keyless access remote may not operate if it is 
too close to the door and door glass.

Door Lock Button

Lock Button

Continued

147

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

Co
ntrols

■

Unlocking the doors and tailgate

Grab the driver’s door handle:

u

The driver’s door unlocks.

u

Some exterior lights flash twice and the 
beeper sounds twice.

Grab the front passenger’s door or rear door 
handle:

u

All doors and the tailgate unlock.

u

Some exterior lights flash twice and the 
beeper sounds twice.

Press and hold the tailgate outer handle:

u

The tailgate unlocks and opens.

u

Some exterior lights flash twice and the 
beeper sounds twice.

2

Opening/Closing the Tailgate

 P. 164

1

Using the Keyless Access System

The light flash, beep and door unlock mode settings 
can be customized using the information screen or 
MID.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

When you go into the keyless access system working 
range with all the doors locked, the LED puddle lights 
come on for 30 seconds.
The lights do not come on if you have previously 
stayed within the range for more than two minutes, 
or the doors have been locked for a few days.
The feature activates again after you drive the 
vehicle, then lock the doors.

You can also unlock and open with the power 
tailgate.

2

Opening/Closing the Tailgate

 P. 164

Tailgate Outer 

Handle

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

148

Co
ntrols

■

Locking the doors and tailgate (Walk 
away auto lock

®

)

When you walk away from the vehicle while 
carrying the keyless access remote, the doors 
will automatically lock.
The auto lock function activates when all 
doors and tailgate are closed, and the keyless 
access remote is within about 5 feet (1.5 m) 
radius of the outside door handle.
Exit vehicle while carrying keyless access 
remote and close door(s).

1.

While within about 5 feet (1.5 m) radius of 
the vehicle.

u

The beeper sounds; the auto lock 
function will be activated.

2.

Carry the keyless access remote beyond 
about 5 feet (1.5 m) from the vehicle and 
remain outside this range for 2 or more 
seconds.

u

Some exterior lights flash; the beeper 
sounds; all doors and tailgate will then 
lock.

1

Locking the doors and tailgate (Walk away auto lock

®

)

The auto lock function is set to OFF as the factory 
default setting. The auto lock function can be set to 
ON using the information screen or multi-information 
display (MID).
If you set the auto lock function to ON using the 
information screen or the MID, only the remote 
transmitter that was used to unlock the driver’s door 
prior to the setting change can activate auto lock.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

After the auto lock function has been activated, 
when you stay within the locking/unlocking 
operation range, the indicator on the keyless access 
remote will continue to flash until the doors are 
locked.

When you stay beside the vehicle within the 
operation range, the doors will automatically lock 
approximately 30 seconds after the auto lock 
function activating beeper sounds.

When you open a door after the auto lock function 
activating beeper sounds, the auto lock function will 
be delayed until all doors and tailgate are closed.

Under the following circumstances, the auto lock 
function will not activate:

•

The keyless access remote is inside the vehicle.

•

The keyless access remote is taken out of its 
operational range before all the doors are closed.

u

The beeper will not sound.

u

The beeper will sound.

The activation range of 

the auto lock function is 

about 5 feet (1.5 m)

Continued

149

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

Co
ntrols

To temporarily deactivate the function:

1.

Set the power mode to OFF.

2.

Open the driver’s door.

3.

Using the master door lock switch, operate 
the lock as follows:
Lock  

Unlock  

Lock  

Unlock.

u

The beeper sounds and the function is 
deactivated.

To restore the function:

•

Set the power mode to ON.

•

Lock the vehicle without using the auto lock 
function.

•

With the keyless access remote on you, 
move out of the auto lock function 
operation range.

•

Open any door.

1

Locking the doors and tailgate (Walk away auto lock

®

)

You must wait until the power tailgate fully closes 
before the auto lock function will be activated.

The auto lock function does not operate when any of 
the following conditions are met.

•

The keyless access remote is inside the vehicle.

•

A door or the hood is not closed.

•

The power mode is set to any mode other than 
OFF.

