steering Acura MDX 2004 User Guide

See page f or important saf etyinf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 16
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.
Move the steering wheel so it
points toward your chest, not
toward your f ace. Make sure you
can see the instrument panel
gauges and indicators.Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
3.
4.
1.
2.
Steering Wheel A djustment
Inst rument s and Cont rols76
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.

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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II). Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
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
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II) ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols79

The climate control system in your
Acura provides a comf ortable driving
environment in all weather
conditions.
The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section de-
scribes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, ref er to the
operating instructions that came
with it.)
Your Acura has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it..............
Vents, Heating, and A/C . 104
.............................
Airflow Buttons .105
...................
Rear Climate Control . 109
..............
Climate Control Sensors . 109
..........................
Playing the Radio .110
............................
Radio Reception .113
..................................
Playing a CD .115
....................
Protecting Your CDs .119
.........
CD Player Error Messages . 120
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 122
...............................
Playing a Tape .125
.............
Steering Wheel Controls . 128
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 129
..........................
Setting the Clock .130
........
Rear Entertainment System . 131
............................
Security System .143
...............................
Cruise Control .144
..............................
Trip Computer .146
........................
Rear View Camera .152
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .153
Comf ort and Convenience Features
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures103

Theclimatecontrolsystemhastwo
sensors. A sunlight sensor is in the
top of the dashboard, and a
temperature sensor is next to the
steering column. Do not cover the
sensors or spill any liquid on them.
Press the RR A/C MANUAL button
to enable the rear A/C control panel.
The light in the button will come on.
A passenger in the second row can
then use the temperature control dial,
f an speed dial, and mode buttons to
adjust the temperature and airflow to
their pref erence. This is limited by
the system’s minimum and
maximum temperature.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Rear Climate Control, Climate Control Sensors
Sunlight and T emperature
Sensors
Using the Rear A /C Unit
109
SUNLIGHT SENSOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR
TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL
MODE BUTTONS
FAN SPEED CONTROL DIAL

ÛÝ
The middle button adjusts the
volume up ( ) or down ( ). Press
the top or bottom of the button and
hold it until the desired volume is
reached, then release it.
The CH button has three functions,
depending on whether you are
listening to the radio, or playing a
tape or CD.
Three controls f or the audio system
are mounted in the steering wheel
hub. These let you control basic
f unctions without removing your
hand f rom the wheel.
The MODE button changes the
audio mode between FM1, FM2, AM,
CD, and DVD/AUX (if a disc is
inserted). use the
CH button to change stations. Each
time you press this button, the
system advances to the next preset
station on the band you are listening
to. You will see the number of the
selected preset button in the display.
To change bands, or to change f rom
FM1 to FM2, press the AM/FM
button. use the CH
button to advance to the next
selection. You will see ‘‘FF’’ blinking
in the display when you press the CH
button. The system fast forwards
until it senses a silent period, then
resume playing.
the system
skips to the beginning of the next
track each time you push the CH
button. You will see the disc and
track number in the display.
If you are listening to the radio, If you are playing a tape,
If you are playing a CD,
Steering Wheel Controls
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures128
CH BUTTON
VOLUME
BUTTON AM/FM
BUTTON

Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. Indicator on the instrument
panel comes on to show the
system is now activated. Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch. The indicator in the switch
will come on.The cruise control may not hold
the set speed when you are going
up and down hills. If your speed
increases going down a hill, use
the brakes to slow down. This will
cancelthecruisecontrol.To
resume the set speed, press the
RESUME/ACCEL button. The
indicator on the instrument panel
will come back on.
1.
2.
3.
Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Using the Cruise Control
144
CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCH
CANCEL
RESUME/ACCEL
SET/DECEL
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.

You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:Press and hold the RESUME/
ACCEL button. When you reach
the desired cruising speed, release
the button.
Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/DECEL
button.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways: Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed. To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Tap the brake pedal lightly with
your f oot. The CRUISE
CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel will go out.
When the vehicle slows to the
desired speed, press the SET/
DECEL button.
Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up f or passing. Af ter
completing the pass, take your foot
of f the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your f oot on the brake pedal
will cause the cruise control to
cancel. Youcancancelthecruisecontrolin
any of these ways:
Tap the brake pedal.
Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel.
Press the Cruise Control Master
Switch.
When you push the CANCEL button,
or tap the brake pedal, the system
will remembers the previously set
cruising speed. To return to that
speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) and then press and
release the RESUME/ACCEL
button. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator comes on. The vehicle will
accelerate to the same cruising
speed as bef ore.
Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completely
of f and erases the previous cruising
speed.
To increase your speed in very
small amounts, tap the RESUME/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, the vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Cruise Control
Changing the Set Speed
Cancelling the Cruise Control
Resuming the Set Speed
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures145

Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Acura (aftermarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective. See the saf ety
precautions on page .
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your Acura dealer. Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interf ere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inf late, the objects could be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone.
This could prevent the
airbag from inflating properly. If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone.
32
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not at t ach or place object s on
the f ront airbag covers.
Do not place any object s over orreplacetheoutsideedgeof afrontseat -back.
Do not at t ach hard object s on or
near a f ront door.
164

Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof .
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Make sure the doors and tailgate
are securely closed and locked. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ). Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ). Check the seat adjustment (see
page ). Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
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2. 3.
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9.
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See page f or additional guidelinesf or driving of f -highway. 192
Driving Guidelines, Preparing to Drive
Driving
Driving Guidelines
Preparing to Drive
170

Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Braking System DesignBrake Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving180
Front