check engine Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Manual

If the indicator 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 does not come
on after you turn the ignition to
ON (II).
If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive.
If you see any of these indications,
the airbags and the seat belt
tensioners may not work properly
when you need them. This indicator alerts you
that the passenger’s side
airbag has been automatically shut
of f . It does mean there is a
problem with your side airbags.
To reduce the risk of injury f rom an
inf lating side airbag, your vehicle has
an automatic cutoff system for the
passenger’s side airbag.
Although Acura does not encourage
children to ride in f ront, this system
is designed to shut of f the side
airbag if a child leans sideways and
the child’s head is in the side airbag
deployment path.
Objects placed on the f ront
passenger seat can also cause the
side airbag to shut off.
CONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
How the Side Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
not
29
Ignoring the SRS indicator can
result in serious injury or death
if the airbag systems, or
tensioners do not work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS indicator alerts you to
a possible problem.

This indicator has two f unctions:This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
It is a reminder to check the
parking brake. A beeper sounds if
you try to drive with the parking
brake not fully released. Driving
with the parking brake not fully
released can damage the brakes
and tires. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked by your Acura
dealer. With this indicator on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It will 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).
If it remains on af ter you f ully
release the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2.
244 181
78
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
59
U.S. Canada

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 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

µ
µ
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
toraiseorloweranywindow.To
open the window, push the switch
downandholdit.Releasetheswitch
when you want the window to stop.
Pull back on the switch and hold it to
close the window. If the MAIN switch is OFF, the
passenger windows cannot be raised
or lowered. Keep the MAIN switch
off whenyouhavechildreninthe
vehicle so they do not injure
themselves by operating the
windows unintentionally. 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.
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.
Start the engine. Push down and
hold the driver’s window switch
until the window is f ully open.
Pull and hold the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or a second or two more.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
vehicle checked by an Acura dealer.
The windows will operate f or up to
10 minutes af ter you turn of f the
ignition switch. Opening either f ront
door cancels this f unction. To open/close the driver’s
window, push the window switch
f irmly down or up to the second
detent, and release it. The window
will automatically go up or down all
the way. To stop the window, pull/
push on the window switch brief ly. 1.
2.
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols
AUTO REVERSE
AUTO
90
DRIVER’S WINDOW
SWITCH MAIN SWITCH
Closing a power window on
someone’s hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your passengers are
away from the windows before
closing them.

There are various types of DVDs
available. Some of them are not
compatible with your system.
The DVD player in your Rear
Entertainment System can play
DVDs and CDs bearing the above
marks on their packages or jackets.
Those packages or jackets should
also bear the designation of ‘‘1’’ or
‘‘ALL’’. DVD-ROMs cannot be played
in this system.If you see an error message in the display while operating the DVD player,
find the cause in the chart to the right. If you cannot clear the message, take
your vehicle to an Acura dealer.
Error Message
Cause Solution
FOCUS Error
Mechanical Error, or a
DVD has been loaded in
the CD player
High Temperature
Low Vehicle Battery
VoltagePress the EJECT button and pull out the DVD.
Check if it is inserted correctly in the DVD
Player.MakesuretheDVDisnotscratchedor
damaged.
Press the EJECT button and pull out the DVD.
Check it for damage or deformation.
If the DVD cannot be pulled out, or the error
message does not disappear after the DVD is
ejected, see an Acura dealer.
Do not try to force the DVD out of the player.
Will disappear when the temperature returns to
normal.
Run the engine to recharge the battery.
Playable DVDs
DVD Player Error Messages
Rear Entertainment System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures140

Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Lower the hood to about a f oot (30
cm) above the f ender, then press
down f irmly with your hands. Make
sure it is securely latched.
1.
3.
3. 2.4.
205
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
Oil Check
T o Close the Hood
161
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See
(see page
). Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
Acura. The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering and
hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel.
208 198
198
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
Engine Coolant Check A dding
Engine Coolant Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
162
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN

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 ).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
84
92 76
1457
See page f or additional guidelinesf or driving of f -highway. 192
Driving Guidelines, Preparing to Drive
Driving
Driving Guidelines
Preparing to Drive
170

Set the Parking brake.
Make sure the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) position.
To release the Reverse Lockout,
make sure the ignition switch is in
the ACCESSORY (I) position. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif tLock Release slot cover. Using a
key, caref ully pry on the edge of
the cover to remove it.
Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
Push down on the key and move
the shift lever out of Park to
Neutral.To release the reverse lockout,
move the shift lever from Neutral
to Reverse, then to Park.
Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then install the
cover. Press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by an Acura dealer.
Do this if pushing on the brake pedal
does not shif t the transmission out of
Park. This procedure is also used to
release the Reverse Lockout.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Shif t L ock Release
175
COVER
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT