2007 Acura MDX emergency towing

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
ro ad to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shifts frequently
while going up a hill, shift to D3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes. Al
ways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the left. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all norm al precau tions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires. If
the vehicles tires slip when
retr ieving a boat from the water,
keep D position and do not use the
sequential sport shif t mode. This
prevents the transmission damage.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. 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.
433
3
bottom
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. Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
366
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Under these conditions, trailer
stability assist begins to stabilize the
vehicl e/trailer combination by
reducing the vehicle speed. The
control unit sends signals to
selectively apply the brakes and
regulate the engine output. The
brake lights of your vehicle will be
turned on automatically by the
system even if you do not keep the
pressu re on the brake pedal.
Your
vehicle is equipped with trailer
stability assist function. This
function works on the same sensors
as the vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system. This function helps to
stabilize the vehicl e/trailer
combination when the trailer
severely sways or oscillates. For
more information of the VSA system,
see page .
When the brakes are applied, the
trailer’s brake lights come on along
wi th the vehicle brake lights.
When the trailer stability assist
activates, you will see the VSA
activation indicator blink. There may
also be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system. Trailer
stability assist cannot prevent
a loss of control. Always reduce the
ve hicle speed and steer firmly. Do
not brake suddenly or make quick
steering motion. It could cause the
trailertojackknifeorturnoverand
the system becomes ineffective.
Trailer stability assist cannot prevent
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. It helps only to
stabilize the vehicl e/trailer
combination in these conditions,
after the oscillation becomes severe.
If
the function detects the vehicle/
trailer instability, it checks if the
swaying is caused by the trailer, and
if the trailer swaying or oscillation is
increasing.
The vehicle/trailer combination is
more affected by crosswinds,
buffeting, and improper tongue load.
These conditions can make the
trailer unstable, and cause it to sway. Always obey the recommended
speed limits f or towing a trailer, see
page . Trailer stability assist will also be
inef f ective while driving at high
speed or towing a trailer with a high
center or gravity.
351
365
T railer Stability A ssist
Driving
367
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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 .418
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .419
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start .425
................................
Jump Starting .426
..............
If the Engine Overheats .428
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .430
..........
Charging System Indicator .430
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .431
...............
Brake System Indicator .432
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
....................................
Manually .433
......................
Emergency Towing .433
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .434
..............................................
Fuses .436
..............................
Fuse Locations .440
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
417
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Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page .
Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See
on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
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.
436
433331
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
426
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.
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If the temperatu re gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on 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 filler neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
refilled with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and check
the temperatu re 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.
433 433
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
429
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.
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If the f uel f ill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the rear f use box lid in the
cargo area.To open the f uel f ill door, pull the
release lever rearward.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.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck. 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.
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Emergency T owing
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually, Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
433
LID
RELEASE LEVER
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the
all-wheel-drive system. Your vehicle
should be transported on a f lat-bed
truck or trailer.
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CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .171
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .167
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .317
Filters
...............................................
Oil .388
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .122
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .419
.....................................
Floor Mats .404
........................
Disc Changer . 188, 216
Disc Changer Error ...........................
Messages . 197, 226
............................
Disc Player . 188, 216
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .389
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .130
..................
Lockout Prevention .131
........................................
Monitor .11
....................
Power Door Locks .130
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .448
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .329
....................................
Economy .316
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .155
......
DVD Player Error Messages .261
...................................
DVD Player .236
..............................
Economy, Fuel .316
..................................
Emergencies .417
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .426
...........
Brake System Indicator .432
................
Changing a Flat Tire .419 .....
Charging System Indicator .430
..................
Checking the Fuses .437
...........
Driving with a Flat Tire .418
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .122
............................
Jump Starting .426
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .430
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .431
..................
Overheated Engine .428
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .433
.......................................
Towing .433
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .122
......................
Emergency Towing .433
.......................
Emissions Controls .453
Engine
............
Check Starting System .332
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .72
.........................
If it Won’t Start .425
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 65, 431
.......................................
Oil Lif e .375
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 65, 430
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .387
...............................
Overheating .428
............................
Specif ications .447 ............................
Speed Limiter .338
.......................................
Starting .331
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .453
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .454
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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CONT INUED
..................
Storage Compartment .162
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .416
........................................
Sun Visor .164
Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing .35
.........................
SRS Indicator .33,66
...................
System Components .24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .388
.....................................
Tachometer .72
..........................................
Tailgate .131
...............................
Opening the .131
..............................
Open Monitor .11
.........................................
Power .132
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .400
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .417
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .448
.....
Emissions Control Systems .453
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .455
.......................
Temperature Gauge .72
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .177
....................
Temperature, Outside .76 ...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .22
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .231
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .455
.
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel .124
....................................
Timing Belt .396
....................................
Tire Chains .414
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .419
.................................
Tire Labeling .450
Tire Pressure Monitoring ............
System (TPMS) . 343, 451
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator . 68, 343
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 77, 343
...............................................
Tires .409
..............................
Air Pressure .409
.........................
Checking Wear .411
..........................
Compact Spare .418
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 448
......................................
Inf lation .409
..................................
Inspection .411
..............................
Maintenance .411
...................................
Replacing .412
......................................
Rotating .412
...........................................
Snow .414
............................
Specif ications .447 ................................
Tire Chains .414
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 419
Torque Distribution Monitor .................................
(SH-AWD) .340
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .355
................
Emergency Wrecker . 433
....
Equipment and Accessories . 361
.............................
Weight Limit .356
.........................
Trailer Loading .356
..............
Trailer Stability Assist . 368
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 364
..................
Trailer Stability Assist . 368
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 393
...........................
Fluid Selection .394
..............
Identif ication Number . 444
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 333
.....................................
Treadwear .411
................................
Trip Computer .78
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .67
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 419
Index
INDEX
T
IX
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