Acura MDX 2009 Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2009, Model line: MDX, Model: Acura MDX 2009Pages: 489, PDF Size: 11.91 MB
Page 441 of 489

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 feel no difference in
your vehicle's performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fuel fill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least once. Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator off
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
If you keep driving with the malfunction
indicator lamp on, you can damage
your vehicle's emissions controls and
engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your vehicle's warranties.
You will also see a
‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display (see
page81). Readiness Code
Your vehicle has certain
‘‘readiness
codes ’’that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for 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.
If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
these codes may be erased. It takes
several days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will
come on for 20 seconds. If it then
goes off, the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks five times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to Emissions Testing for
more information (see page463).
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
437
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 442 of 489

U.S. Canada
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
fully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake fluid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it feels normal. If
it does, check the brake fluid level
the next time you stop at a service
station (see page401).
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81). If the fluid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system's dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will feel the brake
pedal go down much farther before
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
You will also see a
‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81). Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible (see
Emergency
Towing on page446).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and carefully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
Brake System Indicator43808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 443 of 489

The vehicle's fuses are located in
four fuse boxes.
The interior fuse box is underneath
the dashboard on the driver's side.
To remove the fuse box lid, put your
finger in the notch on the lid, pull it
toward you, and take it out of its
hinges.
The rear fuse box is located at the
left side of cargo area.
The primary under-hood fuse box is
located next to the battery. The
secondary fuse box is on the
passenger's side.
To open it, push the tabs as shown.
INTERIORLID
REAR LID
UNDER-HOOD (PRIMARY)
TABUNDER-HOOD (SECONDARY)
TAB
CONTINUED
Fuses
439
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 444 of 489

Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
you should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages
443,444,and445, or the diagram on
the fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that device. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is
the cause. Replace any blown fuses,
and check if the device works.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box.
3. Check each of the large fuses inthe under-hood fuse boxes by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.FUSE BLOWN
BLOWN
Fuses44008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 445 of 489

4. Check the smaller fuses in theunder-hood fuse boxes and rear
fuse box, and all the fuses in the
interior and rear fuse boxes by
pulling out each one with the fuse
puller provided in the primary
under-hood fuse box.
5. Look for a burned wire inside thefuse. If it is burned out, replace it
with one of the spare fuses of the
same rating or lower. If you cannot drive the vehicle
without fixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
from one of the other circuits. Make
sure you can do without that circuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown fuse with a
spare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
fuse with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
FUSE PULLER
BLOWN
CONTINUED
Fuses
441
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 446 of 489

Replacing a fuse with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a
replacement fuse with the proper rating
for the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.6. If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time, there
is probably a serious electrical
problem with your vehicle. Leave
the blown fuse in that circuit, and
have your vehicle checked by a
qualified technician. If the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The
next time you turn on the radio you
will see
‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the digit code (see
page235).Fuses44208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 447 of 489

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected1 120 A Main fuse - Not Used
2 - 1 - Not Used
2 - 2 - Not Used
2 - 3 30 A Rear Blower Motor
2 - 4 40 A ABS VSA
2 - 5 40 A Trailer Main
2 - 6 40 A Power Seats, Driver's Position
Memory System, Subwoofer
2 - 7 40 A Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof, Driver's Lumbar
Support
2 - 8 - Not Used
3 - 1 60 A Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor
3 - 2 40 A Headlights, Daytime Running
Lights
3 - 3 60 A Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
ꭧ
3- 4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ꭧ : Canadian model No. Amps. Circuits Protected
3 - 5 50 A Power Window
3 - 6 60 A SH-AWD, Power Tailgate
Open/Closer, Rear ACC
Socket, Cargo Area Light,
Rear Defroster
3 - 7 30 A ECU (PCM)
3 - 8 - Not Used
4 40 A Audio, Door Lock, Interior Lights
5 - Not Used
6 - Not Used
7 30 A Active Damper Control Unit
8 30 A Audio Amplifier
9 7.5 A Rear Entertainment System
10 15 A Hazard
11 15 A Horn, Stop
12 20 A ABS VSA
13 20 A Trailer (Brake)
14 20 A Rear Heated Seat
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
443
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 448 of 489

SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 10 A Left Daytime Running Light
2 10 A Right Daytime Running Light
3 10 A Left Headlight High
4 10 A Right Headlight High No. Amps. Circuits Protected
5 7.5 A Small Lights (Exterior)
6 30 A Headlight Low Main
7 7.5 A Cooling Fan Timer
8 15 A IGP
9 15 A IG Coil
10 15 A DBW
11 15 A AFHT
12 40 A Front Blower Motor
13 20 A Fog lights
14 30 A Headlight Washer
ꭧ
15 30 A Condenser Fan
16 30 A Cooling Fan
17 7.5 A MG Clutch
18 15 A Left Headlight Low
19 15 A Right Headlight Low
22 7.5 A Small Lights (Interior)
ꭧ : Canadian model
REAR FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 - Not Used
2 - Not Used
3 - Not Used
4 - Not Used
5 10 A Rear ACC Socket
6 20 A Power Tailgate
ꭧ
7 - Not Used
8 7.5 A Cargo Area Light
9 30 A SH-AWD
10 30 A Rear Defroster
11 40 A Power Tailgate
ꭧ : If equipped
Fuse Locations44408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 449 of 489

INTERIOR FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 7.5 A TPMS
2 10 A Driver's Lumbar Support Motor
3 15 A Moonroof
4 20 A Front Heated Seats
5 10 A Audio No. Amps. Circuits Protected
6 7.5 A Interior Light
7 10 A Interior Light, Moonroof
8 20 A Door Lock
9 15 A ACC Socket
10 15 A IG Coil
11 30 A Windshield Wiper
12 10 A Subwoofer
13 20 A Passenger's Power Recline
14 20 A Driver's Power Slide
15 20 A Telescope Steering Wheel
16 20 A Driver's Power Recline
17 20 A Passenger's Power Slide
18 10 A Alternator
19 20 A Fuel Pump
20 7.5 A SH-AWD, Active Damper Control Unit
21 7.5 A Gauges No. Amps. Circuits Protected
22 10 A SRS
23 - Not Used
24 20 A Left Rear Power Window
25 20 A Right Rear Power Window
26 30 A Passenger's Power Window
27 30 A Driver's Power Window
28 20 A Tilt Steering Wheel
29 10 A ABS VSA
30 10 A A/C
31 15 A Headlight Auto Leveling,
Rear Wiper, Windshield/
Rear Washer
32 10 A ACC
33 - Not Used
AuxiliaryNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5 A Starter DIAG
2 7.5 A STS
Auxiliary
Fuse Locations
445
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX
Page 450 of 489

Opening the Fuel Fill Door
ManuallyIf the fuel fill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the rear fuse box lid in the
cargo area.
To open the fuel fill door, pull the
release lever rearward.Emergency Towing
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.
The only way you can safely tow
your vehicle is with flat-bed
equipment.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inform
them a flat-bed is required.
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the all-
wheel-drive system. Your vehicle should
be transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer.
LID
RELEASE LEVER
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually, Emergency Towing44608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX