tailgate Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check that the hood and tailgate
arefullyclosed. Makesurethedoorsandtailgate
are securely closed and locked.
3. 2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 11.
12. 10.
15
115
89 252
67
101
Preparing to Drive
Driving251

If you use a non-Acura trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
cangetthematingconnectorand
pins that mate with the connector in
your vehicle f rom your Acura dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
All states and Canadian provinces
require some type of trailer lights.
Check requirements f or the areas
where you plan to tow.
To get to your vehicle’s trailer
lighting connector, open the tailgate,
remove the cargo cover, then
remove the rear panel trim. The
connector is on the lef t side. We
recommend that you have your
Acura dealer install an Acura wiring
harness and converter. This harness
has been designed and tested f or
your vehicle.
CONT INUED
T railer L ights
Towing a Trailer
Driving279
GROUND
(BLACK)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/BLUE)
TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)

Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb. Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Put the light assembly into the
bumper. Tighten the mounting
bolt.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Open the tailgate. Use a
screwdriver protected with a cloth
to pry open the two covers.
Remove the two screws and
remove the rear light assembly
f rom the rear pillar.
Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: brake/taillight, turn
signal/hazard lights, side marker
light, or back-up light. Remove the burned out bulb. To
remove the brake/taillight, back-
up or side marker light bulb, pull
the bulb straight out of its socket.
To remove the turn signal/hazard
light bulb, push it in and turn it
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
8. 6.
7.
5.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance344

The individual map lights, cargo area
light, tailgate light, and the vanity
mirror lights come apart the same
way. They do not all use the same
bulb.Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Use a small phillips screwdriver to
remove the lens f rom the license
plate light assembly.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out. Push the new bulb
into the socket.
Reinstall the lens.
1.
2.
3. 1.
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
Lights
Lights
Maint enance346
FRONT INDIVIDUAL MAP LIGHT

Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Front individual map light:
Pry on the f ront edge in f ront of both
map lights.
Rear individual map light:
Pryontherearedgeof thelensin
the middle.
Tailgate light:
Pry on the upper edge to the lef t and
right of center. Cargo area light:
Pry on the rear edge to the lef t and
right of center.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance347
REAR INDIVIDUAL MAP LIGHT CARGO AREA LIGHT

Lights
Maint enance348
SUN VISORDOOR LIGHT
TAILGATE LIGHT

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield. Disconnect the battery.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Nonporous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Acura
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months/30,000 miles
(48,000 km) maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page ).
The replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.
309
298
St oring Your Vehicle
Maint enance349

Open the tailgate.Take the tools out of the storage
compartment.
Turn the jack’s end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
Thetoolsandjackarebehinda
cover in the cargo area on the
driver’s side. Remove the cover by
pushing the top of the cover. The spare tire is stored
underneath the rear cargo area.
Remove the plastic cover on the
cargo area lining to access the
shaft for the spare tire hoist.
3.
4.
5.
6.7.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed362
COVER
COVER

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation391
Tires Alignment Engine
Fuses
Battery Lights 60 W (HB3)
12 V
Size
Pressure60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
T155/90D16 110M P235/65R17 103T
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
1°53’0°50’ 0°50’
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
10.0 : 1
211.8 cu-in (3,471 cm
)
3.50 x 3.66 in (89.0 x 93.0 mm)
Interior
Under-hood
12 V 51 W (HB4)
3CP
12 V 50 CP
12 V 51 W (HB4)
12 V 2 CP (3.8 W)
12 V 24 CP (27 W)
12 V 21 W/5 W
12 V 21 CP (18 W)
12 V 3 CP
12 V 21 W
12 V 6.2 W
12 V 7 W 5W
5W
1.1 W
3.8 W
Capacity 12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V 20 AH/5 HR
Water cooled 4-stroke SOHC,
V6 gasoline engine
Headlights
Front side marker lights
Front turn signal lights/
Parking lights
Fog light
Rear side marker lights
Rear turn signal/hazard lights
Brake/Taillights
Backup lights
License plate lights
High-mount brake light
Individual map lights
Cargo area light
Tailgate light
Vanity mirror light
Door light See page
384or the fuse label
attached to the dashboard.
See page 384or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 383or the fuse box
cover.
See spark plug maintenance
section page 325 .
Front/Rear
Spare
Front/Rear
Spare Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Front
Rear Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
High
Low