2002 Acura MDX engine

Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.Keep the vehicle in Park .
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(approximately3
minutes).
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80to97km/h)foratleast20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D .Donotusethecruisecontrol.
When traffic allows, drive for 90
seconds without moving the
accelerator pedal. (Vehicle speed
may vary slightly; this is okay.) If
you cannot do this f or a
continuous 90 seconds because of
traf f ic conditions, drive f or at least
30 seconds, then repeat it two
more times (for a total of 90
seconds).
If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.
If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle re-tested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for re-testing
by doing the f ollowing.
5
T echnical Inf ormation
T esting of Readiness Codes
St at e Emissions T est ing
351
01/09/07 12:51:13 31S3V610_356

µµ
µ
(


%
)
$
%

.
"

#
) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand. Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
358
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
01/09/07 12:52:09 31S3V610_363

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .201
................................
Accessories .201
...
Additional Safety Precaution .202
............................
Modif ications .202
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .262
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
..............
Air Conditioning System .124
..............................
Maintenance .284
.....................
Rear A/C Control .130
.........................................
Usage .124
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .286
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .346
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .307
......................................
Antif reeze .265
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light .63,222
...................................
Operation .221
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .170
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .81 ..........................
Appearance Care .305
........................
Audio System .133,151
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .48
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control .172
..............
Automatic Transmission .211
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .342
...............
Checking Fluid Level .271
.......................................
Shif ting .212
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .211
................
Shif t Lever Positions .212
....................
Shif t Lock Release .215
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,328
............................
Jump Starting .323
..............................
Maintenance .280
............................
Specif ications .343
..............................
Bef ore Driving .193
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
...................................
Body Repair .312 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .221
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 194
...........................................
Fluid .273
....................
Bulb Replacement .298
.......................................
Parking .106
.................
System Indicator . 63,331
........................
Wear Indicators .220
.............................
Braking System .220
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 194
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .298
..............................
Brake Lights .298
......................
Cargo Area Light .301
................
Front Parking Lights . 296
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 296
.................................
Headlights .295
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 299
..............
Individual Map Lights . 300
...................
License Plate Light . 300
.................................
Rear Bulbs .298
............................
Specif ications .343
............
Turn Signal Lights . 296,298
Index
A
B
I
01/09/07 12:52:14 31S3V610_364

Î
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .295
................................
Cancel Button .174
............................
Capacities Chart .342
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
..........................
Cargo Area Light .119
.............................
Carrying Cargo .203
Cassette Player
............................................
Care .168
...........................
Operation .139,165
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
...................................
CD Changer .143
.......................................
CD Player .159
........................
Certif ication Label .340
............................................
Chains .292
Change Oil
........................................
How to .263
......................................
When to .252
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .315
............
Changing Engine Coolant .267
...
Charging System Indicator .62,328
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .209
..................
Childproof Door Locks .88
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21 .......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air .275
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .307
...................................
Carpeting .308
......................................
Exterior .306
.........................................
Fabric .309
.......................................
Interior .308
.......................................
Leather .309
...................................
Seat Belts .309
...........................................
Vinyl .309
....................................
Windows .310
...............
Climate Control System .122
......................................
Coat Hook .116
.....................
Code, Audio System .170
........................
CO in the Exhaust .348
........................................
Coin Box .116
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .210
..............................
Compact Spare .314
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .354
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .265
....................................
Checking .199
.........................
Proper Solution .265 ...................................
Replacing .267
...................
Temperature Gauge .68
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .348
............
Cruise Control Operation .172
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .354
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .73
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .356
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .77
..............
Def rosting the Windows .128
....................................
Dimensions .342
...............
Dimming the Headlights .72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .271
..................................
Engine Oil .198
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .220
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .264
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .82
Index
C
D
II
01/09/07 12:52:20 31S3V610_365

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .309
...................................
Fan, Interior .126 Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .195
Filters
...............................................
Air .275
.......................
Air Conditioning .285
...............................................
Oil .263
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 315
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 271
..........................................
Brake .273
..........................
Power Steering .274
..................
Windshield Washer . 270
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .157
........................................
Fog Lights .77
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 96
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 347
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Economy, Fuel .200
............
Emergencies on the Road . 313
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 323
...........
Brake System Indicator . 331
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 315
.....
Charging System Indicator . 328
..................
Checking the Fuses . 333
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 327
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 329
..................
Overheated Engine . 325
.........................
Emergency Brake .106
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .338 .......................
Emissions Controls .348
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts .285
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 329
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,327
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 261
...............................
Overheating .325
............................
Specif ications .343
............................
Speed Limiter .215
.......................................
Starting .210
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .346
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 348
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .349
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 306
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .207
....................................
Economy .200
.........................
In Bad Weather .224
................
In Foreign Countries . 347
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 285
Index
E
F
III
01/09/07 12:52:26 31S3V610_366

