lock Acura MDX 2012 Owners Manual

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.●
Fill the fuel tank.
●
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
●
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
●
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
●
Block the rear wheels.
●
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
●
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
●
Disconnect the battery.
●
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.
●
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
●
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage548

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 TIREJACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
551
Taking Care of the Unexpected

5. The tools and jack are under the
cargo area behind a cover on the
driver's side. Remove the cover by
turning the knobs
counterclockwise, then pulling out
the cover.
6. Turn the jack's end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
7. The spare tire is stored
underneath the rear cargo area.
Remove the plastic cover on the
cargo area lining to access the
shaft for the spare tire hoist.
KNOB COVER
PLASTIC COVER
Changing a Flat Tire552

The wheel nut wrench supplied with
your vehicle is specially adapted to fit
the hoist shaft. Do not use any other
tool.
8. Put the wheel nut wrench on the
hoist shaft. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground.
9. Keep turning the wheel nut
wrench to create slack in the
cable.
10. Remove the bracket from the
spare tire.
11. Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel nut wrench.
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
BRACKET
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
553
Taking Care of the Unexpected

12. Place the jack under the jacking
point nearest the tire you need to
change. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
resting in the jack notch.
13. Use the extension and the wheel
nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat tire is off the
ground.
14. Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the flat tire.
15. Before mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully; it may be hot from
driving.
JACKING POINT
EXTENSION
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
BRAKE HUB
Changing a Flat Tire554

22. Slowly turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwise to take up the slack of
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracket is seated in the center hole
of the flat tire.
23. Turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwise until the flat tire rests
against the underbody of the
vehicle and you hear the hoist
click.
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even if
you are not stowing a tire. If the hoist is
left down, it will be damaged during
driving and need to be replaced.
24. Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack's end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools, and install
the cover.
25. Refer toChanging a Tire with
TPMS(see page 459).
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
Changing a Flat Tire556

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
●
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.Check these things:
●
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
●
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Startingon page 558.
●
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towingon page 572.If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal
connections (see page 547). You
can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 558).
The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position,
but the engine does not run.
●
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page 74).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
557
Taking Care of the Unexpected

4. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. 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 (seeEmergency
Towingon page 572).
6. If you do not find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
7. 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
temperature gauge, or lower,
before checking the radiator.
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.
8. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.9. Start the engine and set the
climate control to AUTO at‘‘Hi.’’
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.
10. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeEmergency
Towingon page 572).
11. 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 the Engine Overheats
561
Taking Care of the Unexpected

The secondary fuse box is on the
passenger's side.
To open it, push the tabs as shown.
If equippedThe sub fuse box is on the
passenger's side.
To open it, push the tabs as shown.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
569, 570, and 571, 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.
UNDER-HOOD (SECONDARY)
TAB
UNDER-HOOD (SUB)
TAB
Fuses566

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 120 A Main fuse
－Not Used
2－1 30 A ADS
ᤳ2
2－2 30 A SH-AWD
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,
Telescopic Steering Wheel
2－7 40 A Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof, Driver's Lumbar
Support
2－8－－
3－1 60 A Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor, Interior Light
3－2 40 A Headlights, Daytime Running
Lights
3－3 60 A Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
ᤳ1
3－4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ᤳ1: Canadian model
ᤳ2: If equippedNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
3－5 50 A Power Window
3－6 60 A Power Tailgate Opener/Closer,
Rear ACC Socket, Interior
Light,
Rear Defroster
3－7 30 A ECU (PCM)
3－8 30 A TECH
4 40 A Audio, Door Lock, Interior
Lights, Front ACC Socket
5 30 A EPT-L
ᤳ2
6 30 A EPT-R
ᤳ2
7 30 A FI ECU
8 30 A Audio Amplifier
9 7.5 A Battery Sensor
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
ᤳ2
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
569
Taking Care of the Unexpected