2009 Acura MDX cooling

Temperature Gauge
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. For
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system, see page434.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
U.S. model is shown.TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGEGauges7208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

When you set the temperature to its
lower limit (
) or its upper limit
(
), the system runs at full cooling
or heating only. It does not regulate
the interior temperature.
When you press a fan 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
177).
When the indicator in the rear button
is on, the temperature of the rear
passenger compartment can be
controlled independently (see page
177).
On models with navigation systemIn the Auto mode, the vehicle's
interior temperature is independently
regulated for the driver, front
passenger, and rear passengers
according to each adjusted
temperature. The system also
regulates each temperature based on
the information of the sun light
sensor and the sun's position which
is updated automatically by the
navigation's global positioning
system (GPS). For example, if the
driver's side of the vehicle is getting
too much sun, the system will adjust
to a lower temperature.
Dual ButtonYou 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 off,
the temperatures for both sides are
synchronized to the driver's side set
temperature. When defrost mode is
selected, dual mode operation is
canceled.
Climate Control System17208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits.●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.●Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inflated.●The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
373
Driving
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Adding Engine CoolantIf 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 for
leaks.Always use Honda Long-life Anti-
freeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antifreeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or plain
water.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it
is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum
engines. Continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and
refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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.
MAX
MIN
Engine Coolant39608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

1. Make sure the engine and radiatorare cool.
2. Remove the radiator cap cover. Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
3. Remove the radiator cap bypushing down and turning
counterclockwise. 4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
5. Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it fully.
RADIATOR CAP COVER
RADIATOR CAP
CONTINUED
Engine Coolant
397
Maint enance
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.Fill it to halfway 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. Windshield Washers
Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
If the washer fluid is low, a
‘‘
WASHER FLUID LOW ’’message
appears on the multi-information
display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid.
MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers39808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for 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 fuel tank.●Wash and dry the exterior
completely.●Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.●Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
●Block the rear wheels.●If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.●Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).●Disconnect the battery.●Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.●To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made from
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 full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage42208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

4. If the temperature gauge stays atthe red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page446).
6. If you do not find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
7. 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
temperature gauge, or lower,
before checking the radiator.
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.
8. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. 9. Start the engine and set the
climate control to AUTO at ‘‘Hi. ’’
Add coolant to the radiator up to
the base of the filler neck. If you
do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have the
cooling system drained and refilled
with the proper mixture as soon as
you can.
10. 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 Emergency
Towing on page446).
11. 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.
If the Engine Overheats
435
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX