This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm 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 minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .382
....................
Maintenance Minder .383
..............................
Fluid Locations .391
.......
Engine Compartment Cover .392
........................
Adding Engine Oil .393
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .394
..............................
Engine Coolant .396
....................
Windshield Washers .398
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .399
....................................
Brake Fluid .401
....................
Power Steering Fluid .402
....................................
Timing Belt .402
.............................................
Lights .403
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .409
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .409
.....................................
Floor Mats .410
.................................
Wiper Blades .411
...............................................
Tires .415
...................
Checking the Battery .421
.............................
Vehicle Storage .422
469
Maintenance
Maint enance
381
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2008 MDX
ÌÌ
µµ
Ì
Maintenance Minder
390
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: 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 Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid
Symbol
Symbol
A B 1
2
3
4
5
61
1
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12
months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first
column on page .
Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy. 389
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every
60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
:
1:
NOTE :
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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Fluid Locations
Maint enance
391
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop) ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
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2008 MDX
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Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark. Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add
f luid, contact your dealer.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicle in any of the f ollowing
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer.
Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
402
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .330
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.....................................
Position) .129
............
Accessory Power Sockets .166
...........................
AC Power Outlet .167
................
Active Damper System .361
.....................................
Acura Link .308
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .394
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,24
..............
Air Conditioning System .170
.....................
Rear A/C Control .175
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .177
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .415
......................................
Antif reeze .396
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light .66,357
...................................
Operation .357
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .235
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .129
................
Audio System .180,181,200
Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .339
..........
Automatic Climate Control .170 .......................
Automatic Lighting .119
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .270
..............
Automatic Transmission .341
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .452
...............
Checking Fluid Level .399
.......................................
Shif ting .341
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .341
................
Shif t Lever Positions .342
....................
Shif t Lock Release .346
................................
Cancel Button .272
............................
Capacities Chart .452
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65,436
............................
Jump Starting .432
..............................
Maintenance .421
............................
Specif ications .453
..............................
Bef ore Driving .321
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders .163
..................................
Booster Seats .55
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .357 .............
Break-in, New Linings .322
...........................................
Fluid .401
.......................................
Parking .153
.................
System Indicator .65,438
........................
Wear Indicators .357
.............................
Braking System .356
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .322
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .123
......................
Brights, Headlights .118
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .407
................
Front Parking Lights .404
........
Front Side Marker Lights .404
.................................
Headlights .403
.................................
Rear Bulbs .406
............................
Specif ications .453
....................
Turn Signal Lights .404
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .403
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
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2008 MDX
CONT INUED
............................
Disc Player .190,218
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .395
Doors
............
Locking and Unlocking .130
..................
Lockout Prevention .131
........................................
Monitor .11
....................
Power Door Locks .130
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .454
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .337
....................................
Economy .327
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .157
......
DVD Player Error Messages .265
...................................
DVD Player .240 ...................................
Fan, Interior .173
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .169
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .323
Filters
...............................................
Oil .394
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .122
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .425
.....................................
Floor Mats .410
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .399
..........................................
Brake .401
..........................
Power Steering .402
..................
Windshield Washer .398
..............................
Economy, Fuel .327
..................................
Emergencies .423
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .432
...........
Brake System Indicator .438
................
Changing a Flat Tire .425
.....
Charging System Indicator .436
..................
Checking the Fuses .440
...........
Driving with a Flat Tire .424 .......
Hazard Warning Flashers .122
............................
Jump Starting .432
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .436
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .437
..................
Overheated Engine .434
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .446
.......................................
Towing .446
.........................
Emergency Brake .153
....................
Emergency Flashers .122
......................
Emergency Towing .446
.......................
Emissions Controls .460
........................
Emissions Testing .463
Engine
............
Check Starting System .340
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .72
.........................
If it Won’t Start .431
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .65,437
.......................................
Oil Lif e .383
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .65,436
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .393
...............................
Overheating .434
............................
Specif ications .453
............................
Speed Limiter .346
.......................................
Starting .339 .
Evaporative Emissions Controls .460
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .461
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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2008 MDX
CONT INUED
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .423
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .454
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .322
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .395
..........................................
Tailgate .131
...............................
Opening the .131
..............................
Open Monitor .11
.........................................
Power .132
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .406
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .423
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .454
.....
Emissions Control Systems .460
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .461
.......................
Temperature Gauge .72
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .179
....................
Temperature, Outside .76
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .22
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .235
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .462
.
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel .124
....................................
Timing Belt .402
....................................
Tire Chains .420
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .425
.................................
Tire Labeling .456 Tire Pressure Monitoring
............
System (TPMS) .351,458
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .68,351
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor .77,352
...............................................
Tires .415
..............................
Air Pressure .415
.........................
Checking Wear .417
..........................
Compact Spare .424
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .454
......................................
Inf lation .415
..................................
Inspection .417
..............................
Maintenance .418
...................................
Replacing .418
......................................
Rotating .418
...........................................
Snow .419
............................
Specif ications .453
................................
Tire Chains .420
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .425
Torque Distribution Monitor
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .363
................
Emergency Wrecker .446
....
Equipment and Accessories .368
.............................
Weight Limit .364 .........................
Trailer Loading .364
..............
Trailer Stability Assist .376
.................
Trailer Towing Tips .372
..................
Trailer Stability Assist .375
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .399
...........................
Fluid Selection .400
..............
Identif ication Number .450
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .341
.....................................
Treadwear .417
................................
Trip Computer .78
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .67
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .425
Index
INDEX
U
IX
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(SH-AWD®)............................... .348
2008 MDX
Î
Î
................
XM Satellite Radio .185,210
................................
Vanity Mirror .166
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .333
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .452
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .450
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .359
..
VSA System Indicator .67,81,359
VSA Activation
....................
Indicator .67,81,359
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .360
.............................
Vehicle Storage .422
.....................................
Ventilation .177
.................................................
VIN .450
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .393
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .59
..................
Warranty Coverages .467
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .398
............................
Level Indicator .82
...................................
Operation .116 Wheels
.............
Adjusting the Steering .124
............
Alignment and Balance .418
..........
Aluminum Alloy Wheels .421
.....................................
Cleaning .421
..........................
Compact Spare .424
..............................
Wrench, Nut .427
Windows .............................
Auto Reverse .150
................
Operating the Power .149
.........................
Rear, Def ogger .122
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .116
...................................
Def roster .174
.....................................
Washers .116
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .411
...................................
Operation .116
Rear Windshield Wiper and
...................................
Washer .117
....................................
Worn Tires .417
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .446
:U.S.only
Index
W
X
V
X
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2008 MDX