Acura MDX 2012-2017 Interior and Exterior Lights Car Owner Manuals

Acura MDX 2012-2017 Interior and Exterior Lights

Acura MDX Interior & Exterior Lighting System – Complete Guide

The Acura MDX lighting system is designed to enhance visibility, safety, and convenience. It includes advanced exterior lighting controls, automatic high-beam functionality, and customizable interior lighting options for a better driving experience.

Exterior Lighting Controls

You can manage all exterior lights using the headlight control lever located on the steering column.

Rotate the switch to select different lighting modes, and push or pull the lever to control high beams.

• OFF: Turns off all exterior lights.
• AUTO: Automatically controls headlights based on surrounding light conditions.
• Parking Lights: Activates exterior lights except the main headlights.
• Headlights On: Turns on all exterior lights, including headlights.
• Fog Lights: Provides additional visibility in foggy conditions (*if equipped).

Push the lever forward to activate high beams and pull it back to return to low beams. Pulling the lever briefly will flash the high beams.

Instrument Panel Brightness Adjustment

You can adjust the brightness of the instrument panel when the vehicle is running.

• Increase brightness: Press the (+) button.
• Decrease brightness: Press the (−) button.

A notification sound will indicate when maximum or minimum brightness is reached.

Headlight Washer System

(*Available on selected models*)

The headlight washer system helps keep headlights clean for better visibility.

• Turn on the headlights.
• Press the washer button to spray cleaning fluid.

The system may also activate automatically when windshield wipers are used for the first time.

Automatic High-Beam System

This intelligent system automatically switches between low and high beams based on road conditions and traffic.

How Auto High-Beam Works

When driving above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h) with the lighting switch set to AUTO, the system detects surrounding light and adjusts beam intensity accordingly.

• High beams activate when no vehicles are detected ahead.
• Low beams remain active when traffic is detected.
• Weather and lighting conditions may affect performance.

Activating or Deactivating Auto High-Beam

Ensure the light switch is in AUTO mode and the headlights are set to low beam.

• To turn OFF: Pull and hold the headlight lever for about 40 seconds until the indicator flashes twice.
• To turn ON: Pull and hold the lever for about 30 seconds until the indicator flashes once.

Temporary Override Options

• Flash the high beams to temporarily override automatic control.
• Switch manually between high and low beams as needed.

System Limitations & Conditions

• Keep the windshield and camera area clean.
• Avoid placing reflective objects on the dashboard.
• Do not attach stickers or accessories near the camera.
• Do not touch or damage the camera lens.

If a system warning message appears, safely stop the vehicle and clean the windshield area. If the issue persists, have the system inspected by a professional.

Interior Lighting Controls

Interior lights can be controlled using switches located on the ceiling panel.

Front Interior Lights

• ON: Lights remain on continuously.
• Door Mode: Lights activate when doors open or the vehicle is unlocked.
• OFF: Lights remain off.

Use the map light buttons to manually turn individual lights on or off.

Cargo Area Lighting

Cargo lights are installed inside the tailgate area.

• ON: Automatically turns on when the tailgate opens.
• OFF: Remains off regardless of tailgate position.

One-Touch Turn Signal Feature

The one-touch turn signal function allows quick lane changes without fully engaging the turn signal lever.

• Lightly push the lever up or down for a three-blink signal.
• Push the lever fully to activate continuous signaling.

Conclusion

The Acura MDX lighting system combines smart automation with manual control, ensuring better visibility and convenience. Understanding how these features work helps improve safety and driving comfort in all conditions.