ECO mode Acura MDX 2002 Owner's Guide

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Press and hold the CLOCK and
TRIP buttons until the display
changes (about 1 second).
Press the Calibrate (MODE)
button.
Press the Set (FAN) button.
‘‘Calibrate’’ will start blinking, and
the direction display will change to
‘‘ ’’.
1. 2.
Trip Computer
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures180
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are replaced.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Use of a lower octane gasoline can
cause occasional, metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
We also recommend that you do not
tow a trailer during the f irst 500
miles (800 km).
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
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The condition of your vehicle and
your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your vehicle accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating
condition.A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle’s underside adds weight
and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your f uel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion. An important part of that mainte-
nance is the (see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. 259
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
200
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If you get stuck, engage the VTM-4
Lock mode (see page ).
Caref ully try to go in the direction
(f orward or reverse) that you think
will give you the best chance of
getting unstuck.
Donotspinthetiresathighspeeds.
It will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
the VTM-4 system.
If you are unable to f ree yourself ,
you will need to be pulled out by
another vehicle. Your MDX is
equipped with f ront and rear tow
hooks designed f or this purpose.Use a nylon strap to attach the MDX
to the recovery vehicle and caref ully
take out the slack in the strap. Once
the strap is tight, the recovery
vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try
getting unstuck. A jack only works
on f irm, level ground. Also, your
vehicle could easily slip of f the jack
and hurt you or someone else.
You may be able to saf ely tow a light
weight trailer (such as a motorcycle
trailer or small tent trailer) of f -road if
you f ollow these guidelines:
Do not exceed a trailer weight of
1,000 pounds (450 kg) (including
cargo) or a tongue weight of 100
pounds (45 kg).(Tongue weight
should be about 10% of the trailer
weight.)
217
CONT INUED
Driving
If You Get Stuck
T owing a T railer
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
245
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Your vehicle has a compact spare
tire that takes up less space. Use this
sparetireasatemporaryreplace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back
on your vehicle as soon as you can.Thecompactsparetirehasashorter
tread lif e than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
Thecompactsparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire: Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to f it
your vehicle. Do not use your
sparetireonanothervehicle
unlessitisthesamemakeand
model.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed314
I IN
ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R L
LOOC CAA T
TI
IOON N M
MA
AR
RKK
T
T R
RE EA
A D
D W
WE EA
A R
R I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R B
BAA R
R
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II) and
goes of f af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates one of the engine’s
emissions control systems may have
a problem. Even though you may
f eel no dif f erence in your vehicle’s
perf ormance, it can reduce your f uel
economy and cause your vehicle to
put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage. If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips. This indicator may also come on
along with the ‘‘D ’’ indicator.
5
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed329
M MA
AL
LFFUUN NCCTTI
IOON N I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R L
LAA M
M P
P
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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Î
Î
Î
Î
No.Circuits Protected
Circuits Protected
Amps.
No. Amps.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Sun Roof
Driver’s Power Seat Reclining
Passenger’s Power Seat Sliding
Driver’s Power Seat Sliding
Passenger’s Power Seat
Reclining
Daytime Running Light
Driver’s side Rear Power
Window
Front Passenger’s Power
Window
Front Accessory Socket
Small Light
Interior Light, Radio
Power Door Lock
Back Up
Heated Seat
Driver’s Power Window
Passenger’s Side Rear Power
Window
Fuel Pump
SRS
Heater Control, A/C Clutch
Relay, Cooling Fan Relay
Power Mirror
Daytime Running Light /Rear
Wiper
ECU(PCM),CruiseControl
OPDS
ACC Relay
Back-up Lights, Instrument
Lights
Turn Signals
IG Coil
Front Wiper
Starter Signal
15 A
10 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
15 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
7.5 A 15 A
30 A
7.5 A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On Canadian models 30 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
10 A
20 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
10 A
20 A
7.5 A 20 A20 A
20 A
1 : Canadian models
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed337
Driver’s Side INTERIOR FUSE BOX Passenger’s Side
F Fr roo n
nt
t
F
Frroo n
nt
t
:
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