2004 Acura MDX charging

Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM (VSA) INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR PARKING
BRAKE AND
BRAKE
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TPMS INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
BRAKE LAMP
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
VTM- 4INDICATOR
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR (P.243)
(P.58)
(P.58)
(P.65)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.62)
(P.62) (P.60)/
(P.60,64)
(P. 61)
(P.63)
(P.61)
(P.61)
(P.
58)
(P. 59)
(P.59) (P.61)
(P.62)
(P.58) (P.58)(P.64)
(P.64)
(P. 59)
(P.
60)
(P. 63)

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
is a reminder to you and your
passengers to f asten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
f astened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your seat belt,
the beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals.See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For more inf ormation, see page . This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags or automatic seat
belt tensioners. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
driver’s seat position sensor, f ront
passenger’s weight sensors, or side
curtain airbags. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
243
242
242 29
28
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorSupplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Side Airbag Of f Indicator
58

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

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within ten seconds, turn of f
the engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
GotoanAcuradealeroraservice
station where you can get technical
assistance.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
3.
4.161
205
244
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
242
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 163
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 101
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 206
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 22
..............
Air Conditioning System . 104
.....................
Rear A/C Control .109
.........................................
Usage .105
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .106
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .221
......................................
Antif reeze .208
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .59, 181
...................................
Operation .181
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 129
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 79
................
Audio System . 110,115,125
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.........................
Automatic Lighting .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 144
..............
Automatic Transmission . 172
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .254
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 210.......................................
Shif ting .172
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 172
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 172
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 175
...........................
Automatic Wipers .70
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .58, 242
............................
Jump Starting .238
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .255
..............................
Bef ore Driving .157
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders .99
..................................
Booster Seats .48
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 181
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 158
...........................................
Fluid .212
....................
Bulb Replacement .216
.........................................
Parking .92
.................
System Indicator . 59,244
........................
Wear Indicators .180 .............................
Braking System .180
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 158
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 74
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .216
..............................
Brake Lights .216
................
Front Parking Lights . 215
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 215
.................................
Headlights .214
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 217
.................................
Rear Bulbs .216
............................
Specif ications .255
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 215
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .214
Index
A
B
I

Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 74
.................................
Dead Battery .238
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 268
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 107
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .211
....................................
Dimensions .254
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 72
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 210
..................................
Engine Oil .161
..........................
Directional Signals .72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 180
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .207
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
....................
Lockout Prevention . 80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
................................
Cancel Button .144
............................
Capacities Chart .254
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 51
.............................
Carrying Cargo .165
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .127
...................................
Operation .125
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .119
..........................
CD Changer .116, 117
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 122
.......................................
CD Player .116
.........
CD Player Error Messages . 120
........................
Certif ication Label .252
...................................
Chains, .225
Change Oil ........................................
How to .206
......................................
When to .197
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .231
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,242
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 170
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 80
.....................................
Child Saf ety .33
..............................
Booster Seats .48 .............................
Child Seats .40, 41
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 36
..........................................
Inf ants .38
..........................
Larger Children .47
.........................................
LATCH .42
......................
Risks with Airbags .34
.............................
Small Children .39
..........................................
Tether .45
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 34
.......................................
Child Seats .40
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 45
...............
Climate Control System . 104
..............................................
Clock .130
.....................
Code, Audio System .129
........................
CO in the Exhaust .259
......................
Compact Spare Tire .230
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 266
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .208
....................................
Checking .162
.........................
Proper Solution .208
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .259
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 61............
Cruise Control Operation . 144
.....................................
Cup Holders .99
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 266
tires
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .105
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .103
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 159Filters
...............................................
Oil .206
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 231
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 210
..........................................
Brake .212
......................
Dif f erential Fluid .211
..........................
Power Steering .213
...................
Transf er Assembly . 211
..................
Windshield Washer . 209
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .113
........................................
Fog Lights .75
................
Folding the Second Seat . 87
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 88
..........................
Four-way Flashers .74
........................................
Front Seat .84
......................................
Adjusting .84
.........................................
Airbags .23
.........................................
Heaters .89
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 256
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .169
....................................
Economy .162
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .94
..................
DVD Error Messages . 140
...................................
DVD Player .133
..............................
Economy, Fuel .162
..................................
Emergencies .229
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 238
...........
Brake System Indicator . 244
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 231
.....
Charging System Indicator . 242
..................
Checking the Fuses . 246
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 74
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 242
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 243
..................
Overheated Engine . 240
.......................................
Towing .244
...........................
Emergency Brake .92
......................
Emergency Flashers .74
......................
Emergency Towing .244 .......................
Emissions Controls .259
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .58, 243
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,242
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating .240
............................
Specif ications .255
............................
Speed Limiter .174
.......................................
Starting .171
...................
Engine, .237
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 259
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .260
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
E
F
III

.................................................
Fuel .158
......................
Fill Door and Cap .159
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 158
...............................
Oxygenated .158
........................
Reserve Indicator .61
........................
Tank, Filling the .159
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .246
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 214
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 74
........................................
Headlights .72
........................................
Aiming .214
....................
Automatic Lighting .73
............
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 61
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 72
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 72
.........................
Reminder Chime .72
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 214
...................................
Turning on .72
...................................
Headphones .141
..............................
Head Restraints .86
.................................
Heated Mirror .93
.................................
Heaters, Seats .89
.....................
Heating and Cooling .104 .................
High-Low Beam Switch . 72
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .153
....................................
Hood Latch .214
.......................
Hood, Opening the .160
..................................................
Horn .68
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 162
.........................................
Gasoline .158
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 61
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 158
........................
Tank, Filling the .159
................
Gas Station Procedures . 159
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel .66
...............................
Speedometer .66
.................................
Tachometer .66
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .185 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) .185
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 172
........................................
Glove Box .99
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .185
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 252
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .77
...........................................
Switch .79
............
Timing Control System . 260
........................
Immobilizer System .78
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 58
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 59
....................................
A/T Temp .62
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .59
.................................
Brake Lamp .60
........................
Charging System .58
.............................
Cruise Control .61
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .61
Index
G HI
IV