check engine light Acura MDX 2014 Owner's Manual

Contents
Child Safety P. 54 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 66 Safety Labels P. 67Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 128 Security System P. 135 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 138
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 141 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 158
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 172 Climate Control System P. 185Audio Error Messages P. 239 General Information on the Audio System P. 244
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® P. 268 Compass
* P. 301
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 320 When Driving P. 322 Braking P. 367
Refueling P. 383 Fuel Economy P. 385 Accessories and Modifications P. 386Maintenance Under the Hood P. 395 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 407
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 417 Battery P. 426 Remote Transmitter Care P. 427Engine Does Not Start P. 457 Jump Starting P. 460 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 462
Fuses P. 469 Emergency Towing P. 475
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 476
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 483 Reporting Safety Defects P. 484
Authorized Manuals P. 489 Client Service Information P. 490
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 25
Instrument Panel
P. 69
Controls
P. 113
Features
P. 197
Driving
P. 303
Maintenance
P. 387
Handling the Unexpected
P. 437
Information
P. 479
Index
P. 491

17Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P387 )
Under the Hood
(P395)
●Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
●Check brake fluid.
●Check the battery condition monthly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P407)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P413)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P417)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
●Check tire pressures regularly.
●Install snow tires for winter
driving.

76
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Speed-sensitive
Electric Power
Steering (EPS)
System Indicator
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off when
the engine starts.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the EPS system.
●Stays on constantly or does not come
on at all - Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2If the Speed-Sensitive Electric Power
Steering (EPS) System Indicator
Comes On P. 467
Low Tire
Pressure/TPMS
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON.●Comes on if the tire pressure of any
of the tires becomes significantly
low.●Blinks for about one minute, and
then stays on if there is a problem
with the TPMS, or when a compact
spare tire
* is temporarily installed.
●Comes on while driving - Stop in a safe
place, check tire pressures, and inflate the
tire(s) if necessary.●Blinks and remains on - Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer. If the vehicle is
fitted with a compact spare, get your
regular tire repaired or replaced and put
back on your vehicle as soon as you can.
Turn Signal
Indicators
●Blinks when you operate the turn
signal lever.●Blinks along with all turn signals if
you press the hazard warning
button.
●Does not blink or blinks rapidly - A turn
signal light bulb has blown. Change the
bulb immediately.
2Front Turn Signal/Front Side Marker/
Parking Light Bulbs P. 408
—
High Beam
Indicator
●Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.
—
—
* Not available on all models

77
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Lights On
Indicator
●Comes on whenever the light
switch is on, or in AUTO when the
exterior lights are on.
●If you set the power mode to ACCESSORY
or VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) while the lights are
on, a chime sounds when the driver’s door
is opened.
—
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●Comes on briefly when you set the
power mode to ON, then goes off.●Comes on if the immobilizer system
cannot recognize the key
information.
●Blinks - You cannot start the engine. Set
the power mode to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK),
then select the ON mode again.●Repeatedly blinks - The system may be
malfunctioning. Have your vehicle checked
by a dealer.●Do not attempt to alter this system or add
other devices to it. Electrical problems can
occur.
—

145
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluLight Switches
Continued
Controls
Light Switches
Rotating the light switch turns the lights on
and off, regardless of the power mode
setting.■High beams
Push the lever forward until you hear a click.■Low beams
When in high beams, pull the lever back to
return to low beams.■Flashing the high beams
Pull the lever back, and release it.■Lights off
Turn the lever to OFF either when:
•The shift lever is in
(P.
•The parking brake is applied.
To turn the lights on again, turn the lever to
OFF to cancel the lights off mode. Even if you
do not cancel the lights off mode, the lights
come on automatically when:
•The shift lever is moved out of
(P and the
parking brake is released.
•The vehicle starts to move.
■Manual Operation
1Light Switches
If you leave the power mode in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK)
with the lights on, a light on reminder chime sounds
when you open the driver’s door.
Do not leave the lights on when the engine is off
because it will cause the battery to discharge.
Your vehicle is equipped with the automatic
headlight adjusting system that automatically adjusts
the vertical angle of the high/low beam headlights. If
you find a significant change in the vertical angle of
the headlights, there may be a problem with the
system. Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.Canadian models with rear entertainment system
High Beams
Flashing the high beams
Low Beams
Turns on parking, side marker,
tail, and rear license plate lights
Turns on headlights, parking,
side marker, tail, and rear
license plate lights

304Driving
Before DrivingDriving PreparationCheck the following items before you start driving.
•Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.
uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
•Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
•Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressure, check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 417
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.■Exterior Checks
1Exterior ChecksNOTICEWhen doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable materials left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal.
Also check under the hood for leftover flammable
materials after you or someone else has performed
maintenance on your vehicle.

322Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in
(P.
3.Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
The engine will crank until it starts.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate control
system, and rear defogger in order to reduce battery drain.If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the battery in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 458
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
Brake Pedal

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
330Driving
■Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen you change the shift lever from
(D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking transmission indicator indicates a
transmission problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer’s red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator

uuBrakinguBrake System
368Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases
the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when
braking very hard.2Brake Assist System P. 370
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 369■Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

369
uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.■ABS
1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.