2009 Acura MDX check oil

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certification Seal
says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines. ’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
393
Maint enance
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

3. Remove the oil filter, and let theremaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil filter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it before installing a
new oil filter. 4. Install a new oil filter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean off any dirt and
dust on the connecting surface of a
new oil filter.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m, 4.0 kgf·m)
6. Refill the engine with the recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3 L) 7. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn off the
engine, and check your work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine and let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
OIL FILTER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
395
Maint enance
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page326).An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page393).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
446). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display (see
page81).
Immediately turn off 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.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator43608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
330
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
166
AC Power Outlet
........................
167
Active Damper System
...............
361
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
307
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
394
Advanced Airbags
.................. ......
29
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
170
Rear A/C Control
....................
175
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
177
Air Pressure, Tires
.....................
415
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
322
Antifreeze
...................................
396
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
66, 357
Operation
................................
357
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
235 Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock
.......................................
129
Audio System
..............
180, 181,200
Auto Control Mode, Starting
Engine
....................................
339
Automatic Climate Control
.........
170
Automatic Lighting
....................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
.................. .............
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
270
Automatic Transmission
............
341
Capacity, Fluid
........................
452
Checking Fluid Level
..............
399
Shifting
...................................
341
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
341
Shift Lever Positions
...............
342
Shift Lock Release
...................
346
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
232
B
Battery Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 436 Jump Starting
..........................
432
Maintenance
...........................
421
Specifications
..........................
453
Before Driving
...........................
321
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
163
Booster Seats
...............................
55
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
357
Break-in, New Linings
.............
322
Bulb Replacement
...................
406
Fluid
.......................................
401
Parking
...................................
153
System Indicator
...............
65, 438
Wear Indicators
.......................
357
Braking System
..........................
356
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
322
Brightness Control, Instruments
............................
123
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Bulb ReplacementBack-up Lights
........................
407
Brake Lights
...........................
406
Front Parking Lights
...............
404
Front Side Marker Lights
........
404
Headlights
..............................
403
Rear Bulbs
..............................
406
Specifications
..........................
453
Taillights
.................................
406
Turn Signal Lights
..........
404, 406
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
403
C
Cancel Button
............................
272
Capacities Chart
.........................
452
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
...... ......
58
Cargo
.........................................
332
Cargo Area Light
........................
161
Cargo Hook
................................
336
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
332
Carrying Cargo
..........................
332
CAUTION, Explanation of
...... .......
iii
CD Care
.....................................
229
Certification Label
......................
450 Chains, Tires
..............................
420
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
425
Changing Oil How to
....................................
394
When to
..................................
383
Charging System Indicator
...........................
65, 436
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
338
Childproof Door Locks
...............
131
Child Safety
..................................
37
Booster Seats
...........................
55
Child Seats
..........................
42, 45
Important Safety Reminders.....
41
Infants
......................................
42
Large Children
.........................
54
LATCH
.....................................
47
Risks with Airbags
...................
38
Small Children
.........................
43
Tethers
....................................
51
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
38
Child Seats
.............................
37, 45
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
47
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
51
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
409
Client Services
...........................
466
Climate Control System
.............
170 Clock
..........................................
236
Code, Audio System
...................
235
CO in the Exhaust
................
58, 460
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
339
Compact Spare Tire
....................
424
Console Compartment
...............
164
Consumer Information (U.S. only)
.......................................
466
Controls, Instruments and
............
61
Coolant Adding
....................................
396
Checking
................................
326
Proper Solution
.......................
396
Temperature Gauge
.................
72
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
460
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
70
Cruise Control Operation
...........
270
Cup Holders
...............................
163
Customize Settings
.. ....................
83
Door/Window Setup
...............
105
Lighting Setup
.........................
100
Meter Setup
.............................
89
Position Setup
..........................
97
Setting to Default
.....................
86
Wiper Setup
............................
113
IndexII08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

D
DANGER, Explanation of
..............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
120
Dead Battery
..............................
432
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
468
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
122
Defrosting the Windows
............
174
Differential Fluid
........................
452
Dimensions
................................
452
Dimming the Headlights
............
118
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
399
Engine Oil
...............................
326
Directional Signals
.......................
67
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
357
Disc Care
........ ...........................
229
Disc Changer
......................
190, 218
Disc Changer Error Messages
........................
199, 228
Disc Player
..........................
190, 218
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
395
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
131 Locking and Unlocking
...........
130
Lockout Prevention
.................
131
Monitor
................ ....................
11
Power Door Locks
..................
130
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
454
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
337
Economy
.................................
327
Driving Guidelines
.....................
338
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
157
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
409
DVD Player
................................
239
DVD Player Error Messages
...............................
265
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
327
Emergencies on the Road
..........
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
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................................
437
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
446
Overheated Engine
.................
434
Towing
....................................
446
Emergency Brake
......................
153
Emergency Flashers
..................
122
Emergency Towing
....................
446
Emissions Controls
....................
460
Emissions Testing
......................
463
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

EngineAdding Engine Coolant
...........
396
Check Starting System
............
340
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
72
If it Won ’t Start
........................
431
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 437
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
383
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
65, 436
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
393
Overheating
............................
434
Specifications
..........................
453
Speed Limiter
..........................
346
Starting
...................................
339
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
322
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
460
Exhaust Fumes
............................
58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
461
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
18 F
Fan, Interior
...............................
173
Features, Comfort and Convenience
...........................
169
Filling the Fuel Tank
..................
323
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
409
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
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
205
Fog Lights
..................................
120
Folding the Second Seat
.............
144
Folding the Third Seat
...............
145
Four-way Flashers
......................
122
Front Airbags
...........................
9, 27 Front Seat
..................................
140
Adjusting
.............................. ...
140
Airbags
.................................
9, 27
Heaters
...................................
148
Fuel
............................................
322
Fill Door and Cap
....................
323
Gauge
......................................
72
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
71
Octane Requirement
...............
322
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
446
Oxygenated
.............................
322
Reserve Indicator
.....................
71
Tank, Filling the
......................
323
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
324
Fuel Economy
............................
327
Fuses, Checking the
..................
440
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
327
Gasohol
......................................
322
Gasoline
.....................................
322
Gauge
......................................
72
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
71
IndexIV08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Fuel Fill Door
..........................
323
Glove Box
...............................
164
Lockout Prevention
.................
131
Power Door
.............................
130
Tailgate
...........................
131, 132
Low Coolant Level
......................
326
Lower Anchors
.............................
47
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
71
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
65, 436
Lubricant Specifications Chart
......................................
452
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
332
M
Maintenance
..............................
381
Main Items and Sub Items
......
387
Minder
....................................
383
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
389
Safety
......................................
382
Schedule
.................................
390
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.......
437
Memory, Driving Position
..........
157 Message Display
..........................
80
Message Indicator
.......................
69
Meters, Gauges
............................
72
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
322
Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
155
Modifications
.............................
331
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
331
Moonroof
...................................
152
Multi-Information Display
............
73
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
342
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
322
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
450
O
Odometer
.....................................
75
Odometer, Trip
............................
75
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
378
Off-Road Precautions
..................
378 Oil
Change, How to
......................
394
Change, When to
....................
383
Checking Engine
....................
326
Life, Engine
.............................
383
Pressure Indicator
.............
65, 436
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
393
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
129
Outside Mirrors
.........................
154
Outside Temperature
...................
76
Overheating, Engine
..................
434
Owner's Maintenance Checks
...................................
389
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
322
P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
123
Park Gear Position
.....................
342
Parking
......................................
350
Parking Brake
............................
153
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
...........................
65, 438
Parking Lights
...........................
118
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX