4WD Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If this light
comes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the 4WD system. Take
the vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked.
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. The indicator
should come on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch
ON (II). If it comes on while driving,
it indicates the transmission f luid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
If the indicator blinks while driving,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. This indicator
will come on when the light switch is
in AUTO and the lights turn on
automatically. If you turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0) without turning of f the light
switch, this indicator will remain on.
A reminder chime will also sound
when you open the driver’s door.On cars with automatic lighting (see
page ) 80
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
VTM-4 Indicator
A/T Temperature
Indicator
Lights On Indicator
(U.S. models only)
72
Continuing to drive with the A/T
Temperature indicator lit may cause
serious damage to the transmission. Continuing to drive with the VTM-4
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.

........................
Driving Guidelines .250
........................
Preparing to Drive .251 .......................
Starting the Engine .252
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .252
..............
Automatic Transmission . 253
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 254
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 257
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 257
Variable Torque Management ..............................
4WD System .259
..............................
VTM-4 Lock .259
...........................................
Parking .261
.....................
The Braking System .262
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 262
...............
Brake System Design . 263
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .263
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .264
........................
ABS Indicator .264
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .266
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 269
...........................
Towing a Trailer .271
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .283
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 285
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4 System, the VSA
system, and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.
Driving
Driving249

The Variable Torque Management
4WD System (VTM-4) automatically
transf ers varying amounts of engine
torque to the rear wheels.If more traction is needed when your
MDX is stuck or is likely to become
stuck, you can use the VTM-4 Lock
button to increase torque to the rear
wheels when the shif t lever is in the
1, 2 or R position. As soon as this
f eature is no longer needed, press
the VTM-4 Lock button again to
disengage the VTM-4 Lock.
Variable Torque Management 4WD System
Driving
VTM-4 Lock
259
Do not use the VTM-4 Lock button on
dry, paved roads. Driving on dry,
paved roads with VTM-4 Lock ON may
damage the rear dif f erential when
making a turn. Strange noises and
vibration can also result.

To engage the VTM-4 Lock:To disengage the VTM-4 Lock, do
one of the f ollowing:
Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
Move the shift lever to D , D or
D.
Turn the ignition to OFF (0).
When you restart your MDX, the
VTM-4 Lock f eature will be of f .
The VTM-4 Lock will temporarily
disengage when the vehicle speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). It will
automatically engage again as the
speed slows below 18 mph (30
km/h). The light in the VTM-4 Lock
button will remain on the whole time.
The vehicle speed must be below
18 mph (30 km/h).
Move the shift lever to first (1),
second (2) or reverse (R) gear. To
shif t Reverse f rom Neutral, come
to a complete stop and then shift.
Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
The light in the button will come
on.
To get unstuck, apply light pressure
to the accelerator pedal. Do not spin
the f ront tires f or more than a f ew
seconds. Because of the amount of
torque applied to the rear tires, they
should not spin. This is normal. If
you are not able to get the vehicle to
move, apply the brakes to stop the
wheels, then reverse direction. 1.
2.
3.
34
5
Driving
Variable Torque Management 4WD System
260
Do not continuously spin the f ront tires
of your MDX. Continuously spinning
the f ront tires can cause transmission
or rear dif f erential damage.

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

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

µµ
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.