Acura MDX 2008 Owner's Manual

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covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet f or exact
inf ormation. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom your dealer.
this warranty gives up
to 100 % credit toward a replacement
battery. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered by a limited warranty.
Please read your warranty booklet
f or details.
all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
Acura accessories are covered under
this warranty. Time and mileage
limits depend on the type of
accessory and other f actors. Please
read your warranty manual f or
details.
covers all Acura
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2008 Acura warranty inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2008 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant yEmissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant yAccessory Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Warrant y and Client Relat ions
467
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2008 MDX

If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA), in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or Acura Automobile Division,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.To contact NHTSA, you may call the
VehicleSafetyHotlinetoll-freeat
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other
inf ormation about motor vehicle
safety from .
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
468
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov
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2008 MDX

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S.only)
Authorized Manuals
469
Publication
Form Number 61STX01
61STX01EL
61STX30
31STX610
31STX810
31STXM10 31STXQ10 ACU-R Form Description
2007-2008 Acura MDX Service Manual 2008 Acura MDX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2008 Acura MDX Body Repair Manual 2008 Acura MDX Owner’s Manual 2008 Acura MDX
Navigation System Owner’s Manual
2008 Acura MDX Maintenance Journal 2008 Acura MDX Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
www. helminc. com
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2008 MDX

470
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2008 MDX

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .330
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.....................................
Position) .129
............
Accessory Power Sockets .166
...........................
AC Power Outlet .167
................
Active Damper System .361
.....................................
Acura Link .308
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .394
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,24
..............
Air Conditioning System .170
.....................
Rear A/C Control .175
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .177
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .415
......................................
Antif reeze .396
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light .66,357
...................................
Operation .357
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .235
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .129
................
Audio System .180,181,200
Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .339
..........
Automatic Climate Control .170 .......................
Automatic Lighting .119
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .270
..............
Automatic Transmission .341
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .452
...............
Checking Fluid Level .399
.......................................
Shif ting .341
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .341
................
Shif t Lever Positions .342
....................
Shif t Lock Release .346
................................
Cancel Button .272
............................
Capacities Chart .452
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65,436
............................
Jump Starting .432
..............................
Maintenance .421
............................
Specif ications .453
..............................
Bef ore Driving .321
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders .163
..................................
Booster Seats .55
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .357 .............
Break-in, New Linings .322
...........................................
Fluid .401
.......................................
Parking .153
.................
System Indicator .65,438
........................
Wear Indicators .357
.............................
Braking System .356
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .322
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .123
......................
Brights, Headlights .118
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .407
................
Front Parking Lights .404
........
Front Side Marker Lights .404
.................................
Headlights .403
.................................
Rear Bulbs .406
............................
Specif ications .453
....................
Turn Signal Lights .404
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .403
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
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Î
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,62
..............
Daytime Running Lights .120
.................................
Dead Battery .432
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .468
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .122
..............
Def rosting the Windows .174
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .452
....................................
Dimensions .452
.............
Dimming the Headlights .118
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .399
..................................
Engine Oil .326
..........................
Directional Signals .67
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .357
.......................................
Disc Care .229
........................
Disc Changer .190,218
Disc Changer Error
...........................
Messages .199,228
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .58
..........................
Cargo Area Light .161
...................................
Cargo Hook .336
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .332
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
........................
Certif ication Label .450
.................................
Chains, Tires .420
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .425
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .394
......................................
When to .383
...
Charging System Indicator .65,436
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .338
................
Childproof Door Locks .131
.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
..............................
Booster Seats .55
.............................
Child Seats .42,45
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .41
..........................................
Inf ants .42
..........................
Larger Children .54
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .38
.............................
Small Children .43
..........................................
Tether .51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .38 .......................................
Child Seats .45
........
LATCH Anchorage Points .47
....
Tether Anchorage Points .52,53
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .409
....................
Client Service Of f ice .466
...............
Climate Control System .170
..............................................
Clock .236
.....................
Code, Audio System .235
........................
CO in the Exhaust .460
......................
Compact Spare Tire .424
.................
Console Compartment .164
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .466
.............
Controls, Instruments and .61
Coolant
........................................
Adding .396
....................................
Checking .326
.........................
Proper Solution .396
...................
Temperature Gauge .72
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .460
................
Cruise Control Indicator .70
............
Cruise Control Operation .270
...................................
Cup Holders .163
.........................
Customize Settings .83
................
Door/Window Setup .105
...........................
Lighting Setup .100 .................................
Meter Setup .89
..............................
Position Setup .97
........................
Setting to Def ault .86
...............................
Wiper Setup .113
Index
D
II
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CONT INUED
............................
Disc Player .190,218
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .395
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .130
..................
Lockout Prevention .131
........................................
Monitor .11
....................
Power Door Locks .130
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .454
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .337
....................................
Economy .327
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .157
......
DVD Player Error Messages .265
...................................
DVD Player .240 ...................................
Fan, Interior .173
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .169
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .323
Filters
...............................................
Oil .394
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .122
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .425
.....................................
Floor Mats .410
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .399
..........................................
Brake .401
..........................
Power Steering .402
..................
Windshield Washer .398
..............................
Economy, Fuel .327
..................................
Emergencies .423
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .432
...........
Brake System Indicator .438
................
Changing a Flat Tire .425
.....
Charging System Indicator .436
..................
Checking the Fuses .440
...........
Driving with a Flat Tire .424 .......
Hazard Warning Flashers .122
............................
Jump Starting .432
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .436
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .437
..................
Overheated Engine .434
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .446
.......................................
Towing .446
.........................
Emergency Brake .153
....................
Emergency Flashers .122
......................
Emergency Towing .446
.......................
Emissions Controls .460
........................
Emissions Testing .463
Engine
............
Check Starting System .340
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .72
.........................
If it Won’t Start .431
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .65,437
.......................................
Oil Lif e .383
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .65,436
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .393
...............................
Overheating .434
............................
Specif ications .453
............................
Speed Limiter .346
.......................................
Starting .339 .
Evaporative Emissions Controls .460
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .461
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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2008 MDX

