ECU Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Guide

The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and the tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors f rom the outside with the key,
lock tab, door lock switch, or remote
transmitter. The security system
indicator next to the driver’s door
lock starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself .The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Tailgate Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ) to see if the doors and
tailgate are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or two minutes,
then the system resets. To reset an
alarming system before the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
Once the security system is set,
opening any door or the tailgate
without using the key or the remote
transmitter, or the hood, will cause it
to alarm. It also alarms if the radio,
navigation and DVD components are
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut. 60
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures143
SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

µ
The HomeLink Universal
Transceiver built into your vehicle
canbeprogrammedtooperateupto
three remotely controlled devices
around your home, such as garage
doors, lighting, or home security
systems. Always ref er to the opening
instructions and saf ety inf ormation
that came with your garage door
opener or other equipment you
intend to operate with the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver. If you do not
have this information, contact the
manuf acturer of the equipment.
If you are training the second or
third buttons, go directly to Step 1.
If you are training HomeLink to
operate a garage door or gate, you
should unplug the motor f or that
device during training. Repeatedly
pressing the remote control button
could burn out the motor.
The HomeLink transceiver stores
the code in a permanent memory.
There should be no need to retrain
HomeLink if your vehicle’s battery
goes dead or is disconnected. If your
garage door opener was
manuf actured bef ore April 1982, you
may not be able to program
HomeLink to operate it. They do not
have the safety feature that causes the motor to stop and reverse if an
obstacle is detected during closing,
increasing the risk of injury.
If you just
received your vehicle and have not
trained any of the buttons in
HomeLink bef ore, you should erase
any previously learned codes bef ore
training the first button.
Todothis,pressandholdthetwo
outside buttons on the HomeLink
transceiver for about 20 seconds,
until the red light f lashes. Release
the buttons, then proceed to Step 1.
CONT INUED
HomeL ink Universal T ransceiver
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
General Inf ormation T raining HomeL ink
Important Saf ety Precautions
Bef ore you begin
153

Unplug the garage door opener
motor f rom the house current.
Holdtheendof thegaragedoor
opener remote control 2 to 5
inches f rom HomeLink. Make
sure you are not blocking your
view of the red light in HomeLink.The remote control
you are training f rom may stop
transmitting after two seconds. This
is not long enough f or HomeLink to
learn the code. Release and press the
button on the remote control every
two seconds until HomeLink has
learned the code.
The red light in HomeLink should
begin f lashing. It will f lash slowly
at first, then rapidly.
When the red light f lashes rapidly,
release both buttons. HomeLink
should have learned the code from
the remote control. Plug in the garage door opener
motor, then test the HomeLink
transceiver button by pushing it. If
the button does not work, repeat
the procedure to train it again. If it
still does not work, you may have a
variable or rolling code garage
door opener. See if you do by
pressing and holding the
HomeLink transceiver button you
just trained. If the red light blinks
f or 2 seconds then stays on, you
have a rolling code garage door
opener. Go to ‘‘Training with a
Rolling Code System’’ (see page
).
Repeat these steps to train the
other two HomeLink buttons to
operate any other remotely
controlled devices around your
home (lighting, automatic gate,
security system, etc.).
Press and hold the remote control
button and one of the HomeLink
buttons at the same time.
2. 3.
4.
1.
5.6.
7.
155
Canadian Owners:
HomeL ink Universal T ransceiver
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures154

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For security purposes, newer garage
door opening systems use a ‘‘rolling’’
or variable code. Inf ormation f rom
the remote control and the garage
door opener are needed bef ore
HomeLink can operate the garage
door opener.
The ‘‘Training HomeLink’’
procedure trains HomeLink to the
proper garage door opener code.
The f ollowing procedure
synchronizes HomeLink to the
garage door opener so they send and
receive the correct codes.
Find the ‘‘Training’’ button on your
garage door opener unit. The
location will vary, depending on
the manufacturer. Make sure you have properly
completed the ‘‘Training
HomeLink’’ procedure. Press the Training button on the
garage door opener unit until the
light next to the button comes on,
then release it. The light may blink,
or come on and stay on. You then
have approximately 30 seconds to
complete the f ollowing steps.Press and hold the button on
HomeLink f or 3 4 seconds.
Press and hold the HomeLink
button again f or 3 4 seconds.
This should turn of f the training
light on the garage door opener
unit. (Some systems may require
youtopressthebuttonuptothree
times.)
Press the HomeLink button again.
It should operate the garage door.
6.
2. 4.
5.
1. 3.
T raining With a Rolling Code
System
HomeL ink Universal T ransceiver
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures155
TRAINING BUTTON

Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Lower the hood to about a f oot (30
cm) above the f ender, then press
down f irmly with your hands. Make
sure it is securely latched.
1.
3.
3. 2.4.
205
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
Oil Check
T o Close the Hood
161
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK

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

Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof .
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Make sure the doors and tailgate
are securely closed and locked. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ). Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ). Check the seat adjustment (see
page ). Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
84
92 76
1457
See page f or additional guidelinesf or driving of f -highway. 192
Driving Guidelines, Preparing to Drive
Driving
Driving Guidelines
Preparing to Drive
170

Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state regulations.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
MDX.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
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but 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.
Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
Electric brakes must be
electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic system. See your brake
manuf acturer f or more inf ormation
on installing electric brakes.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
We strongly recommend that you
have your Acura dealer install an
Acura hitch and use the required
f luid coolers. Using non-Acura
equipment may result in serious
damage to your vehicle. T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Hitch
Weight Distributing Hitch Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolT ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler Trailer Brakes
Trailer Mirrors
Towing a Trailer
Driving188

Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap and tighten it securely. Wait a
f ew minutes and recheck the oil level
(see page ). Do not f ill above the
upper mark on the dipstick; you
could damage the engine. 161 Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance205
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP

Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add
VTM-4 Dif f erential Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole.Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
Checkthefluidinthetransfer
assembly with the vehicle sitting on
level ground. Remove the f iller plug
and check that the f luid level is up to
the edge of the f iller plug hole.
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Differential Fluid, Transfer Assembly Fluid
Maint enance
Dif f erential Fluid
Transf er Assembly Fluid
211
FILLER BOLT
CORRECT LEVEL FILLER PLUG
DRAIN PLUG
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)