Page 310 of 479

µ
µ
µ µ
µ
µ
Select
this button to
delete the current message.
Select this button to hear a
voice read the entire message. This
gives you more information than the
screen can display at one time. When
you select the Voice button, it
ch anges to a Stop Reading button.
Select the button again to stop the
voice.
Select this button to call a
phone number embedded in the
message. When you select , the
HandsFreeLink (HFL) dials the
number for you. Select
this
button to get more information about
the current diagnostic message. To
use this option, your cellphone must
be paired with the HFL. In addition,
the paired phone must have a
compatible data service and be set
up with the AcuraLink system to
make a data connection. Access the
hands freelink.com website to find
out which data services are currently
compatible with AcuraLink.
To set your AcuraLink preferences
(thetypesofmessagesyouwantto
receive, if an y), visit the Own er Link
website at
www.ow ners.acura.com,
and choose what you would like to
receive. If you do not have internet
access, call Acura Client Services at
(800) 382-2238; they can set your
message preferences for you.
Select
this button to find the nearest
Acura dealer using the navigation
system.
Select
this button to call the Acura dealer
you purchased your vehicle from.
AcuraLink also directs you to this
dealer so you can schedule a
maintenance appointment or receive
information about a message. If your
assigned servicing dealer changes,
AcuraLink will reset to call that
dealer.
To make a call, your Bluetooth
compatible phone must be paired to
the vehicle’s HandsFreeLink system,
powered on, and located within the
vehicle(seepage ). 276
Delete
Voice
Call
Call Diagnostic Inf o
Message Pref erences
Find Nearest Acura Dealer
Call Your A cura Dealer
AcuraLink
306
——y
y
()-y
y
Page 312 of 479
There are six message categories in
AcuraLink: Quick Tips, Feature
Guides, Maintenance Minders,
Recalls/Campaigns, Diagnostic Inf o,
and Dealer Appointment Reminders.
The system can store up to 256
messages.
Message categories can be added,
revised, or deleted through
broadcast messages f rom Acura.These messages, based on updated
vehicle inf ormation and comments
f rom other MDX owners,
supplement your Owner’s Manual
and Quick Start Guide. They provide
you with relevant inf ormation f or a
safe and enjoyable ownership
experience. For additional
inf ormation, call Acura Client
Services directly through the HFL.During the f irst 90 days of
ownership, one of up to 32 dif f erent
messages appears each day. These
messages help you to use and
understand the f eatures of your
vehicle. Feature Guide
Quick T ips
Message Categories
AcuraLink
308
——y
y
()-y
y
Page 313 of 479
If your vehicle is af f ected by a recall
or other important saf ety
inf ormation, a letter will be mailed to
you about the issue and how to f ix it.
If you don’t get your vehicle f ixed,
you will also receive a reminder
message through AcuraLink. You
can then use the message options to
call your dealer f or an appointment
or to f ind the nearest dealer.
You can then use the message
options to call your dealer f or an
appointment or to f ind the nearest
dealer.
These messages provide detailed
inf ormation about the service
needed f or your vehicle. When a
maintenance message appears on
the multi-information display, a list of
needed maintenance items also
appearsinanAcuraLinkmessage.
These messages tell you the exact
maintenance needed, helping you to
avoid unnecessary maintenance
costs. Recall/Campaigns
Maintenance Minder
AcuraLink
Features
309
——y
y
()-y
y
Page 320 of 479

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
perf ormance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
316
——y
y
()-y
y
Page 324 of 479
Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Hold the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel, and then
insert it all the way back in its hole. Remove
the dipstick again, and
ch eck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .Look
at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
3. 2.
4.
390
381
387
Oil Check
A dding Engine OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
320
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
——y
y
()-yy
Page 325 of 479
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehic le uses extra
fuel. Use cruise control when
appropriate. Combine
several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Always
maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages. See (page ).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion. 381
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
321
——y
y
()-yy
Page 374 of 479

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in D position will help you
have a smoother start on snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
Bef ore driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that: The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components.
do not try to
turn around
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember Accelerating and Braking
Avoiding ObstaclesDriving on Slopes
Crossing a Stream
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
370
——y
y
()-yy
Page 377 of 479

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself . ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .374
....................
Maintenance Minder .375
....................
Maintenance Record .383
..............................
Fluid Locations .385
.......
Engine Compartment Cover .386
........................
Adding Engine Oil .387
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .388
..............................
Engine Coolant .390
....................
Windshield Washers .392
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .393
....................................
Brake Fluid .395
....................
Power Steering Fluid .396
....................................
Timing Belt .396
.............................................
Lights .397
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .403
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .403
.....................................
Floor Mats .404
.................................
Wiper Blades .405
...........................................
Wheels .408
...............................................
Tires .409
...................
Checking the Battery .415
.............................
Vehicle Storage .416
463
Maintenance
Maint enance
373
——y
y
()-yy