2008 Acura MDX cooling

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Forinstructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system, see page .This shows how much f uel you
have. It may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount.
434
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
72
U.S. model is shown.SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
\f—\f—\fy\f
\fy
()-
\fy\f\fy
2008 MDX

When you press a f an control button,
the fan is taken out of AUTO mode.
When the indicator in the dual
button is on, the driver’s side and
passenger’s side temperature can be
controlled independently (see page).
When the indicator in the rear
button is on, the temperature of the
rear passenger compartment can be
controlled independently (see page ).
When you set the temperature to its
lower limit ( ) or its upper limit
( ), the system runs at f ull
cooling or heating only. It does not
regulate the interior temperature.
When you press this button, the
indicator in the button comes on, and
the temperature of the rear
passenger compartment can be
adjusted separately with the
temperature control buttons on the
back of the center console. With the
indicator off, the temperature of the
rear passenger compartment is
synchronized to the driver’s side set
temperature. You will see the AUTO
SYNC on the system display of the
rear control panel. Changing the
temperature of the rear passenger
compartment also makes the
indicator to turn on, and takes the
system out of synchronized mode.
ThiscausesthewordSYNCinthe
displaytogoout.
In the Auto mode, the vehicle’s
interior temperature is
independently regulated f or the
driver, f ront passenger, and rear passengers according to each
adjusted temperature. The system
also regulates each temperature
basedontheinformationof thesun
light sensor and the sun position
which is updated automatically by
the navigation’s global positioning
system (GPS). For example, if the
driver’s side of the vehicle getting
too much sun, the system will adjust
to a lower temperature.
You can set the temperatures for the
driver’s side and the passenger’s side
separately when this button is
pressed (indicator is on). When the
indicator in the DUAL button is of f ,
the temperatures for both sides are
synchronized to the driver’s side set
temperature. When def rost mode is
selected, dual mode operation is
canceled.
177
177
On vehicles with navigation system
Climate Control System
Rear Button
Dual Button
172
\f—\f—\fy\fy
()-
\fy\f
y
2008 MDX

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
372
\f—\f—\fy
\f
y
()-
\fy\fy
2008 MDX

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Coolant
396
MAX
MIN
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—\fy
\f
\f\fy
()-
\fy\f\f
y
2008 MDX

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap cover. Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
3. 4.
1.
2. 5.
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
397
RADIATOR CAP COVER
RADIATOR CAP
\f—\f—\fy
\f
\fy
()-
\fy\f\fy
2008 MDX

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
6.
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
398
RESERVE TANK
MINMAX
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
\f—\f—\fy
\f

y
()-
\fy\f\fy
2008 MDX

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Vehicle Storage
422
\f—\f—\fy
\f
y
()-
\fy\fy
2008 MDX

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine and set the
climate control to AUTO at ‘‘Hi.’’
Add coolant to the radiator up to
the base of the f iller neck. If you
do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.9.
10.
11.
446
446
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
435
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—\fy
\f

y
()-
\fy\f\fy
2008 MDX