ignition Acura MDX 2004 User Guide

The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicator does not
blink or blinks rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out. Replace the bulb as soon
as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling
(see page ).If a brake light does not work, the
indicator comes on
when you push the brake pedal with
the ignition switch to ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Replace the bulb as
soon as possible (see page ). The appropriate indicator comes on
in this display if the tailgate or any
door is not closed tightly.
All of the indicators in the monitor
display come on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II).
When you push the hazard warning
button, both turn signal lights blink.
All turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash. 216
215
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators Brake L amp Indicator Door and Tailgate Open Monitor
Instrument Panel Indicators
60
BRAKE LAMP

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
with the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See pagef or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See page
f or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon. This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
fluidwhenyouseethisindicator
comes on (see page ).
72
74 209
144
Canadian models only
Inst rument s and Cont rols
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator High Beam Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Washer Level Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
61

On vehicles with automatic lighting (seepage ) U.S. models only
73This 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 to
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. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If this
indicator 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 reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. This indicator
will also 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. 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.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Lights On Indicator
A/T Temperature
IndicatorVTM-4 Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
62
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 indicator has three f unctions:It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). See page f or more inf ormation on the
VSA system.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned of f the Vehicle
Stability Assist (VSA) system.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), there is a problem with the
VSA system. Have your vehicle
checked by your Acura dealer.
Without VSA, your vehicle still has
normal driving ability, but will not
have VSA traction and stability
enhancement. See page f or more
inf ormation on the VSA system. 1.
2.
3.
183 183
183
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
63

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition to ON (II).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition to ON (II).
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure on the Tire
Pressure Monitor, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a f lat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to page
f or more inf ormation. The appropriate tire indicator will
come on along with the Low Tire
Pressure Indicator if a tire is
extremely under inf lated or has
suddenly lost pressure. See Low Tire
Pressure Indicator f or what to do if
this indicator comes on.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), there is a problem
with the TPMS. With this indicator
on, the low tire pressure indicator
and the tire pressure monitor will not
come on when a tire loses pressure.
Take the vehicle to your dealer to
have the system checked.
231
244
178
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator Tire Pressure Monitor
64

Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km), it will light
f or 2 seconds when you f irst turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and then
f lash f or 10 seconds.
If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages and .
For the f irst 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
2 seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
Turn of f the engine.
Press and hold the Select and
Reset buttons on the instrument
panel, then turn the ignition switch
to ON (II).
Hold the buttons for
approximately 10 seconds until the
indicator goes of f .
1.
2.
3.
199 200
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instrument Panel Indicators
Maintenance Required
Indicator
65
RESET BUTTON
SELECT BUTTON

This shows the total distance your
vehicle has been driven. It measures
miles in U.S. models and kilometers
in the Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Odometer
Fuel Gauge
66
NOTICE:
TACHOMETERTEMPERATURE
GAUGE
FUEL GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
TRIP METER RESET
BUTTON
TRIP METER
ODOMETER TRIP METER
SELECT
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.

This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
mayrisetotheupperwhitemark.If
it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
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. 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 is
displayed.
240
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Trip Meter Temperature Gauge
67
SELECT BUTTON
RESET BUTTON

µµ
µ Push down on the
lef t lever to signal a lef t turn and up
to signal a right turn. To signal a lane
change, push lightly on the lever and
hold it. The lever will return to
center when you release it or
complete a turn. When the light switch is in either of
these positions, the Lights On
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This light remains on if you leave the
light switch on and turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0).
To turn on, pull the
lever back until you hear a click. The
blue high beam indicator will come
on (see page ). Pull it back again
to return to low beams.
To f lash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back.
Rotating the switch
on the lef t lever to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the parking lights,
taillights, instrument panel lights,
side-marker lights, and rear license
plate lights.
Turning the switch to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the headlights. If
you leave the lights on with the key
removed f rom the ignition switch,
you will hear a reminder chime when
you open the driver’s door.
Turn signal
Of f
Parking and indicator lights
AUTO
Headlights on
High beams
Flashhighbeams
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. 61
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and Headlights Turn Signal
High Beams
Headlights
Turn Signal, Headlights
72

µThe Automatic Lighting
f eature turns on the headlights, all
other exterior lights, and the
instrument panel lights when it
senses low ambient light.
To turn on automatic lighting, turn
the light switch to AUTO at any time.
The lights will come on automatically
when the outside light level becomes
low (at dusk, f or example). The
Lights On indicator comes on as a
reminder. The lights and indicator
will turn of f automatically when the
system senses high ambient light. The lights will remain on when you
turn of f the ignition switch. They will
turn of f automatically when you open
the driver’s door. To turn them on
again, either turn the ignition switch
to ON (II) or turn the light switch to
.
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.
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.
Headlights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
AUTO
73
LIGHT SENSOR