2012 Acura MDX tailgate

You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully
closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 149).6. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors (see page
165).
7. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page 134).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate
are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 16).10. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 67, 78 and 87).
Preparing to Drive
441
Driving

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
●
Turn off the lights.
●
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.
●
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
●
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●
If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
●
If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
●
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.
●
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking454

5. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
6. Remove the bulb from the fog light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Rear Pillar)
1. Open the tailgate. Put a cloth on
the edge of the cover to prevent
scratches. Remove the covers by
prying the edge with a flat-tip
screwdriver.
2. Remove the two bolts, and remove
the rear light assembly from the
rear pillar.
3. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: turn signal/hazard
lights or side marker light.
COVER
BOLT
BOLT
CONTINUED
Lights
531
Maintenance

4. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.6. Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
7. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
8. Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
9. Install the rear light assembly in
the rear pillar. Tighten the two
bolts. Snap the bolt covers into
position.Replacing a Back-up Light Bulb
1. Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on
the edge of the light assembly
cover to prevent scratches.
Remove the cover by carefully
prying in the notch on its middle
edge with a flat-tip screwdriver.
BULB SOCKET
COVER
Lights532

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 Storage548

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 TIREJACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
551
Taking Care of the Unexpected

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 120 A Main fuse
－Not Used
2－1 30 A ADS
ᤳ2
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－－
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
ᤳ1
3－4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ᤳ1: Canadian model
ᤳ2: If equippedNo. 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
ᤳ2
6 30 A EPT-R
ᤳ2
7 30 A FI ECU
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
ᤳ2
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
569
Taking Care of the Unexpected

SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 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 MotorNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
13 20 A Fog Lights
14 30 A Headlight Washer
ᤳ
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)
ᤳ: Canadian modelSUB FUSE BOXIf equippedNo. 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 Locations570