air condition Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Manual

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 are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. 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
seat and a lap/shoulder belt until
they can use the belt properly
without a booster seat (see page ). 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.
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.
16
51 231
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Control Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Restrain All Children Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Don’t Drink and Drive
Important Saf ety Precautions
8

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.With the tailgate open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system/climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system as f ollows:
Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
54
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

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.) The climate control system in your
vehicle provides a comfortable
driving environment in all weather
conditions.
Your vehicle has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it..............
Vents, Heating, and A/C . 106
.............................
Airflow Buttons .107
...................
Rear Climate Control . 111
..............
Climate Control Sensors . 111
..........................
Playing the Radio .112
............................
Radio Reception .116
........
Playing XM
Satellite Radio . 118
..................................
Playing a CD .123
...................................
CD Changer .125
....................
Protecting Your CDs .128
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 129
.............
Steering Wheel Controls . 130
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 131
........
Rear Entertainment System . 132
............................
Security System .145
...............................
Cruise Control .146
..............................
Trip Computer .149
.
Rear View Camera and Monitor . 155
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .156
..........................
HandsFreeLink .160
............................................
OnStar .173
Features
Features
105
TM

ÚÜ
Û
Ý
Push the button to increase the
temperature of air f low. Push the
button to decrease it. When you set
the temperature to its lower limit or
its upper limit, the system runs at f ull
cooling or heating only. It does not
regulate the interior temperature.
This button or icon turns the air
conditioningonandoff.Youwillsee
A/C ON or A/C OFF in the display. The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ). When the indicator in the button is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
recirculated throughout the system.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (Fresh Air mode).
Push the button or icon to
increase the f an speed and air f low.
Push the button or icon to
decrease it.
Use the mode control button or icon
to select the vents the air flows from.
Regardless of what mode you
are in, air flows out of the corner
vents unless the system is shut of f or
the vent is manually shut of f .
Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents.
Airf lows f rom the f loor vents.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. Air flows from the center
vents in the dashboard.
77
CONT INUED
Fan Control Button/Icon
Temperature Control Buttons
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button/
Icon Recirculation Button
Rear Window Def ogger Button Mode Control Button/Icon
Airf low Buttons
Features
107
NOTE:

ÛÝÚ
Ü
The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reads normally.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
A/CbuttonortouchingtheA/C
icon on the models with navigation
system. A/C ON will be displayed
on the screen.
Make sure the temperature is set
to maximum heat.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control buttons.
Press the A/C-INFO button to
show the inf ormation screen.
Select the desired mode by
touching the MODE icon, and set
the f an to the desired speed by
touching the or icon.
Adjustthewarmthwiththe
temperature control buttons ( or
).
Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When you select , the system
automatically switches to Fresh Air
mode and turns on the A/C.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear side
panels.
Set the temperature to maximum.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed. 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3. 69
Vehicles without Navigation System
Vehicles without Navigation System
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A /C
Using the Heater
Ventilation
108

This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in Fresh Air mode. Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:
Switch the f an on.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Adjust the temperature to your
pref erence.
When you switch to another mode
f rom , the A/C stays on.
Press the A/C button to turn it of f .Set the f an to the desired speed, or
high f or f aster def rosting.
Select . The system
automatically switches to Fresh
Air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator will not come
on in U.S. vehicles.
Adjust the temperature so the
airf low f eels warm.
Select to help clear the
rear window.
To increase airf low to the
windshield, close the corner vents.
The vehicle has two A/C and
heater units. Both these units are
controled by the f ront panel controls,
unless the RR A/C button is turned
on. The rear passengers can also
adjust the direction, and temperature
and amount of the airf low. 1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If the interior is very warm,
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Dehumidif y the Interior
T o Def og and Def rost
Features
109
NOTE:

The Automatic Climate Control
system can adjust the f an speed and
airflow levels to maintain the interior
temperature you select.Press the AUTO button.
Set the desired temperature with
the temperature control buttons.
You will see FULL AUTO in the
system’s display.
The system automatically selects the
proper mix of conditioned and/or
heated air that will, as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior
temperature f rom its current level to
the set temperature. In FULL AUTO
the rear A/C control panel cannot be
used. In cold weather, the f an will not
come on automatically until the
heater starts to develop warm air.
You can manually select various
f unctions of the Climate Control
system when it is in FULL AUTO.
All other f eatures remain
automatically controlled.
Manually selecting a f unction causes
thewordFULLinthedisplaytogo
out.
Press the OFF button. However, a
lack of airf low can cause the
windowstofogup.Youshouldkeep
the fan on at all times so stale air and
moisture do not build up in the
interior and cause fogging.
If you set the temperature to its
lower or its upper limit, the system
runs at f ull cooling or heating only. It
does not regulate the interior
temperature.
Select . The system
automatically switches to Fresh
Air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator will not come
on in U.S. vehicles.
Select .
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum level.
To clear the windshield f aster, you
can close the dashboard corner vents
by rotating the wheel below each
vent. This sends more warm air to
the windshield def roster vents. Once
the windshield is clear, select Fresh
Air mode to avoid f ogging the
windows.
For your saf ety, make sure you have
a clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving. 1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
T o Remove Exterior Frost or Ice
From the Windows
Manual Operation
To Turn Everything Of f
Using A utomatic Climate Control
110

You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
Those bands cover these f requen-
cies:
AM band: 530 to 1,710 kilohertz
FM band: 87.7 to 107.9 megahertzStations must use these exact
f requencies. It is f airly common f or
stations to round-of f the f requency in
their advertising, so your radio could
display a f requency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identif y
the station as ‘‘FM101.’’
A radio station’s signal gets weaker
as you get f arther away f rom its
transmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound
volume becoming weaker and the
stationdriftinginandout.If youare
listening to an FM station, you will
see the stereo indicator f lickering of f
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator willgo of f and the sound will f ade
completely as you get out of range of
the station’s signal.
Driving very near the transmitter of
a station that is broadcasting on a
f requency close to the f requency of
the station you are listening to can
also af f ect your radio’s reception.
You may temporarily hear both
stations,orhearonlythestationyou
are close to.
Your vehicle’s radio can receive the
complete AM and FM bands.
How well your vehicle’s radio
receives stations is dependent on
many f actors, such as the distance
from the station’s transmitter,
nearby large objects, and
atmospheric conditions.
Radio stations on the AM band are
assigned f requencies at least ten
kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550).
Stations on the FM band are
assigned f requencies at least 0.2
megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3). 76
A udio System L ighting
Radio Frequencies
Radio Reception
Radio Reception
116

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.
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 more f uel.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle. 240
230 230
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
190
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t to D3.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
this could cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed,
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the bottom of the steering
wheel, then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t.
Turn the wheel to the right to move
the trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.If the vehicle’s tires slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
Lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 Lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system.
204
3
Towing a Trailer
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking Ret rieving a Boat
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Driving
221