engine light Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

If the light comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you
should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
If the light stays on after the
engine starts.
If the light comes on or f lashes on
andoff whileyoudrive.
The SRS indicator light
alerts you to a potential
problem with your f ront airbags and
automatic seat belt tensioners.
This light will also alert you to a
potential problem with your side
airbags, passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system (see page ), or the driver’s seat position
sensor and the f ront passenger’s
weight sensors (see pages and ).
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
this indicator will light brief ly then
go out. This tells you that the system
is working properly. If you see any of these indications,
your f ront or side airbags may not
deploy, your passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system may not
work properly, your seat belt
tensioners may not work, or the
sensors under the f ront seats may
not work properly when you need
them. See your Acura dealer as soon
as possible.
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How the SRS Indicator L ight
Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety56
Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags, cutoff
system, or tensioners do not
work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a
potential problem.

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle. 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. 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 or automatic seat
belt tensioners. This light will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your side airbags, passenger’s side
airbag automatic cutoff system,
driver’s seat position sensor, or f ront
passenger’s weight sensors. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
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
.
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374 56
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375
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
68

This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This light has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. A beeper sounds if you try
to drive with the parking brake not
f ully released. Driving with the
parking brake not f ully released
can damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
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377 264
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
69
U.S. Canada
Canada
U.S.

This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If this light
comes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the 4WD system. Take
the vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked.
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. The indicator
should come on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch
ON (II). If it comes on while driving,
it indicates the transmission f luid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
If the indicator blinks while driving,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. This indicator
will come on when the light switch is
in AUTO and the lights turn on
automatically. If you turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0) without turning of f the light
switch, this indicator will remain on.
A reminder chime will also sound
when you open the driver’s door.On cars with automatic lighting (see
page ) 80
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
VTM-4 Indicator
A/T Temperature
Indicator
Lights On Indicator
(U.S. models only)
72
Continuing to drive with the A/T
Temperature indicator lit may cause
serious damage to the transmission. Continuing to drive with the VTM-4
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.

This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select
button repeatedly. Each trip meter
works independently, so you can
keep track of two dif f erent distances.
When you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), what you last selected isdisplayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Reset button
until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’.
Both trip meters will reset if the
vehicle’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom blue mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper white mark. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show
slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
371
Trip Meter
Temperature GaugeFuel Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols75
SELECT BUTTON
RESET BUTTON
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Even with the automatic lighting
f eature turned on, we recommend
thatyouturnonthelightsmanually
when driving at night or in a dense
f og, or when you enter dark areas,
such as long tunnels or parking
structures.The Automatic Lighting Of f f eature
turns of f the headlights, f og lights,
parking lights, taillights, side marker
lights, license plate lights and
instrument panel lights within 15
seconds of removing the key f rom
the ignition switch and closing the
driver’s door.
This feature activates if you leave
the headlight switch in the or
position, remove the key, open,
then close the driver’s door.
If you remove the key f rom the
ignition switch with the headlight
switch on, but do not open the door
and get out, the lights will turn of f
af ter 10 minutes.
Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle f or an extended period (a
weekormore).Youshouldalsoturn
of f the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or the engine of f f or a
long time.
The automatic lighting f eature is
controlledbyasensorlocatedontop
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.
CONT INUED
Without Touring Package
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Automatic Lighting Of f Feature
81
LIGHT SENSOR

Your vehicle comes with two master
keys and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle:
 Ignition
 Driver’s Door
GloveboxThe valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keepthegloveboxlockedwhenyou
leave your vehicle and valet key at a
parking f acility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Keep
the tag stored in a safe place. If you
need to replace a key, use only an
Acura-approved key blank.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
Your vehicle also comes with two
remote transmitters; see page for
an explanation of their operation. 95
Keys
Remote Transmitter
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols90
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK) VALET KEY
(GRAY)

µ
µ µ
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom ACCESSORY to ON. The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page
).
In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power socket.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.Each f ront door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors and the tailgate.
Push the switch down to lock all
doors and the tailgate, and up to
unlock them.
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CONT INUED
ST A RT (III)
Power Door L ocks
ON (II) A CCESSORY (I)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols93
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH

Both f ront seats are equipped with
seat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comf ortable temperature,
select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm.Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.
In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes.
Because of the sensors f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back.
Seat Heaters
Seat Heaters
Inst rument s and Cont rols110
SEAT HEATERS

The power window system has a key-
of f delay f unction. The windows will
stilloperateforuptotenminutes
after you turn off the ignition.
Opening either f ront door cancels
the delay function. You must turn
the ignition switch ON (II) again
bef ore you can operate the windows.
If the driver’s window runs into any
obstacle while it is closing
automatically, it will reverse
direction, and then stop. To close the
window, remove the obstacle, then
use the window switch again.
Auto reverse stops sensing when the
window is almost closed. You should
always check that all passengers and
objects are away from the window
bef ore closing it. If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
driver’s window f use is removed, the
AUTO f unction will be disabled. The
power window system needs to be
reset af ter reconnecting the battery
or installing the f use. You should do
the f ollowing.
Any impact due to road conditions
may cause the auto reverse f unction
work unexpectedly on the closing
window. If it happens f requently,
there is a problem with your power
window system. You should have
your car inspected by your dealer.
You can still close the window by
pulling back on the window switch
lightly and hold it. If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
vehicle checked by a Acura dealer.Start the engine. Push down on
the driver’s window switch until
the window is f ully open.
Pull back on the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or a second or two more.
1.
2.
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Auto Reverse
113