2003 Acura MDX tailgate

The light in the tailgate has an on-of f
switch to control if the light comes
on when the tailgate is opened.The courtesy light in each door
comes on when the door is opened,
and goes out when the door is closed.
Your vehicle also has a courtesy light
in the ignition switch. This light
comesonwhenyouopenthedriver’s
door.
It remains on f or several seconds
af ter the door is closed.
Tailgate Light
Courtesy Lights
Interior Lights
Inst rument s and Cont rols131

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or two minutes,
then the system resets. To reset an
alarming system before the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s f ront door with the key or
the remote transmitter.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Tailgate Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ) to see if the doors and
tailgate are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
The security system sets auto-
matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and tailgate.
For the system to activate, you must
lock the doors f rom the outside with
the key, lock tab, door lock switch,
or remote transmitter. The security
system light next to the driver’s door
lock starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself . Once the security system is set,
opening any door or the tailgate
(without using the key or the remote
transmitter), or the hood, will cause
it to alarm. It also alarms if the radio
and DVD components are removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut. 70
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures215
SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

Your Acura is equipped with a rear
view camera in the tailgate near the
tailgate opening handle.
Whenever you shif t to R (Reverse)
with the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position, the rear view is shown
in the navigation system display.For the best picture, always keep the
rear view camera clean, and do not
cover the camera lens.Since the rear view camera display
area is limited, you should always
back up slowly and caref ully, and
look behind you f or obstacles.
On U.S. Touring Model with Navigation
System
Rear View Camera and Monitor
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures234
REAR VIEW CAMERA

If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items on it does
not exceed 165 lb (75 kg).
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, f ollow the instructions
on page .
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
62
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
247

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check that the hood and tailgate
arefullyclosed. Makesurethedoorsandtailgate
are securely closed and locked.
3. 2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 11.
12. 10.
15
115
89 252
67
101
Preparing to Drive
Driving251

If you use a non-Acura trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
cangetthematingconnectorand
pins that mate with the connector in
your vehicle f rom your Acura dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
All states and Canadian provinces
require some type of trailer lights.
Check requirements f or the areas
where you plan to tow.
To get to your vehicle’s trailer
lighting connector, open the tailgate,
remove the cargo cover, then
remove the rear panel trim. The
connector is on the lef t side. We
recommend that you have your
Acura dealer install an Acura wiring
harness and converter. This harness
has been designed and tested f or
your vehicle.
CONT INUED
T railer L ights
Towing a Trailer
Driving279
GROUND
(BLACK)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/BLUE)
TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)

Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb. Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Put the light assembly into the
bumper. Tighten the mounting
bolt.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Open the tailgate. Use a
screwdriver protected with a cloth
to pry open the two covers.
Remove the two screws and
remove the rear light assembly
f rom the rear pillar.
Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: brake/taillight, turn
signal/hazard lights, side marker
light, or back-up light. Remove the burned out bulb. To
remove the brake/taillight, back-
up or side marker light bulb, pull
the bulb straight out of its socket.
To remove the turn signal/hazard
light bulb, push it in and turn it
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
8. 6.
7.
5.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance344

The individual map lights, cargo area
light, tailgate light, and the vanity
mirror lights come apart the same
way. They do not all use the same
bulb.Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Use a small phillips screwdriver to
remove the lens f rom the license
plate light assembly.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out. Push the new bulb
into the socket.
Reinstall the lens.
1.
2.
3. 1.
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
Lights
Lights
Maint enance346
FRONT INDIVIDUAL MAP LIGHT