warning Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new Acura. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Acura dealer’s
staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura.
Your Acura dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to
answer any questions and concerns.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Acura, other
property, or the environment.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 Warning This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm. Congratulations! Your selection of a 2003 Acura MDX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
on the vehicle.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement. These signal words mean:
preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely. such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety L abels
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Section
Instructions Saf ety Headings DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

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To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
MOONROOF
SWITCH
CRUISE CONTROL FOG LIGHTS REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT CRUISE CONTROL
HORN
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERSLIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
PASSENGER AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH (P.82)
(P.79/ 83)
(P.114)
(P.216) (P.267)
(P.88) (P.181) (P.89) (P.216)
(P.83/87) (P.128)
(P.87)
(P.58)
(P.88)
(P.259)

You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page
.)
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
Children are saf est when they are
properly restrained in a back seat,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child saf ety seat. (See
page .) Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your vehicle is
equipped with airbags, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear your seat belts, and wear them
properly. (See page .)
15 9
21 296
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat BeltBe Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Restrain All Children Don’t Drink and Drive
6

To remind you of the passenger’s
f ront airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in a back seat, your vehicle has
warninglabelsonthedashboardand
on the driver’s and f ront passenger’s
visors. Please read and f ollow the
instructions on these labels.To remind you of the f ront airbag
hazards, your vehicle has warning
labels on the driver’s and f ront
passenger’s visors. Please read and
f ollow the instructions on these
labels.
U.S. Models
Canadian Models
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety24

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .66
...............................
Indicator Lights .67
.............................................
Gauges .74
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .78
...................................
Headlights .79 ....................
Automatic Lighting .80
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .81
............
Daytime Running Lights . 82
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 82
................................
Turn Signals .83
.....................
Windshield Wipers .83
..................
Windshield Washers . 87
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .87
..........................
Hazard Warning .87
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 88
.....................................
Fog Light .88
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 89
...............................
Keys and Locks .90
..............................................
Keys .90
....................
Immobilizer System . 91
............................
Ignition Switch .92
......................
Power Door Locks .93
...................
Remote Transmitter . 95
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 99
........................................
Tailgate .99
..................................
Glove Box .100
...............................................
Seats .101
..........
Power Seat Adjustments . 101
.........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 102 ........
Manual Seat Adjustments . 103
Second and Third Row seat ..........................
Adjustments .104
........................
Head Restraints .105
......................
Rear Seat Access .106
..........
Folding the Second Seat . 106
.............
Folding the Third Seat . 107
.................
Detachable Anchors . 109
..................................
Seat Heaters .110
............................
Power Windows .111
.......................................
Moonroof .114
...........................................
Mirrors .115
...............................
Parking Brake .117
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .118
...........................
Beverage Holder .121
.................
Console Compartment . 123
.......................
Rear Compartment .123
.................................
Cargo Hooks .123
........................
Sunglasses Holder .124
........................................
Sun Visor .124
................................
Vanity Mirror .125
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 125
........................................
Coin Box .127
......................................
Coat Hook .127
...............................
Interior Lights .128
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols65

The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the tailgate or any door
is not closed tightly.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
If a brake light does not work, the
indicator comes on
when you push the brake pedal with
the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake
lights repaired right away.
342
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators Door and T ailgate Open Monitor
Brake L amp Indicator
70
BRAKE LAMP

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Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switches for the hazard warning
lights and rear window def ogger are
located to the right of the steering
column.
The controls under the lef t air vent
areforthecruisecontrol,the
moonroof , the f og lights, and the
VSA light.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols78
VEHICLE
STABILITY
ASSIST
SYSTEM
OFF
SWITCH HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
FOG LIGHTS
CRUISE
CONTROL
MOONROOF
SWITCH REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT HORN
CRUISE
CONTROL
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERSLIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4
LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
PASSENGER
AIRBAG
CUTOFF
INDICATOR
(P.79/
83)
(P.88)
(P.267)
(P.216) (P.114)
(P.181) (P.89)(P.216)
(P.83/87)(P.128)
(P.
87)
(P.
58)
(P.
88)
(P.259)
(P.82)

The rear window wiper switch is
located next to the windshield wiper
switch.
To clean the windshield, pull back on
the wiper control lever. The washers
spray until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed while you’re
pulling the lever, then complete one
more sweep of the windshield af ter
you release it. Push the red button to the right of
the display to turn on the hazard
warning lights (f our-way f lashers).
This causes all f our outside turn
signals and both indicators in the
instrument panel to f lash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traf f ic, or if your vehicle is disabled.
To activate the rear windshield wiper,
turn the switch ‘‘ON’’. The wiper
operates intermittently. If you wish
to use the wiper and washer, turn
and hold the switch one position up
f rom ‘‘ON’’. Hazard Warning
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
Windshield Washers
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols87

µ
Pull up or push down on the f ront of
the switch to move the seat bottom’s
f ront edge up or down. Pull up or
push down on the rear of the switch
to move the rear of the seat bottom
up or down.
Push the horizontal switch forward
or backward to move the seat
forward or backward. The long horizontal switch adjusts
the seat bottom in several directions.
The short vertical switch adjusts the
seat-back angle.
Your Acura has power adjustments
f or the driver’s seat. The two power
seat adjustment switches are on the
outside edge of the seat bottom.
You can adjust the seat with the
ignition switch in any position. Make
all seat adjustments bef ore you start
driving. The Touring package also has power
adjustments f or the f ront passenger’s
seat. The MDX without the Touring
package has manual adjustments.
Thesecondandthirdrowseatsin
both models have manual
adjustments.
See pages f or important saf ety
inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 12 13
CONT INUED
Power Seat A djustments
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols101