2004 Acura MDX service

The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II), and as a
reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take the
vehicle to your dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
Refer to on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
212
191
Brake System Indicator
Emergency Towing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Brake System Indicator, Emergency Towing
244
NOTICE:
Canada U.S.
Towing your vehicle with
two tires on the ground will damage
parts of the 4WD system. It should be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.

µ
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger vehicle tires must
conf orm to Federal Saf ety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.
The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A Treadwear
Traction AA, A, B, C
T echnical Inf ormation
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
256

Customer Service................................
Inf ormation .266
....................
Warranty Coverages .267
Reporting Saf ety Def ects ..........................
(U.S. Vehicles) .268
.....................
Authorized Manuals .269
Warranty and Customer Relations
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions265

Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
U.S. Owners:In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel:(787) 250-4327
Canadian Owners:
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact the Acura
Customer Service Office. 252
Cust omer Service Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions266
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÉLE
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Services
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238 Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel:1-888-9-ACURA-9
Fax:Toll-free 1-877-939-0909
Toronto (416) 287-4776

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Go online at
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Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should contact their authorized Acura dealer.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)
269
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Form Description
2004 Acura MDX Service Manual 2001-04 Acura MDX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2001-03 Acura MDXBody Repair Manual
2004 Acura MDX Owner’s Manual 2004 Acura MDX
Navigation Manual
2004 Acura MDX Maintenance Journal 2004 Acura MDX Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
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#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
270
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
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CONT INUED
Replacement Inf ormation................
Engine Oil and Filter . 206
..........................................
Fuses .246
................................
Light Bulbs .214
....................................
Schedule .197
................................
Timing Belt .213
...........................................
Tires .221
.............................
Wiper Blades .219
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 162
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 173
................................
Rotation, Tire .223
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 268
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .13
.................................
Seat Belts .8, 14
...............
Seats & Seat-Backs . 11,12
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 52
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii .....................................
Seat Belts .8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .20
.....................................
Cleaning .218
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .19, 58
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14
.................................................
Seats .84
.........
Adjusting the Second Seat . 87
...........
Adjusting the Third Seat . 88
............
Folding the Second Seat . 87
...............
Folding the Third Seat . 88
..........................
Head Restraints .86
.......................
Third Row Access .87
...............................
Serial Number .252
...........................
Service Intervals .199
...........................
Service Manual .269
.........
Service Station Procedures . 159
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .172
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 172........................
Shif t Lock Release .175
....................................
Side Airbags .27
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .28
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .215
...............................
Signaling Turns .72
.....................................
Snow Tires .225
................
Sound System . 110,115,125
Spare Tire ..............................
Inf lating .222, 230
............................
Specif ications .255
....................
Specif ications Charts . 254
................................
Speed Control .144
...................................
Speedometer .66
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 32
......
Airbag System Components . 22
.............................
Airbag Service .31
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 28
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 27
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .28
Index
S
VII

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Rear Differential Fluid:
Transfer Assembly Fluid: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
4.5 US qt (4.3
) Front/Rear:
Compact Spare Tire:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
(see page ).
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only (see
page ).
205
210 213
212
211
211
19.21 US gal (72.7)