service Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Manual

2005 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
........................................... 4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
.................................... 7
Seat belts, SRS, and child protection.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
......................................... 57
Indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column.
Features ........................................................................\
..................................................................... 105
Climate, audio, rear entertainment, steering wheel, secruity, cruise con\
trol, HomeLink and Onstar
Before Driving........................................................................\
.......................................................... 185
Fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... . 197
Engine and transmission operation.
Maintenance........................................................................\
............................................................. 227
Schedules, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.............................. 259
Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses.
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ . 281
Vehicle specifications, tires, fuels, and emissions controls.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................ 295
Warranty and contact information.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
.............................. 299
How to order.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
..... I
Service Information Summary
Fluid capacities and tire pressures.
Important Handling Information. ........................................................................\
................... iii

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains how your
airbags work, and it tells you how to
properly restrain infants and
children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features . 9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors . 13
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
5. Fasten and Position the Seat .....................................
Belts .16
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19Additional Inf ormation About Your
.................................
Seat Belts .21
..
Seat Belt System Components . 21
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .21
........ 22
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 23
Additional Inf ormation About Your .....................................
Airbags .24
......
Airbag System Components . 24
......... 26
........................
Advanced Airbag .28
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 29
How Your Side Curtain Airbag .........................................
Work .31
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works .32
How The Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .32
How the Passenger Airbag ...............
Of f Indicator Works . 33
.............................
Airbag Service .33
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 34
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .35
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .35 All Children Should Sit in a Back
...........................................
Seat .36
The Passenger’s Front Airbag Can Pose Serious Risks to ...............................
Children .36
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .38
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .38
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 38
Protecting inf ants and .........................
Small Children .40
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .40
.........
Protecting Small Children . 41
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .43
....................
Installing a Child Seat .44
...............................
With LATCH .45
..........................
With a Seat Belt .47
..............................
With a Tether .48
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 50
...................
Checking Seat Belt Fit . 51
......................
Using a Booster Seat .51
......
When Can a Child Sit in Front . 52
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
...................................
Saf ety Labels .55
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
How Your Front Airbags Work
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7

If nooneisridinginthefrontseat,
the airbag will be automatically shut
of f , but the indicator will not come
on.
However, if the indicator comes on
with no passenger in the f ront, or
with an adult in the seat, there may
be a problem with the advanced
airbag system. Have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
The Passenger Airbag Of f indicator
mayalsocomeonandgooff
repeatedly if total weight on the seat
is near the airbag cutof f threshold.Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:
Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Any
seat belt tensioner that activates
must also be replaced.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by your dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop.
Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
This indicator alerts you that the
passenger’s f ront airbag has been
shut of f because weight sensors
detect the weight of an inf ant or
small child on the f ront passenger’s
seat. It does there is a
problem with the airbag.
If this happens, have the passenger
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. If the passenger must ride in
front, move the seat as far to the
rear as possible, have the passenger
sit upright, and wear the seat belt
properly.
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
Airbag Service
not mean
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
An airbag ever inf lates. T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o aproblem.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
33
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

Improperly replacing
or covering f ront seat-back covers
can prevent your side airbags f rom
inf lating during a side impact.
Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.
This could make the
driver’s seat position sensor or the
f ront passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective. If it is necessary to
remove or modif y a f ront seat to
accommodate a person with
disabilities, f irst contact Acura
Client Services at 800-382-2238.
Even if your
airbags do not inflate, your dealer
should inspect the driver’s seat
position sensor and the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors to
make sure they are operating
properly.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ingyour dealer.
Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason.
Do not remove or modif y a f rontseat wit hout consult ing yourdealer.
If your vehicle has a moderat e t o
severe impact .Additional Saf ety Precautions
34

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition to ON (II).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition to ON (II).
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure on the Tire
Pressure Monitor, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a f lat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to page
f or more inf ormation. The appropriate tire indicator will
come on along with the Low Tire
Pressure Indicator if a tire is
extremely under inf lated or has
suddenly lost pressure. See Low Tire
Pressure Indicator f or what to do if
this indicator comes on.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), there is a problem
with the TPMS. With this indicator
on, the low tire pressure indicator
and the tire pressure monitor will not
come on when a tire loses pressure.
Take the vehicle to your dealer to
have the system checked.
261
274
205
Instrument Panel Indicators
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator Tire Pressure Monitor
66

Depending on where you drive, you
may experience reception problems.
Interf erence can be caused by any of
these conditions:Driving on the south side of an
east/west mountain road.
Driving on the north side of a
large commercial truck on an
east/west road.
Driving in the tunnels.
Driving on a road beside a vertical
wall, steep clif f , or hill to the south
of you.
Driving on the lower level of a
multi-tiered road.
Driving on a single lane road
alongside dense trees taller than
50 ft. (15 m) to the south of you. If you decide to purchase XM
Satellite Radio service, contact XM
Radio at, or at
1-800-852-9696. You will need to give
them your radio I.D. number and
your credit card number. To get your
radio I.D. number, turn the TUNE knob until ‘‘0’’ appears in the display.
Your I.D. will appear in the display.
After you’ve registered with XM
Radio, keep your audio system in the
Satellite Radio mode while you wait
f or activation. This should take about
30 minutes.
If your XM Radio service has expired
or you purchased your vehicle f rom
a previous owner, you can listen to a
sampling of the broadcasts available
on XM Satellite Radio. With the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY
(I) or ON (II) position, push the
PWR/VOL knob to turn on the audio
system and press the XM button. A
variety of music types and styles will
play. While waiting f or activation, make
sure your vehicle remains in an open
area with good reception. Once your
audio system is activated,
‘‘CATEGORY’’ or ‘‘CH’’ will appear in
the display, and you’ll be able to
listen to XM Radio broadcasts. XM
Radio will continue to send an
activation signal to your vehicle f or
at least 12 hours from the activation
request. If the service has not been
activated after 36 hours, contact XM
Radio.
Cargo may be attached to roof
rack.
There may be other geographic
situations that could af f ect satellite
radio reception.As required by the FCC: Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
www.xmradio.com
Playing t he XMSatellite Radio (U.S. Models)
Receiving Satellite Radio Service
122

The OnStarsystem in your vehicle
gives you access to a wide range of
services and information with the
touch of a button. An OnStar advisor
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
The Saf e and Sound Plan provides
these f eatures: Roadside Assistance
Emergency Services
Automatic Notif ication of Airbag
Deployment
Accident Assist
Remote Door Locking/Unlocking
Stolen Vehicle Tracking
Misplaced Vehicle Assistance
Online Concierge Services. The Directions and Connections
Plan provides these additional
f eatures:
Route Support
Ride Assist
Inf ormation and Convenience
Services
The Luxury and Leisure Plan adds
personal concierge services.
The OnStar buttons and indicator
are located on the ceiling near the
f ront map lights.
U.S. Touring model with NavigationSystemOnStar Control Panel
OnSt ar
Features
173
EMERGENCY BUTTON SYSTEM
STATUS
INDICATOR
CALL ANSWER/
CALL END BUTTON
OnStar
BUTTON
VOICE
ACTIVATED
KEYPAD

Press this button to contact an
OnStar advisor. You will hear a
chime, f ollowed by the
announcement, ‘‘Connecting to
OnStar.’’ The connection should take
20 to 30 seconds. The advisor will
assist you with any of the services
included in your plan.
Depending on what service you
request, you may need to give your
Personal Identification Number
(PIN) to the advisor. Your PIN is a
number you make up and provide
when you establish your OnStar
service.
If cellular telephone service is not
available in the area you are driving
in, you will hear a f ast busy signal.
The system will retry the connection
several times bef ore returning to the
ready mode.A microphone is located on the
ceiling, between the f ront map lights
and the console buttons you can
speak to the advisor without taking
your hands of f the steering wheel or
diverting your attention f rom the
road. The OnStar advisor’s voice
comes f rom the audio system’s
speakers. Use the volume control on
the audio system or on the steering
wheel to adjust the volume.
You can record up to 5 minutes of
inf ormation f rom your OnStar
advisor or the Virtual Advisor. This
is helpf ul f or reviewing the route,
hotel, or restaurant inf ormation you
receive f rom the OnStar center.To record a message:
During your call, the Advisor or
Virtual Advisor, press and release
the OnStar button. The system
beeps to indicate that it is
recording.
When you are f inished recording,
press and release the OnStar
button again. The system beeps
and stops recording.
To hear the first playback of a
message:
Say ‘‘Advisor playback.’’ The
recorded message is played
through the audio system
speakers.
To cancel these retries, press the
CALL ANSWER/CALL END button.
Press the CALL ANSWER/CALL
END button. The system responds
with ‘‘OnStar replay.’’
When you are f inished listening,
press the CALL ANSWER/CALL
END button. The system responds
with ‘‘Goodbye.’’
OnStar Services Button
Recording an A dvisor or Virtual
Advisor Message
OnSt ar
174

µ
To hear a message again:
Say ‘‘Advisor playback.’’ The
system responds with ‘‘Play or
Resume.’’
If you say ‘‘Play,’’ the message
plays f rom the beginning. If you
say ‘‘Resume,’’ the message plays
f rom the point you previously
stopped it.
Recording a new message will delete
the previous message. Press this button to contact an
OnStar advisor only if you have an
emergency situation. You will hear a
tone, f ollowed by the announcement,
‘‘Connecting to OnStar Emergency.’’
Your call is given highest priority.
The advisor will ask about the nature
of the emergency, locate your
vehicle, and notif y the appropriate
emergency service agencies.
Press the ‘‘phone ’’ button to send
dial tones (example automated
phone systems) while in an OnStar
personal call.
Press the CALL ANSWER/CALL
END button. The system responds
with ‘‘OnStar replay.’’
PressthisCALLANSWER/CALL
END button to end a call to the
OnStar advisor. If the OnStar center
calls you, press this button to answer
the call.
This button is also used to initiate
the Personal Calling and Virtual
Advisor services, if you have
subscribed.Emergency Button
Call A nswer/Call End
Button
Voice A ctivated K eypad
OnSt ar
Features
175

µµ
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µ If you are ever in an
accident that causes the airbags to
deploy, the OnStar system
automatically places a call (provided
the OnStar system and your vehicle’s
electrical system are still intact). The
advisor will attempt to speak to you
to evaluate the situation, and contact
the nearest emergency services
provider.
The OnStar
advisor can help you if you are ever
in a minor accident by asking you f or
inf ormation about the accident.
Complete, detailed inf ormation will
make it easier to complete accident
reports and insurance claims.
The OnStar system uses the Global
Positioning System (GPS) to locate
your vehicle whenever you place a
call. This allows the advisor to
quickly contact the nearest services
without requiring you to provide
detailed directions.
Contact
the OnStar advisor if you need
assistance with a problem (f lat tire,
out of f uel, etc.) while traveling. The
advisor will contact an appropriate
agency to come and assist you.
Contact an
OnStar advisor if you have an
emergency situation. The advisor
will contact the nearest emergency
services provider (ambulance, f ire
department, etc.) and advise them of
your situation.
This indicator shows you the status
of the system.
The system is ready
for use.
Acallisin
progress.
There is a problem
with the system. Press the OnStar
button to contact an advisor. If the
call connects, the advisor will assist
you with verif ying the system’s
operation. If you are not able to
contact an advisor, take your vehicle
to an Acura dealer to have the
system diagnosed.
There is a problem
with the system while a call is in
progress. A utomatic Notif ication of A irbag
Deployment
A ccident A ssist
Saf e and Sound Plan Features
Roadside Assistance
Emergency Services
System Status Indicator
Solid Green
Blinking Green
Solid Red
Blinking Red
OnSt ar
176