Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state regulations.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
MDX.Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your Acura dealer.
Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
Electric brakes must be
electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic system. See your brake
manuf acturer f or more inf ormation
on installing electric brakes.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
We strongly recommend that you
have your Acura dealer install an
Acura hitch and use the required
f luid coolers. Using non-Acura
equipment may result in serious
damage to your vehicle. T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Hitch
Weight Distributing Hitch Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolT ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler Trailer Brakes
Trailer Mirrors
Towing a Trailer
Driving188
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
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 94
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .92
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 164
.........................................
Moonroof .91
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 173
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 158
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 252
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 158
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 192
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 192
Oil ........................
Change, How to .206
......................
Change, When to .199
......................
Checking Engine .161
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58,242 Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .205
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
..............................
Outside Mirrors .92
....................
Overheating, Engine .240
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 198
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .158
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 74
........................
Park Gear Position .173
...........................................
Parking .179
.................................
Parking Brake .92
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 261
.............................
PGM-FI System .260
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 84
...............
Power Socket Locations . 101
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .33
.....................
General Guidelines .33
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .38 .......
Protecting Larger Children . 47
.........
Protecting Small Children . 39
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .45
.............................
Using LATCH .42
...................
Radiator Overheating . 240
Radio/CD/Cassette Sound .......................
System .110, 115,125
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .109
............
Rear Audio Control Panel . 135
........
Rear Entertainment System . 131
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 216
............................
Rear View Mirror .92
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 71
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 84,85
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 87
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 88
.............................
Reminder Lights .58
................
Remote Audio Controls . 128
.................
Remote Control (RES) . 137
.......................
Remote Transmitter .81
Index
N
O P
R
VI