.................................................
Fuel .194
......................
Fill Door and Cap .195
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement .194
...............................
Oxygenated .346
........................
Reserve Indicator .65
........................
Tank, Filling the .195
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .333
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .200
..........................................
Gasohol .346
.........................................
Gasoline .194
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .65
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement .194
........................
Tank, Filling the .195
................
Gas Station Procedures .195
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .68
...............................................
Fuel .68
...............................
Speedometer .67
.................................
Tachometer .67
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .227 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) .227
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .212
..............................
Glass Cleaning .310
........................................
Glove Box .89
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .227
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 295
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .72
........................................
Aiming .295
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 73
............
Daytime Running Lights . 73
..................
High Beam Indicator . 65
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 72
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 72
.........................
Reminder Chime .72
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 295
...................................
Turning on .72
..............................
Head Restraints .94
...............................
Heated Mirror .106
.....................
Heating and Cooling .122
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 210.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 72
HomeLink Universal ...............................
Transmitter .188
....................................
Hood Latch .277
.......................
Hood, Opening the .196
..................................................
Horn .71
.................................
Hydroplaning .225
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 340
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .81
............
Timing Control System . 349
........................
Immobilizer System .80
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 61
..................
Individual Map Lights . 119
.........................
Inf ant Restraint .26, 30
................................
Inf ant Seats .26, 30
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 286
.................................
Inside Mirror .104
.............................
Inspection, Tire .288
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,60
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 73
Index
G HI
IV
01/09/07 12:52:32 31S3V610_367

CONT INUED
...................
Neutral Gear Position .213
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .194
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .340
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .318
.......................................
Jack, Tire .315
................................
Jump Starting .323 ...........................
Interior Cleaning .308
...............................
Interior Lights .117
........................................
Introduction .i
..................................................
Keys .79
.......................
Label, Certif ication .340
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .74
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .15,46
....................
Light Control Switch .117
.............................................
Lights .293
....................
Bulb Replacement .295
.......................................
Indicator .61
.......................................
Interior .117
.........................................
Parking .72
..................................
Turn Signal .74 ....................................
Load Limits .204
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81
............................
Fuel Fill Door .195
....................................
Glove Box .89
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
.................................
Power Door .82
......................
2Low Coolant Level .199
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,327
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 342
.........................................
Luggage .203 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 194
.........................................
Odometer .67
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
Oil ........................
Change, How to .263
......................
Change, When to .252
......................
Checking Engine .198
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62,327
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .262
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 82
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 347
............................
Outside Mirrors .104
..................................
Maintenance .247
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 259
.................................
Record .257-258
......................
Required Indicator .69
..........................................
Saf ety .248
.............................
Schedule .252-256
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 62,329
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 92
...............................
Meters, Gauges .61
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 346........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .105
Index
J
L K N
M O
V
01/09/07 12:52:42 31S3V610_368

Î
....................
Overheating, Engine .325
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .259
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .346
..............................
Paint Touch-up .307
..............
Panel Brightness Control .73
........................
Park Gear Position .212
...........................................
Parking .219
...............................
Parking Brake .106
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .350
.............................
PGM-FI System .349
..................
Polishing and Waxing .307
................
Power Seat Adjustments .90
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist .11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions .19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children .38
.........
Protecting Small Children .35 Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .44
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 46
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 356
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
..........................................
Air bags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 57
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 46
...............
Additional Information . 46
...................
Radiator Overheating . 325
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 133,151
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .130
.......................
Rear Compartment .112
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 298
..........................
Rear View Mirror .104
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 76
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 91,92
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 93
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 93
.............................
Reminder Lights .61
................
Remote Audio Controls . 169
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 275
.......................................
Coolant .267
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 263
..........................................
Fuses .333
................................
Light Bulbs .295 ....................................
Schedule .252
................................
Spark Plugs .277
................................
Timing Belt .286
...........................................
Tires .290
.............................
Wiper Blades .282
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .49
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 199
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 213
................................
Rotation, Tire .289
Index
P
S
R
VI
01/09/07 12:52:48 31S3V610_369