2003 Acura MDX transmission oil

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .294
.
Important Safety Precautions . 295
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 296
...
Required Maintenance Record . 303
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
..............................
Fluid Locations .306
......................................
Engine Oil .307
..................................
Adding Oil .307
....................
Recommended Oil .307
..............................
Synthetic Oil .308
....................................
Additives .308
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 309
.............................
Cooling System .311
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 311
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 313
....................
Windshield Washers .316
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 317
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .318
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 318
....................................
Brake Fluid .319
............................
Brake System .319
..............................
Power Steering .320
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .321
....................................
Hood Latch .323
....................................
Spark Plugs .323
..............................
Replacement .323 ............................
Specif ications .325
...........................................
Battery .326
.................................
Wiper Blades .328
..............
Air Conditioning System . 330
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
.....................................
Drive Belts .331
....................................
Timing Belt .332
...............................................
Tires .332
......................................
Inf lation .332
..................................
Inspection .334
..............................
Maintenance .335
.............................
Tire Rotation .335
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 336
......................
Wheels and Tires .337
..........................
Winter Driving .337
.............................
Snow Tires .338
............................
Tire Chains .338
.............................................
Lights .339
.....................
Headlight Aiming .341
........................
Replacing Bulbs .341
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .349
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
405
Maintenance
Maint enance293

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Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only
drive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
298
Visually inspect the following items:
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Necessary for proper break-in of the VTM-4 rear differential. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Service at the indicated distance or
time whichever comes first.
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
15
24
12
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
30
48
24
60
96
48
45
72
36 75
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Replace transfer assembly fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least
once per month)
:
1: Adjust only if noisy
297
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance299
Canadian owners: A, B, C, D
A
B
C
D
Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval. Follow this
schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page335).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system .
Inspect fuel lines and connections .
Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Replace rear differential fluid.
7,500 mi/12,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km
6yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
9yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
then every 60,000 mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D .
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Replace transmission fluid.
Replace transfer assembly fluid. Do items in A,
B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A. Replace transmission fluid.
Replace transfer assembly fluid. Do items in A,
B.
Do items in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A. Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump.
Replace transmission fluid.
Replace transfer assembly fluid.
Inspect valve clearance.
Replace spark plugs. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Replace engine coolant.


See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Necessary for proper break-in of the VTM-4 rear differential.
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: :
1: 297
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than
10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods
of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you drive
your vehicle
MAINLYunder one or
more of the f ollowing conditions:
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
300
Visually inspect the following items:
Follow this schedule for rear differential
fluid replacement if you use your vehicle
for off-highway driving, trailer towing,
or mainly in stop-and go driving.
Otherwise, use the fluid replacement
schedule in the Maintenance Schedule
for Normal Conditions.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Service at the indicated distance or
time whichever comes first.
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
15
24
12
30
48
2445
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Replace transfer assembly fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least
once per month) Adjust only if noisy
Refer to page332for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Refer to page 331for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
See page 297.
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2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

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CONT INUED
Maint enance301
Canadian Owners U.S. Owners A, B, C, D
B
C A
D
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
3,750 mi/6,000 km
7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos
11,250 mi/18,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km
22,500 mi/36,000 km
26,250 mi/42,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km
37,500 mi/60,000 km
41,250 mi/66,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km
52,500 mi/84,000 km
56,250 mi/90,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km
67,500 mi/108,000 km
71,250 mi/114,000 km Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page335).
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Replace air cleaner element every 15,000 mi
(24,000 km) under dusty conditions. Otherwise, use
Normal Conditions schedule.
Replace rear differential fluid .
Check parking brake adjustment.
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system .
Inspect fuel lines and connections .
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace transmission fluid.
Replace transfer assembly fluid.
Replace dust and pollen filter .
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
300
3
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
240
241
317 319 332
339
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance305

Fluid Locations
Maint enance306
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
A dditives
308
Ambient Temperature