2006 Acura MDX 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 .275
..............................................
Fuses .276
..............................
Fuse Locations .279
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
259

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving. Do not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Compact Spare Tire
260
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

Slowly turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwisetotakeuptheslackof
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracketisseatedinthecenter
hole of the spare tire.
Turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwise until the f lat tire rests
against the underbody of the
vehicle and you hear the hoist
click.Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools, and install
the cover.
Turn of f VSA (see page ).
Refer to
(see page ).
22.
23. 26. 25. 24.
214
208
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with
TPMS
266
Loose items can fly around the
interiorinacrashandcould
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even
if you are not stowing a tire. If the
hoist is lef t down, it will be damaged
during driving and need to be replaced.

Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon 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. 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.
201
277 275 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.
275 275
If theEngineOverheats
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.

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
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.If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with all f our wheels on the
ground, do the f ollowing:
With all f our wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck. Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shif t to D f or several seconds,
then to N.
Turn of f the engine.
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
275
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. Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the all f our wheels of f
the ground.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.
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.

CONT INUED
Driving Position Memory..........................................
System .97
..................
DVD Error Messages . 141
...................................
DVD Player .134
...................................
Fan, Interior .107
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 189
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 .188
......................
Fill Door and Cap .189
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 188
...............................
Oxygenated .188
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .189
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .277
..............................
Economy, Fuel .192
..................................
Emergencies .259
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 268
...........
Brake System Indicator . 274
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 261
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 277
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
..................
Overheated Engine . 270
.......................................
Towing .275
...........................
Emergency Brake .94
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .275
.......................
Emissions Controls .291
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 .204
.......................................
Starting .201
...................
Engine, .267
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 289
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .290
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
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 .32 ,60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .201
................
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 .32 ,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) .207
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .66, 207
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 66,208
..................
TPMS Indicator . 66,208
...............................................
Tires .252
..............................
Air Pressure .252
.........................
Checking Wear .253
..........................
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 .216
................
Emergency Wrecker . 275
....
Equipment and Accessories . 219
.............................
Weight Limit .215
.........................
Trailer Loading .217
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 222
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242
...........................
Fluid Selection .242
..............
Identif ication Number . 282
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 202
.....................................
Treadwear .286
..............................
Trip Computer .149
.......................................
Trip Meter .69
....................................
Turn Signals .74
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 261
Index
T
VIII