battery Acura MDX 2002 User Guide

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The SCAN f unction
samples all the stations with strong
signals on the selected band. To
activate it, press the SCAN button,
then release it. The system will scan
up the band for a station with a
strong signal. When it f inds one, it
will stop and play that station f or
approximately f ive seconds. If you do
nothing, the system will then scan
f or the next strong station and play
that f or f ive seconds. When it plays a
station that you want to continue
listening to, press the SCAN button
again. To store a f requency:
Select the desired band, AM or
FM. FM1 and FM2 let you store
two f requencies with each Preset
button.
Use the TUNE or SEEK f unction
to tune the radio to a desired
station.
Pick the Preset button you want
for that station. Press the button
and hold it until you hear a beep.
Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total
of six stations on AM and twelve
on FM.
Once a station’s frequency is stored,
simply press and release the proper
preset button to tune to it.
You can use any of f our methods to
f ind radio stations on the selected
band: TUNE, SEEK, SCAN or the
Preset buttons.
Use the TUNE knob to
tune the radio to a desired f requency.
Turn the knob clockwise to tune to a
higher f requency, or
counterclockwise to tune to a lower
f requency.
The preset f requencies will be lost if
your vehicle’s battery goes dead, is
disconnected, or the radio f use is
removed.
You can store the
f requencies of your f avorite radio
stations in the six preset buttons.
Each button will store one f requency
on the AM band, and two
f requencies on the FM band.
The SEEK f unction
searches the band for a station with
a strong signal. To activate it, press
either SEEK button ( or ), then
release it. Depending on which
SEEK button you press, the system
scans upward or downward f rom the
current f requency. It stops when it
finds a station with a strong signal. 1.
2.
3.
4.
SCAN
TUNE
Preset
SEEK
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures153
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You will have to store your favorite
stations in the Preset buttons after
the system begins working. Your
original settings were lost when
power was disconnected.
If your vehicle’s battery is discon-
nected or goes dead, the audio
system will disable itself . If this
happens, you will see ‘‘Code’’ in the
frequencydisplaythenexttimeyou
turn on the system. Use the Preset
buttons to enter the five-digit code. If
it is entered correctly, the radio will
start playing.
If you make a mistake entering the
code, do not start over or try to
correct your mistake. Complete the
f ive-digit sequence, then enter the
correct code. You have ten tries to
enter the correct code. If you are
unsuccessful in ten attempts, you
must then leave the system on for
one hour bef ore trying again.
Your vehicle’s audio system will
disable itself if it is disconnected
f rom electrical power f or any reason.
To make it work again, the user
must enter a specif ic f ive-digit code
in the Preset buttons. Because there
are hundreds of number
combinations possible f rom f ive
digits, making the system work
without knowing the exact code is
nearly impossible.
Youshouldhavereceivedacardthat
lists your audio system’s code
number and serial number. It is best
tostorethiscardinasafeplaceat
home. In addition, you should write
the audio system’s serial number in
this Owner’s Manual. If you should
happen to lose the card, you must
obtain the code number f rom your
Acura dealer. To do this, you will
need the system’s serial number. Thef t Protection
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures170
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Always ref er to the operating
instructions and saf ety inf ormation
that came with your garage door
opener or other equipment you
intend to operate with the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver. If you do not
have this inf ormation, you should
contact the manuf acturer of the
equipment.
While training or using HomeLink,
make sure you have a clear view of
the garage door or gate, and that no
one will be injured by its movement.The HomeLink transceiver stores
the code in a permanent memory.
There should be no need to retrain
HomeLink if your car’s battery goes
dead or is disconnected.
If your garage door opener was
manuf actured bef ore April 1982, you
may not be able to program
HomeLink to operate it. Garage door
openers manuf actured bef ore that
date do not have a safety feature that
causes them to stop and reverse if an
obstacle is detected during closing,
increasing the risk of injury. If you
have questions, call (800) 355-3515.
