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 page 554.
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 GAUGEGauges7610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
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
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 page 566).
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 page 566).
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
555
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
CoolantAdding
....................................
514
Checking
................................
422
Proper Solution
.......................
514
Temperature Gauge
.................
76
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
580
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
73
Cruise Control Operation
...........
342
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
73
Cup Holders
...............................
172
Customize Settings
......................
89
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 64
Daytime Running Lights
............
129
Dead Battery
..............................
552
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
131
Defrosting the Windows
............
184
Dimensions
................................
572
Dimming the Headlights
............
127
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
517 Engine Oil
...............................
422
Directional Signals
...............
69, 127
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
455
Disc Care
...................................
244
Disc Changer
.............................
200
Disc Changer Error Messages
...............................
208
Disc Player
..........................
200, 232
Disc Player Error Messages......
243
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
513
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
140
Indicator
...................................
12
Locking and Unlocking
...........
139
Lockout Prevention
.................
140
Power Door Locks
..................
139
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
574
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
433
Economy
.................................
423
Driving Guidelines
.....................
434
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
166
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
441 Dust and Pollen Filter
................
528
DVD Player
................................
310
DVD Player Error Messages
......
334
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
423
Emergencies on the Road
..........
543
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
552
Brake System Indicator
.....
67, 558
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
545
Charging System Indicator
........................
67, 556
Checking the Fuses
................
560
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
544
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
131
Jump Starting
..........................
552
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
67, 556
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
566
Overheated Engine
.................
554
Towing
....................................
566
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Emergency Brake
......................
163
Emergency Flashers
..................
131
Emergency Towing
....................
566
Emissions Controls
....................
580
Emissions Testing
......................
583
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
514
Check Starting System
............
437
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
76
If it Won't Start
........................
551
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
501
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
67, 556
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
511
Overheating
............................
554
Specifications
..........................
573
Speed Limiter
..........................
440
Starting
...................................
436
Engine Coolant
..........................
514
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
418
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
580
Exhaust Fumes
............................
60
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
581 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
183
Features
.....................................
179
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
528
Oil
...........................................
512
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
131
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
545
Floor Mats
.................................
529
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
.........
517
Brake
......................................
519
Location
..................................
509
Power Steering
........................
520
Windshield Washer
.................
516
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
300
Fog Lights
..................................
129
Folding the Second Seat
.............
152
Folding the Third Seat
...............
153
Four-way Flashers
......................
131 Front Airbags
.........................
10, 29
Front Seat
..................................
148
Adjusting
.................................
148
Air Ventilation
.........................
157
Heaters
...................................
156
Fuel
............................................
418
Economy
.................................
423
Fill Door and Cap
....................
419
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
Octane Requirement
...............
418
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
566
Reserve Indicator
.....................
75
Tank, Filling the
......................
419
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
420
Fuel Economy
............................
423
Fuses, Checking the
..................
560
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
424
Gasoline
.....................................
418
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
IndexIV10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Octane Requirement
...............
418
Tank, Refueling
.......................
419
Gas Station Procedures
..............
419
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature...
76
Fuel
..........................................
76
Speedometer
............................
76
Tachometer
..............................
76
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
...................................
482
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
...................................
482
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
...............
437, 438
Glove Box
..................................
173
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
482
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
482
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
...................................
482 H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
521
HandsFreeLink
®
........................
362
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
131
Headlights
.................................
127
Aiming
....................................
521
Automatic Lighting Off
............
130
Daytime Running Lights
.........
129
High Beam Indicator
................
72
High Beams, Turning on
.........
127
Lights On Indicator
..................
72
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
127
Reminder Chime
.....................
128
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
521
Turning on
..............................
127
Washers
..................................
126
Headphones
...............................
335
Head Restraints
..........................
149
Heated Mirror
............................
165
Heaters, Seats
............................
156
Heating and Cooling
..................
180
High Altitude, Starting at
............
436
High Beam Lever
................
127, 128
High-Low Beam Switch
..............
127 HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
360
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
421
Horn
......................................
4, 124
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
...................................
570
Ignition Keys
........................................
135
Switch
.....................................
138
Timing Control System
...........
581
Immobilizer System
...................
137
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Turn Signal
.............................
127
Load Limit
...........................
429, 481
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....
138
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column
......
138
Childproof Door
......................
140
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
419
Glove Box
...............................
173
Lockout Prevention
.................
140
Power Door
.............................
139
Tailgate
...........................
140, 141
Low Coolant Level
......................
422
Lower Anchors
.............................
49
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
75
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
67, 556
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
572
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
428
M
Maintenance
..............................
499
Main Items and Sub Items
......
505
Minder
....................................
501 Owner's Maintenance
Checks
................................
507
Safety
......................................
500
Schedule
.................................
508
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................
67, 557
Memory, Driving Position
..........
166
Message Display
..........................
85
Message Indicator
.......................
71
Meters, Gauges
............................
76
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
418
Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
164
Modifications
.............................
427
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
427
Moonroof
...................................
161
Multi-Information Display
............
77
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
439
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
418
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
570 O
Octane Requirement,
Gasoline
.................................
418
Odometer
.....................................
79
Odometer, Trip
............................
79
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
494
Oil Change, How to
......................
512
Change, When to
....................
501
Checking Engine
....................
422
Life, Engine
.............................
501
Pressure Indicator
.............
67, 556
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
511
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
138
Outside Mirrors
.........................
163
Outside Temperature
...................
80
Overheating, Engine
..................
554
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
507
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
418
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu