2009 Acura MDX trailer

●The banks are sloped so you can
drive out.●The water is not flowing too fast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushing water can wash the
ground from under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.●The banks and surface under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
If you decide it is safe to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed, and proceed without shifting,
changing speeds, stopping, or
shutting off the engine.
After driving through water, test your
brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘ pump ’’them while driving slowly
until they operate normally. If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may be
required. This service is not covered
by your warranties.
If You Get Stuck
If you get stuck, carefully try to go in
the direction (forward or reverse)
that you think will get you unstuck.
Do not spin the tires at high speeds.
It will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
SH-AWD system.
If you are still unable to free yourself,
your vehicle is equipped with front
and rear tow hooks designed for this
purpose.
Use a nylon strap to attach the MDX
to the recovery vehicle and carefully
take out the slack in the strap. Once
the strap is tight, the recovery
vehicle should apply force.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip off the jack and hurt you or
someone else.
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
You may be able to safely tow a
lightweight trailer (such as a
motorcycle or small tent trailer) off-
road if you follow these guidelines:
●Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45
kg).●Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.●Allow extra room for starting,
stopping, and turning.●Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles.
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines38008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
1
B
●Replace engine oil
1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhasut system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’does not appear more than
12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every
year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the
first column on page388.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-
information display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are
noisy. Symbol
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you dirve in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you dirve primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under －20°F, －
29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.
S.)/100,000 km (Canada).●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000
km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
39008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Power Steering FluidCheck the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The fluid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering fluid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Acura Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering fluid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Acura PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Turning the steering wheel to full left or
right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Timing Belt
The timing belt should be replaced at
the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicle in any of the following
conditions:
●In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).●In very low temperatures
(under
－20°F, －29°C).●Frequently tow a trailer.
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt40208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
another qualified technician.
Low Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself. If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the front bulkhead cover
(see page392).
3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
4. Remove the bulb by turning it about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
BULB
CONNECTORCONTINUED
Lights
403
Maint enance
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected1 120 A Main fuse － Not Used
2 － 1 － Not Used
2 － 2 － Not Used
2 － 3 30 A Rear Blower Motor
2 － 4 40 A ABS VSA
2 － 5 40 A Trailer Main
2 － 6 40 A Power Seats, Driver's Position
Memory System, Subwoofer
2 － 7 40 A Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof, Driver's Lumbar
Support
2 － 8 － Not Used
3 － 1 60 A Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor
3 － 2 40 A Headlights, Daytime Running
Lights
3 － 3 60 A Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
ꭧ
3－ 4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ꭧ : Canadian model No. Amps. Circuits Protected
3 － 5 50 A Power Window
3 － 6 60 A SH-AWD, Power Tailgate
Open/Closer, Rear ACC
Socket, Cargo Area Light,
Rear Defroster
3 － 7 30 A ECU (PCM)
3 － 8 － Not Used
4 40 A Audio, Door Lock, Interior Lights
5 － Not Used
6 － Not Used
7 30 A Active Damper Control Unit
8 30 A Audio Amplifier
9 7.5 A Rear Entertainment System
10 15 A Hazard
11 15 A Horn, Stop
12 20 A ABS VSA
13 20 A Trailer (Brake)
14 20 A Rear Heated Seat
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
443
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Opening the Fuel Fill Door
ManuallyIf the fuel fill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the rear fuse box lid in the
cargo area.
To open the fuel fill door, pull the
release lever rearward.Emergency Towing
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.
The only way you can safely tow
your vehicle is with flat-bed
equipment.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inform
them a flat-bed is required.
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the all-
wheel-drive system. Your vehicle should
be transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer.
LID
RELEASE LEVER
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually, Emergency Towing44608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Tire Chains
................................
420
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
425
Tire Information
.........................
456
Tire Labeling
..............................
456
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
.......................
351,458
Low Tire Pressure Indicator
........................
68, 351
Tire Pressure Monitor
.......
77, 352
Tires
..........................................
415
Air Pressure
............................
415
Checking Wear
.......................
417
Compact Spare
........................
424
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
454
Inflation
...................................
415
Inspection
...............................
417
Labeling
..................................
456
Maintenance
...........................
418
Pressure Monitoring System
................................
351
Replacing
................................
418
Rotating
..................................
418
Snow
.......................................
419
Specifications
..........................
453
Tire Chains
.............................
420 Tools, Tire Changing
.................
425
Towing A Trailer
..................................
363
Emergency Wrecker
...............
446
Equipment and Accessories
.........................
369
Trailer Loading
.......................
364
Trailer Stability Assist
.............
377
Trailer Towing Tips
.................
373
Weight Limit
...........................
364
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
..............................
351
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
458
Trailer Stability Assist
................
376
Transmission Checking Fluid Level
..............
399
Fluid Selection
........................
399
Identification Number
.............
450
Shifting the Automatic
.............
341
Treadwear
..................................
417
Trip Computer
.............................
78
Trip Meter
...................................
75
Turn Signals
.................................
67 U
Unexpected, Taking Care of
the
..........................................
423
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
..................................
454
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
322
Used Oil, How to Dispose of
......
395
V
Vanity Mirror
.............................
166
Vehicle Capacity Load
................
333
Vehicle Dimensions
...................
452
Vehicle Identification Number
..................................
450
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability
Control (ESC),System
...... ..................
359
VSA Activation Indicator
.....
67, 81
VSA System Indicator
.........
67, 81
Vehicle Storage
..........................
422
Ventilation
..................................
177
VIN
............................................
450
CONTINUED
Index
XI
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX