charging Acura MDX 2002 Owner's Manual

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle. This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system
or automatic seat belt tensioners.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.
53
54
329
327
328
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
62
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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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Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 342
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance284
A A
I
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G
C
CO ON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
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This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .314
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .315
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start .322
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .322
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .322
................................
Jump Starting .323
............
If Your Engine Overheats .325
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .327
..........
Charging System Indicator .328
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .329
...............
Brake System Indicator .331
..............................................
Fuses .332
..........
Checking and Replacing .333
......................
Emergency Towing .338
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed313
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This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories:radio,heater,A/C,
climate control, rear def ogger, cruise
control, etc. Try not to use other
electrically-operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running and take extra care not to
stall it. Starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Charging System Indicator
328
C CH
H A
AR
RGGI INNG G S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .201
................................
Accessories .201
...
Additional Safety Precaution .202
............................
Modif ications .202
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .262
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
..............
Air Conditioning System .124
..............................
Maintenance .284
.....................
Rear A/C Control .130
.........................................
Usage .124
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .286
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .346
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .307
......................................
Antif reeze .265
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light .63,222
...................................
Operation .221
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .170
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .81 ..........................
Appearance Care .305
........................
Audio System .133,151
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .48
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control .172
..............
Automatic Transmission .211
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .342
...............
Checking Fluid Level .271
.......................................
Shif ting .212
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .211
................
Shif t Lever Positions .212
....................
Shif t Lock Release .215
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,328
............................
Jump Starting .323
..............................
Maintenance .280
............................
Specif ications .343
..............................
Bef ore Driving .193
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
...................................
Body Repair .312 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .221
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 194
...........................................
Fluid .273
....................
Bulb Replacement .298
.......................................
Parking .106
.................
System Indicator . 63,331
........................
Wear Indicators .220
.............................
Braking System .220
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 194
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .298
..............................
Brake Lights .298
......................
Cargo Area Light .301
................
Front Parking Lights . 296
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 296
.................................
Headlights .295
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 299
..............
Individual Map Lights . 300
...................
License Plate Light . 300
.................................
Rear Bulbs .298
............................
Specif ications .343
............
Turn Signal Lights . 296,298
Index
A
B
I
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Î
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .295
................................
Cancel Button .174
............................
Capacities Chart .342
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
..........................
Cargo Area Light .119
.............................
Carrying Cargo .203
Cassette Player
............................................
Care .168
...........................
Operation .139,165
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
...................................
CD Changer .143
.......................................
CD Player .159
........................
Certif ication Label .340
............................................
Chains .292
Change Oil
........................................
How to .263
......................................
When to .252
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .315
............
Changing Engine Coolant .267
...
Charging System Indicator .62,328
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .209
..................
Childproof Door Locks .88
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21 .......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air .275
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .307
...................................
Carpeting .308
......................................
Exterior .306
.........................................
Fabric .309
.......................................
Interior .308
.......................................
Leather .309
...................................
Seat Belts .309
...........................................
Vinyl .309
....................................
Windows .310
...............
Climate Control System .122
......................................
Coat Hook .116
.....................
Code, Audio System .170
........................
CO in the Exhaust .348
........................................
Coin Box .116
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .210
..............................
Compact Spare .314
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .354
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .265
....................................
Checking .199
.........................
Proper Solution .265 ...................................
Replacing .267
...................
Temperature Gauge .68
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .348
............
Cruise Control Operation .172
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .354
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .73
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .356
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .77
..............
Def rosting the Windows .128
....................................
Dimensions .342
...............
Dimming the Headlights .72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .271
..................................
Engine Oil .198
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .220
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .264
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .82
Index
C
D
II
01/09/07 12:52:20 31S3V610_365

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .309
...................................
Fan, Interior .126 Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .195
Filters
...............................................
Air .275
.......................
Air Conditioning .285
...............................................
Oil .263
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 315
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 271
..........................................
Brake .273
..........................
Power Steering .274
..................
Windshield Washer . 270
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .157
........................................
Fog Lights .77
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 96
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 347
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Economy, Fuel .200
............
Emergencies on the Road . 313
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 323
...........
Brake System Indicator . 331
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 315
.....
Charging System Indicator . 328
..................
Checking the Fuses . 333
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 327
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 329
..................
Overheated Engine . 325
.........................
Emergency Brake .106
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .338 .......................
Emissions Controls .348
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts .285
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 329
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,327
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 261
...............................
Overheating .325
............................
Specif ications .343
............................
Speed Limiter .215
.......................................
Starting .210
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .346
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 348
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .349
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 306
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .207
....................................
Economy .200
.........................
In Bad Weather .224
................
In Foreign Countries . 347
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 285
Index
E
F
III
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