2009 Acura MDX maintenance

U.S. Technology and Sport PackagesAcuraLink enhances your ownership
experience by providing a direct
communication link between your
vehicle and the Acura Server.
Working through the XM radio
satellite, AcuraLink works in
conjunction with the navigation
system, Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
(HFL), and audio system in your
vehicle. It displays and receives
several kinds of messages, including:●Operating tips and information on
your vehicle's features.●Important recall and safety
information.●Maintenance information to keep
your vehicle in top condition.●Diagnostic information to provide
information about any problems
with your vehicle.Interface Dial
Most AcuraLink functions are
controlled by the interface dial. The
interface dial has two parts, a knob
and a selector.
The knob turns left and right. Use it
to make selections or adjustments to
a list or menu on the screen.
The selector can be pushed left,
right, up, down, and in. Use the
selector to scroll through lists, to
select menus, and to highlight menu
items. When you make a selection,
push the center of the selector
(ENTER) to go to that selection.
KNOB
ENTER
SELECTOR
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AcuraLink
®(U.S. models only)
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Delete－Select this button to delete
the current message.
Voice －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
changes to a Stop Reading button.
Select the button again to stop the
voice.
Call －Select this button to call a
phone number embedded in the
message. When you select Call,the
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®(HFL)
dials the number for you.
To make a call, your
Bluetooth
®compatible phone must be
paired to the vehicle's
HandsFreeLink system, powered on,
and located within the vehicle (see
page278). Find Nearest Acura Dealer
－
Select this button to find the nearest
Acura dealer using the navigation
system.
Call Your Acura Dealer －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. Diagnostic Info
－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
handsfreelink.com website to find
out which data services are currently
compatible with AcuraLink.
Message Preferences
To set your AcuraLink preferences
(the types of messages you want to
receive, if any), visit the My Acura
website at
www.owners.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.
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models only)
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2009 MDX

Message Categories
There are six message categories in
AcuraLink: Quick Tips, Feature
Guides, Maintenance Minders,
Recalls/Campaigns, Diagnostic Info,
and Dealer Appointment Reminders.
The system can store up to 256
messages.
Message categories can be added,
revised, or deleted through
broadcast messages from Acura.Quick Tips
These messages, based on updated
vehicle information and comments
from other MDX owners, supplement
your Owner's Manual and Quick
Start Guide. They provide you with
relevant information for a safe and
enjoyable ownership experience. For
additional information, call Acura
Client Services directly through the
HFL.Feature Guide
During the first 90 days of
ownership, one of up to 32 different
messages appears each day. These
messages help you to use and
understand the features of your
vehicle.
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models only)
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Maintenance MinderThese messages provide detailed
information about the service needed
for your vehicle. When a
maintenance message appears on the
multi-information display, a list of
needed maintenance items is
provided through an AcuraLink
message. These messages tell you
the exact maintenance needed,
helping you to avoid unnecessary
maintenance costs.You can then use the message
options to call your dealer for an
appointment or to find the nearest
dealer.
Recall/Campaigns
If your vehicle is affected by a recall
or other important safety
information, a letter will be mailed to
you about the issue and how to fix it.
If you don't get your vehicle fixed,
you will also receive a reminder
message through AcuraLink. You
can then use the message options to
call your dealer for an appointment
or to find the nearest dealer.
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®(U.S. models only)
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Oil CheckWait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
2. Wipe off the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way back into its hole.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Engine Oil on page393.Engine Coolant Check
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
Adding
Engine Coolant on page396for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page389for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
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Fuel Economy Factors
The following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines
are more efficient when warmed
up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the information
display (seeOwner's Maintenance
Checks on page389).For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page393).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An under-inflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or mud
on your vehicle's underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
Fuel Economy32808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
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Check Out Your Vehicle
Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
for any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
carefully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsafe.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
Remember
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 off-highway can be
hazardous if you fail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Accelerating and Braking
For better traction on all surfaces,
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 shift
lever in the 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 surfaces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not
‘‘pump ’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them for you.
Avoiding Obstacles
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. Driving on Slopes
If you can't clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope before you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can safely drive on the slope, don't
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and find
that you cannot continue,
do not try to
turn around.
Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
following the same route you took up
the hill.
Crossing a Stream
Before 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.
CONTINUED
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
379
Driving
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
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
page469for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance Safety
.....................
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
Maintenance
381
Maint enance
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