2008 MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column)
..... 61
Features (
climate control,audio,rear entertainment,steering wheel,security,cruise control,and other convenience items
)
......... 169
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 321
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 337
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 381
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................... 423
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 449
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 465
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 469
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I
Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-STX-6102
If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a ‘‘LOW
BRAKE FLUID’’ or ‘‘CHECK
BRAKE SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
pages).For more inf ormation,
see page .
If this indicator comes on when
the engine is running, the battery
is not being charged, and you will
also see a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. For more
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely
damaged if this indicator f lashes
or stays on when the engine is
running, or if a ‘‘CHECK ENGINE
OIL LEVEL’’ message is on the
multi-inf ormation display. For
more information, see page .
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page . This indicator has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not f ully
released can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
1.
2.
81
436
436 437 438
81
Instrument Panel Indicators
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
U.S. Canada
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two f unctions:This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. It should come on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If this happens, pull to the side of
the road when it is saf e, check
which tire has lost pressure on the
multi-inf ormation display, and
determine the cause. If it is
because of a flat tire, have the flat
tire repaired as soon as possible. If
two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator begins to f lash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. The indicator continues to
f lash f or a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more inf ormation, see page
.
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-inf ormation display and
determinethecause(seepage).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
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2.
82 446
352 354
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator A/T Temperature
Indicator
68
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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Whenthetirepressuremonitoris
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown.
You can see the pressure of each tire
in this monitor. If one or more tires
are low, inflate them to the correct
pressure. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This monitor shows how much
torque is being delivered to each
wheel. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This shows the remaining lif e of the
engine oil. It shows 100% af ter the
engine oil is replaced and the display
is reset. The engine oil lif e is
calculated based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions. For more inf ormation,
see page .
383 348
351
Tire Pressure Monitor
Monitor
Engine Oil L if e
Multi-Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
77
U.S.
Canada
ENGINE OIL LIFE
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SH-AWD®T orque Distribution
2008 MDX
µµµ
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µ µ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption. Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible. Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
389
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Drive moderatelyObserve the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
393
Vehicle Maint enance
Drive Ef f icient ly
Fuel Economy
328
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Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
af termarket components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability. Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Lowering your vehicle with a
non-Acura suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can af f ect
the handling and stability.
Non-Acura wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
331
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BeforeDriving
2008 MDX
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Rear cargo area, including the
second and third row seats when
folded flat
Console compartment
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages. Rear compartment
Roof -rack (if equipped)
Storage compartment
Door and seat-back pockets
Carrying Cargo
332
SEAT-BACK POCKETS
GLOVE BOX DOOR POCKETS
REAR COMPARTMENT
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
STORAGE COMPARTMENT CARGO AREA
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Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof .
Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier. Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
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2.
3.
4.
5.
140
See page f or of f -highway driving
guidelines. 377
Driving Guidelines, Preparing to Drive
Driving Guidelines Preparing to Drive
338
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