weight Acura MDX 2004 User Guide

CONT INUED
To remove slack, it may help to
putweightonthechildseat,or
push on the back of the seat while
pulling up on the belt.Push and pull the child seat
f orward and f rom side to side to
verif y that it is f irmly secured. If
the child seat is not secure,
unlatch the belt, allow it to retract
f ully, then repeat these steps.
To deactivate the locking
mechanism and remove a child seat,
unlatch the buckle, unroute the seat
belt, and let the belt f ully retract. A child seat with a tether can be
installed in any seating position in
the second or third row.
Since a tether can provide additional
security to the lap/shoulder belt
installation, we recommend using a
tether whenever one is required or
available. (Tethers are required in
Canada.)
Conf irm that the belt is locked,
then grab the shoulder part of the
belt near the buckle, and pull up to
remove any slack from the lap part
of the belt. Remember, if the lap
part of the belt is not tight, the
child seat will not be secure.
4.
5.
Installing a Child Seat
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Installing a Child Seat with a
Tether
45

There are two anchorage points on
the tailgate sill.Select the anchor point you want
to use. Raise the cargo area f loor,
and remove the cover with a small
f lat-tipped screwdriver or
f ingernail f ile.
Followsteps1and2of thesecond
row seat installation. When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster and wear a lap/shoulder belt.
The f ollowing pages provide
guidelines to help you decide when a
given child may ride in f ront, and
how to properly protect the child.
2. 1.
Installing a Child Seat, Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
T hird Row Inst allat ionProtecting L arger Children
47
Allowing a larger child age 12 or
under to sit in front can result in
injury or death if the passenger’s
front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, and have the
child sit up properly and wear
the seat belt properly.

Some states also require children to
use a booster until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60lbs).Besuretocheckcurrent
laws in the state or states where you
intend to drive.
Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets f ederal
saf ety standards (see page ) and
that you f ollow the booster seat
maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster must
ride in f ront, move the vehicle seat
as far to the rear as possible, and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without abooster.
Even then, the child may still need to
use a booster seat. Note that some
states now require children to use
boosters until they reach a certain
ageand/orweight.Besuretocheck
current laws in the state or states
where you intend to drive.
We strongly recommend that a child
whousedaboosterrideinaback
seat,notthefront.Evenif the
passenger’s f ront airbag is of f , a
back seat is the safest place for the
child.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
ages 12 and under be properly
restrained in the back seat.
Even with advanced front airbag, the
back seat is the safest place for a
child of any age or size.
If the passenger’s f ront airbag is on,
and it inflates in a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the airbag
can cause serious injuries to a child
who is unrestrained, improperly
restrained, sitting too close to the
airbag, or out of position.
The side airbag also poses risks. If
any part of a larger child’s body is in
the path of a deploying side airbag,
the child could receive possibly
serious injuries.
33
Protecting L arger Children
When Can a Larger Child Sit in Front
Driver and Passenger Saf ety49

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
is a reminder to you and your
passengers to f asten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
f astened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your seat belt,
the beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals.See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For more inf ormation, see page . This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags or automatic seat
belt tensioners. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
driver’s seat position sensor, f ront
passenger’s weight sensors, or side
curtain airbags. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
243
242
242 29
28
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorSupplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Side Airbag Of f Indicator
58

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See
(see page
). Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
Acura. The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering and
hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel.
208 198
198
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
Engine Coolant Check A dding
Engine Coolant Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
162
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN

·µ
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, accessories, and
the tongue weight if you are towing a
trailer.
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,158
lbs (525 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s
placard (on the driver’s doorjamb).
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(Seven is the seating capacity of
your vehicle.) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
1,158 lbs (525 kg).
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if there will be f ive 150
lbs (70 kg) occupants in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 408 lbs (175
kg).
5 150 lbs (70 kg) = 750 lbs (350
kg)
1,158 lbs (525 kg) 750 lbs (350 kg)
= 408 lbs (175 kg) Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4 [408
lbs(175kg)inthisexample]. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load f rom your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving166
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack. Theseparationnetcanbeusedto
hold back sof t, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy
items should be properly secured on
the f loor of the cargo area. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
being thrown f orward in a crash or a
sudden stop.
The cargo cover can be used to
cover the cargo area behind the third
row seats. When the third row seats
are folded down, the cargo cover can
be installed in a f orward position and
extended over the larger cargo area.
Do not install the cargo cover in the
f orward position if the third row
seats are not f olded down.
If youfolddownthesecondor
third row seats, f ollow the
instructions above and be sure to
keep all cargo near the windows
below the bottom of the windows.
If cargo is higher, it could
interf ere with proper operation of
thesidecurtainairbags. 51
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning Optional Separation Net
Optional Cargo Cover
167

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, Tire Pressure Monitoring
System, and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .170
........................
Preparing to Drive .170
.......................
Starting the Engine .171
..............
Automatic Transmission . 172
Variable Torque Management ..............................
4WD System .176
..............................
VTM-4 Lock .176
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .177
...........................................
Parking .179
.............................
Braking System .180
...........................
Anti-lock Brakes .181
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .183
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 185
...........................
Towing a Trailer .188
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .190
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 192
Driving
Driving169

µµ
To saf ely tow a trailer, you should
observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section.
Be sure to read the Of f -Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces. To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo and the tongue
load is 5,787 lbs (2,630 kg).
Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. See page f or limits f or your
towing situation.
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Check
the tables on page that you do
not exceed the limit f or your
conditions.
The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
are 2,882 lbs (1,307 kg) on the f ront
axle, and 2,992 lbs (1,360 kg) on the
rear axle.
192
187187
CONT INUED
Estimating Loads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) Load Limits
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR)
T ot al T railer Weight To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing Weight Limits
Driving185
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. See page f or
limits f or your towing situation.Too much tongue load reduces f ront-
tire traction and steering control.
Too little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the f ully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again f rom the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
f rom the f irst measurement. Ref er
to Fig. 1. If thedifferenceis:
1 ½’’ = 150 lbs (68 kg)
2 ¼’’ = 250 lbs (114 kg)3’’ = 350 lbs (159 kg)
3 ¾’’ = 450 lbs (204 kg) 4’’ = over 450 lbs (204 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan4’’
you have too much tongue load
at the rear. Move or remove
cargo f rom the trailer and the
vehicle, and measure again.
If the estimated trailer weight and
tongue load do not exceed the limits,
drive your trailer to a public scale
f ully loaded with all occupants and
cargo you plan to take on the road.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
187
Tongue Load To Estimate the Tongue Load
Fig.1
Towing Weight Limits
Driving186