indicators Acura MDX 2005 User Guide

This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Ref er to the maintenance schedule
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 10seconds until the
indicator goes of f .
Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km), this
indicator will light f or 2 seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
10 seconds.
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. 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.
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Instrument Panel Indicators
Maintenance Required
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
RESET BUTTON
SELECT BUTTON

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.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.
The dial on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights, the blue
lighting in the upper console and the
f ront f oot wells.
Canadian Models
Daytime Running L ights
Instrument Panel Brightness Hazard Warning Button
Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button
76
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL DIAL

Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.
Move the steering wheel so it
points toward your chest, not
toward your f ace. Make sure you
can see the instrument panel
gauges and indicators.Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
3.
4.
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2.
Steering Wheel A djustment
78
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.

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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-theft lock may make it difficult
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 rols
81

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If you are
traveling far from home and can no
longer receive your preset stations,
you can use the auto select feature to
find stations in the local area.
Press the A. SEL button. ‘‘A.SEL’’
f lashes in the display, and the system
goes into scan mode f or several
seconds. It stores the f requencies of
six AM, and twelve FM stations in
the preset buttons.
You will see a ‘‘0’’ displayed if auto
select cannot f ind a strong station f or
every preset button.
If you do not like the stations Auto
Select has stored, you can store
other f requencies on the preset
buttons. Use the TUNE, SEEK, or
SCAN f unction to f ind stations, then
store them in the preset buttons as
described previously. press the
A. SEL button. This restores the
presets you originally set.
Adjust the Balance,
or side-to-side strength of the sound.
Adjust the Fader, or the
f ront-to-back strength of the sound.
AdjusttheTrebleinthe
sound.
Adjust the Bass in the
sound. On models with navigation system,
pushandholdtheTUNEbuttonfor
5 seconds to display inf ormation on
the navigation screen. Press the TUNE knob repeatedly to
display Bass, Treble, Balance, and
Fader settings. Turn the TUNE knob
to adjust the setting. The indicators
on the display will show you the
adjustable range. The system will
return to the audio display in about 5
seconds.To turn of f Auto Select,AUTO SELECT
Adjusting the Sound
BAL ANCE
FADER
TREBLE
BASS
Playing the Radio
Features
115

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 ).
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6.
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78
See page f or additional guidelinesf or driving of f -highway. 223
Driving Guidelines, Preparing to Drive
Driving Guidelines
Preparing to Drive
198

These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D ’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If it
f lashes while driving (in any shif t
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission.If the malf unction indicator lamp
come on along with the ‘‘D ’’
indicator, there is a problem in the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration and
havethetransmissioncheckedbyan
Acura dealer as soon as possible.
Bef ore shif ting f rom park to any
position, press f irmly on the brake
pedal making sure to keep your f oot
of f the accelerator pedal. You cannot
shif t out of Park when the ignition
switch is in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position.
5 5
Do this:
Press the brake pedal,
making sure to keep your
f oot of f the accelerator
pedal, then move the shift
lever.
Move the lever.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoN
NtoD
DtoD
DtoD Dto22to1
1to2
2toD
DtoD
DtoD DtoN NtoRRtoP
5
54
43 3
3
34
45 5
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Shif ting
200

The appropriate tire indicator and
low tire pressure indicator comes on
if a tire becomes signif icantly
underinf lated. Follow the
instructions under ‘‘Low Tire
Pressure Indicator’’.The indicator comes on and stays on
if there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system.
Af ter you replace the f lat tire, the
Low Tire Pressure indicator stays on.
This is normal; the system is not
monitoring the spare tire pressure.
Manually check the spare tire
pressure to be sure it is correct.
If this happens, the system will shut
of f and no longer monitor tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible. Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
qualif ied technician.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible.
If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure and tire monitor indicators
will come on. Replace the indicated
flat tire with the compact spare tire
(see page ).
261
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Tire Pressure Monitor Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Changing a T ire with T PMS
206

Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System Design Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System
208

Your vehicle’s tires have wear
indicators molded into the tread.
When the tread wears down to that
point, you will see a 1/2 inch (12.7
mm) wide band running across the
tread. This shows there is less than
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t on
the tire. A tire that is this worn gives
very little traction on wet roads. You
should replace the tire if you can see
the tread wear indicator in three or
more places around the tire.In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000
km). Move the tires to the positions
showninthecharteachtimethey
are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance. T ire Maintenance
T ire Rotation
Tires
254
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) Front
(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.