Page 547 of 609

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.●
Fill the fuel tank.
●
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
●
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
●
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
●
Block the rear wheels.
●
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
●
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
●
Disconnect the battery.
●
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.
●
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
●
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage54210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 550 of 609
If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights,and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the tailgate. 4. Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up
the loop to raise the cargo area
floor.
CARGO AREA
FLOOR
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE JACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
545
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Page 556 of 609

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
●
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. Check these things:
●
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
●
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting
on page 552.
●
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page 566.If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal
connections (see page 541). You
can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 552).
The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position,
but the engine does not run.
●
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page 72).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
551
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Page 557 of 609

●
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer toStarting the
Engine on page 436.
●
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
page 560).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See Emergency Towing on
page 566. 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 Starting55210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 563 of 609

U.S. Canada
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
fully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake fluid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it feels normal. If
it does, check the brake fluid level
the next time you stop at a service
station (see page 519).
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 86). If the fluid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel 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 feel the brake
pedal go down much farther before
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
You will also see a
‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 86). Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. 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
Emergency
Towing on page 566).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and carefully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
Brake System Indicator55810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 565 of 609
The secondary fuse box is on the
passenger's side.
To open it, push the tabs as shown.
U.S. Advance Package, AdvancePackage with Entertainment, andCanadian Elite Package modelsThe sub fuse box is on the
passenger's side.
To open it, push the tabs as shown. Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
you should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages
563, 564, and 565, or the diagram on
the fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that device. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is
the cause. Replace any blown fuses,
and check if the device works.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box.
UNDER-HOOD (SECONDARY)
TAB
UNDER-HOOD (SUB)
TAB
Fuses56010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 568 of 609

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected1 120 A Main fuse - Not Used
2 - 1 - Not Used
2 - 2 30 A SH-AWD
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,
Telescopic Steering Wheel
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, Interior Light
3 - 2 40 A Headlights, Daytime Running
Lights
3 - 3 60 A Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
ꭧ1
3- 4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ꭧ 1: Canadian model
ꭧ 2: If equipped No. Amps. Circuits Protected
3 - 5 50 A Power Window
3 - 6 60 A Power Tailgate Opener/Closer,
Rear ACC Socket, Interior
Light,
Rear Defroster
3 - 7 30 A ECU (PCM)
3 - 8 30 A TECH
4 40 A Audio, Door Lock, Interior Lights, Front ACC Socket
5 30 A EPT-L
ꭧ 2
6 30 A EPT-R
ꭧ2
7 30 A Active Damper Control Unit
ꭧ2
8 30 A Audio Amplifier
9 7.5 A Battery Sensor
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
ꭧ 2
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
563
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Page 569 of 609

SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 10 A Left Daytime Running Light
2 10 A Right Daytime Running Light
3 10 A Left Headlight High
4 10 A Right Headlight High
5 7.5 A Small Lights (Exterior)
6 30 A Headlight Low Main
7 7.5 A Cooling Fan Timer
8 15 A IGP
9 15 A IG Coil
10 15 A DBW
11 15 A AFHT
12 40 A Front Blower Motor No. Amps. Circuits Protected
13 20 A Fog lights
14 30 A Headlight Washer
ꭧ
15 30 A Condenser Fan
16 30 A Cooling Fan
17 7.5 A A/C Clutch
18 15 A Left Headlight Low
19 15 A Right Headlight Low
22 7.5 A Small Lights (Interior)
ꭧ : Canadian modelSUB FUSE BOXU.S. Advance Package, Advance Package with
Entertainment, and Canadian Elite Package modelsNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 10 A ACC/CMBS, BSI, ADS, EPT, AVS
REAR FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 - Not Used
2 - Not Used
3 - Not Used
4 - Not Used
5 10 A Rear ACC Socket
6 20 A Power Tailgate
7 - Not Used
8 7.5 A Interior Light
9 - Not Used
10 30 A Rear Defroster
11 40 A Power Tailgate
Fuse Locations56410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu