Page 1 of 420

2003 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction........................................................................\
...................................................... .......................i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Important Handling Information........................................................................\
.................................... .iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.......................................................2
Driver and Passenger Safety........................................................................\
...............................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System. Instruments and Controls ........................................................................\
................................................... 65
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
............................... 133
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... 235
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new ve hicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
................................................................................... 249
The proper way to start the engine, shift the tr ansmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance ........................................................................\
......................................................................... 293
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
................................................................. 351
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected ........................................................................\
....................................... 359
This section covers several problems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information ........................................................................\
....................................................... 387
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ......................................................................399
A summary of the warranties covering yo ur new Acura, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) ........................................................................\
....................................... 403
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
...........................................................................................I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Page 6 of 420
Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
INDICATOR LIGHTS
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
MIRROR
CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL REAR A/C CONTROL ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET GLOVE BOX AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
(P.67)
GAUGES (P.74)
(P.93)
(P.116)
(P.111)
(P.238) (P.237) (P.117) (P.143)
(P.125)(P.100) (P.145,
163,183)
(P.136)
(P.254)
Page 7 of 420
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
MOONROOF
SWITCH
CRUISE CONTROL FOG LIGHTS REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT CRUISE CONTROL
HORN
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERSLIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
PASSENGER AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH (P.82)
(P.79/ 83)
(P.114)
(P.216) (P.267)
(P.88) (P.181) (P.89) (P.216)
(P.83/87) (P.128)
(P.87)
(P.58)
(P.88)
(P.259)
Page 70 of 420
Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
MIRROR
CONTROLS
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLEPARKING BRAKE
PEDALREAR A/C CONTROL ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET GLOVE BOX AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
INDICATOR LIGHTS
GAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE(P.67)
(P.74)
(P.93)
(P.116)
(P.111)
(P.238) (P.237) (P.117) (P.143)
(P.125)(P.100) (P.145,
163,183)
(P.136)
(P.254)
Page 82 of 420

Î
Î
Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switches for the hazard warning
lights and rear window def ogger are
located to the right of the steering
column.
The controls under the lef t air vent
areforthecruisecontrol,the
moonroof , the f og lights, and the
VSA light.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols78
VEHICLE
STABILITY
ASSIST
SYSTEM
OFF
SWITCH HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
FOG LIGHTS
CRUISE
CONTROL
MOONROOF
SWITCH REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT HORN
CRUISE
CONTROL
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERSLIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4
LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
PASSENGER
AIRBAG
CUTOFF
INDICATOR
(P.79/
83)
(P.88)
(P.267)
(P.216) (P.114)
(P.181) (P.89)(P.216)
(P.83/87)(P.128)
(P.
87)
(P.
58)
(P.
88)
(P.259)
(P.82)
Page 97 of 420

µ
µ µ
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom ACCESSORY to ON. The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page
).
In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power socket.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.Each f ront door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors and the tailgate.
Push the switch down to lock all
doors and the tailgate, and up to
unlock them.
91
CONT INUED
ST A RT (III)
Power Door L ocks
ON (II) A CCESSORY (I)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols93
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Page 129 of 420
CONT INUED
Make sure you put the sun visor
back in place when you are getting
into or out of the vehicle. Do not use
the sun visor extension over the rear
view mirror.Touseavanitymirroronthebackof
the sun visor, pull up the cover.
The light beside the mirror comes
on only when the parking lights or
headlights are on.Your vehicle has three accessory
power sockets. The f ront accessory
power socket is located under the
audio system. The second socket is
located in the center console
compartment. The rear socket is
behind the third seat on the driver’s
side.
Sun Visor, Vanity Mirror, Accessory Power Sockets
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Vanity Mirror
Accessory Power Sockets
125
FRONT
(Without Rear Entertainment System)
Page 131 of 420
The coin box is located under the
audio system. To open the coin box,
pull the bottom edge. Close it with a
firm push.To use a coat hook, push on the lid.
Close it with a f irm push.
Make sure the coat hook is closed
when you are not using it. This hook
is not designed f or large or heavy
items.To use this coat hook, rotate the
hook down. Close it with a f irm push.
Coin Box
Coat Hook
Coin Box, Coat Hook
Inst rument s and Cont rols127
CARGO AREA
SECOND ROW