Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.●Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).●Do not change the oil until the
multi-information display indicates
it is needed.●Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with
a pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent fuel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation45409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
3. Lift the hood up most of the way.The hydraulic supports will lift it
up the rest of the way and hold it
up.
To close the hood, lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then press down firmly with
your hands. Make sure it is securely
latched. Oil Check
Wait 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 page 545.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Service Station Procedures45809/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
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 page 541). For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page 545).●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 economy 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 (0 kms
per liter).
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
461
Before Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
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
529
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
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
page 625 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certified’’ to EPA standards. Maintenance Safety
.....................
532
Maintenance Minder
..................
533
Fluid Locations
...........................
543
Engine Compartment Cover
........
544
Adding Engine Oil
......................
545
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
.......................................
546
Engine Coolant
...........................
548
Windshield Washers
...................
550
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
551
Brake Fluid
.................................
553
Power Steering Fluid
..................
554
Timing Belt
.................................
554
Lights
..........................................
555
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
562
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
562
Floor Mats
..................................
563
Wiper Blades
..............................
564
Tires
...........................................
567
Checking the Battery
..................
573
Vehicle Storage
...........................
575
Interior Care
...............................
576
Maintenance
531
Maintenance
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the multi-information display to show
you when you should have your
dealer perform engine oil
replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as a
percentage.Engine Oil Life Display
To see the current engine oil life
displayed on the multi-information
display, turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, and press the
SEL/RESET button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the engine oil
life is displayed.Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. ON mode is the equivalent of
ON (II). See page 196 for ignition
switch and power mode comparison.
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
533
Maintenance
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
The remaining engine oil life is
shown on the multi-information
display according to this table:Calculated Engine OilLife (%) Displayed Engine
Oil Life (%)
100% -91% 100%
90% -81% 90%
80% -71% 80%
70% -61% 70%
60% -51% 60%
50% -41% 50%
40% -31% 40%
30% -21% 30%
20% -16% 20%
15% -11% 15%
10% -6% 10%
5% -1% 5%
0% 0%
When the remaining engine oil life is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-information
display shows a‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON ’’message along with the
maintenance item code(s) indicating
the main and sub items required at
the time of the oil change. Refer to
page 542 for a complete list of the
maintenance main items and sub
items. Pressing either INFO button (▲
/▼ )
switches the display from the
message to another display. Once
you switch the display, this message
will go off.
Along with the message, the system
message indicator comes on (see
page 69).
The message appears on the multi-
information display each time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. ON mode is the equivalent of
ON (II). See page for 196 ignition
switch and power mode comparison.
MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEM CODE(S)
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM CODE
Maintenance Minder53409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
This message reminds you that your
vehicle will soon be due for
scheduled maintenance.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil life information. Along
with the‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message, you
will see the percentage of the
remaining engine oil life and the
maintenance item codes on the multi-
information display.
When the remaining oil life is 5 to 1
percent, the multi-information display
shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’
message with the same maintenance
items ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON ’’was
displayed with. When you see this
message, have the indicated
maintenance performed as soon as
possible.
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
MAIN ITEM(S) SUB ITEM(S)
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM CODE MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEM CODE(S)
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
535
Maintenance
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com