towing Acura MDX 2007 Owner's Guide

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .418
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .419
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start .425
................................
Jump Starting .426
..............
If the Engine Overheats .428
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .430
..........
Charging System Indicator .430
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .431
...............
Brake System Indicator .432
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
....................................
Manually .433
......................
Emergency Towing .433
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .434
..............................................
Fuses .436
..............................
Fuse Locations .440
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
417
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Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Do not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. The low tire pressure indicator
stays on when you are driving with
thecompactsparetire.TheTPMS
indicator may also come on after
several miles (kilometers) driving.
Compact Spare Tire
418
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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Slowly turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwisetotakeupthe slackof
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracketisseatedinthecenter
hole of the flat tire.
Turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwise until the flat tire rests
ag ainst the underbody of the
vehicle and you hear the hoist
click. Store
the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools, and install
the cover.
Refer to (see page ).
22.
23. 25. 24.
347
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with
TPMS
424
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
Loose items can fly around the
interiorinacrashandcould
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even
if you are not stowing a tire. If the
hoist is lef t down, it will be damaged
during driving and need to be replaced.
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Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page .
Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See
on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
436
433331
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
426
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
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If the temperatu re gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ). Start
the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
refilled with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and check
the temperatu re gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.
10.
11.9.
433 433
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
429
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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If the f uel f ill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the rear f use box lid in the
cargo area.To open the f uel f ill door, pull the
release lever rearward.Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck. If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Emergency T owing
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually, Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
433
LID
RELEASE LEVER
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the
all-wheel-drive system. Your vehicle
should be transported on a f lat-bed
truck or trailer.
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If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous page).The cover is attached to the bumper
with a tether.
Remove the cover, put cloth on the
edge of the cover and caref ully pry
with a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver or a metal f ingernail
f ile.
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchors in the front and rear
bumpers.
1.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
434
Front Rear
COVER
COVER
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Remove the towing hook and
wheel nut wrench placed behind a
cover under the cargo area.
Screw the towing hook into the
hole, and tighten it with the wheel
nut wrench.
2.
3.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
435
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
Front TOWING HOOK WHEEL NUT WRENCH
TOWING HOOK
Rear
To avoid damage to your vehicle, use
the towing hook f or straight, f lat
ground towing only. Do not tow at an
angle. The tow hook should not be used
to tow the vehicle onto a f lat bed. Do
not use it as a tie down.
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CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .171
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .167
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .317
Filters
...............................................
Oil .388
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .122
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .419
.....................................
Floor Mats .404
........................
Disc Changer . 188, 216
Disc Changer Error ...........................
Messages . 197, 226
............................
Disc Player . 188, 216
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .389
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .130
..................
Lockout Prevention .131
........................................
Monitor .11
....................
Power Door Locks .130
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .448
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .329
....................................
Economy .316
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .155
......
DVD Player Error Messages .261
...................................
DVD Player .236
..............................
Economy, Fuel .316
..................................
Emergencies .417
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .426
...........
Brake System Indicator .432
................
Changing a Flat Tire .419 .....
Charging System Indicator .430
..................
Checking the Fuses .437
...........
Driving with a Flat Tire .418
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .122
............................
Jump Starting .426
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .430
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .431
..................
Overheated Engine .428
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .433
.......................................
Towing .433
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .122
......................
Emergency Towing .433
.......................
Emissions Controls .453
Engine
............
Check Starting System .332
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .72
.........................
If it Won’t Start .425
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 65, 431
.......................................
Oil Lif e .375
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 65, 430
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .387
...............................
Overheating .428
............................
Specif ications .447 ............................
Speed Limiter .338
.......................................
Starting .331
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .453
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .454
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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CONT INUED
..................
Storage Compartment .162
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .416
........................................
Sun Visor .164
Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing .35
.........................
SRS Indicator .33,66
...................
System Components .24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .388
.....................................
Tachometer .72
..........................................
Tailgate .131
...............................
Opening the .131
..............................
Open Monitor .11
.........................................
Power .132
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .400
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .417
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .448
.....
Emissions Control Systems .453
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .455
.......................
Temperature Gauge .72
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .177
....................
Temperature, Outside .76 ...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .22
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .231
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .455
.
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel .124
....................................
Timing Belt .396
....................................
Tire Chains .414
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .419
.................................
Tire Labeling .450
Tire Pressure Monitoring ............
System (TPMS) . 343, 451
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator . 68, 343
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 77, 343
...............................................
Tires .409
..............................
Air Pressure .409
.........................
Checking Wear .411
..........................
Compact Spare .418
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 448
......................................
Inf lation .409
..................................
Inspection .411
..............................
Maintenance .411
...................................
Replacing .412
......................................
Rotating .412
...........................................
Snow .414
............................
Specif ications .447 ................................
Tire Chains .414
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 419
Torque Distribution Monitor .................................
(SH-AWD) .340
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .355
................
Emergency Wrecker . 433
....
Equipment and Accessories . 361
.............................
Weight Limit .356
.........................
Trailer Loading .356
..............
Trailer Stability Assist . 368
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 364
..................
Trailer Stability Assist . 368
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 393
...........................
Fluid Selection .394
..............
Identif ication Number . 444
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 333
.....................................
Treadwear .411
................................
Trip Computer .78
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .67
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 419
Index
INDEX
T
IX
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