2004 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .230
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .231
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 237
................................
Jump Starting .238
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 240
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 242
..........
Charging System Indicator . 242
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 243
...............
Brake System Indicator . 244
......................
Emergency Towing .244
..............................................
Fuses .245
..............................
Fuse Locations .248
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed229

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving. Do not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed230
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
2.
1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed231
JACK
TOOLS SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Open the tailgate.
Thetoolsandjackarebehinda
cover in the cargo area on the
driver’s side. Remove the cover by
pushing the top of the cover.Take the tools out of the storage
compartment.
The spare tire is stored
underneath the rear cargo area.
Remove the plastic cover on the
cargo area lining to access the
shaft for the spare tire hoist.
Turn the jack’s end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
3.
4.
5.
6.7.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed232
COVER
COVER

Put the wheel nut wrench on the
hoist shaf t. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground.Keep turning the wheel wrench to
create slack in the cable.
Remove the bracket from the
spare tire.Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel wrench.
11.
10.
8.
9.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed233
SPARETIREWRENCH BRACKET

Ú
Place the jack under the jacking
point nearest the tire you need to
change. It is pointed to by a
mark molded into the underside of
the body. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
restinginthejacknotch. Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the f lat tire.
Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt of f the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.
12.
13.
14. 15.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed234
JACKING POINT
WHEEL WRENCHEXTENSION
BRAKE HUB

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.
Insert the hoist bracket into the
center hole of the f lat tire.
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. 20.
21.
18.
19.
17. 16.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed235
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)

Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools, and install
the cover.
Slowly turn the wheel wrench
clockwisetotake uptheslackof
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. 24.
22.
23.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed236
NOTICE: Loose items can fly around the
interiorinacrashandcould
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.