light Acura MDX 2004 User Guide

On vehicles with automatic lighting (seepage ) U.S. models only
73This 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 to
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. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If this
indicator 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 reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. This indicator
will also 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. 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.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Lights On Indicator
A/T Temperature
IndicatorVTM-4 Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
62
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.

Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km), it will light
f or 2 seconds when you f irst turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and then
f lash f or 10 seconds.
If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages and .
For the f irst 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
2 seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
Turn of f the engine.
Press and hold the Select and
Reset buttons on the instrument
panel, then turn the ignition switch
to ON (II).
Hold the buttons for
approximately 10 seconds until the
indicator goes of f .
1.
2.
3.
199 200
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instrument Panel Indicators
Maintenance Required
Indicator
65
RESET BUTTON
SELECT BUTTON

This shows the total distance your
vehicle has been driven. It measures
miles in U.S. models and kilometers
in the Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Odometer
Fuel Gauge
66
NOTICE:
TACHOMETERTEMPERATURE
GAUGE
FUEL GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
TRIP METER RESET
BUTTON
TRIP METER
ODOMETER TRIP METER
SELECT
BUTTON
Avoid driving with an
extremely low f uel level. Running out
of f uel could cause the engine to
misf ire, damaging the catalytic
converter.

Î
Î
To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
68
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
FOG LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS HORN
CRUISE CONTROL
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM OFF
SWITCH
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.72)
(P.75)
CRUISE CONTROL
(P.144)
(P.184)
(P.128)
(P.76) (P.74)
(P.176)
(P.75)
(P.74)
(P.69) (P.30)
(P.144) PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATORHAZARD WARNING
BUTTON

µµ
µ Push down on the
lef t lever to signal a lef t turn and up
to signal a right turn. To signal a lane
change, push lightly on the lever and
hold it. The lever will return to
center when you release it or
complete a turn. When the light switch is in either of
these positions, the Lights On
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This light remains on if you leave the
light switch on and turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK
(0).
To turn on, pull the
lever back until you hear a click. The
blue high beam indicator will come
on (see page ). Pull it back again
to return to low beams.
To f lash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back.
Rotating the switch
on the lef t lever to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the parking lights,
taillights, instrument panel lights,
side-marker lights, and rear license
plate lights.
Turning the switch to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the headlights. If
you leave the lights on with the key
removed f rom the ignition switch,
you will hear a reminder chime when
you open the driver’s door.
Turn signal
Of f
Parking and indicator lights
AUTO
Headlights on
High beams
Flashhighbeams
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. 61
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and Headlights Turn Signal
High Beams
Headlights
Turn Signal, Headlights
72

µThe Automatic Lighting
f eature turns on the headlights, all
other exterior lights, and the
instrument panel lights when it
senses low ambient light.
To turn on automatic lighting, turn
the light switch to AUTO at any time.
The lights will come on automatically
when the outside light level becomes
low (at dusk, f or example). The
Lights On indicator comes on as a
reminder. The lights and indicator
will turn of f automatically when the
system senses high ambient light. The lights will remain on when you
turn of f the ignition switch. They will
turn of f automatically when you open
the driver’s door. To turn them on
again, either turn the ignition switch
to ON (II) or turn the light switch to
.
Even with the automatic lighting
f eature turned on, we recommend
thatyouturnonthelightsmanually
when driving at night or in a dense
f og, or when you enter dark areas,
such as long tunnels or parking
structures.
Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle f or an extended period (a
weekormore).Youshouldalsoturn
of f the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or the engine of f f or a
long time. The automatic lighting f eature is
controlledbyasensorlocatedontop
of the dashboard. Do not cover this
sensor or spill liquids on it.
Headlights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
AUTO
73
LIGHT SENSOR

With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.The dial on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights. Turn the dial
to adjust the brightness.Push the red button to the right of
the display to turn on the hazard
warning lights (f our-way f lashers).
This causes all f our outside turn
signals and both indicators in the
instrument panel to f lash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traf f ic, or if your vehicle is disabled.
Canadian Models
Daytime Running L ights
Instrument Panel Brightness Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button
74
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL DIAL

Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.Turn the f og lights on and of f by
pressing the button. The indicator in
the button lights to show the f og
lights are on.
You can use the f og lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
They will go of f when you turn the
headlights of f or onto high beam.
The rear window def ogger will clear
fog,frost,andthinicefromthe
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and off. The indicator in
the button lights to show the
def ogger is on. If you do not turn it
of f , the def ogger will shut itself of f
af ter about 15 minutes. It also shuts
of f when you turn of f the ignition.
You have to turn it on again when
you restart the vehicle. Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side to side.
Rear Window Def ogger
Fog Lights
Rear Window Def ogger, Fog Lights
Inst rument s and Cont rols75

The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the door
locks. You can keep the glove box
locked when you leave your vehicle
and the valet key at a parking f acility.Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only an Acura-approved key blank.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
Keys
Inst rument s and Cont rols77
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK) VALET KEY
(GRAY)

µµ
µ µ
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II). Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II) ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols79