Page 513 of 609

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
1
B
●Replace engine oil
1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
#
●Fuel lines and connections
#
1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’does not appear more than
12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every
year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the
first column on page 506.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-
information display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are
noisy. Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under -20°F, -
29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.
S.)/100,000 km (Canada).●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000
km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
TM
Maintenance Minder
50810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 514 of 609
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap) ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop) RADIATOR CAP AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
Fluid Locations
509
Maintenance
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Page 525 of 609

Power Steering FluidCheck the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The fluid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering fluid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Acura Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering fluid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Acura PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Turning the steering wheel to full left or
right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Timing Belt
The timing belt should be replaced at
the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicle in any of the following
conditions:
●
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
●
In very low temperatures
(under
-20°F, -29°C).
●
Frequently tow a trailer.
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt52010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 526 of 609

Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
Low Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself. If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the front bulkhead cover
(see page 510).
(Passenger's side)
Remove the power steering
reserve tank from the stay
brackets.STAY BRACKETS
POWER STEERING FLUID
CONTINUED
Lights
521
Maintenance
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Page 527 of 609
(Passenger's side)
Use a flat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
engine coolant reserve tank, and
then remove the engine coolant
reserve tank.
Remove the cap from the engine
coolant reserve tank (use towel to
wipe fluid).
Unclip hose from the stay brackets
on the engine coolant reserve
tank.
3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
4. Remove the bulb by turning it about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise. 5. Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
6. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb.
7. Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Passenger's side) Install the engine coolant reserve
tank and power steering reserve
tank.
HOLDING CLIP
CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
BULB
CONNECTOR
Lights52210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 529 of 609

Replacing Front Fog/Daytime
Running Light Bulbs
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit.
Oil, perspiration, or a scratch on the
glass can cause the bulb to overheat
and shatter.1. To change the bulb on the driver's side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn off the engine. To
change the bulb on the
passenger's side, turn the steering
wheel to the left.
2. Remove the bolt and use the flat-tip screwdriver to remove the
holding clips located under the
front bumper.
3. Use a flat-tip screwdriver toremove the holding clip from the
inner fender, and remove the
screw with a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
4. Pull the inner fender cover away from the fender and bumper.
BOLT
HOLDING
CLIP
HOLDING
CLIP
SCREW
Lights52410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 543 of 609

Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights for
balancing.Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
The ABS works by comparing the
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.
When the tires are rotated, make
sure the air pressures are checked.
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Tires53810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 568 of 609

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected1 120 A Main fuse - Not Used
2 - 1 - Not Used
2 - 2 30 A SH-AWD
2 - 3 30 A Rear Blower Motor
2 - 4 40 A ABS VSA
2 - 5 40 A Trailer Main
2 - 6 40 A Power Seats, Driver's Position
Memory System, Subwoofer,
Telescopic Steering Wheel
2 - 7 40 A Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof, Driver's Lumbar
Support
2 - 8 - Not Used
3 - 1 60 A Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor, Interior Light
3 - 2 40 A Headlights, Daytime Running
Lights
3 - 3 60 A Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
ꭧ1
3- 4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ꭧ 1: Canadian model
ꭧ 2: If equipped No. Amps. Circuits Protected
3 - 5 50 A Power Window
3 - 6 60 A Power Tailgate Opener/Closer,
Rear ACC Socket, Interior
Light,
Rear Defroster
3 - 7 30 A ECU (PCM)
3 - 8 30 A TECH
4 40 A Audio, Door Lock, Interior Lights, Front ACC Socket
5 30 A EPT-L
ꭧ 2
6 30 A EPT-R
ꭧ2
7 30 A Active Damper Control Unit
ꭧ2
8 30 A Audio Amplifier
9 7.5 A Battery Sensor
10 15 A Hazard
11 15 A Horn, Stop
12 20 A ABS VSA
13 20 A Trailer (Brake)
14 20 A Rear Heated Seat
ꭧ 2
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
563
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu