trailer Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

µµKeeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,aremore
prone to damage from road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated. The
f ollowing pages give more detailed
informationonhowandwhento
check air pressure, how to inspect
your tires f or damage and wear, and
what to do when your tires need to
be replaced.
The timing belt should normally be
replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you regu-
larly drive your vehicle in one or
more of these conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer. Inf lation
Tires
Timing Belt
Timing Belt, Tires
Maint enance332
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

Open the hood.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Acura technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, two on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Remove the electrical connector
fromthebulbbysqueezingthe
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance341
BULB
CONNECTORHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Your vehicle has a compact spare
tire that takes up less space. Use this
sparetireasatemporaryreplace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back
on your vehicle as soon as you can.Thecompactsparetirehasashorter
tread lif e than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
Thecompactsparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire: Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to f it
your vehicle. Do not use your
sparetireonanothervehicle
unlessitisthesamemakeand
model.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed360
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

µµ
µ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Any other
method of towing will damage the
drive system. When you contact the
towing agency, inf orm them that a
f lat-bed is required. The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
cables lif t that end of the vehicle of f
the ground. Your vehicle’s
suspension and body can be
seriously damaged. 283Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel L if t Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is the only way to
transport your vehicle. Never tow your vehicle with
wheel lif t equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T his method of
towing your MDX is unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed385
Towing a MDX with only two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.

Steering Wheel..................................
Adjustment .89
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 92
...
Stereo Sound System . 145,163,183
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .349
........................
Sunglasses Holder .124
........................................
Sun Visor .124
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .61
.........................
SRS Indicator .56 ,68
...................
System Components . 50
..................................
Synthetic Oil .308
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .357
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .359
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 392
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .236
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .354
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 310
................................
Vanity Mirror .125
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 246
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .390
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 388
.....................................
Tachometer .74
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 344
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 359
...................
Tape Player . 151,177,191
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 397
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .395
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .399
.......................
Temperature Gauge .75 ...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 48
............................
Thef t Protection .182
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 399
....................................
Timing Belt .332
....................................
Tire Chains .338
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 361
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .394
...............................................
Tires .332
..............................
Air Pressure .332
...................................
Balancing .335
.........................
Checking Wear .334
..........................
Compact Spare .360
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
......................................
Inf lation .332
..................................
Inspection .334
...................................
Replacing .336
......................................
Rotating .335
...........................................
Snow .338
............................
Specif ications .391
................................
Tire Chains .338
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .271
................
Emergency Wrecker . 385
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .283
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 318Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 317
...........................
Fluid Selection .317
..............
Identif ication Number . 388
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 253
.....................................
Treadwear .392
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .83
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 361
Index
T U
V
VIII