torque Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Manual

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4 System, the VSA
system, Tire Pressure Monitoring
System, and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .170
........................
Preparing to Drive .170
.......................
Starting the Engine .171
..............
Automatic Transmission . 172
Variable Torque Management ..............................
4WD System .176
..............................
VTM-4 Lock .176
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .177
...........................................
Parking .179
.............................
Braking System .180
...........................
Anti-lock Brakes .181
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .183
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 185
...........................
Towing a Trailer .188
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .190
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 192
Driving
Driving169

The Variable Torque Management
4WD System (VTM-4) automatically
transf ers varying amounts of engine
torque to the rear wheels under
lower traction conditions.
If more traction is needed when your
MDX is stuck, or is likely to become
stuck, you can use the VTM-4 Lock
button to increase torque to the rear
wheels.The vehicle must be stopped with
the engine running.
Move the shift lever to First (1),
Second (2), or Reverse (R) gear.
Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
The light in the button will come
on.
To get unstuck, apply light pressure
to the accelerator pedal. Do not spin
the f ront tires f or more than a f ew
seconds. Because of the amount of
torque applied to the rear tires, they
should not spin. This is normal. If
you are not able to move the vehicle,
stop and reverse direction. do
one of the f ollowing: Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
Move the shift lever to D , D or
D.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0).
The VTM-4 Lock will temporarily
disengage when the vehicle speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). It will
automatically engage again as the
speed slows below 18 mph (30
km/h). The button light will remain
on.
1.
2.
3.
54
3
To Engage the VTM-4 Lock To Disengage the VTM-4 Lock,
VTM-4 System
Driving176
NOTICE: NOTICE:
Do not use the VTM-4 Lock
button on dry, paved roads. Driving on
dry, paved roads with VT M-4 Lock ON
may damage the rear dif f erential when
making a turn. Strange noise and
vibration can also result. Do not continuously spin the
f ront tires of your MDX. Continuously
spinning the f ront tires can cause
transmission or rear dif f erential
damage.

Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add
VTM-4 Dif f erential Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole.Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
Checkthefluidinthetransfer
assembly with the vehicle sitting on
level ground. Remove the f iller plug
and check that the f luid level is up to
the edge of the f iller plug hole.
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Differential Fluid, Transfer Assembly Fluid
Maint enance
Dif f erential Fluid
Transf er Assembly Fluid
211
FILLER BOLT
CORRECT LEVEL FILLER PLUG
DRAIN PLUG
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)

µµ
If it is not, slowly add proper f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole.
Reinstall the f iller plug and tighten it
securely.
Tightening torque:
UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
transf er assembly.
Viscosity
The transf er assembly f luid should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule. Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly. Replace it
according to the maintenance
schedule recommendations.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. Using any non-Honda
brake fluid can cause corrosion and
decrease the lif e of the system. Have
the brake system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Tightening torque:
T ransf er A ssembly Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid
212
MAX
MIN
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)

Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Remove the center cap from the
flat tire.Place the f lat tire f ace up under
the hoist.
Insert the hoist bracket into the
center hole of the f lat tire.
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground
and remove the jack. 20.
21.
18.
19.
17. 16.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed235
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)