2005 Acura MDX steering

Your vehicle has been designed to
primarily carry passengers and their
cargo. You can also use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read theon page
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The maximum weight of the trailer
andeverythinginoronitdependson
the number of occupants in your
vehicleandthetypeof trailerbeing
towed (see page ).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance.The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See page
f or limits f or your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
223
215215
Driving Of f -
Highway Guidelines section
Towing Weight Limits
Load Limit
T ot al T railer Weight Tongue Load
Driving
213
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

Î
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ÎNumber of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
Max. T railer Weight Max. T ongue Load
T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
Max. T railer Weight Max. T ongue Load
T owing is Not Recommended
Towing Weight Limits
Driving
215
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4000 lbs (1820 kg) 1700 lbs (770 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
410 lbs (185 kg)
310 lbs (140 kg)
215 lbs (100 kg)
90 lbs (40 kg)
3500 lbs (1590 kg)
3500 lbs (1590 kg)
3000 lbs (1365 kg) 2000 lbs (910 kg)
1000 lbs (455 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
410 lbs (185 kg)
310 lbs (140 kg)
215 lbs (100 kg)
90 lbs (40 kg)
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (70 kg) and each has 1 5lbs(7
kg) of luggage in the cargo area.
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits: BOAT TRAILERS
OTHER TYPES OF TRAILERS

Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer of f ers a trailer package
that includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a heavy-duty
transmission f luid cooler.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, f ederal, province,
and local regulations.We strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install an Acura
hitch and use the required f luid
coolers. Using non-Acura equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
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 dealer.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance.
Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in Step 5 f rom
the
weight in step 6.
Limit: See page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers
8-15% f or other trailers
6.
7.
215
215
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Weight Distributing Hitch
Driving
217

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t to D3.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
this could cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed,
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the bottom of the steering
wheel, then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t.
Turn the wheel to the right to move
the trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.If the vehicle’s tires slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
Lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 Lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system.
204
3
Towing a Trailer
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking Ret rieving a Boat
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Driving
221

Your MDX can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h) or severe
transmission damage will occur. To
avoid damage to the 4WD system, it
must be towed with all f our wheels
on the ground (f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.
Perf orm this procedure every day
immediately bef ore you begin towing.
Otherwise, severe automatic
transmission damage will occur.Start the engine. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R,N,D,D,D,2,1).
ShifttoD ,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn it off.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
sockets are turned of f so you do
not run down the battery.
If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
242
543 5
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
222
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .228
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 229
....................
Maintenance Record .233
..............................
Fluid Locations .236
........................
Adding Engine Oil .237
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 238
..............................
Engine Coolant .240
....................
Windshield Washers .241
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 242
....................................
Brake Fluid .243
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 244
....................................
Timing Belt .244
.............................................
Lights .245
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 249
.....................................
Floor Mats .249
.................................
Wiper Blades .250
...............................................
Tires .252
...................
Checking the Battery . 257
.............................
Vehicle Storage .258
299
Maintenance
Maint enance
227

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231
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
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Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
At every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) up to 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 1 year, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years. At 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, middle column, page .
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75
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60
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45
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30
48
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24 105
168
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 223)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace transfer fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
1:
2:: 230
1
1 2
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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232
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
7.5
12 15
2430
4845
7260
9675
120 90
144 105
168 135
216150
240
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Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions)
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At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
At every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) up to 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or every 6 months, then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 1 year.
See timing belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. Follow this schedule for rear differential fluid replacement if you use your vehicle for off-highway driving, trailer towing, mainly in stop-and-go driving. Otherwise, use
the fluid replacement schedule in the Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, middle column, page . Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
120
192
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 254)
Check front and rear brake wear
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace transfer fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 1:
2:
3: : 244
230
1, 2
,3
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions