check engine Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Guide

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
). Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
189
237
274
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
272
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If your vehicle battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition to ON (II), without starting
the engine. The Malf unction
Indicator Lamp will come on f or 20
seconds. If it then goes of f , the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks 5
times, the readiness codes are not
set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to
f or more inf ormation (see page ).
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator could come on
because of a loose or missing f uel f ill
cap. Tighten the cap until it clicks at
least three times. Tightening the cap
will not turn the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
days of normal driving. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
294
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Malf unction Indicator L amp
State Emissions T esting
Readiness Code
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
273
If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and the engine. Those repairs
may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

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#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
300
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
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below for a quotation.
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Check here if your billing address is different
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days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 104
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 238
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 24
..............
Air Conditioning System . 106
.....................
Rear A/C Control .111
.........................................
Usage .107
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .252
......................................
Antif reeze .240
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .61, 209
...................................
Operation .209
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 131
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 81
................
Audio System . 112,118,123
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.........................
Automatic Lighting .75
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 146
..............
Automatic Transmission . 200
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .284
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242.......................................
Shif ting .200
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 200
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 200
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 203
...........................
Automatic Wipers .72
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 272
............................
Jump Starting .268
..............................
Maintenance .257
............................
Specif ications .285
..............................
Bef ore Driving .185
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 21
.........................
Beverage Holders .102
..................................
Booster Seats .51
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 209
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 186
...........................................
Fluid .243
....................
Bulb Replacement .247
.........................................
Parking .94
.................
System Indicator . 61,274
........................
Wear Indicators .208 .............................
Braking System .208
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 186
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 76
........................
Brights, Headlights .74
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .247
..............................
Brake Lights .247
................
Front Parking Lights . 246
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 246
.................................
Headlights .245
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 248
.................................
Rear Bulbs .247
............................
Specif ications .285
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 246
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .245
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

Î
................................
Cancel Button .146
............................
Capacities Chart .284
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
.............................
Carrying Cargo .193
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .128
..........................
CD Changer .125, 126
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 129
.......................................
CD Player .125
........................
Certif ication Label .282
...................................
Chains, .256
Change Oil ........................................
How to .238
......................................
When to .229
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .261
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,272
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 198
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 82
.....................................
Child Saf ety .35
..............................
Booster Seats .51
.............................
Child Seats .43, 44
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 38
..........................................
Inf ants .40
..........................
Larger Children .50 .........................................
LATCH .45
......................
Risks with Airbags .36
.............................
Small Children .41
..........................................
Tether .48
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 36
.......................................
Child Seats .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 48
...............
Climate Control System . 106
..............................................
Clock .151
.....................
Code, Audio System .131
........................
CO in the Exhaust .289
......................
Compact Spare Tire .260
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 296
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .240
....................................
Checking .190
.........................
Proper Solution .240
...................
Temperature Gauge . 69
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .289
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 63
............
Cruise Control Operation . 146
...................................
Cup Holders .102
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 296................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 76
.................................
Dead Battery .268
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 298
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 77
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 109
....................................
Dimensions .284
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 74
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 242
..................................
Engine Oil .190
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 208
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .239
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 82
....................
Lockout Prevention . 82
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .197
....................................
Economy .190
tires
Index
C D
II

CONT INUED
Driving Position Memory..........................................
System .97
..................
DVD Error Messages . 141
...................................
DVD Player .134
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
..................................
Emergencies .259
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 268
...........
Brake System Indicator . 274
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 261
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 276
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
..................
Overheated Engine . 270
.......................................
Towing .274
...........................
Emergency Brake .94
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .274
.......................
Emissions Controls .289
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 69Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60, 273
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,272
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 237
...............................
Overheating .270
............................
Specif ications .285
............................
Speed Limiter .202
.......................................
Starting .189
...................
Engine, .267
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 289
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .290
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...................................
Fan, Interior .107
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 187
Filters ...............................................
Oil .238
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 261.....................................
Floor Mats .249
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 242
..........................................
Brake .243
..........................
Power Steering .244
..................
Windshield Washer . 241
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .116
........................................
Fog Lights .77
................
Folding the Second Seat . 89
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
........................................
Front Seat .86
......................................
Adjusting .86
.........................................
Airbags .26
.........................................
Heaters .91
.................................................
Fuel .186
......................
Fill Door and Cap .187
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 186
...............................
Oxygenated .186
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .276
if it won’t start
Index
E
F
INDEX
III

...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 192
.........................................
Moonroof .93
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 201
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 186
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 282
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 186
.........................................
Odometer .68
...............................
Odometer, Trip .69
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 223
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 223
Oil ........................
Change, How to .238
......................
Change, When to .231
......................
Checking Engine .189
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,272
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .237
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 81
............................................
OnStar .173 ..............................
Outside Mirrors .95
....................
Overheating, Engine .270
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 230
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .186
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 76
........................
Park Gear Position .201
...........................................
Parking .207
.................................
Parking Brake .94
.................................
Parking Lights .74
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 291
.............................
PGM-FI System .290
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 86
...............
Power Socket Locations . 104
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .35
.....................
General Guidelines .35
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .40
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 50
.........
Protecting Small Children . 41Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .48
.............................
Using LATCH .45
...................
Radiator Overheating . 270
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 112,113
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .111
............
Rear Audio Control Panel . 136
........
Rear Entertainment System . 132
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 247
.
Rear View Camera and Monitor . 155
............................
Rear View Mirror .95
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 73
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 86,87
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 89
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 90
.............................
Reminder Lights .60
................
Remote Audio Controls . 130
.................
Remote Control (RES) . 137
.......................
Remote Transmitter .83
Index
N
O P
R
VI

...
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