Acura MDX (2018 year). Manual — part 4

52

uu

Airbags

u

Side Curtain Airbags

Safe Driving

Side Curtain Airbags

The side curtain airbags help protect the heads of the driver and passengers in the
outer seating positions during a moderate-to-severe side impact. The side curtain
airbags equipped in this vehicle are also designed to help reduce the likelihood of
partial and complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes,
particularly rollover crashes.

The side curtain airbags are located in the
ceiling above the side windows on both sides
of the vehicle.

The side curtain airbag is designed to deploy
in a rollover or a moderate-to-severe side
impact.

■

Housing Locations

1

Side Curtain Airbags

If the SRS control unit senses that your vehicle is
about to rollover, it immediately deploys both side
curtain airbags and activates both front seat belt
tensioners.

If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the
passenger’s side curtain airbag deploys even if there
are no occupants on that side of the vehicle.

To get the best protection from the side curtain
airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts
properly and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof
pillars as they can interfere with the proper operation
of the side curtain airbags.

Side Curtain Airbag Storage

■

Operation

Deployed Side Curtain Airbag

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 52 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

Continued

53

uu

Airbags

u

Airbag System Indicators

Safe Driving

■

When side curtain airbags deploy in a frontal collision

One or both side curtain airbags may also inflate in a moderate-to-severe angled
frontal collision.

Airbag System Indicators

If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on and a
message appears on the MID.

■

When the power mode is set to ON

The indicator comes on for a few seconds,
then goes off. This tells you the system is
working properly.

If the indicator comes on at any other time, or
does not come on at all, have the system
checked by a dealer as soon as possible. If you
don’t, your airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when they are needed.

■

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

1

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

3

WARNING

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in
serious injury or death if the airbag systems
or tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts
you to a possible problem.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 53 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

uu

Airbags

u

Airbag System Indicators

54

Safe Driving

■

When the passenger front airbag off
indicator comes on

The indicator comes on to alert you that the
passenger’s front airbag has been turned off.
This occurs when the weight sensors detect
65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an infant
or small child, on the seat.

Children age 12 or under should always ride properly restrained in a back seat.

2 Child Safety P. 56

Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.

If the front passenger seat is empty, the passenger’s front airbag will not deploy and
the indicator will not come on.

■

Passenger Front Airbag Off Indicator

1

Passenger Front Airbag Off Indicator

If the indicator comes on with no front passenger and
no objects on the passenger’s seat, or with an adult
riding there, something may be interfering with the
weight sensors, such as:

•

An object hanging on the seat or in the seat-back
pocket.

•

A child seat or other object pressing against the
rear of the seat-back.

•

A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of
the front passenger’s seat.

•

The front seat or seat-back is forced back against
an object on the seat or floor behind it.

•

An object placed under the front passenger’s seat.

If none of these conditions exist, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The passenger front airbag off indicator may come
on and go off repeatedly if the total weight on the
seat is near the airbag cutoff threshold.

U.S.

Canada

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 54 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

55

uu

Airbags

u

Airbag Care

Safe Driving

Airbag Care

You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:

■

When the airbags have deployed

If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced.

■

When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision

Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.

■

Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer

This would likely disable or affect the proper operation of the driver’s seat position
sensor or the weight sensors in the passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or
modify a front seat to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact an Acura
dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and for
Canadian vehicles, Acura Client Services at 1-888-9-ACURA-9.

1

Airbag Care

We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 55 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

56

Safe Driving

Child Safety

Protecting Child Passengers

Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are
either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle crashes are the
number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province
and territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride
in a vehicle.

Children should sit properly restrained in a rear seat. This is because:

• An inflating front or side airbag can injure

or kill a child sitting in the front seat.

• A child in the front seat is more likely to

interfere with the driver’s ability to safely
control the vehicle.

• Statistics show that children of all sizes and

ages are safer when they are properly
restrained in a rear seat.

1

Protecting Child Passengers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and Transport Canada recommend that all children
ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear
seat. Some states or provinces/territories have laws
restricting where children may ride.

3

WARNING

Children who are unrestrained or
improperly restrained can be seriously
injured or killed in a crash.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be
properly restrained in a child seat. A larger
child should be properly restrained with a
seat belt, using a booster seat if necessary.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 56 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

57

uu

Child Safety

u

Protecting Child Passengers

Safe Driving

• Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an

approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the seat
belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.

• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the

event of a collision.

• Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would

likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

• Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very

seriously injured in a crash.

• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.

• Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when

the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.

1

Protecting Child Passengers

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

To remind you of the passenger’s front airbag
hazards and child safety, your vehicle has warning
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the
front visors. Please read and follow the instructions
on these labels.

2 Safety Labels P. 75

3

WARNING

Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or
wrap one around their neck can result in
serious injury or death.

Instruct children not to play with any seat
belt and make sure any unused seat belt a
child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,
and locked.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 57 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

58

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Safety of Infants and Small Children

An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the
infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the
infant is at least one year old.

■

Positioning a rear-facing child seat

Child seats must be placed and secured in a
rear seating position.

When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front
passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-back
in the desired position. Make sure that there is no contact between the child seat
and the seat in front of it.

It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger’s advanced front airbag
system.

2 Airbags P. 41

If this occurs, we recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front
passenger’s seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied.
Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.

■

Protecting Infants

1

Protecting Infants

Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat
for a child up to two years old if the child’s height and
weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.

Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a
forward facing position.

Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions before installation.

Do not allow a front seat to rest against a child seat
installed in a rear seating position:
The weight sensor in the front seat may not correctly
detect the actual weight of the occupant.

3

WARNING

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front
seat can result in serious injury or death
during a crash.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the
rear seat, not the front.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 58 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

Continued

59

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

If a child is at least one year old and has exceeded the weight and height limitations
of a rearward facing child seat, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly
secured forward facing child seat until they exceed the weight and height limitations
for the forward facing child seat.

■

Forward-facing child seat placement

We strongly recommend placing a forward-
facing child seat in a rear seating position.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with
advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A
rear seat is the safest place for a child.

■

Protecting Smaller Children

1

Protecting Smaller Children

Educate yourself about the laws and regulations
regarding child seat use where you are driving, and
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

3

WARNING

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the
front seat can result in serious injury or
death if the front airbag inflates.

If you must place a forward-facing child
seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, and properly restrain the
child.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 59 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

60

Safe Driving

Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).
Some have a rigid-type connector while others have a flexible-type connector. Both
are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be
installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat
manufacturer’s use and care instructions including recommended expiration dates
as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to maximizing
your child’s safety.

In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible
child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security.
This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured
with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat
manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat
once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual
for proper installation instructions.

■

Important consideration when selecting a child seat

Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
• The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.
• The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
• The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or

Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

■

Selecting a Child Seat

1

Selecting a Child Seat

Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is
simple.

LATCH-compatible child seats have been developed
to simplify the installation process and reduce the
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 60 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

Continued

61

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in the second row seats. A child seat
is attached to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.

1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.

■

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

1

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

3

WARNING

Never attach two child seats to the same
anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not
be strong enough to hold two child seat
attachments and may break, causing
serious injury or death.

Models with second row captain seat

Marks

Marks

Models with second row bench seat

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 61 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

62

Safe Driving

2. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then

attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to the instructions that came
with the child seat.

u

When installing the child seat, make sure
that the lower anchors are not
obstructed by the seat belt or any other
object.

Rigid Type

Lower Anchors

Flexible Type

1

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat
installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the
child seat is properly secured to the vehicle.
A child seat that is not properly secured will not
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 62 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

63

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Continued

Safe Driving

Second row captain seat

3. 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.

3. 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.

4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

5. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.

6. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted
and locked.

2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 56

Straight Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 63 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

64

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Second row bench seat

3. Put the outer head restraint to its

uppermost 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.

3. 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.

3. 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.

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Outer position

Straight Top Tether Type

Outer position

Other Top Tether Type

Center position

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 64 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

65

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Continued

Safe Driving

4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

5. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.

6. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted
and locked.

2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 56

All positions

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 65 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

66

Safe Driving

A child seat can be installed with a lap/shoulder belt in any rear seat or, if absolutely
necessary, the front passenger seat.

1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt through the child seat

according to the seat manufacturer’s
instructions, and insert the latch plate into
the buckle.

u

Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.

3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all

the way out until it stops. This activates the
lockable retractor.

4. Let the seat belt retract a few inches and

check that the retractor has switched
modes by pulling on the webbing. It should
not pull out again until it is reset by
removing the latch plate from the buckle.

u

If you are able to pull the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Slowly pull the seat belt all the
way out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.

■

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

1

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

A child seat that is not properly secured will not
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 66 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分

Continued

67

uu

Child Safety

u

Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near

the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack
from the lap part of the belt.

u

When doing this, place your weight on
the child seat and push it into the vehicle
seat.

6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to
side; less than one inch of movement
should occur near the seat belt.

7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted
and locked.

2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 56

1

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

18 ACURA MDX-31TZ56400.book 67 ページ ２０１７年８月２３日 水曜日 午後４時１分