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.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire f or your vehicle.
Using the compact spare that came
with the MDX may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
We also recommend that you carry a
f ull-size spare wheel and tire f or your
trailer. Ask your trailer sales or
rental agency where and how to
store the spare. See page f or proper tire size,
page f or how to store a f ull-sized
wheel and tire, and page for
inf ormation on changing a f lat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the brakes,
suspension and cooling system are
in good operating condition. If you
tow f requently, f ollow the Severe
Conditions maintenance schedule.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated (see page ).
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
320 315
291
226 228287
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Trailer Mirrors
Spare TiresPre-T ow Checklist
235
01/09/07 12:32:38 31S3V610_240
Your vehicle has a compact spare
tire that takes up less space. Use this
sparetireasatemporaryreplace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back
on your vehicle as soon as you can.Thecompactsparetirehasashorter
tread lif e than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
Thecompactsparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire: Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to f it
your vehicle. Do not use your
sparetireonanothervehicle
unlessitisthesamemakeand
model.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed314
I IN
ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R L
LOOC CAA T
TI
IOON N M
MA
AR
RKK
T
T R
RE EA
A D
D W
WE EA
A R
R I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R B
BAA R
R
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
01/09/07 12:45:13 31S3V610_319
Loosen the f ive wheel nuts 1/2
turn with the wheel wrench.
Put the wheel nut wrench on the
hoist shaf t.Turn the wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire on the ground. Keep turning the wheel wrench to
create slack in the cable.
Remove the bracket from the
spare tire.11.
10.
8. 9.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed317
S SP
PA
A R
REE T
TI
IRRE E W
WR REEN
NC CHH B
BR
RAA C
CKKEET
T
01/09/07 12:45:42 31S3V610_322
CONT INUED
Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully,itmaybehotfrom
driving.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.Lower the vehicle to the ground
and remove the jack.
15.
16. 17.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed319
B BRRAA K
KEE H
HU
UB B
01/09/07 12:46:01 31S3V610_324
Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Remove the center cap from the
flat tire.Place the f lat tire f ace up under
the hoist.
Slowly turn the wheel wrench
clockwisetotakeuptheslackof
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracketisseatedinthecenter
hole of the spare tire.
Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
until the f lat tire rests against the
underbody of the vehicle and you
hear the hoist click.
Insert the hoist bracket into the
center hole of the f lat tire.
18.
19. 20.
21.
22.
23.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed320
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)
01/09/07 12:46:11 31S3V610_325
Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools, and install
the cover.
25.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed321
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even
if you are not stowing a tire. If the
hoist is lef t down, it will be damaged
during driving and need to be replaced.
01/09/07 12:46:17 31S3V610_326
Î
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .295
................................
Cancel Button .174
............................
Capacities Chart .342
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
..........................
Cargo Area Light .119
.............................
Carrying Cargo .203
Cassette Player
............................................
Care .168
...........................
Operation .139,165
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
...................................
CD Changer .143
.......................................
CD Player .159
........................
Certif ication Label .340
............................................
Chains .292
Change Oil
........................................
How to .263
......................................
When to .252
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .315
............
Changing Engine Coolant .267
...
Charging System Indicator .62,328
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .209
..................
Childproof Door Locks .88
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21 .......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air .275
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .307
...................................
Carpeting .308
......................................
Exterior .306
.........................................
Fabric .309
.......................................
Interior .308
.......................................
Leather .309
...................................
Seat Belts .309
...........................................
Vinyl .309
....................................
Windows .310
...............
Climate Control System .122
......................................
Coat Hook .116
.....................
Code, Audio System .170
........................
CO in the Exhaust .348
........................................
Coin Box .116
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .210
..............................
Compact Spare .314
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .354
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .265
....................................
Checking .199
.........................
Proper Solution .265 ...................................
Replacing .267
...................
Temperature Gauge .68
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .348
............
Cruise Control Operation .172
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .354
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .73
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .356
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .77
..............
Def rosting the Windows .128
....................................
Dimensions .342
...............
Dimming the Headlights .72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .271
..................................
Engine Oil .198
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .220
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .264
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .82
Index
C
D
II
01/09/07 12:52:20 31S3V610_365
Î
CONT INUED
.....................................
Tachometer .67
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .298
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .313
...........................
Tape Player .139,165
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .48
.....................................
Cleaning .309
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .46
................................
Maintenance .49
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .46,62
...................
System Components .46
...............
Use During Pregnancy .19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .15
.................................................
Seats .90
............
Folding the Second Seat .95
...............
Folding the Third Seat .96
..........................
Head Restraints .94
.........
Reclining the Second Seat .93
............
Reclining the Third Seat .93
........................
Rear Seat Access .95
...............................
Serial Number .340
...........................
Service Intervals .250
...........................
Service Manual .357
.........
Service Station Procedures .195
Shif ting the Automatic
.............................
Transmission .212
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .211
........................
Shif t Lock Release .215 Side Marker Lights, Bulb
.........................
Replacement in .296
...............................
Signaling Turns .74
.....................................
Snow Tires .292
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners .306
........................
Sound System .133,151
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .314
............................
Specif ications .343
....................................
Spark Plugs .277
....................
Specif ications Charts .342
................................
Speed Control .172
...................................
Speedometer .67
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .50
...
Additional Safety Precautions .55
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .53
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .50
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .52
........................
SRS Components .50
..................................
SRS Service .55
.............................
SRS Indicator .53,62
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .82
.......................
Starting the Engine .210
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .210 ................
With a Dead Battery .323
..............
State Emissions Testing .351
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .325
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .81
...........
Stereo Sound System .133,151
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .303
........................
Sunglasses Holder .113
........................................
Sun Visor .114
Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing .55
.........................
SRS Indicator .53,62
...................
System Components .50
..................................
Synthetic Oil .262
Index
T
VII
01/09/07 12:52:54 31S3V610_370