2009 Acura MDX hood open

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables from
theft. The horn sounds and a
combination of headlights, position
lights, side marker lights and
taillights flashes if someone attempts
to break into your vehicle or remove
the audio unit. This alarm continues
for 2 minutes, then the system
resets. To reset an activated system
before the 2 minutes have elapsed,
unlock the driver's door with the key
or the remote transmitter.
The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and the tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors and the tailgate from the
outside with the key, driver's lock
tab, door lock master switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system indicator on the instrument
panel starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself.
Once the security system is set,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause it to
alarm. It also alarms if the radio is
removed from the dashboard or the
wiring is cut.The security system will not set if the
hood, tailgate, or any door is not fully
closed. If the system will not set,
check that the doors, the tailgate and
the hood are fully closed.
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Security System
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Feat ures
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2009 MDX

Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
information in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first.Break-in Period
...........................
322
Fuel Recommendation
................
322
Service Station Procedures
.........
323
Refueling
.................................
323
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
.....
324
Opening and Closing the
Hood
...................................
325
Oil Check
................................
326
Engine Coolant Check
............
326
Fuel Economy
.............................
327
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
330
Carrying Cargo
...........................
332
Before Driving
321
Bef ore Driving
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2009 MDX

Opening and Closing the Hood1. Park the vehicle, and set theparking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2. Put your fingers under the frontedge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to your left until
you feel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lift up the
hood.
If the hood latch handle moves stiffly,
or if you can open the hood without
lifting the handle, the mechanism
should be cleaned and lubricated. 3. Lift the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lift it
up the rest of the way and hold it
up.
To close the hood, lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then press down firmly with
your hands. Make sure it is securely
latched.
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH
Service Station Procedures
325
Bef ore Driving
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2009 MDX

Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certification Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the multi-
information display.
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
information display. The oil and filter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove theengine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
WASHER DRAIN BOLT
Adding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter39408/06/06 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
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2009 MDX

5. Insert the new bulb into the hole,and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
6. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb.
7. Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb. Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the front bulkhead cover
(see page392).
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket.
5. Push the new bulb straight intothe socket until it bottoms.
6. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
7. Turn on the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULB
SOCKET
BULB
PARKING LIGHT
SOCKET
Lights40408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you find signs of
cracking in the rubber, and areas
that are getting hard or if they leave
streaks and unwiped areas when
used.
To replace the front wiper blades:
1. Raise each wiper arm off thewindshield, lifting the driver's side
first, then the passenger's side.Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the wiper arms.
2. Disconnect the blade assemblyfrom the wiper arm:
●Press and hold the lock tab.●Slide the blade assembly toward
the lock tab until it releases
from the wiper arm.
When replacing a wiper blade, make
sure not to drop the wiper blade or
wiper arm down on the windshield.
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
CONTINUED
Wiper Blades
411
Maint enance
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2009 MDX

●Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer toStarting the
Engine on page339.●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
page440).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See Emergency Towing on
page446. Jump Starting
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
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.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. 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 frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electricalaccessories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
If the Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting43208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX