warning Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Manual

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2004 Acura MDX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
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.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm. 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.
Introduction
WARNING:
NOTICE:
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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
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. You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. on the vehicle.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions Saf ety L abels
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
FOG LIGHTS REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT CRUISE CONTROL
HORN
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
CRUISE CONTROL INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
(P.72)
(P.184)
(P.144)
(P.75) (P.128) (P.76) (P.144)
(P.69) (P.
74)
(P.
75)
(P.
30)
(P.176)
(P.74) PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON

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 injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
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 ).
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 frontal impact,
side impact, or rollover 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 ).
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. Infants and small children
should be restrained in a child seat.
Larger children should use a booster and a lap/shoulder belt until they
canusethebeltproperlywithouta
booster (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. 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.
14 49
197
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Control Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Restrain All Children Don’t Drink and Drive Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
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To remind you of the passenger’s
f ront airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in the 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 General Guidelines
Driver and Passenger Saf ety35

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 .56
............................
Instrument Panel .57
....................
Instrument Indicators .58
.............................................
Gauges .66
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .68
Windshield Wipers and ...................................
Washers .69
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .71
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 72
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 74
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 74
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
.........................................
Fog Light .75
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 76
..................................................
Keys .77
........................
Immobilizer System .78
................................
Ignition Switch .79
......................................
Door Locks .80
.......................
Remote Transmitter .81
.................................................
Seats .84
....................................
Seat Heaters .89
..............................
Power Windows .90
.........................................
Moonroof .91
.................................
Parking Brake .92 .............................................
Mirrors .92
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .94
.................................
Interior Lights .96
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 98
.......................
Beverage Holders .99
...............
Console Compartment . 99
....................................
Glove Box .99
...................
Rear Compartment . 100
.............................
Cargo Hooks .100
...................................
Sun Visor .100
............................
Vanity Mirror .100
........
Accessory Power Sockets . 101
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instruments and Controls
55

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

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To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
68
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
FOG LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS HORN
CRUISE CONTROL
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM OFF
SWITCH
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.72)
(P.75)
CRUISE CONTROL
(P.144)
(P.184)
(P.128)
(P.76) (P.74)
(P.176)
(P.75)
(P.74)
(P.69) (P.30)
(P.144) PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATORHAZARD WARNING
BUTTON

With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.The dial on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights. Turn the dial
to adjust the brightness.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.
Canadian Models
Daytime Running L ights
Instrument Panel Brightness Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button
74
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL DIAL

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See pages f or important saf ety
inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 11 12
The controls f or the power
adjustable front seats are on the
outside edge of each seat bottom.
You can adjust the seats with the
ignition switch in any position. Make
all seat adjustments bef ore you start
driving.
Adjusts the seat-back
angle f orward or
backward.
Moves the seat forward
and backward.
On the Touring Package, you can
only adjust the passenger seat-back
angle, lumbar support, and move the
seat bottom forward and backward.
Increases or decreases
the lumbar support.
(Driver’s touring seat
only)
Moves the f ront of the
seat up or down and the
rear of the seat up or
down.
Raises or lowers the seat.
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Front Seat Power A djustments
84