MDX small features/quirks/notes
#1
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
MDX small features/quirks/notes
Hi Everyone,
I'm browsing through the manual and I thought I'd note random things that i see that I find interesting that don't get mentioned in any review videos.
My current car is an '09 g37x, so it's possible these things are "just normal" for the modern vehicle, but they are new to me.
Also every now and then something small but noteworthy gets brought up in a video (and not by anyone else) and I thought it'd be worth noting as well.
Something kind of annoying is that the manual shows all things for all models. Some of the stuff may not exist in your country.
Some random notes for starters:
The '360 degree camera" can be enabled if you are driving no faster than 16 mph, at which point it shuts off.
2nd row's middle seat's seat belt drops down from the ceiling.
In the "2022 platinum elite vs 2020 mdx" video, he notes that the car won't really move if any of the doors are open. It moves a foot and then stops moving.
Car will autolock itself in 30 seconds if you unlock the car and don't open the doors. (page 133)
the car can detect the key roughly 32 inches away (in terms of keyless unlock/fuel door unlock)
page 122 of manual: HUD can show incoming caller phone number and text messages, and navigation directions (from android auto/apple carplay)
the outside temperature value can be adjusted +/- 5F if you think it's wrong. (?!?)
Parking brake is automatically disengaged when you press the gas pedal. (manual page 29)
If you are driving 1 mile per hour or slower, and you oppen the door, the car automatically goes into 'Park'. (page 445)
There is a cargo hook/grocery bag hook in the trunk that can handle up to 6 pounds of weight.
I'm browsing through the manual and I thought I'd note random things that i see that I find interesting that don't get mentioned in any review videos.
My current car is an '09 g37x, so it's possible these things are "just normal" for the modern vehicle, but they are new to me.
Also every now and then something small but noteworthy gets brought up in a video (and not by anyone else) and I thought it'd be worth noting as well.
Something kind of annoying is that the manual shows all things for all models. Some of the stuff may not exist in your country.
Some random notes for starters:
The '360 degree camera" can be enabled if you are driving no faster than 16 mph, at which point it shuts off.
2nd row's middle seat's seat belt drops down from the ceiling.
In the "2022 platinum elite vs 2020 mdx" video, he notes that the car won't really move if any of the doors are open. It moves a foot and then stops moving.
Car will autolock itself in 30 seconds if you unlock the car and don't open the doors. (page 133)
the car can detect the key roughly 32 inches away (in terms of keyless unlock/fuel door unlock)
page 122 of manual: HUD can show incoming caller phone number and text messages, and navigation directions (from android auto/apple carplay)
the outside temperature value can be adjusted +/- 5F if you think it's wrong. (?!?)
Parking brake is automatically disengaged when you press the gas pedal. (manual page 29)
If you are driving 1 mile per hour or slower, and you oppen the door, the car automatically goes into 'Park'. (page 445)
There is a cargo hook/grocery bag hook in the trunk that can handle up to 6 pounds of weight.
Last edited by ChodTheWacko; 02-15-2021 at 11:25 PM.
The following 4 users liked this post by ChodTheWacko:
#2
mrgold35
I always get the electronic copy of the owner's manual before purchase and go over it to see the features, quirks, and how to customize them. It helps now days to have YouTube and forums to get additional info. You should test out as many features as you can to get a feel for how they work. It took me a while to trust my traffic jam assist and low speed follow on my RLX.
The following users liked this post:
papachan (04-26-2021)
#3
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Hi All,
I finished going through the manual, and thought I'd include some non-obvious things that you might useful/interesting.
Page numbers included, double quotes are exact quotes from the manual.
The manual includes long lists of things like when feature X will automatically disable/enable. (like idle stop) if you are curious about any of those.
93: The 'low fuel' warning comes on when you have appromately 2.77 gallons/10.5 liters of fuel left.
106: WHen you set Adaptive cruise control, it puts a little mark on the speedometer to indicate the set speed.
134: After locking the door, you have 2 seconds to yank on the door again (to test if it's locked) before auto-unlock will activate.
135: Models with door outer handle ambient lights (?!?) - when you come within range of the car, the ambient lights turn on for 30 seconds, They will not come on if you have previously stayed within the range for more than 2 minutes, or the doors have been locked for a few days. (!!!)
142: Lockout protection: If the doors are locked and the key is not detected, the car beeps and the doors unlock for 15 seconds. If you do not open a door, the doors relock. (To let someone without the key lock the door)
So if you hear that alarm, I'd suggest opening the door ASAP as you might not get that second chance.
162: To open the windows and roof with the remote, press the unlock button, and within 10 seconds, press it again and hold.
To open the windows and roof with the physical key, unlock, and within 10 seconds, turn the key in the unlock position and hold.
To close with the physical key, do the same but use the 'lock' position.
Strangely, I don't see instructions on how to close the windows with the remote. might not be possible?
196: "Make sure that the folded seat-back (of the second row seats) does not press against the front passenger's seat, as this can cause the weight sensors in the front passenter's seat to work improperly".
222: a symbol appears on the audio/information screen when a device is charging on the wireless charger.
Lots of custom settings starting around page 360, with the full menu of everything starting at page 345.
I'd highly suggest browsing through them.
Some you might want to immediately fool around with:
358: Connections->Android Auto->(Saved devices) -> Phone Data collection - Enabled by default. "Allow Acura to collect phone data" (!!!!!)
359: Connections->Apple Carplay->(Saved devices) -> Phone Data collection - Enabled by default. "Allow Acura to collect phone data" (!!!!!)
365: Vehicle->Keyless Access Setup - Walk Away Auto Lock - Which is "disabled" by default
366: Vehicle->Meter Setup->Trip A/B reset timing -> when to reset trip meter/fuel economy: with refuel/IGN off/(Manually reset)
Pretty nice to have different settings for A and B.
438: Remote engine start will automatically precondition the vehicle:
Turn on climate control in recirculate, turn on seat vents, and if cold: turn on defroster, rear defogger, mirror heaters, seat heaters, and heat steering wheel.
446: Instructions for "car wash mode" i.e. "how to go into Neutral and STAY in N for 15 minutes".
454: Picture of all Ambient light locations (which doesn't seem to match reality?)
483: CMBS will operate if the accelerator is partially depressed, but will be cancelled if fully depressed.
490: There's a note about braking assist saying that it automatically deactivates after a certain (unspecified) amount of time, so if you are trapped at a railway crossing between the lowered railroad gates, just keep hitting the gas until the car eventually pushes the track gate out of the way.
551: "If you press and hold the electric parking brake switch while driving, the brakes on all four wheels are applied by the VSA system until the vehicle comes to a stop. The electric parking brake then applies, and the switch should be released".
582: "The fuel filler opening is designed to accept only service station filler nozzles for refueling. Use of smaller diameter tubes (e.g., those used to siphon fuel for other uses) or other non-service station devices can damage the area in and around the filler opening." (note: on page 688, it notes that the cargo area contains a fuel funnel to be used for filling with portable containers)
584: "If you do not fill up the (fuel) tank to full, always add a minimum of 2.6 US gal (10.0 L) of fuel."
610: For changing Wiper blades: "While holding the wiper switch in the MIST position, set the power mode to ON, then to VEHICLE OFF." Both wiper arms are set to the maintenance position as shown in the image."
626: "The battery installed in this vehicle is specifically designed for a model with Auto Idle Stop. Using a battery other than this specified type may shorten the battery life, and prevent Auto Idle Stop from activating. If you need to replace the battery, make sure to select the spcified type and size."
686: If necessary, the fuel fill door can be manually opened via cable from the inside of the car.
687: If necessary, Tailgate can be manually via leveR from the inside of the car
I finished going through the manual, and thought I'd include some non-obvious things that you might useful/interesting.
Page numbers included, double quotes are exact quotes from the manual.
The manual includes long lists of things like when feature X will automatically disable/enable. (like idle stop) if you are curious about any of those.
93: The 'low fuel' warning comes on when you have appromately 2.77 gallons/10.5 liters of fuel left.
106: WHen you set Adaptive cruise control, it puts a little mark on the speedometer to indicate the set speed.
134: After locking the door, you have 2 seconds to yank on the door again (to test if it's locked) before auto-unlock will activate.
135: Models with door outer handle ambient lights (?!?) - when you come within range of the car, the ambient lights turn on for 30 seconds, They will not come on if you have previously stayed within the range for more than 2 minutes, or the doors have been locked for a few days. (!!!)
142: Lockout protection: If the doors are locked and the key is not detected, the car beeps and the doors unlock for 15 seconds. If you do not open a door, the doors relock. (To let someone without the key lock the door)
So if you hear that alarm, I'd suggest opening the door ASAP as you might not get that second chance.
162: To open the windows and roof with the remote, press the unlock button, and within 10 seconds, press it again and hold.
To open the windows and roof with the physical key, unlock, and within 10 seconds, turn the key in the unlock position and hold.
To close with the physical key, do the same but use the 'lock' position.
Strangely, I don't see instructions on how to close the windows with the remote. might not be possible?
196: "Make sure that the folded seat-back (of the second row seats) does not press against the front passenger's seat, as this can cause the weight sensors in the front passenter's seat to work improperly".
222: a symbol appears on the audio/information screen when a device is charging on the wireless charger.
Lots of custom settings starting around page 360, with the full menu of everything starting at page 345.
I'd highly suggest browsing through them.
Some you might want to immediately fool around with:
358: Connections->Android Auto->(Saved devices) -> Phone Data collection - Enabled by default. "Allow Acura to collect phone data" (!!!!!)
359: Connections->Apple Carplay->(Saved devices) -> Phone Data collection - Enabled by default. "Allow Acura to collect phone data" (!!!!!)
365: Vehicle->Keyless Access Setup - Walk Away Auto Lock - Which is "disabled" by default
366: Vehicle->Meter Setup->Trip A/B reset timing -> when to reset trip meter/fuel economy: with refuel/IGN off/(Manually reset)
Pretty nice to have different settings for A and B.
438: Remote engine start will automatically precondition the vehicle:
Turn on climate control in recirculate, turn on seat vents, and if cold: turn on defroster, rear defogger, mirror heaters, seat heaters, and heat steering wheel.
446: Instructions for "car wash mode" i.e. "how to go into Neutral and STAY in N for 15 minutes".
454: Picture of all Ambient light locations (which doesn't seem to match reality?)
483: CMBS will operate if the accelerator is partially depressed, but will be cancelled if fully depressed.
490: There's a note about braking assist saying that it automatically deactivates after a certain (unspecified) amount of time, so if you are trapped at a railway crossing between the lowered railroad gates, just keep hitting the gas until the car eventually pushes the track gate out of the way.
551: "If you press and hold the electric parking brake switch while driving, the brakes on all four wheels are applied by the VSA system until the vehicle comes to a stop. The electric parking brake then applies, and the switch should be released".
582: "The fuel filler opening is designed to accept only service station filler nozzles for refueling. Use of smaller diameter tubes (e.g., those used to siphon fuel for other uses) or other non-service station devices can damage the area in and around the filler opening." (note: on page 688, it notes that the cargo area contains a fuel funnel to be used for filling with portable containers)
584: "If you do not fill up the (fuel) tank to full, always add a minimum of 2.6 US gal (10.0 L) of fuel."
610: For changing Wiper blades: "While holding the wiper switch in the MIST position, set the power mode to ON, then to VEHICLE OFF." Both wiper arms are set to the maintenance position as shown in the image."
626: "The battery installed in this vehicle is specifically designed for a model with Auto Idle Stop. Using a battery other than this specified type may shorten the battery life, and prevent Auto Idle Stop from activating. If you need to replace the battery, make sure to select the spcified type and size."
686: If necessary, the fuel fill door can be manually opened via cable from the inside of the car.
687: If necessary, Tailgate can be manually via leveR from the inside of the car
The following 8 users liked this post by ChodTheWacko:
birdonamission (04-26-2021),
Ghostrider10-32 (04-26-2021),
jdrfive5 (04-28-2021),
LA2TX (05-05-2021),
moose66 (04-26-2021),
and 3 others liked this post.
#6
Intermediate
I noticed this as well!!! I had a '19 RDX and my daughters friend would always slam the door getting out, now when she gets out of the MDX, her "slam" is a normal close 😂😂
#7
I remember when I got my first Mercedes, the first time I closed the door was like closing a bank vault. You can hear the quality!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xgliu128
3G MDX (2014-2020)
9
01-14-2015 05:39 AM