If you are training HomeLink to
operate a garage door or gate, it is
recommended that you unplug the
motor f or that device during training.
Repeatedly pressing the remote
control button could burn out the
motor.
If you have problems with training
the HomeLink Universal Transceiver,
or would like inf ormation on home
products that can be operated by the
transmitter, call (800) 355-3515. On
the Internet, go to www.homelink.
com. The HomeLink Universal
Transceiver built into your vehicle
canbeprogrammedtooperate
remotely-controlled devices around
your home, such as garage doors,
lighting, or home security systems. It
can replace up to three remote
transmitters.
Important Saf ety Precautions
General Inf ormation
Customer Assistance
HomeL ink Universal T ransceiver
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures188
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Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem.
Use the f ollowing procedure: Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
1. 2.
3.
5. 6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
Starting the Engine
Driving210
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To shif t to Reverse
f rom Park, see the explanation under
Park. To shif t to Reverse f rom
Neutral, come to a complete stop and
then shift. Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to Park posi-
tion if you need to leave the vehicle
f or any reason. Press on the brake pe-
dal when you are moving the shif t
lever from Neutral to another gear.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear for your speed and
acceleration. You may notice the
transmission shif ting up at higher
speeds when the engine is cold. This
helps the engine warm up f aster.
Your car has a reverse lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t to
Reverse from Neutral or any other
driving position when the vehicle
speed exceeds 7 9 mph (12 14
km/h).
If you cannot shif t to Reverse when
the car is stopped, press the brake
pedal and slowly shif t to Neutral, and
then to Reverse.
If there is a problem in the reverse
lockout system, or your vehicle’s
battery is disconnected or goes dead,
you cannot shif t to Reverse. (Ref er
to Shif t Lock Release on page ).
215
Reverse (R) Neutral (N)
Drive (D )
5
Automatic Transmission
Driving213
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Your MDX can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
MDX f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake. ShifttoD ,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine. Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R,N,D,D,D,2,1)
271
Do not overf ill.
5
543
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
Ext ended T owing
238
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .248
.
Important Safety Precautions .249
.................
Maintenance Schedule .250
...
Required Maintenance Record .257
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .259
..............................
Fluid Locations .260
......................................
Engine Oil .261
..................................
Adding Oil .261
....................
Recommended Oil .261
..............................
Synthetic Oil .262
....................................
Additives .262
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter .263
.............................
Cooling System .265
............
Adding Engine Coolant .265
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant .267
....................
Windshield Washers .270
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .271
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .272
....................................
Brake Fluid .273
............................
Brake System .273
..............................
Power Steering .274
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
....................................
Hood Latch .277
....................................
Spark Plugs .277
..............................
Replacement .277
............................
Specif ications .279 ...........................................
Battery .280
.................................
Wiper Blades .282
..............
Air Conditioning System .284
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .285
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
....................................
Timing Belt .286
...............................................
Tires .286
......................................
Inf lation .286
..................................
Inspection .288
..............................
Maintenance .289
.............................
Tire Rotation .289
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels .290
......................
Wheels and Tires .291
..........................
Winter Driving .291
.............................
Snow Tires .292
............................
Tire Chains .292
.............................................
Lights .293
.....................
Headlight Aiming .295
........................
Replacing Bulbs .295
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .303
357
Maintenance
Maint enance247
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Bef ore you begin any maintenance,
make sure your vehicle is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is of f . This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, be caref ul when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
f uel-related parts.
Do
not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so. You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
249
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Check the condition of your vehicle’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors. Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Maint enance280
T T E
ES
ST T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R W
WI INND DO
OW W
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If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the vehicle’s
electrical system.If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system will disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘ ’’ in the f requency
display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page
).
170
Battery
Maint enance281
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance. Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
vehicle’s electronic controls. Detach
the battery cables bef ore connecting
the battery to a charger.
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