2003 Acura MDX key

µ
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. The indicator
on the instrument panel shows that
the parking brake is not f ully
released; it does not indicate that the
parking brake is f irmly set. Make
sure the parking brake is set f irmly
or your vehicle may roll if it is
parked on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission making it
easier to move the shif t lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill, turn
the f ront wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire. Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter. Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Turn of f the lights.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving261

Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):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
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orNeutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereisproba-
bly 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 .)If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged 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 START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
369
385 326
369
252
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly Jump Starting
Emergency T owingT he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Won’t Start
368

To jump start your vehicle, f ollow
these directions closely:
If your vehicle’s battery has run
down,youmaybeabletostartthe
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc.
You cannot start your Acura by
pushing or pulling it.
Your vehicle has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page ).
A key that is not properly coded
will cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Do you have f uel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the f uel gauge.
The low f uel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to f ill the tank.
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 . 1.
2.
91
380 252 326
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed369
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.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .68, 374
............................
Jump Starting .369
..............................
Maintenance .326
............................
Specif ications .391
..............................
Bef ore Driving .235
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .121 ...................................
Body Repair .358
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 263
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 236
...........................................
Fluid .319
....................
Bulb Replacement .344
.......................................
Parking .117
.................
System Indicator . 69,377
........................
Wear Indicators .262
.............................
Braking System .262
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 236
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 82
........................
Brights, Headlights .79
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 243
................................
Accessories .243
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 244
............................
Modif ications .244
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .93
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 125
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 308
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .321
..............
Air Conditioning System . 136
..............................
Maintenance .330
.....................
Rear A/C Control .142
.........................................
Usage .136
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .134
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .332
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .395
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 353
......................................
Antif reeze .311
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .69, 264
...................................
Operation .263
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 182
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 92..........................
Appearance Care .351
................
Audio System . 149,163,183
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 48
.........................
Automatic Lighting .80
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 81
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 216
..............
Automatic Transmission . 253
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .390
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 317
.......................................
Shif ting .254
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 254
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 257
...........................
Automatic Wipers .85
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .90
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 364
.......................................
Jack, Tire .361
................................
Jump Starting .369
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 388
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .90
...........................................
Switch .92
............
Timing Control System . 398
........................
Immobilizer System .91
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 67
..................
Individual Map Lights . 130
.........................
Inf ant Restraint .27, 31
................................
Inf ant Seats .27, 31
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 332
.................................
Inside Mirror .115
.............................
Inspection, Tire .334
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,66
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 82
...........................
Interior Cleaning .354
...............................
Interior Lights .128
........................................
Introduction . i.......................
Label, Certif ication .388
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 83
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,46
....................
Light Control Switch .128
.............................................
Lights .339
....................
Bulb Replacement .341
.......................................
Indicator .61
.......................................
Interior .128
.........................................
Parking .79
..................................
Turn Signal .83
.....................................
Load Limit .246
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 92
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 92
............................
Fuel Fill Door .237
..................................
Glove Box .100
....................
Lockout Prevention . 94
.................................
Power Door .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .241
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .71 ...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 68,373
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 390
.........................................
Luggage .245
..................................
Maintenance .293
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
.................................
Record .303-304
......................
Required Indicator .76
..........................................
Saf ety .294
.............................
Schedule .296-302
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 68,375
............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 103
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 118
...............................
Meters, Gauges .74
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 395
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .116
.......................................
Moonroof .114
......................
Closing Manually .378
...................................
Operation .114
Index
J L K
M
V

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 255
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 236
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 388 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 371
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound .......................
System .145, 163,183
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .142
.......................
Rear Compartment .123
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 344
..........................
Rear View Mirror .115
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 88
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 87
.....
Reclining the Seat Backs . 102,103
.........
Reclining the Second Seats . 104
..............
Reclining the Third Seat . 104
.............................
Reminder Lights .67
................
Remote Audio Controls . 181
.......................
Remote Transmitter .95
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 321
.......................................
Coolant .313
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 309
..........................................
Fuses .380
................................
Light Bulbs .341
....................................
Schedule .296
................................
Spark Plugs .323
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 236
.........................................
Odometer .74
...............................
Odometer, Trip .75
Oil ........................
Change, How to .309
......................
Change, When to .296
......................
Checking Engine .240
..............
Pressure Indicator . 68,373
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .308
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 93
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 396
............................
Outside Mirrors .115
....................
Overheating, Engine .371
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .395 ..............................
Paint Touch-up .353
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 82
........................
Park Gear Position .254
...........................................
Parking .261
...............................
Parking Brake .117
.................................
Parking Lights .79
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 399
.............................
PGM-FI System .398
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 353
..............
Power Seat Adjustments . 101
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .31
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .44
Index
N
O PR
VI

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
................................
Timing Belt .332
...........................................
Tires .336
.............................
Wiper Blades .328
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .49
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 241
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 255
................................
Rotation, Tire .335
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 46
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 404
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
..........................................
Air bags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 63
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 46
...............
Additional Information . 46
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .48
.....................................
Cleaning .355 ......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .46
................................
Maintenance .49
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .46, 58
...................
System Components . 46
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
...............................................
Seats .101
..........
Folding the Second Seat . 106
.............
Folding the Third Seat . 107
........................
Head Restraints .105
.......
Reclining the Second Seat . 104
..........
Reclining the Third Seat . 104
......................
Rear Seat Access .106
...............................
Serial Number .388
...........................
Service Intervals .296
...........................
Service Manual .405
.........
Service Station Procedures . 237
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .254
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
........................
Shif t Lock Release .257
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .342
...............................
Signaling Turns .83
.....................................
Snow Tires .338 ...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 352
.................
Sound System . 145,163,183
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .360
............................
Specif ications .391
....................................
Spark Plugs .323
....................
Specif ications Charts . 390
................................
Speed Control .216
...................................
Speedometer .74
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 50
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 61
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 56
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .51
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 55
........................
SRS Components .50
..................................
SRS Service .60
.............................
SRS Indicator .56 ,68
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 93
.......................
Starting the Engine .252
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .252
................
With a Dead Battery . 369
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 371
Index
S
VII