2003 Acura MDX Owner's Manua

The Transmission Number is on a
label on top of the transmission. The Engine Number is stamped into
the engine block. It is on the f ront.
Identif ication Numbers
T echnical Inf ormation389
ENGINE NUMBERAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER

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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

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation391
Tires Alignment Engine
Fuses
Battery Lights 60 W (HB3)
12 V
Size
Pressure60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
T155/90D16 110M P235/65R17 103T
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
1°53’0°50’ 0°50’
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
10.0 : 1
211.8 cu-in (3,471 cm
)
3.50 x 3.66 in (89.0 x 93.0 mm)
Interior
Under-hood
12 V 51 W (HB4)
3CP
12 V 50 CP
12 V 51 W (HB4)
12 V 2 CP (3.8 W)
12 V 24 CP (27 W)
12 V 21 W/5 W
12 V 21 CP (18 W)
12 V 3 CP
12 V 21 W
12 V 6.2 W
12 V 7 W 5W
5W
1.1 W
3.8 W
Capacity 12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V 20 AH/5 HR
Water cooled 4-stroke SOHC,
V6 gasoline engine
Headlights
Front side marker lights
Front turn signal lights/
Parking lights
Fog light
Rear side marker lights
Rear turn signal/hazard lights
Brake/Taillights
Backup lights
License plate lights
High-mount brake light
Individual map lights
Cargo area light
Tailgate light
Vanity mirror light
Door light See page
384or the fuse label
attached to the dashboard.
See page 384or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 383or the fuse box
cover.
See spark plug maintenance
section page 325 .
Front/Rear
Spare
Front/Rear
Spare Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Front
Rear Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
High
Low

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The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate. The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
T echnical Inf ormation
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T readwear
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading Traction AA, A, B, C
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
392

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The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinf la-
tion, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire
f ailure.
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T echnical Inf ormation
Temperature A,B,C
393

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The tires that came on your car have
a number of markings. Those you
should be aware of are described
below.
Whenever tires are replaced, they
should be replaced with tires of the
same size. Following is an example
tire size with an explanation of what
each component means.
Vehicletype(Pindicates
passenger vehicle).
Tire width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio (the tire’s section
height as a percentage of its
width).
Tire construction code (R
indicates radial). Load index (a numerical code
associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry). Rim diameter in inches.
Speed symbol (an
alphabetical code indicating
the maximum speed rating).
Tire Identif ication Number (TIN) is
a group of numbers and letters that
look like the f ollowing example TIN.
This indicates that the tire
meets all requirements of
the U.S. Department of
Transportation.Manuf acturer’s
identification mark.
Tire type code. Date of manuf acture.
P
225
55
R 94
V 16
DOT
B97R
FW6X2202
T echnical Inf ormation
Tire Inf ormation
Tire Labeling
Tire Size
T ire Ident if icat ion Number
394
DOT B97R FW6X 2202
P225/55R16 94V

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
MT BE ET HA NOL
MET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation395

If you are planning to take your
Acura outside the U.S., contact the
tourist bureaus in the areas you will
betravelingintofindoutaboutthe
availability of unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Acura will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your vehicle back
into compliance will require the re-
placement of several components,
such as the oxygen sensors and the
three way catalytic converter. These
replacements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation396