2008 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least once. Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator of f
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make surethese codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Ittakes
several days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to for
more information (see page ).
81
463
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness CodeEmissions T esting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
437
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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2008 MDX

You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
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.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, 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 ).
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
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 (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
81
81
401 446
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
438
U.S. Canada
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2008 MDX

The vehicle’s f uses are located in
four fuse boxes.
The interior f use box is underneath
the dashboard on the driver’s side.
To remove the f use box lid, put your
f inger in the notch on the lid, pull it
toward you, and take it out of its
hinges.Therearfuseboxislocatedatthe
lef t side of cargo area.
To open it, push the tabs as shown.
The primary under-hood f use box is
located next to the battery. The
secondary f use box is on the
passenger’s side.
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
439
UNDER-HOOD (SECONDARY)
UNDER-HOOD (PRIMARY)
INTERIOR
LID LID
TAB
TAB
REAR
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2008 MDX

If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages, , and , or the diagram
on the f use box lid, which f use or
f uses control that device. Check
those fuses first, but check all the
f uses bef ore deciding that a blown
f use is the cause. Replace any blown
f uses, and check if the device works.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f . Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use boxes by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
3.
1.
2. 443 445
444
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
440
BLOWN
BLOWN
FUSE
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2008 MDX

If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
Look f or a burned wire inside the
f use. If it is burned out, replace it
withoneof thesparefusesof the
same rating or lower.
Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use boxes and rear
f use box, and all the f uses in the
interior and rear f use boxes by
pulling out each one with the f use
puller provided in the primary
under-hood f use box. 5.
4.
CONT INUED
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
441
BLOWN
FUSE PULLER
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2008 MDX

If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem with your
vehicle. Leave the blown fuse in
that circuit, and have your vehicle
checked by a qualif ied technician.If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
f requency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the digit code (see
page ).
6. 235
Fuses
442
Replacing a f use with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a
replacement f use with the proper rating
f or the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.
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2008 MDX

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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

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No. Amps. Circuits Protected No.
No. Circuits ProtectedAmps.
Circuits Protected
Amps.
1
2
3
4 10 A
10 A
10 A
10 A Lef t Daytime Running Light
Right Daytime Running
Light
Left Headlight High
Right Headlight High 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
22 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Rear ACC Socket
Power Tailgate
Not Used
Cargo Area Light
Rear Defroster
Power Tailgate
10 A
20 A
10 A
30 A
30 A
40 A
Small Lights (Exterior)
Headlight Low Main
Cooling Fan Timer
IGP
IG Coil
DBW
AFHT
Front Blower Motor
Fog lights
Headlight Washer
Condenser Fan
Cooling Fan
MG Clutch
Left Headlight Low
Right Headlight Low
Small Lights (Interior)
7.5 A
30 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
15 A
15 A
40 A
20 A
30 A
30 A
30 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
7.5 A
: Canadian model
Fuse Locations
444
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX REAR FUSE BOX
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SH-AWD®
2008 MDX