2014 Acura MDX check engine

406
uuMaintenance Under the HooduBrake Fluid
Maintenance
Brake Fluid
The fluid level should be between the MIN
and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir.
Refilling Window Washer FluidIf the washer fluid is low, a message appears on the MID.
Pour the washer fluid carefully. Do not overflow the reservoir.Specified fluid: Acura Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3■Checking the Brake Fluid
1Brake FluidNOTICEBrake fluid marked DOT 5 is not compatible with your
vehicle’s braking system and can cause extensive
damage.
If the specified brake fluid is not available, you should
use only DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed
container as a temporary replacement.
Using any non-Acura brake fluid can cause corrosion
and decrease the longevity of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and refilled with Acura Heavy
Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as soon as possible.
If the brake fluid level is at or below the MIN mark,
have a dealer inspect for leaks or worn brake pads as
soon as possible.
Brake Reservoir
MINMAX
1Refilling Window Washer FluidNOTICEDo not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water
solution in the windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your vehicle’s paint. A
vinegar/water solution can damage the windshield
washer pump.

437
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 438
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
*....................... 439
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire
*..... 446
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 457
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak ............................................. 458
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 459
Jump Starting.................................... 460
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 462Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 463
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 465If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 465
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 466If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes
On .................................................... 467
If the Speed-Sensitive Electric Power Steering
(EPS) System Indicator Comes On ........... 467If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 468
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 469
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 474
Emergency Towing........................... 475
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill
Door................................................. 476When You Cannot Open the Tailgate
.. 477
* Not available on all models

457Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not StartChecking the EngineIf the engine does not start, check the starter.
Starter condition
Checklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.
Check for a message on the MID.●If the To Start, Hold Remote Near Start Button message appears
2If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak P. 458
uMake sure the keyless access remote is in its operating range.
2ENGINE START/STOP Button Operating Range P. 141
Check the brightness of the interior lights.
Turn on the interior lights and check the brightness.●If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery P. 426
●If the interior lights come on normally
2 Fuses P. 469
The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with the
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly.Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again.
2 Starting the Engine P. 322
Check the immobilizer system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.2Immobilizer System P. 135Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank.
2 Fuel Gauge P. 97
Check the fuse.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.2Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 474If the problem continues:2Emergency Towing P. 475
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehicle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2Jump Starting P. 460

461
uuJump Startingu
Handling the Unexpected
5.Connect the other end of the second
jumper cable to the engine hanger as
shown.
Do not connect this jumper cable to any
other part.
6.If your vehicle is connected to another
vehicle, start the assisting vehicle’s engine
and increase its rpm slightly.
7.Attempt to start your vehicle’s engine. If it
turns over slowly, check that the jumper
cables have good metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following
order.
1.Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s ground.
2.Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster battery -
terminal.
3.Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s battery + terminal.
4.Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster battery +
terminal.
Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
■What to Do After the Engine Starts

uuOverheatinguHow to Handle Overheating
464Handling the Unexpected
■Next thing to do
1.Check that the cooling fan is operating and
stop the engine once the temperature
gauge needle goes down.
uIf the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2.Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level and check the cooling
system components for leaks.
uIf the coolant level in the reserve tank is
low, add coolant until it reaches the
MAX mark.
uIf there is no coolant in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a heavy cloth and open
the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to
the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.■Last thing to do
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature gauge.
If the temperature gauge needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not gone
down, contact a dealer for repairs.
1How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emergency/temporary measure only.
Have a dealer flush the system with proper antifreeze
as soon as possible.
3
WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the
engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray
out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool
down before removing the radiator cap.
Reserve Tank
MAX
MIN

465Handling the Unexpected
Indicator, Coming On/BlinkingIf the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the engine oil pressure is low.■What to do as soon as the indicator comes on
1.Immediately park the vehicle on level ground in a safe place.
2.If necessary, turn the hazard warning lights on.■What to do after parking the vehicle
1.Stop the engine and let it sit for about three minutes.
2.Open the hood and check the oil level.2Oil Check P. 399
3.Start the engine and check the low oil pressure indicator.
uThe indicator goes off: Start driving again.
uThe indicator does not go off within 10 seconds: Stop the engine
and contact a dealer for repairs immediately.
If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the battery is not being charged.■What to do when the indicator comes on
Turn off the climate control system, rear defogger, and other electrical
systems, and immediately contact a dealer for repairs.
1If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes OnNOTICERunning the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately.1If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
If you need to stop temporarily, do not turn off the
engine. Restarting the engine may rapidly discharge
the battery.

466
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
Handling the Unexpected
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
■Reasons for the indicator lamp to come on or blink
•Comes on when there is a problem with the engine emissions control
system, or the fuel fill cap is missing, or loose.
•Blinks when engine misfiring is detected.■What to do when the indicator lamp comes on
Avoid high speeds and immediately get your vehicle inspected at a
dealer.■What to do when the indicator lamp blinks
Park the vehicle in a safe place with no flammable items and wait at least
10 minutes or more with the engine stopped until it cools.
■The message appears on when:
An evaporative system leak is detected. This may be caused by the fuel fill cap being
loose or not being installed.■What to do when the message appears:
1.Stop the engine.
2.Check if the fuel fill cap is fully installed.
uIf not, loosen the cap, and then retighten it until it clicks at least once.
3.Drive for several days of normal driving.
uThe message should go off.■When the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Malfunction indicator lamp comes on if the system continues to detect a leak of the
gasoline vapor. If this happens, follow the procedures described earlier to check the
fuel fill cap.■Tighten Fuel Cap Message
1If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or BlinksNOTICEIf you drive with the malfunction indicator lamp on,
the emissions control system and the engine could be
damaged.
If the malfunction indicator lamp blinks again when
restarting the engine, drive to the nearest dealer at
31 mph (50 km/h) or less. Have your vehicle
inspected.

467
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
•The brake fluid is low.
•There is a malfunction in the brake system.■What to do when the indicator comes on while driving
Press the brake pedal lightly to check pedal pressure.
•If normal, check the brake fluid level the next time you stop.
•If abnormal, take immediate action. If necessary, downshift the
transmission to slow the vehicle using engine braking.
If the Speed-Sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Indicator Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
•Comes on when there is a problem with the EPS system.
•If you depress the accelerator pedal repeatedly to increase the engine
speed while the engine is idling, the indicator comes on, and
sometimes the steering wheel becomes harder to operate.■What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and restart the engine.
If the indicator comes on and stays on, immediately have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer.
1If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
Have your vehicle repaired immediately.
It is dangerous to drive with low brake fluid. If there
is no resistance from the brake pedal, stop
immediately in a safe place. If necessary downshift
the gears.
If the brake system indicator and ABS indicator come
on simultaneously, the electronic brake distribution
system is not working. This can result in vehicle
instability under sudden braking.
Have your vehicle inspected by a dealer immediately.
U.S.
Canada