Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Braking System
Braking System
356
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2008 MDX
The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
inf ormation display shows a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’ message,
the VSA system automatically turns
on even when the VSA system is
turned of f by pressing the VSA OFF
switch (see page ). If this
happens, you cannot turn the VSA
system of f by pressing the VSA OFF
switch again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
360
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
359
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2008 MDX
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced. Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
Even though your vehicle is
equipped with TPMS, we
recommend that you visually check
your tires every day. If you think a
tire might be low, check it immediately with a tire gauge.
Thetirepressuremonitoringsystem
(TPMS) warns you when a tire
pressure is low. See page f or
more inf ormation. Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per
month. Remember to check the
sparetireatthesametime.
351
CONT INUED
Inf lation Guidelines
Tires
Maint enance
415
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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2008 MDX
´
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations.
Wheel:
Tires:
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, the
tire pressure monitoring system will
not work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and pagef or tire size and labeling
inf ormation. 454
456
Tires
Winter Driving
Snow T ires
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Maint enance
419
18x8J
P255/55R18 104H
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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2008 MDX
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:Do not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
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.
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
After the flat tire is replaced with
the spare tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator stays on.
Af ter several miles (kilometers)
driving with the spare, this
indicator begins to f lash, then
stays on again. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ).
354
Compact Spare Tire
424
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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2008 MDX
Slowly turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwisetotakeuptheslackof
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracketisseatedinthecenter
hole of the f lat 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.
Refer to
(see page ).
22.
23. 25.
24.
355
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with
TPMS
430
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
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.
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2008 MDX
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Î
Î
No.
No. Circuits Protected Circuits Protected Amps.
Amps.
35
36
37
38
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
31
32
33
34 Main f use
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Rear Blower Motor
ABS VSA
Trailer Main
Power Seats, Driver’s
Position Memory System,
Subwoofer
Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof , Driver’s Lumber
Support
Not Used
Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor
Headlights, Daytime
Running Lights
Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
Ignition Switch Main Power Window
Open/Closer, Rear ACC
Socket, Cargo Area Light,
Rear Defroster
ECU (PCM)
Not Used
Audio, Door Lock, Interior
Lights
Not Used
Not Used
Active Damper Control Unit
Audio Amplifier
Rear Entertainment System
Hazard
Horn, Stop
ABS VSA
Trailer (Brake)
Rear Heated Seat
A/C Inverter
50 A
60 A
30 A
40 A
30 A
30 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
120 A
30 A
40 A
40 A
40 A
40 A
60 A
40 A
60 A
50 A
: Canadian model
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
443
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
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SH-AWD®, Power Tailgate
2008 MDX
µ
µ
No. Circuits ProtectedNo.
No. Circuits Protected
No. Amps.
Circuits Protected Circuits Protected
Amps. Amps.
Amps.
1
2
3
4
5TPMS
Driver’s Lumber Support
Motor
Moonroof
Front Heated Seats
Audio 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
1
2Starter DIAG
STS
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
10 A
20 A
20 A
30 A
30 A
20 A
10 A
10 A
15 A
10 A
Interior Light
Interior Light, Moonroof
Door Lock
ACC Socket
IG Coil
Windshield Wiper
Subwoofer
Passenger’s Power Recline
Driver’s Power Slide
Telescope Steering Wheel
Driver’s Power Recline
Passenger’s Power Slide
Alternator
Fuel Pump
Control Unit
Gauges SRS
Not Used
Left Rear Power Window
Right Rear Power Window
Passenger’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Window
Tilt Steering Wheel
ABS VSA
A/C
Headlight Auto Leveling,
Rear Wiper, Windshield/
Rear Washer
ACC
Not Used
7.5 A
10 A
10 A
20 A
10 A 7.5 A
10 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
30 A
10 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
10 A
20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
445
Auxiliary
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Auxiliary
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SH-AWD®,ActiveDamper
2008 MDX