2003 Acura MDX engine

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) 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
406
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
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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.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .68, 374
............................
Jump Starting .369
..............................
Maintenance .326
............................
Specif ications .391
..............................
Bef ore Driving .235
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .121 ...................................
Body Repair .358
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 263
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 236
...........................................
Fluid .319
....................
Bulb Replacement .344
.......................................
Parking .117
.................
System Indicator . 69,377
........................
Wear Indicators .262
.............................
Braking System .262
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 236
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 82
........................
Brights, Headlights .79
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 243
................................
Accessories .243
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 244
............................
Modif ications .244
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .93
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 125
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 308
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .321
..............
Air Conditioning System . 136
..............................
Maintenance .330
.....................
Rear A/C Control .142
.........................................
Usage .136
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .134
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .332
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .395
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 353
......................................
Antif reeze .311
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .69, 264
...................................
Operation .263
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 182
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 92..........................
Appearance Care .351
................
Audio System . 149,163,183
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 48
.........................
Automatic Lighting .80
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 81
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 216
..............
Automatic Transmission . 253
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .390
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 317
.......................................
Shif ting .254
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 254
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 257
...........................
Automatic Wipers .85
Index
A
B
I

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .344
..............................
Brake Lights .344
......................
Cargo Area Light .347
................
Front Parking Lights . 342
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 342
.................................
Headlights .341
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 345
..............
Individual Map Lights . 346
...................
License Plate Light . 346
.................................
Rear Bulbs .344
............................
Specif ications .391
............
Turn Signal Lights . 342,344
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .341
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 66
................
Daytime Running Lights . 82
................................
Cancel Button .218
............................
Capacities Chart .390
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 62
..........................
Cargo Area Light .130
.............................
Carrying Cargo .245
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .180
...................
Operation . 151,177,191
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii...................................
CD Changer .155
..............................
CD Player .171, 194
........................
Certif ication Label .388
............................................
Chains .338
Change Oil ........................................
How to .309
......................................
When to .296
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .361
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 313
...
Charging System Indicator . 68,374
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 251
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 99
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 321
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .353
...................................
Carpeting .354
......................................
Exterior .352
.........................................
Fabric .355
.......................................
Interior .354
.......................................
Leather .355
...................................
Seat Belts .355
...........................................
Vinyl .355
....................................
Windows .356 ...............
Climate Control System . 134
......................................
Coat Hook .127
.....................
Code, Audio System .182
........................
CO in the Exhaust .397
........................................
Coin Box .127
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 252
..............................
Compact Spare .361
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 402
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 65
Coolant ........................................
Adding .311
....................................
Checking .241
.........................
Proper Solution .311
...................................
Replacing .313
...................
Temperature Gauge . 75
....................
Corrosion Protection .357
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .397
............
Cruise Control Operation . 216
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 402
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .355
...................................
Fan, Interior .138
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .133
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 237
Filters ...............................................
Air .321
.......................
Air Conditioning .331
...............................................
Oil .309
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 404
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 88
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 140
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .318
..........................
Digital Clock .150, 190
....................................
Dimensions .390
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 79
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 317
..................................
Engine Oil .240
..........................
Directional Signals .83
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 262
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .310
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 93
....................
Lockout Prevention . 94
......................
Power Door Locks .93
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....................................
Drive Belts .331
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .249
....................................
Economy .242
.........................
In Bad Weather .269
................
In Foreign Countries . 396
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .118 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
...................................
DVD Player .199
..............................
Economy, Fuel .242
............
Emergencies on the Road . 359
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 369
...........
Brake System Indicator . 377
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 361
.....
Charging System Indicator . 374
..................
Checking the Fuses . 380
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 373
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 375
..................
Overheated Engine . 371
.........................
Emergency Brake .117
......................
Emergency Flashers .87
......................
Emergency Towing .385
.......................
Emissions Controls .397
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 75
.................................
Drive Belts .331
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .68, 375
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 68,373
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 307...............................
Overheating .371
............................
Specif ications .391
............................
Speed Limiter .257
.......................................
Starting .252
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .395
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 397
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .62
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .398
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 354
Index
E
F
III

.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 341
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 87
........................................
Headlights .79
........................................
Aiming .341
....................
Automatic Lighting .80
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 81
............
Daytime Running Lights . 82
..................
High Beam Indicator . 71
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 79
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 79
.........................
Reminder Chime .79
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 341
...................................
Turning on .79
............................
Head Restraints .105
...............................
Heated Mirror .117
.....................
Heating and Cooling .134
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 252
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 79
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .229
....................................
Hood Latch .323
.......................
Hood, Opening the .238
..................................................
Horn .78
.................................
Hydroplaning .270
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 87
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 361
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 317
..........................................
Brake .319
..........................
Power Steering .320
...................
Transf er Assembly . 318
..................
Windshield Washer . 316
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .169
........................................
Fog Lights .88
..............
Folding the Second Seat . 106
.................
Folding the Third Seat . 107
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 396
..........................
Four-way Flashers .87
.................................................
Fuel .236
......................
Fill Door and Cap .237
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement . 236
...............................
Oxygenated .395
........................
Reserve Indicator .71
........................
Tank, Filling the .237
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .380 ...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 242
..........................................
Gasohol .395
.........................................
Gasoline .236
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 71
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement . 236
........................
Tank, Filling the .237
................
Gas Station Procedures . 237
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 75
...............................................
Fuel .75
...............................
Speedometer .74
.................................
Tachometer .74
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .272
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .272
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 254
..............................
Glass Cleaning .356
......................................
Glove Box .100
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .272
Index
GH
IV

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 255
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 236
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 388 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 371
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound .......................
System .145, 163,183
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .142
.......................
Rear Compartment .123
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 344
..........................
Rear View Mirror .115
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 88
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 87
.....
Reclining the Seat Backs . 102,103
.........
Reclining the Second Seats . 104
..............
Reclining the Third Seat . 104
.............................
Reminder Lights .67
................
Remote Audio Controls . 181
.......................
Remote Transmitter .95
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 321
.......................................
Coolant .313
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 309
..........................................
Fuses .380
................................
Light Bulbs .341
....................................
Schedule .296
................................
Spark Plugs .323
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 236
.........................................
Odometer .74
...............................
Odometer, Trip .75
Oil ........................
Change, How to .309
......................
Change, When to .296
......................
Checking Engine .240
..............
Pressure Indicator . 68,373
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .308
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 93
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 396
............................
Outside Mirrors .115
....................
Overheating, Engine .371
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .395 ..............................
Paint Touch-up .353
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 82
........................
Park Gear Position .254
...........................................
Parking .261
...............................
Parking Brake .117
.................................
Parking Lights .79
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 399
.............................
PGM-FI System .398
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 353
..............
Power Seat Adjustments . 101
............
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 .31
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .44
Index
N
O PR
VI

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
................................
Timing Belt .332
...........................................
Tires .336
.............................
Wiper Blades .328
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .49
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 241
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 255
................................
Rotation, Tire .335
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 46
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 404
.................................
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 . 63
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 46
...............
Additional Information . 46
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .48
.....................................
Cleaning .355 ......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .46
................................
Maintenance .49
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .46, 58
...................
System Components . 46
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
...............................................
Seats .101
..........
Folding the Second Seat . 106
.............
Folding the Third Seat . 107
........................
Head Restraints .105
.......
Reclining the Second Seat . 104
..........
Reclining the Third Seat . 104
......................
Rear Seat Access .106
...............................
Serial Number .388
...........................
Service Intervals .296
...........................
Service Manual .405
.........
Service Station Procedures . 237
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .254
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
........................
Shif t Lock Release .257
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .342
...............................
Signaling Turns .83
.....................................
Snow Tires .338 ...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 352
.................
Sound System . 145,163,183
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .360
............................
Specif ications .391
....................................
Spark Plugs .323
....................
Specif ications Charts . 390
................................
Speed Control .216
...................................
Speedometer .74
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 50
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 61
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 56
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .51
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 55
........................
SRS Components .50
..................................
SRS Service .60
.............................
SRS Indicator .56 ,68
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 93
.......................
Starting the Engine .252
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .252
................
With a Dead Battery . 369
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 371
Index
S
VII

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Rear Differential Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Transfer Assembly Fluid: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Front/Rear:
Compact Spare Tire:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
(see page ).
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only (see
page ).
307
320
319
318
317 319
19.21 US gal (72.7)