Power Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed and maintained.
Since local requirements may vary,
check with appropriate state
authorities to be sure that your
equipment will meet all regulations
in the areas where you plan to tow. Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible. Your
dealer offers a trailer package that
includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a transmission f luid
cooler and a heavy-duty power
steering f luid cooler.We strongly recommend that you
have your Acura dealer install a
genuine Acura hitch and the
required f luid coolers. Using non-
Acura equipment may result in
serious damage to your vehicle.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
MDX as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling stability and braking
perf ormance.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
so they can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but to do not let the
chains drag on the ground.This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your Acura dealer.
CONT INUED
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
Weight Distributing HitchSaf et y Chains Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Towing a Trailer
Driving277

Your MDX can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
MDX f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake. ShifttoD ,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine. Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R,N,D,D,D,2,1)
317
Do not overf ill.
5
543
CONT INUED
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving283

The route presents limits (some
roads are too steep and bumpy f or
example). You have limits (in driving
skills and comf ort). And your vehicle
also has limits (traction, stability, and
power, f or instance).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take proper precautions.
For example, you can have an
accident or rollover during
maneuvers such as turning, driving
on hills, or over large obstacles.
Utility vehicles have a signif icantly
higher rollover rate than other types
of vehicles. To avoid loss of control
or rollover, be sure to f ollow all
recommendations and precautions
on page and in this section.
Seat belts are just as important of f -
road as on paved roads. Wherever
you drive, make sure you and your
passengers always wear seat belts. If
children or inf ants are along f or the
ride, see that they are properly
secured. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. On many unpaved roads, you won’t
f ind lane markers, traf f ic signals, or
signs to warn you of possible trouble
ahead. It’s up to you to continually
assess the situation and drive within
limits.
Remember that your MDX has
higher ground clearance and a
higher center of gravity than
passenger vehicles designed f or use
only on pavement. This means your
vehicle can more easily tip or roll
over if you make abrupt turns or
drive on slopes.
Be sure to store cargo properly, and
do not exceed your MDX’s cargo
load limits (see pages and ).
250
246 271
Important Saf ety Precautions
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving286
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause an accident or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured or
killed.
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in the owner’s
manual.
Keep your speed low and
don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .294
.
Important Safety Precautions . 295
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 296
...
Required Maintenance Record . 303
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
..............................
Fluid Locations .306
......................................
Engine Oil .307
..................................
Adding Oil .307
....................
Recommended Oil .307
..............................
Synthetic Oil .308
....................................
Additives .308
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 309
.............................
Cooling System .311
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 311
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 313
....................
Windshield Washers .316
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 317
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .318
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 318
....................................
Brake Fluid .319
............................
Brake System .319
..............................
Power Steering .320
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .321
....................................
Hood Latch .323
....................................
Spark Plugs .323
..............................
Replacement .323 ............................
Specif ications .325
...........................................
Battery .326
.................................
Wiper Blades .328
..............
Air Conditioning System . 330
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
.....................................
Drive Belts .331
....................................
Timing Belt .332
...............................................
Tires .332
......................................
Inf lation .332
..................................
Inspection .334
..............................
Maintenance .335
.............................
Tire Rotation .335
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 336
......................
Wheels and Tires .337
..........................
Winter Driving .337
.............................
Snow Tires .338
............................
Tire Chains .338
.............................................
Lights .339
.....................
Headlight Aiming .341
........................
Replacing Bulbs .341
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .349
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
405
Maintenance
Maint enance293

Fluid Locations
Maint enance306
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering
Maint enance320
LOWER LEVELUPPER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

To jump start your vehicle, f ollow
these directions closely:
If your vehicle’s battery has run
down,youmaybeabletostartthe
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc.
You cannot start your Acura by
pushing or pulling it.
Your vehicle has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page ).
A key that is not properly coded
will cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Do you have f uel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the f uel gauge.
The low f uel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to f ill the tank.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . 1.
2.
91
380 252 326
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed369
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. If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories:radio,heater,A/C,
climate control, rear def ogger, cruise
control, etc. Try not to use other
electrically-operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running and take extra care not to
stall it. Starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Charging System Indicator
374
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your vehicle
checked by a qualif ied mechanic.If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘ ’’ in the f requency
display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page
).
If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
6.
182
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed382
Replacing a f use with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a replace-
ment f use with the proper rating f or the
circuit, install one with a lower rating.

µ
No.Circuits Protected No. Amps. Circuits Protected
Amps.
CONT INUED
No.
No. Amps. Amps.
Circuits Protected Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Right Headlight
ACG S
Hazard
Not used
Stop
Lef t Headlight
Radio
Power Window Motor
Rear A/C
Rear Defroster
Back Up, ACC 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
40 A
40 A
30 A
7.5 A 10 A
15 A
120 A 30 A
7.5 A 50 A
20 A Power Seat
Heater Motor
Cooling Fan
Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Battery
Condenser Fan
MG Clutch
IGI Main
Fog Lights
20 A
30 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
40 A
30 A
30 A
40 A
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
5 20 A
40 A
30 A
20 A
20 A 15 A
15 A
15 A
7.5 A 20 A
Rear Entertainment System
VSA F/S Relay
VSA Motor
4WD
Rear Accessory Socket ET C
IG Coil
LAF
FI-Back-up
P/W DR
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed383
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX