Page 1 of 284

2004 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
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........................................................................\
...................................................55
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
............................... 103
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
....................................................... ..............157
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................169
The proper way to start the engine, shift the tr ansmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
....................................................... ..................195
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................229
This section covers several problems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
....................................................... 251
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)......................................................................265
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
....................................... 269
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 284
Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
MIRROR
CONTROLSPOWER 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
GAUGES INSTRUMENT PANEL (P. 57)
(P.66)
(P.80)
(P.90)
(P.160) (P.159) (P.92) (P.109)
(P.101)(P.99) (P.110)
(P.104)
(P.92)
Page 7 of 284
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
FOG LIGHTS REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT CRUISE CONTROL
HORN
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM
OFF SWITCH
CRUISE CONTROL INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
(P.72)
(P.184)
(P.144)
(P.75) (P.128) (P.76) (P.144)
(P.69) (P.
74)
(P.
75)
(P.
30)
(P.176)
(P.74) PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
Page 60 of 284
Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols56
MIRROR
CONTROLS
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLEPARKING BRAKE
PEDALREAR A/C CONTROL ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET GLOVE BOX AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
GAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE
INSTRUMENT PANEL (P.
57)
(P.66)
(P.80)
(P.92)
(P.90)
(P.160) (P.159) (P.92) (P.109)
(P.101)(P.110)
(P.99)
(P.104)
Page 72 of 284
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
68
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VTM-4 LOCK
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
FOG LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS HORN
CRUISE CONTROL
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST SYSTEM OFF
SWITCH
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.72)
(P.75)
CRUISE CONTROL
(P.144)
(P.184)
(P.128)
(P.76) (P.74)
(P.176)
(P.75)
(P.74)
(P.69) (P.30)
(P.144) PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATORHAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
Page 83 of 284

µµ
µ µ
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II). Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
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
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II) ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols79
Page 105 of 284
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.
Tousethesocketintheconsole
compartment, pull the cover up.
To use an accessory power socket,
the ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).
These sockets are intended to supply
power f or 12 volt DC accessories
that are rated 120 watts or less (10
amps).When both the front and console
sockets are being used, the
combined power rating of both
accessories should be 120 watts or
less (10 amps).
None of the sockets will power an
automotive type cigarette lighter
element.
Interior Convenience Items
Inst rument s and Cont rols
A ccessory Power Sockets
101
Page 107 of 284

The climate control system in your
Acura provides a comf ortable driving
environment in all weather
conditions.
The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section de-
scribes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, ref er to the
operating instructions that came
with it.)
Your Acura has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it..............
Vents, Heating, and A/C . 104
.............................
Airflow Buttons .105
...................
Rear Climate Control . 109
..............
Climate Control Sensors . 109
..........................
Playing the Radio .110
............................
Radio Reception .113
..................................
Playing a CD .115
....................
Protecting Your CDs .119
.........
CD Player Error Messages . 120
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 122
...............................
Playing a Tape .125
.............
Steering Wheel Controls . 128
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 129
..........................
Setting the Clock .130
........
Rear Entertainment System . 131
............................
Security System .143
...............................
Cruise Control .144
..............................
Trip Computer .146
........................
Rear View Camera .152
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .153
Comf ort and Convenience Features
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures103