steering wheel Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Guide

on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together
and the parking break is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also shut
down.
It only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. Important Saf ety Reminders A vehicle with A BS may require a longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
210

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

Your MDX can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h) or severe
transmission damage will occur. To
avoid damage to the 4WD system, it
must be towed with all f our wheels
on the ground (f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.
Perf orm this procedure every day
immediately bef ore you begin towing.
Otherwise, severe automatic
transmission damage will occur.Start the engine. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R,N,D,D,D,2,1).
ShifttoD ,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn it off.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
sockets are turned of f so you do
not run down the battery.
If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
242
543 5
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
222
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.

µµ
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km) if you regularly drive
your vehicle in one or more of these
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
244
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, your
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
will not work on that tire.
Replacement wheels are available at
your Acura dealer.Wheel:
Tires:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size explanation.
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
286
288
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance
255
17x61/2JJ
P235/65R17 103T Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î Î
Î
Specif ications
284
Dimensions
Weights
Air ConditioningCapacities
1.88 US gal (7.1
)
2.38 US gal (9.0)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
2.9 US qt (2.7)
7.7 US qt (7.3)
188.7 in (4,793 mm)
77.0 in (1,955 mm)
68.7 in (1,744 mm)
71.3 in (1,811 mm)
106.3 in (2,700 mm)
66.3 in (1,685 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
9,835 lbs (4,461 kg)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8 2.9 US qt (2.7
)
3.0 US qt (2.8)
0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45)
0.16 US gal (0.6
) 4.8 US qt (4.5
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering fluid
cooler.
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation. Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
Standard
Premium
1:
2: Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total 20.4 US gal (77.0
)
2
1 1
2

...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 29
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .31
.............................
SRS Indicator .31 ,60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .198
................
With a Dead Battery . 268
..............
State Emissions Testing . 292
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 270
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...
Stereo Sound System . 112,118,123
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .258
........................................
Sun Visor .103
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .33
.........................
SRS Indicator .31 ,60
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .238
.....................................
Tachometer .68
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 247
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 259Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 289
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .291
.......................
Temperature Gauge .69
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
............................
Thef t Protection .131
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 291
....................................
Timing Belt .244
....................................
Tire Chains .256
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 261
.................................
Tire Labeling .288
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .205
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .66, 205
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 66,206
..................
TPMS Indicator . 66,206
...............................................
Tires .252
..............................
Air Pressure .252
.........................
Checking Wear .254
..........................
Compact Spare .260
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
......................................
Inf lation .252
..................................
Inspection .253 ..............................
Maintenance .254
...................................
Replacing .255
......................................
Rotating .254
...........................................
Snow .256
............................
Specif ications .285
................................
Tire Chains .256
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .213
................
Emergency Wrecker . 274
....
Equipment and Accessories . 217
.............................
Weight Limit .213
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .222
.........................
Trailer Loading .215
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 220
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242
...........................
Fluid Selection .242
..............
Identif ication Number . 282
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 200
.....................................
Treadwear .286
..............................
Trip Computer .149
.......................................
Trip Meter .69
....................................
Turn Signals .74
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 261
Index
T
VIII

ÎÎ
........................
XM Satellite Radio .118
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .259
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 286
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .186
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 239
................................
Vanity Mirror .103
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 194
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .284
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 282
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .211
........
VSA System Indicator . 65,211
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 65,211
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .214
.............................
Vehicle Storage .258
.....................................
Ventilation .108
.................................................
VIN .282
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .237
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .204 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages .297
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 241
............................
Level Indicator .63
.....................................
Operation .71
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 78
......................................
Wrench .263
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 92
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .77
Windshield ...................................
Def roster .109
.......................................
Washers .71
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .250
.....................................
Operation .71
Rear Windshield Wiper and .....................................
Washer .73
....................................
Worn Tires .253
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 274: U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
V U X
INDEX
IX