2002 Acura MDX power steering

Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:Two f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’
If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the sensors
will detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the
control unit will instantly inf late the
f ront airbags.
Automatic seat belt tensioners
that tighten the front seat belts in
the event of a moderate to severe
f rontal collision (see page ).
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the ignition is ON (II).
An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page ).
Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
48 53
SRS Components How Your Front A irbags Work
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
50
01/09/07 12:03:37 31S3V610_055

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .60
...............................
Indicator Lights .61
.............................................
Gauges .67
Controls Near the Steering
.......................................
Wheel .71
...................................
Headlights .72 Automatic Lighting Off
.....................................
Feature .73
............
Daytime Running Lights .73
....
Instrument Panel Brightness .73
................................
Turn Signals .74
.....................
Windshield Wipers .74
..................
Windshield Washers .76
Rear Window Wiper and
.....................................
Washer .76
..........................
Hazard Warning .76
.............
Rear Window Def ogger .77
.....................................
Fog Light .77
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment .78
...............................
Keys and Locks .79
..............................................
Keys .79
....................
Immobilizer System .80
............................
Ignition Switch .81
......................
Power Door Locks .82
...................
Remote Transmitter .84
..............
Childproof Door Locks .88
........................................
Tailgate .88
....................................
Glove Box .89
.................................................
Seats .90
............
Power Seat Adjustments .90
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support .91
..........
Manual Seat Adjustments .92 Second and Third Row seat
............................
Adjustments .93
..........................
Head Restraints .94
........................
Rear Seat Access .95
............
Folding the Second Seat .95
...............
Folding the Third Seat .96
...................
Detachable Anchors .98
....................................
Seat Heaters .99
............................
Power Windows .100
.......................................
Moonroof .103
...........................................
Mirrors .104
...............................
Parking Brake .106
Driving Position Memory
........................................
System .107
...........................
Beverage Holder .110
.................
Console Compartment .112
.......................
Rear Compartment .112
.................................
Cargo Hooks .112
........................
Sunglasses Holder .113
........................................
Sun Visor .114
................................
Vanity Mirror .114
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
........................................
Coin Box .116
......................................
Coat Hook .116
...............................
Interior Lights .117
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols59
01/09/07 12:04:59 31S3V610_064

When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brakewearindicators.Theymakea
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’
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 downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes af ter 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. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.
Your Acura 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.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators. Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving220
01/09/07 12:30:09 31S3V610_225

Î
Î
ÎNumber of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 T owing is Not Recommended Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
Max. T ongue Load
Max. T railer Weight
Max. T ongue Load
Max. T railer Wight Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
Towing a Trailer
228
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits: BOAT TRAILERS
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits: OTHER TYPES OF TRAILERS
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weights 150 lbs (70 kg) and each has 15 lbs (7
kg) of luggage in the cargo area.
450 lbs (205 kg)
410 lbs (185 kg)
310 lbs (140 kg)
215 lbs (100 kg) 90 lbs (40 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4000 lbs (1820 kg)
1700 lbs (770 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
410 lbs (185 kg)
310 lbs (140 kg)
215 lbs (100 kg)90 lbs (40 kg)
3500 lbs (1590 kg)
3500 lbs (1590 kg)
3000 lbs (1365 kg)
2000 lbs (910 kg)
1000 lbs (455 kg)
01/09/07 12:31:24 31S3V610_233

Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed and maintained.
Since local requirements may vary,
check with appropriate state
authorities to be sure that your
equipment will meet all regulations
in the areas where you plan to tow. Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible. Your
dealer offers a trailer package that
includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a transmission f luid
cooler and a heavy-duty power
steering f luid cooler.We strongly recommend that you
have your Acura dealer install a
genuine Acura hitch and the
required f luid coolers. Using non-
Acura equipment may result in
serious damage to your vehicle.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
MDX as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling stability and braking
perf ormance.
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
so they can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but to 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.
Towing a Trailer
Driving
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
Weight Distributing HitchSaf et y Chains Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
232
01/09/07 12:32:08 31S3V610_237

Your MDX can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
MDX f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake. ShifttoD ,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine. Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R,N,D,D,D,2,1)
271
Do not overf ill.
5
543
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
Ext ended T owing
238
01/09/07 12:33:13 31S3V610_243

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .248
.
Important Safety Precautions .249
.................
Maintenance Schedule .250
...
Required Maintenance Record .257
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .259
..............................
Fluid Locations .260
......................................
Engine Oil .261
..................................
Adding Oil .261
....................
Recommended Oil .261
..............................
Synthetic Oil .262
....................................
Additives .262
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter .263
.............................
Cooling System .265
............
Adding Engine Coolant .265
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant .267
....................
Windshield Washers .270
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .271
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .272
....................................
Brake Fluid .273
............................
Brake System .273
..............................
Power Steering .274
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
....................................
Hood Latch .277
....................................
Spark Plugs .277
..............................
Replacement .277
............................
Specif ications .279 ...........................................
Battery .280
.................................
Wiper Blades .282
..............
Air Conditioning System .284
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .285
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
....................................
Timing Belt .286
...............................................
Tires .286
......................................
Inf lation .286
..................................
Inspection .288
..............................
Maintenance .289
.............................
Tire Rotation .289
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels .290
......................
Wheels and Tires .291
..........................
Winter Driving .291
.............................
Snow Tires .292
............................
Tire Chains .292
.............................................
Lights .293
.....................
Headlight Aiming .295
........................
Replacing Bulbs .295
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .303
357
Maintenance
Maint enance247
01/09/07 12:34:33 31S3V610_252

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering
Maint enance274
U UP
PP
PE
ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
L
LO OW WE ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
01/09/07 12:39:01 31S3V610_279