Page 375 of 479

The banks are sloped so you can
drive out.
The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.
The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties.
If you decide it is saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed, and proceed without shif ting,
changing speeds, stopping, or
shutting of f the engine. If you get stuck, caref ully try to go in
the direction (f orward or reverse)
that you think will get you unstuck.
Donotspinthetiresathighspeeds.
It will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
SH-AWD system.
After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally. If you are still unable to f ree yourself ,
your vehicle is equipped with f ront
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose.
Use a nylon strap to attach the MDX
to the recovery vehicle and caref ully
take out the slack in the strap. Once
the strap is tight, the recovery
vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoidbecoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip of f the jack and hurt you
or someone else.
You may be able to safely tow a
lightweight trailer (such as a
motorcycle or small tent trailer) of f -
road if you f ollow these guidelines.
Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45
kg).
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
Allow extra room f or starting,
stopping, and turning.
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles.
If You Get Stuck
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Driving
371
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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
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Page 378 of 479

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts. Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts. Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
374
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual. Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
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Page 379 of 479

µ
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One
of the most convenient and
important features of the multi-
info rmation display on your vehicle
is the maintenance minder.
Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life.
The system also displays the code
for other scheduled maintenance
items needing service. The
remaining engine oil life is
displayed according to the table
shown below.
Calculated Engine
Oil Life (%)
100% 91%
90% 81%
80% 71%
70% 61%
60% 51%
50% 41%
40% 31%
30% 21%
20% 16%
15% 11%
10% 6%
5% 1%
0% Displayed
Engine Oil Life
(%)
100% 90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15%
10% 5%
0%
To
see the remaining engine oil life
displayed on the multi -information
display as a percentage, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. Make sure the display
shows blank, SH-AWD and tire
pressure, and then press the SEL/
RESETbuttononthesteeringwheel
repeatedly until the engine oil lif e
appears (see page ). 73
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e
Maint enance
375
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
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Page 380 of 479
µ
Press
the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil life. The message
‘‘SERVICE’’, along with ‘‘5%’’, and the
maintenance item code are displayed
on the lower part of the multi-
information display when the
calculated engine oil life is 1 5
percent (see page ).
When
the remaining oil life is 1 to 5
percent, the multi-information
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
NOW’’ message with the same
maintenance items ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ was displayed with. When
you see this message have the
indicated maintenance performed as
soon as possible.
When
the rem aining engine oil life is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-info rmation
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ message along with the
maintenance schedule code
indicating the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change.
Ref er to page f or a complete list
of the maintenance main items and
sub items. 382
375
Maintenance Minder
376
MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM
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Page 381 of 479

ÝÛÝÛ
µ
If the indicated maintenance service
is not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e reaches 0 %, the multi-
inf ormation display will show the
message ‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’
and the maintenance item code(s).
This message is displayed when the
total mileage is less than 10 miles
(f or U.S. models)/10 km (f or
Canadian models) af ter the engine
oillifebecame0%. These messages will come on every
time you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position.
Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the oil lif e minder as previously
described.
The message will be canceled if the
or buttononthesteeringwheel
is pressed. Press the or button
to see the message again.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e. The message
‘‘SERVICE’’, along with ‘‘0 %’’, and
the maintenance item code are
displayed on the lower part of the
multi-inf ormation display when the
calculated engine oil lif e is 0 1 %.
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
377
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Page 382 of 479

ÝÛÝÛ
If the indicated required service is
not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e becomes 0 %, the multi-
inf ormation display will show a
‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’ message,
thetotalmileageaftertheremaining
oillifebecame0%,andthe
maintenance item code(s). This message is displayed when you
drive over 10 miles (f or U.S. models)
or 10 km (f or Canadian models)
after seeing the 0 % message.
Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the display as previously described.
The message will be canceled if the
or buttononthesteeringwheel
is pressed. Press the or button
to see the message again.
When you press the SEL/RESET
button to select the engine oil lif e,
the message ‘‘SERVICE’’, along with
the maintenance item code and the
total negative mileage af ter the oil
lif e became 0 %, will be displayed on
the lower part of the multi-
inf ormation display.
Maintenance Minder
378
MAINTENANCE CODE
CANADA U.S.
TOTAL PAST DUE MILEAGE
TOTAL PAST DUE MILEAGE
U.S.
CANADA
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Page 383 of 479

ÛÝ
All
the maintenance items displayed
in the multi-information display are
in code.
For an explanation of the
maintenance codes, see page .Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the display the
next time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
f ollows:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
If the engine oil lif e is not
displayed, press the SEL/RESET
buttononthesteeringwheel
repeatedly the multi-information
display shows blank, SH-AWD and
tire pressure. Select ‘‘RESET’’ by pressing the
INFO ( / ) button, then press
the SEL/RESET button to reset
the engine oil lif e display. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’ If you want to
cancel the oil lif e reset mode,
select ‘‘CANCEL.’’
Press and hold the SEL/RESET
button on the steering wheel f or more than 10 seconds. The
remaining engine oil lif e reset
mode will be shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
1.
2.
3. 4.
382
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items Resetting the Engine Oil Lif e
Display
Maint enance
379
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS
MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS
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