2004 Acura MDX check oil

µµ
If it is not, slowly add proper f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole.
Reinstall the f iller plug and tighten it
securely.
Tightening torque:
UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
transf er assembly.
Viscosity
The transf er assembly f luid should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule. Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly. Replace it
according to the maintenance
schedule recommendations.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. Using any non-Honda
brake fluid can cause corrosion and
decrease the lif e of the system. Have
the brake system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Tightening torque:
T ransf er A ssembly Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid
212
MAX
MIN
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within ten seconds, turn of f
the engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
GotoanAcuradealeroraservice
station where you can get technical
assistance.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
3.
4.161
205
244
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
242
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 163
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 101
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 206
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 22
..............
Air Conditioning System . 104
.....................
Rear A/C Control .109
.........................................
Usage .105
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .106
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .221
......................................
Antif reeze .208
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .59, 181
...................................
Operation .181
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 129
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 79
................
Audio System . 110,115,125
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.........................
Automatic Lighting .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 144
..............
Automatic Transmission . 172
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .254
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 210.......................................
Shif ting .172
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 172
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 172
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 175
...........................
Automatic Wipers .70
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .58, 242
............................
Jump Starting .238
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .255
..............................
Bef ore Driving .157
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders .99
..................................
Booster Seats .48
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 181
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 158
...........................................
Fluid .212
....................
Bulb Replacement .216
.........................................
Parking .92
.................
System Indicator . 59,244
........................
Wear Indicators .180 .............................
Braking System .180
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 158
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 74
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .216
..............................
Brake Lights .216
................
Front Parking Lights . 215
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 215
.................................
Headlights .214
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 217
.................................
Rear Bulbs .216
............................
Specif ications .255
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 215
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .214
Index
A
B
I

Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 74
.................................
Dead Battery .238
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 268
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 107
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .211
....................................
Dimensions .254
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 72
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 210
..................................
Engine Oil .161
..........................
Directional Signals .72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 180
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .207
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
....................
Lockout Prevention . 80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
................................
Cancel Button .144
............................
Capacities Chart .254
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 51
.............................
Carrying Cargo .165
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .127
...................................
Operation .125
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .119
..........................
CD Changer .116, 117
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 122
.......................................
CD Player .116
.........
CD Player Error Messages . 120
........................
Certif ication Label .252
...................................
Chains, .225
Change Oil ........................................
How to .206
......................................
When to .197
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .231
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,242
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 170
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 80
.....................................
Child Saf ety .33
..............................
Booster Seats .48 .............................
Child Seats .40, 41
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 36
..........................................
Inf ants .38
..........................
Larger Children .47
.........................................
LATCH .42
......................
Risks with Airbags .34
.............................
Small Children .39
..........................................
Tether .45
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 34
.......................................
Child Seats .40
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 45
...............
Climate Control System . 104
..............................................
Clock .130
.....................
Code, Audio System .129
........................
CO in the Exhaust .259
......................
Compact Spare Tire .230
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 266
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .208
....................................
Checking .162
.........................
Proper Solution .208
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .259
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 61............
Cruise Control Operation . 144
.....................................
Cup Holders .99
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 266
tires
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .105
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .103
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 159Filters
...............................................
Oil .206
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 231
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 210
..........................................
Brake .212
......................
Dif f erential Fluid .211
..........................
Power Steering .213
...................
Transf er Assembly . 211
..................
Windshield Washer . 209
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .113
........................................
Fog Lights .75
................
Folding the Second Seat . 87
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 88
..........................
Four-way Flashers .74
........................................
Front Seat .84
......................................
Adjusting .84
.........................................
Airbags .23
.........................................
Heaters .89
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 256
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .169
....................................
Economy .162
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .94
..................
DVD Error Messages . 140
...................................
DVD Player .133
..............................
Economy, Fuel .162
..................................
Emergencies .229
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 238
...........
Brake System Indicator . 244
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 231
.....
Charging System Indicator . 242
..................
Checking the Fuses . 246
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 74
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 242
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 243
..................
Overheated Engine . 240
.......................................
Towing .244
...........................
Emergency Brake .92
......................
Emergency Flashers .74
......................
Emergency Towing .244 .......................
Emissions Controls .259
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .58, 243
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,242
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating .240
............................
Specif ications .255
............................
Speed Limiter .174
.......................................
Starting .171
...................
Engine, .237
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 259
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .260
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
...................................
High Beam .61
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 59
.....................................
Lights On .62
......................................
Low Fuel .61
........................
Low Oil Pressure .58
......................
Low Tire Pressure .64
...............
Maintenance Required . 65
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .58
.......................................
Seat Belt .58
...............................................
SRS .58
...............
Tire Pressure Monitor . 64
.............................
TPMS System .64
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .60
............................
VSA Activation .63
.................................
VSA System .63
..........................................
VTM-4 .62
..............................
Washer Level .61
....................
Individual Map Lights .97
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .38
......................................
Inf ant Seats .38
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 221
...................................
Inside Mirror .92
.............................
Inspection, Tire .222
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 74.................................
Interior Lights .96
........................................
Introduction .i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 234
.......................................
Jack, Tire .231
................................
Jump Starting .238
..................................................
Keys .77
..................................
Maintenance .195
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .198
.................................
Record .201-203
......................
Required Indicator .65
..........................................
Saf ety .196
.............................
Schedule .197-200
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 58,243
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 85
.......................
Label, Certif ication .252
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 72
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 14,19
......................
Light Control Switch .96
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .214
.......................................
Indicator .58
.........................................
Interior .96
.........................................
Parking .72
..................................
Turn Signal .72
.............................
Load Limit .166, 185 ......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 79
............................
Fuel Fill Door .159
....................................
Glove Box .99
....................
Lockout Prevention . 80
.................................
Power Door .80
........................
Low Coolant Level .162
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .61
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,242
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 254
...............
Luggage, .165
storing (cargo)
Index
J
L K
M
V