•

The keyless access remote is not located within a 
radius of about 5 feet (1.5 m) from the vehicle 
when you get out of the vehicle and close the 
doors.

Auto lock function operation stop beeper

After the auto lock function has been activated, the 
auto lock operation stop beeper sounds for 
approximately two seconds in the following cases.

•

The keyless access remote is put inside the vehicle 
through a window.

•

You are located too close to the vehicle.

•

The keyless access remote is put inside the tailgate.

If the warning beeper sounds, check that you are 
carrying the keyless access remote. Then, open/close 
a door and confirm the auto lock activation beeper 
sounds once.

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

150

Co
ntrols

■

Locking the doors and tailgate

Press the lock button.

Once:

u

Some exterior lights flash, all the doors 
and tailgate lock, and the security system 
sets.

Twice (within five seconds after the first 
push):

u

The beeper sounds and verifies the 
security system is set.

■

Unlocking the doors and tailgate

Press the unlock button.

Once:

u

Some exterior lights flash twice, and the 
driver’s door unlocks.

Twice:

u

The remaining doors and tailgate unlock.

*1: 

Checking Door Lock Status

 P. 153

■

Using the Remote Transmitter

1

Using the Remote Transmitter

If you do not open a door or the tailgate within 30 
seconds of unlocking the vehicle with the remote 
transmitter, the doors and tailgate will automatically 
relock.
You can change the relock timer setting.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

You can lock or unlock doors using the remote 
transmitter only when the power mode is in VEHICLE 
OFF.

The remote transmitter uses low-power signals, so 
the operating range may vary depending on the 
surroundings.

The remote will not lock the vehicle when a door or 
the tailgate is open.

If the distance at which the remote transmitter works 
varies, the battery is probably low.
If the LED does not come on when you press a 
button, the battery is dead.

2

Replacing the Button Battery

 P. 601

You can customize the door unlock mode setting.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

LED

*1

Unlock 

Button

Lock 

Button

Continued

151

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

Co
ntrols

If the lock or unlock button of the keyless access remote does not work, use the key 
instead.

2

Replacing the Button Battery

 P. 601

Fully insert the key and turn it.

■

Locking/Unlocking the Doors Using a Key

1

Locking/Unlocking the Doors Using a Key

When you lock the driver’s door with a key, all the 
other doors and tailgate lock at the same time. When 
unlocking, the driver’s door unlocks first. Turn the 
key a second time within a few seconds to unlock the 
remaining doors and the tailgate.

You can customize the door unlock mode setting.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

Lock

Unlock

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

152

Co
ntrols

If you do not have the key on you, or if for some reason you cannot lock a door using 
the key, you can lock the door without it.

■

Locking the front doors

Push the lock tab forward 

a

 or push the 

master door lock switch in the lock direction 

b

, and close the door.

■

Locking the rear doors

Push the lock tab forward and close the door.

■

Lockout prevention system

The doors and tailgate cannot be locked when the keyless access remote is inside 
the vehicle.

■

Locking a Door Without Using a Key

1

Locking a Door Without Using a Key

When you lock the driver’s door, all the other doors 
and tailgate lock at the same time.
Before locking a door, make sure that the key is not 
inside the vehicle.

153

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside

Co
ntrols

You can remotely check if your vehicle’s doors 
are all locked or any are unlocked using the 
keyless access remote from extended 
distances.

Press the lock button, the Amber (LEFT) LED blinks once. Then after three seconds 
one of the following feedback will come:

•

Green (center) comes on: Acknowledges that the doors are locked.

•

Red (right) comes on: Acknowledges that doors are not locked, or any door is not 
completely closed.

•

Red (right) blinks three times: The remote does not receive the door lock status 
from the vehicle.

■

Checking Door Lock Status

1

Checking Door Lock Status

Operate the remote in an open space. If there are 
buildings or other obstacles between your vehicle 
and the remote, the remote may not work even 
within the operable range. However, the range 
required for unlocking the tailgate and all the doors 
as well as activating the panic function is the same as 
that required for operating the standard keyless 
access remote.

When checking the door lock status, you can also 
turn the power system on or off.

