warning Acura MDX 2011 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2011, Model line: MDX, Model: Acura MDX 2011Pages: 609, PDF Size: 12.7 MB
Page 550 of 609

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights,and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the tailgate. 4. Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up
the loop to raise the cargo area
floor.
CARGO AREA
FLOOR
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE JACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
545
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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●
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer toStarting the
Engine on page 436.
●
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 560).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See Emergency Towing on
page 566. Jump Starting
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
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.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. 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 frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electricalaccessories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
If the Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting55210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu 
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The pointer of your vehicle's
temperature gauge should stay in the
midrange under most conditions. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason (hot day,
driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood.Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint, then
continue driving.
If the Engine Overheats55410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu 
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Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 422). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 511).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
566). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page 86).
Immediately turn off 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.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
If you see a ‘‘REPLACE BATTERY ’’
message on the multi-information
display, along with this indicator on,
you may need to replace the battery.
Have your vehicle's battery checked
and replaced by your dealer.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator55610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu 
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The tires on your vehicle meet all U.
S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature
performance according to
Department of Transportation (DOT)
standards. The following explains
these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)57410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu 
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Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
575
Technical Information
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BrakesAnti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
455
Break-in, New Linings
.............
418
Bulb Replacement
...................
525
Fluid
.......................................
519
Parking
...................................
163
System Design
........................
455
System Indicator
...............
67, 558
Wear Indicators
.......................
455
Braking System
..........................
454
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
418
Brightness Control,
Instruments
............................
132
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
................
525, 526
Brake Lights
...........................
525
Front Parking Lights
...............
523
Front Side Marker Lights
........
523
Headlights
..............................
521
Rear Bulbs
..............................
525
Rear License Plate Lights
........
527
Specifications
..........................
573
Taillights
.................................
525
Turn Signal Lights
..........
523, 525
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
521 C
Capacities Chart
.........................
572
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
60
Cargo
.........................................
428
Cargo Hooks
..............................
432
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
428
Carrying Cargo
..........................
428
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
244
CD Error Messages
...................
243
CD Player
..................................
232
Certification Label
......................
570
Chains, Tires
..............................
540
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
545
Changing Oil How to
....................................
512
When to
..................................
501
Charging System Indicator
...........................
67, 556
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
435
Childproof Door Locks
...............
140
Child Safety
..................................
39
Booster Seats
...........................
57
Child Seats
....................
44, 45, 47 Important Safety Reminders
.....
43
Infants
......................................
44
Larger Children
.......................
56
LATCH
.....................................
49
Risks with Airbags
...................
40
Small Children
.........................
45
Tethers
....................................
53
Warning Labels
........................
41
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
40
Child Seats
.............................
39, 47
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
49
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
53
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
528
Client Service Information
..........
586
Climate Control System
.............
180
Clock
..........................................
306
Code, Audio System
...................
305
CO in the Exhaust
................
60, 580
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
436
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
457
Compact Spare Tire
....................
544
Compass Operation
....................
338
Console Compartment
...............
173
Consumer Information
...............
586
Controls, Instruments and
............
63
IndexII10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu 
Page 598 of 609

CoolantAdding
....................................
514
Checking
................................
422
Proper Solution
.......................
514
Temperature Gauge
.................
76
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
580
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
73
Cruise Control Operation
...........
342
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
73
Cup Holders
...............................
172
Customize Settings
......................
89
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 64
Daytime Running Lights
............
129
Dead Battery
..............................
552
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
131
Defrosting the Windows
............
184
Dimensions
................................
572
Dimming the Headlights
............
127
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
517 Engine Oil
...............................
422
Directional Signals
...............
69, 127
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
455
Disc Care
...................................
244
Disc Changer
.............................
200
Disc Changer Error Messages
...............................
208
Disc Player
..........................
200, 232
Disc Player Error Messages......
243
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
513
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
140
Indicator
...................................
12
Locking and Unlocking
...........
139
Lockout Prevention
.................
140
Power Door Locks
..................
139
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
574
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
433
Economy
.................................
423
Driving Guidelines
.....................
434
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
166
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
441 Dust and Pollen Filter
................
528
DVD Player
................................
310
DVD Player Error Messages
......
334
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
423
Emergencies on the Road
..........
543
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
552
Brake System Indicator
.....
67, 558
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
545
Charging System Indicator
........................
67, 556
Checking the Fuses
................
560
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
544
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
131
Jump Starting
..........................
552
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
67, 556
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
566
Overheated Engine
.................
554
Towing
....................................
566
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
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Emergency Brake
......................
163
Emergency Flashers
..................
131
Emergency Towing
....................
566
Emissions Controls
....................
580
Emissions Testing
......................
583
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
514
Check Starting System
............
437
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
76
If it Won't Start
........................
551
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
501
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
67, 556
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
511
Overheating
............................
554
Specifications
..........................
573
Speed Limiter
..........................
440
Starting
...................................
436
Engine Coolant
..........................
514
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
418
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
580
Exhaust Fumes
............................
60
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
581 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
183
Features
.....................................
179
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
528
Oil
...........................................
512
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
131
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
545
Floor Mats
.................................
529
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
.........
517
Brake
......................................
519
Location
..................................
509
Power Steering
........................
520
Windshield Washer
.................
516
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
300
Fog Lights
..................................
129
Folding the Second Seat
.............
152
Folding the Third Seat
...............
153
Four-way Flashers
......................
131 Front Airbags
.........................
10, 29
Front Seat
..................................
148
Adjusting
.................................
148
Air Ventilation
.........................
157
Heaters
...................................
156
Fuel
............................................
418
Economy
.................................
423
Fill Door and Cap
....................
419
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
Octane Requirement
...............
418
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
566
Reserve Indicator
.....................
75
Tank, Filling the
......................
419
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
420
Fuel Economy
............................
423
Fuses, Checking the
..................
560
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
424
Gasoline
.....................................
418
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
IndexIV10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu 
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Octane Requirement
...............
418
Tank, Refueling
.......................
419
Gas Station Procedures
..............
419
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature...
76
Fuel
..........................................
76
Speedometer
............................
76
Tachometer
..............................
76
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
...................................
482
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
...................................
482
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
...............
437, 438
Glove Box
..................................
173
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
482
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
482
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
...................................
482 H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
521
HandsFreeLink
®
........................
362
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
131
Headlights
.................................
127
Aiming
....................................
521
Automatic Lighting Off
............
130
Daytime Running Lights
.........
129
High Beam Indicator
................
72
High Beams, Turning on
.........
127
Lights On Indicator
..................
72
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
127
Reminder Chime
.....................
128
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
521
Turning on
..............................
127
Washers
..................................
126
Headphones
...............................
335
Head Restraints
..........................
149
Heated Mirror
............................
165
Heaters, Seats
............................
156
Heating and Cooling
..................
180
High Altitude, Starting at
............
436
High Beam Lever
................
127, 128
High-Low Beam Switch
..............
127 HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
360
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
421
Horn
......................................
4, 124
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
...................................
570
Ignition Keys
........................................
135
Switch
.....................................
138
Timing Control System
...........
581
Immobilizer System
...................
137
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
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