.............
Memory, Driving Position . 94
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .92
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 164
.........................................
Moonroof .91
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 173
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 158
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 252
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 158
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 192
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 192
Oil ........................
Change, How to .206
......................
Change, When to .199
......................
Checking Engine .161
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58,242 Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .205
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
..............................
Outside Mirrors .92
....................
Overheating, Engine .240
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 198
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .158
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 74
........................
Park Gear Position .173
...........................................
Parking .179
.................................
Parking Brake .92
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 261
.............................
PGM-FI System .260
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 84
...............
Power Socket Locations . 101
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .33
.....................
General Guidelines .33
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .38 .......
Protecting Larger Children . 47
.........
Protecting Small Children . 39
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .45
.............................
Using LATCH .42
...................
Radiator Overheating . 240
Radio/CD/Cassette Sound .......................
System .110, 115,125
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .109
............
Rear Audio Control Panel . 135
........
Rear Entertainment System . 131
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 216
............................
Rear View Mirror .92
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 71
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 84,85
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 87
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 88
.............................
Reminder Lights .58
................
Remote Audio Controls . 128
.................
Remote Control (RES) . 137
.......................
Remote Transmitter .81
Index
N
O P
R
VI

.............................
SRS Indicator .28 ,58
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 79
.......................
Starting the Engine .171
................
With a Dead Battery . 238
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 240
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 79
...
Stereo Sound System . 110,115,125
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .227
........................................
Sun Visor .100
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .31
.........................
SRS Indicator .28 ,58
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil .206
.....................................
Tachometer .66
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 216
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 229
....................................
Tape Player .125
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 256
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 259Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .261
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 20
............................
Thef t Protection .129
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 261
....................................
Timing Belt .213
....................................
Tire Chains .225
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 231
.................................
Tire Labeling .258
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .178
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .64, 177
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 64,178
..................
TPMS Indicator . 64,178
...............................................
Tires .221
..............................
Air Pressure .221
.........................
Checking Wear .222
..........................
Compact Spare .230
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 256
......................................
Inf lation .221
..................................
Inspection .222
..............................
Maintenance .223
...................................
Replacing .224
......................................
Rotating .223 ...........................................
Snow .225
............................
Specif ications .255
................................
Tire Chains .225
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .188
................
Emergency Wrecker . 244
....
Equipment and Accessories . 188
.............................
Weight Limit .185
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .190
.........................
Trailer Loading .185
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 189
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 211
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 210
...........................
Fluid Selection .210
..............
Identif ication Number . 252
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 172
.....................................
Treadwear .256
.......................................
Trip Meter .67
....................................
Turn Signals .72
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 231
Index
T
VIII