2011 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may be lower than your original tires.
Check with the tire dealer for
maximum speed recommendations.
Tire Chains
Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
front tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, Acura strongly
recommends using the chains listed
below.
SCC Super Z-6＃SC 435 When installing chains, follow the
manufacturer's instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear them contacting the body
or chassis, stop and investigate.
Make sure the chains are installed
tightly, and that they are not
contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove the chains as
soon as you start driving on cleared
roads.
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.
Traction devices that are the wrong size
or improperly installed can damage
your vehicle's brake lines, suspension,
body, and wheels. Stop driving if they
are hitting any part of the vehicle.
Wheels
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
the same solution, and rinse them
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum from corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stiff
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a soft brush or sponge.
Tires54010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

The sensor on the negative terminal
monitors your vehicles battery
condition.
If there is a problem with the sensor,
you will see a‘‘CHECK BATTERY
SENSOR’’ message on the multi-
information display. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer. Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it off with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a cloth
or paper towel. Coat the terminals
with grease to help prevent further
corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician.
WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle's
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative (－ ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt
you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
If the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The
next time you turn on the radio you
will see ‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the digit code (see
page 305).
Checking the Battery
541
Maintenance
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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

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................
544
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
545
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
551
Jump Starting
..............................
552
If the Engine Overheats
..............
554
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
556
Charging System Indicator
.........
556
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
557
Brake System Indicator
...............
558
Fuses
..........................................
559
Fuse Locations
............................
563
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.................................
566
Emergency Towing
.....................
566
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
..........
567
Taking Care of the Unexpected
543
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or
replaced, and put it back on your
vehicle as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
Follow these precautions:
●
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
●
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surfaces. Use greater caution while
driving.
●
Do not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
●
Do not use your compact spare tire
on another vehicle unless it is the
same make and model.
●
After the flat tire is replaced with
the spare tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator stays on.
After several miles (kilometers)
driving with the spare, this
indicator begins to flash, then
stays on again. You will also see a
‘‘ CHECK TPMS SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 452).
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
Compact Spare Tire54410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

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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5. The tools and jack are under thecargo area behind a cover on the
driver's side. Remove the cover by
turning the knobs
counterclockwise, then pulling out
the cover.
6. Turn the jack's end bracketcounterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
7. The spare tire is storedunderneath the rear cargo area.
Remove the plastic cover on the
cargo area lining to access the
shaft for the spare tire hoist.
KNOB COVER
PLASTIC COVER
Changing a Flat Tire54610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

The wheel nut wrench supplied with
your vehicle is specially adapted to fit
the hoist shaft. Do not use any other
tool.8. Put the wheel nut wrench on the hoist shaft. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground.
9. Keep turning the wheel nutwrench to create slack in the
cable.
10. Remove the bracket from the spare tire.
11. Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turnwith the wheel nut wrench.
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
BRACKET
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
547
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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