light Acura MDX 2008 Owners Manual

Each outside mirror has side turn
signal lights. The lights should be
replaced by your dealer.
The license plate has two lights
above it. The bulbs should be
replaced by your dealer.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working. Place the cover back into the light
assembly. Push it up until it locks
in place.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
4.
5. 6.
2.
3. 7.
Lights
Side T urn Signal L ight
Rear L icense Plate Bulb
408
BULB
SOCKET
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2008 MDX

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Vehicle Storage
422
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2008 MDX

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the tailgate.Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up
the loop to raise the cargo area
f loor.
2.
1.
3.4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
425
JACK
TOOLS SPARE TIRE
CARGO AREA
FLOOR
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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2008 MDX

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See on page . 421
432
432
446 70
CONT INUED
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly T he Starter Operates Normally
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
431
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2008 MDX

Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
339
440 446 Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
432
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
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2008 MDX

You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
81
81
401 446
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
438
U.S. Canada
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2008 MDX

If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages, , and , or the diagram
on the f use box lid, which f use or
f uses control that device. Check
those fuses first, but check all the
f uses bef ore deciding that a blown
f use is the cause. Replace any blown
f uses, and check if the device works.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f . Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use boxes by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
3.
1.
2. 443 445
444
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
440
BLOWN
BLOWN
FUSE
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2008 MDX

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
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Î
Î
No.
No. Circuits Protected Circuits Protected Amps.
Amps.
35
36
37
38
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
31
32
33
34 Main f use
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Rear Blower Motor
ABS VSA
Trailer Main
Power Seats, Driver’s
Position Memory System,
Subwoofer
Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof , Driver’s Lumber
Support
Not Used
Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor
Headlights, Daytime
Running Lights
Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
Ignition Switch Main Power Window
Open/Closer, Rear ACC
Socket, Cargo Area Light,
Rear Defroster
ECU (PCM)
Not Used
Audio, Door Lock, Interior
Lights
Not Used
Not Used
Active Damper Control Unit
Audio Amplifier
Rear Entertainment System
Hazard
Horn, Stop
ABS VSA
Trailer (Brake)
Rear Heated Seat
A/C Inverter
50 A
60 A
30 A
40 A
30 A
30 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
120 A
30 A
40 A
40 A
40 A
40 A
60 A
40 A
60 A
50 A
: Canadian model
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
443
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
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SH-AWD®, Power Tailgate
2008 MDX

µ
µ
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Î
Î
No. Amps. Circuits Protected No.
No. Circuits ProtectedAmps.
Circuits Protected
Amps.
1
2
3
4 10 A
10 A
10 A
10 A Lef t Daytime Running Light
Right Daytime Running
Light
Left Headlight High
Right Headlight High 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
22 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Rear ACC Socket
Power Tailgate
Not Used
Cargo Area Light
Rear Defroster
Power Tailgate
10 A
20 A
10 A
30 A
30 A
40 A
Small Lights (Exterior)
Headlight Low Main
Cooling Fan Timer
IGP
IG Coil
DBW
AFHT
Front Blower Motor
Fog lights
Headlight Washer
Condenser Fan
Cooling Fan
MG Clutch
Left Headlight Low
Right Headlight Low
Small Lights (Interior)
7.5 A
30 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
15 A
15 A
40 A
20 A
30 A
30 A
30 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
7.5 A
: Canadian model
Fuse Locations
444
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX REAR FUSE BOX
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SH-AWD®
2008 MDX

µ
µ
No. Circuits ProtectedNo.
No. Circuits Protected
No. Amps.
Circuits Protected Circuits Protected
Amps. Amps.
Amps.
1
2
3
4
5TPMS
Driver’s Lumber Support
Motor
Moonroof
Front Heated Seats
Audio 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
1
2Starter DIAG
STS
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
10 A
20 A
20 A
30 A
30 A
20 A
10 A
10 A
15 A
10 A
Interior Light
Interior Light, Moonroof
Door Lock
ACC Socket
IG Coil
Windshield Wiper
Subwoofer
Passenger’s Power Recline
Driver’s Power Slide
Telescope Steering Wheel
Driver’s Power Recline
Passenger’s Power Slide
Alternator
Fuel Pump
Control Unit
Gauges SRS
Not Used
Left Rear Power Window
Right Rear Power Window
Passenger’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Window
Tilt Steering Wheel
ABS VSA
A/C
Headlight Auto Leveling,
Rear Wiper, Windshield/
Rear Washer
ACC
Not Used
7.5 A
10 A
10 A
20 A
10 A 7.5 A
10 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
30 A
10 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
10 A
20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
445
Auxiliary
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Auxiliary
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SH-AWD®,ActiveDamper
2008 MDX