2003 Acura MDX ignition

CONT INUED
The ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) to
operate the Rear Entertainment
System.
Turn on the rear system by pressing
the REAR PWR button. The rear
entertainment system can then be
operated f rom the f ront control panel,
the rear control panel on the ceiling,
or with the remote control. The right
display then shows the inf ormation
f or the rear system. Your Acura is equipped with a Rear
Entertainment System that includes
a DVD player f or the enjoyment of
the rear passengers. With this
system, the rear passengers can
enjoy a dif f erent entertainment
source (radio, cassette player, CD
player or DVD player) than the f ront
seat occupants.
Optional on U.S. Touring model only
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Rear Entertainment System
199
REAR PWR
BUTTON

µ´
CONT INUED
All models of MDX have a trip
computer. The f ollowing pages
explain the trip computer on the
model without the navigation system.
To operate the trip computer on the
model with the navigation system,
ref er to the navigation manual.
The Trip Computer displays the
f ollowing inf ormation. The ignition
switch must be in Accessory or ON.Clock
Direction of travel
Trip Computer
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
(Without Navigation System)
219
INSTANTANEOUS
FUEL MILEAGE
CLOCK
BUTTON
TRIP
BUTTON
RESET
BUTTON
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL /CALIBRATE BUTTON
/ZONE BUTTONRESET, SET BUTTONCOMPASS
OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE

The outside temperature, f uel
economy, range, and trip odometer
can be displayed in either English or
Metric units. To change between
units, press the TRIP button and
hold it f or f ive seconds.
To reset the Avg f uel economy, E/T,
and Trip odometer, press and hold
the RESET button until you hear a
beep. The display shows either the range
and Avg f uel economy, or the E/T
and Trip odometer. To change
between these, press and release the
TRIP button.
TheAvgdisplayshowsyouthe
average f uel economy since you
last reset the display.
The E/T is the elapsed time that
the ignition has been on. It
automatically resets to 0.0 when it
reaches twelve hours. This display
can be reset at any time.
The Trip display shows you the
total distance you have driven
since it was last reset. When it
passes 999.9, it stops displaying
tenths and goes to 1000. When it
passes 9999, it clears to 0.0.
The display also has manual
f unctions f or the Climate Control
System. Ref er to page . 137
Trip Computer
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Changing Units of Measurement
Changing and Resetting the
Display
221

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

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

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
Use the f ollowing procedure: Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
1. 2.
3.
5. 6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
Starting the Engine
Driving252

This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.
Your Acura’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
The ‘‘D ’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
while driving (in any shif t position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid
acceleration and have the
transmission checked by an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible.
The malf unction indicator lamp may
come on along with the ‘‘D ’’
indicator if there is a problem in the
automatic transmission control
system.
5
5Shif t L ever Position Indicator
Automatic Transmission
Driving253

µTo shift from:PtoR
RtoN
NtoD
DtoD
DtoD Dto22to1
1to2
2toD
DtoD
DtoD DtoN NtoRRtoP Do this:
Press the brake pedal, then
move the shift lever.
Move the lever.
543
5
54
43 3
3
34
45 5
The shif t lever has eight positions. It
must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D,D,D,2,1,NorR,pressfirmly
on the brake pedal, and keep your
f oot of f the accelerator pedal. YoucannotshiftoutofParkwiththe
brake pedal depressed when the
ignition switch is in LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I). This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shif t Lock Release on page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch. 257
Shif t L ever Positions
Park (P)
Automatic Transmission
Driving254
SHIFT LEVER