tow Acura MDX 2007 Owner's Manual

2007 Acura MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .3
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .61
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .167
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................315
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .329
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................373
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................417
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
............................................ .443
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canad a)................................................................459
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................463
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System

This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission fluid. It should come on
for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is safe, shift
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HI GH’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).Most
of the time, this indicator
comes on along with other indicators
in the instrument panel such as the
seat belt reminder indicator, SRS
indicator, VSA system indicator, etc.
This
indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicl e’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
If this happens, pull to the side of the
ro ad when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
info rmation display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinflated, call a professional
towing service. For more
info rmation, see page . This
indicator comes on when there
is a system message on the multi-
information display. Press the INFO
button on the steering wheel (see
page ) to see the message (see
page ).
82
433 81 73
82
A/T Temperature
Indicator
Message Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
68
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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Make any steering wheel
adjustments before you start driving.Move the steering wheel in, out, up,
or down by pushing and holding the
adjustment switch in that direction.Release the switch when the
steering wheel reaches the desired
position. Make sure the steering
wheel points towards your chest, not
toward your face, and that you can
see the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
Steering Wheel A djustments
124
ADJUSTMENT SWITCH
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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Press the REAR PWR button. The
indicator on the REAR PWR button
willcomeon,aswellastheindicator
on the FRONT SOURCE button.
The rear seat passengers can then
operate the rear system from the
control panel in the ceiling. The rear
control panel can also be detached
andusedasaremotecontrol,by
pushing the RELEASE button, and
pulling the remote toward you.Whenyouturnonthesystem,the
rear speakers are automatically
turned of f if the rear system selects
a dif f erent entertainment source
than the front system. You will see
the Rear Speakers Of f icon both in
the audio display and the overhead
screen. The sound f or the rear
system is sent to the wireless
headphones.
The ignition switch must be in the
ACCESSORY (I) or the ON (II)
position to operate the rear
entertainment system. With this system, the rear
passengers can enjoy a dif f erent
entertainment source (radio, disc
changer, DVD player, XM Radio, or
optional CD changer/tape player)
than the front seat occupants. The
audio is broadcast through the
supplied wireless headphones. Your vehicle is equipped with a rear
entertainment system that includes a
DVD player f or the enjoyment of the
rear passengers.
Pressing the REAR CTRL OFF
button disables rear control. The
indicator in the button comes on and
your passengers can no longer
operate the system with the rear
control panel. When the button is
pressed, the ‘‘CTRL OFF’’ message
appears in the overhead screen to let
your passengers know that the
control panel is disabled.
The rear system selects the source it
waslastsetto.Ifthatsourcehas
been removed (the DVD has been
ejected f rom the player, f or example),you will see ‘‘DVD EJECT’’ in the
display. You should select another
source or insert a DVD.
If youwanttoturntherearspeakers
on again, press and hold the REAR
PWR button until the Rear Speakers
Of f icon goes of f .
The rear speakers are
connected to the f ront system, so
they will always play the source that
the f ront system is set to.
CONT INUED
Available on U.S. Entertainment
Package and Canadian Elite PackagemodelsTo Turn On the System
Rear Speakers
Rear Entertainment System
Features
233
NOTE:
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
perf ormance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
316
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Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Hold the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel, and then
insert it all the way back in its hole. Remove
the dipstick again, and
ch eck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .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, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
3. 2.
4.
390
381
387
Oil Check
A dding Engine OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
320
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
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µ·
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
Locate
the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,158
lbs ’’ on your vehicle’s placard. The
placard is driver’s doorjamb.
To
determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
The
maximum load for your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg). This figure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
1,158 lbs. The
resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capaci ty.
For example, the maximum load is
1,158 lbs and there will be five 150
lbs passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo is 408 lbs.
[1,158 750 (5 150) = 408 lbs.]
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories
cargo must not exceed the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR).
Bothareonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Determine
the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
we ight may not safe ly exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
356
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
325
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the super handling-all wheel
drive (SH-AWD) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, active
damper system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-high way.........................
Driving Guidelines .330
........................
Preparing to Drive .330
.......................
Starting the Engine .332
Check Starting System .................................
Message .332
..............
Automatic Transmission . 333
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System . 340
...........................................
Parking .342
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .343
.............................
Braking System .348
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 349
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .351
................
Active Damper System . 353
...........................
Towing a Trailer .355
..................
Trailer Stability Assist . 367
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 369
Driving
Driving
329
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µIf you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third, f ourth, and f if th gears
in stop-and-go driving.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD or
D, you can get the transmission to
automatically downshif t by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shif t down one,
two, or three gears, depending on
your speed. This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch. Set the parking brake.
1.
2.
3
3
3
Engine Speed Limiter Shift Lock Release
Drive (D )
Automatic Transmission
3
338
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Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and set the parking brake.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
Parking
Parking T ips
342
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