2005 Acura MDX emergency towing

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 .260
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .261
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 267
................................
Jump Starting .268
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 270
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
..........
Charging System Indicator . 272
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
...............
Brake System Indicator . 274
......................
Emergency Towing .274
..............................................
Fuses .275
..............................
Fuse Locations .278
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
259

´´
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
To jump start your vehicle:
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
vehicle’s battery. Connect the
other end to the positive ( )
terminal on the booster battery. Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
3.
276
274199
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
268
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ). Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.
10.
11.9.
274 274
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
271
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

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.
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. Refer toon page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 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.
243
222
Brake System Indicator
Emergency Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Brake System Indicator, Emergency Towing
274
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.

CONT INUED
Driving Position Memory..........................................
System .97
..................
DVD Error Messages . 141
...................................
DVD Player .134
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
..................................
Emergencies .259
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 268
...........
Brake System Indicator . 274
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 261
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 276
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
..................
Overheated Engine . 270
.......................................
Towing .274
...........................
Emergency Brake .94
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .274
.......................
Emissions Controls .289
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 69Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60, 273
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,272
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 237
...............................
Overheating .270
............................
Specif ications .285
............................
Speed Limiter .202
.......................................
Starting .189
...................
Engine, .267
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 289
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .290
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...................................
Fan, Interior .107
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 187
Filters ...............................................
Oil .238
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 261.....................................
Floor Mats .249
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 242
..........................................
Brake .243
..........................
Power Steering .244
..................
Windshield Washer . 241
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .116
........................................
Fog Lights .77
................
Folding the Second Seat . 89
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
........................................
Front Seat .86
......................................
Adjusting .86
.........................................
Airbags .26
.........................................
Heaters .91
.................................................
Fuel .186
......................
Fill Door and Cap .187
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 186
...............................
Oxygenated .186
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .276
if it won’t start
Index
E
F
INDEX
III

...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 29
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .31
.............................
SRS Indicator .31 ,60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .198
................
With a Dead Battery . 268
..............
State Emissions Testing . 292
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 270
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...
Stereo Sound System . 112,118,123
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .258
........................................
Sun Visor .103
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .33
.........................
SRS Indicator .31 ,60
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .238
.....................................
Tachometer .68
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 247
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 259Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 289
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .291
.......................
Temperature Gauge .69
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
............................
Thef t Protection .131
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 291
....................................
Timing Belt .244
....................................
Tire Chains .256
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 261
.................................
Tire Labeling .288
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .205
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .66, 205
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 66,206
..................
TPMS Indicator . 66,206
...............................................
Tires .252
..............................
Air Pressure .252
.........................
Checking Wear .254
..........................
Compact Spare .260
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
......................................
Inf lation .252
..................................
Inspection .253 ..............................
Maintenance .254
...................................
Replacing .255
......................................
Rotating .254
...........................................
Snow .256
............................
Specif ications .285
................................
Tire Chains .256
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .213
................
Emergency Wrecker . 274
....
Equipment and Accessories . 217
.............................
Weight Limit .213
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .222
.........................
Trailer Loading .215
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 220
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242
...........................
Fluid Selection .242
..............
Identif ication Number . 282
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 200
.....................................
Treadwear .286
..............................
Trip Computer .149
.......................................
Trip Meter .69
....................................
Turn Signals .74
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 261
Index
T
VIII

ÎÎ
........................
XM Satellite Radio .118
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .259
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 286
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .186
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 239
................................
Vanity Mirror .103
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 194
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .284
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 282
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .211
........
VSA System Indicator . 65,211
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 65,211
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .214
.............................
Vehicle Storage .258
.....................................
Ventilation .108
.................................................
VIN .282
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .237
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .204 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages .297
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 241
............................
Level Indicator .63
.....................................
Operation .71
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 78
......................................
Wrench .263
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 92
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .77
Windshield ...................................
Def roster .109
.......................................
Washers .71
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .250
.....................................
Operation .71
Rear Windshield Wiper and .....................................
Washer .73
....................................
Worn Tires .253
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 274: U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
V U X
INDEX
IX