tow Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ). Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
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. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.10.
11.
12.
385
241 385
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
372
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.

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
240 307 385
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
373
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the
vehicle begins to slow down, and you
will have to press harder on the
pedal. The distance needed to stop
will be much longer. If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the vehicle’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
f luid level is low, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have the brake
system inspected f or leaks or worn
brake pads.Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
The Brake System Indicator comes
on when you turn the ignition ON
(II). If the parking brake is not set, it
goes of f af ter you start the engine. If
the parking brake is set, it goes of f
when you f ully release the parking
brake with the engine running. 319
385Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed377
U. S. indicator shown BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR

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µ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Any other
method of towing will damage the
drive system. When you contact the
towing agency, inf orm them that a
f lat-bed is required. The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
cables lif t that end of the vehicle of f
the ground. Your vehicle’s
suspension and body can be
seriously damaged. 283Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel L if t Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is the only way to
transport your vehicle. Never tow your vehicle with
wheel lif t equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T his method of
towing your MDX is unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed385
Towing a MDX with only two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.

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a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
coveredfortheusefullifeof the
vehicle.
provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
covers
your new vehicle, except f or the
battery, emissions control systems,
and accessories, against def ects in
materials and workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:
Acura accessories are covered under
this warranty. Time and mileage
limits depend on the type of
accessory and other f actors. Please
read your warranty manual f or
details.covers all Acura
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom an Acura dealer.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2003 Acura Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your car f or
precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Acura’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2003 Warranty
Manual that came with your vehicle.Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Muf f ler L if et imeLimited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
New Car Limited Warranty
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarranty Accessory Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
WarrantyU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions403

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .355
...................................
Fan, Interior .138
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .133
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 237
Filters ...............................................
Air .321
.......................
Air Conditioning .331
...............................................
Oil .309
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 404
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 88
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 140
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .318
..........................
Digital Clock .150, 190
....................................
Dimensions .390
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 79
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 317
..................................
Engine Oil .240
..........................
Directional Signals .83
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 262
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .310
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 93
....................
Lockout Prevention . 94
......................
Power Door Locks .93
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....................................
Drive Belts .331
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .249
....................................
Economy .242
.........................
In Bad Weather .269
................
In Foreign Countries . 396
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .118 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
...................................
DVD Player .199
..............................
Economy, Fuel .242
............
Emergencies on the Road . 359
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 369
...........
Brake System Indicator . 377
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 361
.....
Charging System Indicator . 374
..................
Checking the Fuses . 380
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 373
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 375
..................
Overheated Engine . 371
.........................
Emergency Brake .117
......................
Emergency Flashers .87
......................
Emergency Towing .385
.......................
Emissions Controls .397
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 75
.................................
Drive Belts .331
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .68, 375
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 68,373
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 307...............................
Overheating .371
............................
Specif ications .391
............................
Speed Limiter .257
.......................................
Starting .252
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .395
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 397
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .62
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .398
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 354
Index
E
F
III

Steering Wheel..................................
Adjustment .89
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 92
...
Stereo Sound System . 145,163,183
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .349
........................
Sunglasses Holder .124
........................................
Sun Visor .124
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .61
.........................
SRS Indicator .56 ,68
...................
System Components . 50
..................................
Synthetic Oil .308
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .357
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .359
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 392
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .236
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .354
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 310
................................
Vanity Mirror .125
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 246
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .390
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 388
.....................................
Tachometer .74
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 344
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 359
...................
Tape Player . 151,177,191
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 397
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .395
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .399
.......................
Temperature Gauge .75 ...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 48
............................
Thef t Protection .182
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 399
....................................
Timing Belt .332
....................................
Tire Chains .338
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 361
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .394
...............................................
Tires .332
..............................
Air Pressure .332
...................................
Balancing .335
.........................
Checking Wear .334
..........................
Compact Spare .360
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
......................................
Inf lation .332
..................................
Inspection .334
...................................
Replacing .336
......................................
Rotating .335
...........................................
Snow .338
............................
Specif ications .391
................................
Tire Chains .338
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .271
................
Emergency Wrecker . 385
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .283
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 318Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 317
...........................
Fluid Selection .317
..............
Identif ication Number . 388
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 253
.....................................
Treadwear .392
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .83
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 361
Index
T U
V
VIII

ÎÎ
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)....................................
System .266
........
VSA System Indicator . 73,267
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 73,266
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .267
.............................
Vehicle Storage .349
.....................................
Ventilation .134
.................................................
VIN .388
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .355
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .308
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .259
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
........
Warning Labels, Location of f . 63
..................
Warranty Coverages .403
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 316
............................
Level Indicator .71
.....................................
Operation .87
.........................................
Washing .352
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 353
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 89
............
Alignment and Balance . 335..........................
Compact Spare .360
......................................
Wrench .363
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .356
................
Operating the Power . 111
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .88
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .356
...................................
Def roster .140
.......................................
Washers .87
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .328
.....................................
Operation .83
Rear Windshield Wiper and .....................................
Washer .87
....................................
Worn Tires .334
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 335
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
IX