FM Stereo Radio...................................
Reception .205
.....................................
Fog Lights .120
..............
Folding the Second Seat .144
.................
Folding the Third Seat .145
........................
Four-way Flashers .122
..............................
Front Airbags .9,27
......................................
Front Seat .140
....................................
Adjusting .140
.....................................
Airbags .9,27
.......................................
Heaters .148
.................................................
Fuel .322
......................
Fill Door and Cap .323
...........................................
Gauge .72
................
Octane Requirement .322
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .446
...............................
Oxygenated .322
........................
Reserve Indicator .71
........................
Tank, Filling the .323
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap .324
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .440
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .327 .........................................
Gasoline .322
...........................................
Gauge .72
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .71
................
Octane Requirement .322
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .323
................
Gas Station Procedures .323
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .72
...............................................
Fuel .72
...............................
Speedometer .72
.................................
Tachometer .72
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .364
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .364
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .342
......................................
Glove Box .164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .364
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .403
..........................
HandsFreeLink .280
..............................
HFL Buttons .281
............
Hazard Warning Flashers .122 .....................................
Headlights .118
........................................
Aiming .403
..................
Automatic Lighting .119
.........
Daytime Running Lights .120
..................
High Beam Indicator .70
.........
High Beams, Turning on .118
....................
Lights On Indicator .70
..........
Low Beams, Turning on .118
.......................
Reminder Chime .118
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .403
.................................
Turning on .118
.....................................
Washers .117
...................................
Headphones .266
............................
Head Restraints .141
...............................
Heated Mirror .156
...............................
Heaters, Seats .148
.....................
Heating and Cooling .170
...............
High-Low Beam Switch .118
HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .276
.......................
Hood, Opening the .325
................................................
Horn .115
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .450
TM
Index
G H
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2008 MDX

CONT INUED
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .428
.......................................
Jack, Tire .425
................................
Jump Starting .432 ................................................
Keys .126
...........
Keyless Memory Settings .139
.......................
Label, Certif ication .450
...............
Lane Change, Signaling .118
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .15,21
....................
Light Control Switch .159
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .403
.......................................
Indicator .63
.......................................
Interior .159
.......................................
Parking .118
.............................
Load Limit .333,364
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .129
Ignition
............................................
Keys .126
.........................................
Switch .129
............
Timing Control System .461
......................
Immobilizer System .128
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .63
......
Active Damper System .71,361
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) .66
....................................
A/T Temp .68
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) .65,438
................
Charging System .65,436
.............................
Cruise Control .70
.................................
Cruise Main .70
...................................
Fog Lights .70
...................................
High Beam .70
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .70
.....................................
Lights On .70
......................................
Low Fuel .71
................
Low Oil Pressure .65,436
......................
Low Tire Pressure .68
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .437
..........................
Security System .71
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .66
.......................................
Seat Belt .64 ...............................................
SRS .66
...................
System Message .69,80
...............
Tire Pressure Monitor .68
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .67
............................
VSA Activation .67
.................................
VSA System .67
..................
Individual Map Lights .160
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .42
......................................
Inf ant Seats .42
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .415
.................................
Inside Mirror .154
.............................
Inspection, Tire .417
........................
Instrument Panel .4,63
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .123
........................
Interf ace Dial .200,308
...............................
Interior Lights .159
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
J L K
INDEX
V
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.69,348
2008 MDX

Locks.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column .129
............................
Fuel Fill Door .323
..................................
Glove Box .164
..................
Lockout Prevention .131
...............................
Power Door .130
..............................
Tailgate .131,132
........................
Low Coolant Level .326
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .71
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .65,436
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .452
............
Luggage, Storing (cargo) .332
..................................
Maintenance .381
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .389
........................................
Minder .383
..........................................
Saf ety .382
....................................
Schedule .390
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .437
...........
Memory, Driving Position .157
.............................
Message Display .80
..........................
Message Indicator .69
...............................
Meters, Gauges .72 ........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .155
.................................
Modif ications .331
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .331
.......................................
Moonroof .152
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .73
...................
Neutral Gear Position .342
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .322
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .450
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .322
.........................................
Odometer .75
...............................
Odometer, Trip .75
....................
Of f -Highway Driving .377
...................
Of f -Road Precautions .377
Oil
........................
Change, How to .394
......................
Change, When to .383
......................
Checking Engine .326
...............................
Lif e, Engine .383
..............
Pressure Indicator .65,436 Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .393
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .129
............................
Outside Mirrors .154
.....................
Outside Temperature .76
....................
Overheating, Engine .434
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .389
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .322
............
Panel Brightness Control .123
........................
Park Gear Position .342
...........................................
Parking .350
...............................
Parking Brake .153
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .65,438
...............................
Parking Lights .118
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .350
....
Passenger Airbag Of f Indicator .34
.............................
PGM-FI System .461
..............
Power Seat Adjustments .140
...............
Power Socket Locations .162
............................
Power Windows .149
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .18
Index
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