2003 Acura MDX coolant

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ). Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.10.
11.
12.
385
241 385
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
372
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.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation390
Dimensions
Air Conditioning Weights
Capacities
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb. 1.88 US gal (7.1
)
2.38 US gal (9.0)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
2.9 US qt (2.7)
7.7 US qt (7.3)
19.21 US gal (72.7
)
188.5 in (4,789 mm)
76.3 in (1,938 mm)
68.7 in (1,744 mm)
71.3 in (1,811 mm)
106.3 in (2,700 mm)
66.3 in (1,685 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
9,700 lbs (4,400 kg)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
2.9 US qt (2.7
)
3.0 US qt (2.8)
0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
Standard
Premium
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering fluid
cooler.
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
1:
2: Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
2 1 1
2

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

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .90
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 364
.......................................
Jack, Tire .361
................................
Jump Starting .369
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 388
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .90
...........................................
Switch .92
............
Timing Control System . 398
........................
Immobilizer System .91
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 67
..................
Individual Map Lights . 130
.........................
Inf ant Restraint .27, 31
................................
Inf ant Seats .27, 31
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 332
.................................
Inside Mirror .115
.............................
Inspection, Tire .334
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,66
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 82
...........................
Interior Cleaning .354
...............................
Interior Lights .128
........................................
Introduction . i.......................
Label, Certif ication .388
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 83
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,46
....................
Light Control Switch .128
.............................................
Lights .339
....................
Bulb Replacement .341
.......................................
Indicator .61
.......................................
Interior .128
.........................................
Parking .79
..................................
Turn Signal .83
.....................................
Load Limit .246
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 92
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 92
............................
Fuel Fill Door .237
..................................
Glove Box .100
....................
Lockout Prevention . 94
.................................
Power Door .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .241
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .71 ...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 68,373
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 390
.........................................
Luggage .245
..................................
Maintenance .293
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
.................................
Record .303-304
......................
Required Indicator .76
..........................................
Saf ety .294
.............................
Schedule .296-302
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 68,375
............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 103
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 118
...............................
Meters, Gauges .74
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 395
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .116
.......................................
Moonroof .114
......................
Closing Manually .378
...................................
Operation .114
Index
J L K
M
V

...................
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