2

Remote Engine Start with Vehicle 
Feedback

 P. 459

Red
Green
Amber

Lock 

Button

154

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside

Co
ntrols

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside

■

Locking a door

Push the lock tab forward.

■

Unlocking a door

Pull the lock tab rearward.

■

Using the Lock Tab

1

Using the Lock Tab

When you lock the door using the lock tab on the 
driver’s door, all of the other doors and the tailgate 
lock at the same time.
When you unlock the door using the lock tab on the 
driver’s door, only the driver’s door will unlock.

To Unlock

Lock Tab

To Lock

Continued

155

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside

Co
ntrols

Pull the front door inner handle.

u

The door unlocks and opens in one 
motion.

Unlocking and opening the driver’s door from the inner handle unlocks all the other 
doors.

To avoid all the doors to be unlocked, use the lock tab on the driver’s door to unlock, 
then lock again before opening the door.

u

This setting works for one time only. If you do not want all the doors to be 
unlocked all the time, customize the 

Auto Door Unlock

 setting to 

Off

 using 

the MID or information screen.

■

Unlocking Using the Front Door Inner Handle

1

Unlocking Using the Front Door Inner Handle

The front door inner handles are designed to allow 
front seat occupants to open the door in one motion. 
However, this feature requires that front seat 
occupants never pull a front door inner handle while 
the vehicle is in motion.

Children should always ride in a rear seat where 
childproof door locks are provided.

2

Childproof Door Locks

 P. 156

Inner Handle

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Childproof Door Locks

156

Co
ntrols

Press the master door lock switch in as shown 
to lock or unlock all the doors and the tailgate.

Childproof Door Locks

The childproof door locks prevent the rear doors from being opened from the inside 
regardless of the position of the lock tab.

Slide the lever in the rear door to the lock 
position, and close the door.

■

When opening the door

Open the door using the outside door handle.

■

Using the Master Door Lock Switch

1

Using the Master Door Lock Switch

When you lock/unlock either front door using the 
master door lock switch, all the other doors and the 
tailgate lock/unlock at the same time.

To Unlock

Master Door Lock Switch

To Lock

■

Setting the Childproof Door Locks

1

Childproof Door Locks

To open the door from the inside when the 
childproof door lock is on, put the lock tab in the 
unlock position, lower the rear window, put your 
hand out of the window, and pull the outside door 
handle.

Lock

Unlock

157

uu

Locking and Unlocking the Doors

u

Auto Door Locking/Unlocking

Co
ntrols

Auto Door Locking/Unlocking

Your vehicle locks or unlocks all doors automatically when a certain condition is met.

■

Drive lock mode

All doors and tailgate lock when the vehicle’s speed reaches about 10 mph (15 
km/h).

■

Driver’s door open mode

All doors unlock when the driver’s door is opened.

■

Auto Door Locking

■

Auto Door Unlocking

1

Auto Door Locking/Unlocking

You can turn off or change to another auto door 
locking/unlocking setting using the information 
screen or MID.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

158

Co
ntrols

Tailgate

Precautions for Opening/Closing the Tailgate

Always make sure individuals and objects are clear of the tailgate before opening or 
closing it.

•

Open the tailgate all the way.

u

If it is not fully opened, the tailgate may begin to close under its own weight.

•

Be careful when it is windy. The wind may cause the tailgate to close.

Keep the tailgate closed while driving to:

u

Avoid possible damage.

u

Prevent exhaust gas from leaking into the vehicle.

2

Carbon Monoxide Gas

 P. 80

1

Precautions for Opening/Closing the Tailgate

Be careful not to hit your head on the tailgate or to 
put your hands between the tailgate and the cargo 
area when closing the tailgate.

When you are storing or picking up luggage from the 
cargo area while the engine is idling, do not stand in 
front of the exhaust pipe. You may get burned.

Do not allow any passenger in the cargo space. They 
may get hurt during hard braking, a sudden 
acceleration, or a crash.

3

WARNING

Anyone caught in the path of a tailgate 
that is being opened or closed can be 
seriously injured.

Make sure that all people are clear of the 
tailgate before opening or closing it.