Towing Acura MDX four down

[cheshireshelties]

Does anyone out there tow an '06 Acura MDX four down? I'm trying to find out if there are any speed or distance restrictions as well as which fuse needs to be pulled to leave the ignition switch in the accessory position.
As Acura/Honda has decided to get out of the four down towing information business it's very hard to get information from them. thanks in advance.
Gary in CT
'07 VDP

[cheshireshelties]

Does anyone out there tow an '06 Acura MDX four down? I'm trying to find out if there are any speed or distance restrictions as well as which fuse needs to be pulled to leave the ignition switch in the accessory position.
As Acura/Honda has decided to get out of the four down towing information business it's very hard to get information from them. thanks in advance.
Gary in CT
'07 VDP

[RVDude]

Here's my standard answer to this question. Because of midyear design changes and numerous tranny configurations there is ONLY one answer source, the manufacturer directly, not the dealer or anyone else.

For starters only, check out MotorHome Magazine's Guide to Dinghy Towing. It will get you started but in no way should be considered the final say so for the reasons to follow. It also does not list everything and is only a general guide.

In the owner's manual you should be able to find something about flat towing. If not, contact the car maker directly, not via a dealer, and ask them. An email to their corporate tech help line will do the trick. This way you'll get the official word from the manufacturer. A dealer will tend to guess. Tow-ability is a critical technical issue and the damage can be severe and ultra expensive. The subtle differences made mid-year and among models make it even more critical to get it from the horses mouth for your exact vehicle.

Be very wary (no offense anyone) of anything a forum poster might suggest - unless they are quoting (and you know they are) from the exact manual for your exact vehicle. Also, previous uneventful experience towing a vehicle does not mean it is OK, damage could still be happening.

You can also see what www.RemcoTowing.com has to say. That will be your main source for any conversion parts to make a vehicle tow-able. By the way, I did not see the 190 in the Remco charts... But give them a call, great bunch of folks.

BTW Knowing your exact year/make/model/engine and even the transmission code is a plus when doing your research - especially when contacting the manufacturer.

[afrank1971]

We tow a 2004 Honda Pilot 4 down, no problem. At that time they published in the manual the procedure. Start the car, put it in reverse for a few seconds, then go through nuetral to drive, leave it there for a few seconds, then go back to nuetral, shut the car off but leave it in nuetral and leave the key positioned so that the wheel does not lock, let loose the parking brake and you're ready to roll. They recommend to start the car every few hours, we do it at every fuel stop while the coach is drinking that high priced energy drink it likes so much (and drinks so much of!). There is no fuse that they recommend pulling, though if you found it, that may prevent the battery drain. However, given that the tranny is being left in nuetral, I think starting it up every now and then helps to keep it lubed up. Unlike a true four wheel drive where the tranny is completely disconnected, even in nuetral there is still movement going on in there, so even if you find the fuse, I would still recommend starting and going through the reverse, drive, nuetral process just to get some fluid in there. Don't know why they quit publishing this data, I can't imagine they've actually changed their transmissions? Probably too many peole didn't do it quite right and fried their tranny's I suppose. Oh, and as far as speed limits, I believe they said 55 or 65, but I towed it at as high as 75 and even 80 on some downhills, no damage. I think the speed thing is just a CYA for themselves. Hope this helps, good luck!
Alan

[MRUSA]

I tow a 2003 MDX and the following information applise to all MDX's up to 2006 as far as I know:

"To prevent battery discharge during motor¬
home towing, which requires that the ignition
switch be in the ACCESSORY position, the No. 9
fuse (also labeled FRONT ACCESSORY SOCKET) in
the passenger side interior fuse box should be
removed. This fuse powers the audio system, cig¬
arette lighter, accessory sockets, multi information
display unit, Navigation display unit, rear ceiling
light and rear map lights; it does not power the
audio or Navi system memory, so no resetting of
radio stations, etc. will be required. The fuse can
be reached through a small access door on the
passenger side kick panel.
"This fuse should be removed even in a
non Navigation system car, in order to deactivate
the multi information display. If an MDX customer
requests any additional information, they should
contact Acura Client Services at (800) 382 2238."

[GaryKD]

For the purpose of not discharging the toad battery, go here. For under $100 and an easy install, one can take this worry of their list. It may also eliminate pulling the fuse.

[RVDude]

The Toad-Charge Gary mentions above is what I run and I could not be happier with it and what it does. I actually have the older 5amp model and prefer it over the newer 10amp model as I am feeding the unit from a small fuse. It is awfully pricey for a simple current limiting device though, but they are the only game in town unless you make your own.

[cheshireshelties]

thanks to everyone for their informative responses. I spoke with Acura yesterday and they told me there was a gearing change in the transmission of my '06 that makes it not towable four down. being somewhat skeptical I asked if this just wasn't Acura's way of discouraging towing and they assured me it wasn't.
gary in ct
'07 vtdp

[afrank1971]

That surprises me that they actually changed it, and has now made up my mind that when we do get a new car, it won't be a Honda Pilot / Acura MDX. That's too bad, they are great little cars. But good call on checking with them directly, sure would not have been pretty if in fact you tried and wasted your transmission! Anyway, good luck.

[RVDude]

It bears me saying again. The ONLY source for towability is direct from the manufacturer, not the dealer, not the neighborhood mechanic, not anyone else. Manufacturers make mid-year design changes all the time and transmissions are far from inexpensive.

Good work on doing your homework! Bummer it did not result in what you wanted...

[Tom N]

What does your MDX manual saw about towing 4 down??

Here's what my '08 Honda Odyssey says. Although, they say tow for 50 miles. 500 miles is ten 50 miles tows.

-Tom