Page 420 of 517

Maintenance Main Items and Sub
ItemsAll the maintenance items displayed
on the multi-information display are
in code.
For an explanation of the
maintenance codes, see page 418.Resetting the Engine Oil Life
Display
Your dealer will reset the display
after completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘
OIL LIFE 100% ’’on the display the
next time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the Maintenance Minder as
follows:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
2. Press the SEL/RESET button on the steering wheel until you see
the engine oil life display.
3. Press and hold the SEL/RESETbutton on the steering wheel for
more than 10 seconds. The
remaining engine oil life reset
mode will be shown on the multi-
information display.
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEMS
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder™
415
Maintenance
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Page 421 of 517

4. Select‘‘RESET ’’by pressing the
INFO (
/
) button, then press
the SEL/RESET button to reset
the engine oil life display. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil life
will reset to ‘‘100. ’’If you want to
cancel the oil life reset mode,
select ‘‘CANCEL. ’’ Important Maintenance
Precautions
If you have the required service done
but do not reset the display, or reset
the display without doing the service,
the system will not show the proper
maintenance intervals. This can lead
to serious mechanical problems
because you will no longer have an
accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized dealer knows your
vehicle best and can provide
competent, efficient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect. Maintenance may be done by
any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all receipts
as proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work fill out
your Maintenance Journal or
Canadian Maintenance Log. Check
your warranty booklet for more
information.
We recommend using Acura parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.
Maintenance Minder™41610/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu
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U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with#will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be performed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
multi-information display. Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●Engine oil level
-Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
356.●Engine coolant level -Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 357.●Automatic transmission -Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
427.
●Brakes -Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 429.●Tires -Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
445.●Lights -Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 431.
Maintenance Minder™
417
Maintenance
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SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ1and 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
#
ꭧ1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’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 on page 417.
NOTE:
●Independent of maintenance message in the 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
ꭧ 2fluid
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds
or trailer towing results in higher transmission and
transfer temperatures. This requires transmission and
transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed at 60,000
miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
4
●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid
ꭧ 2
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).
ꭧ2: SH-AWD only
Maintenance Minder™
Maintenance Minder
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Page 424 of 517
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
Fluid Locations
419
Maintenance
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Page 425 of 517

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
Required Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Your vehicle is equipped with a high-
performance turbocharged engine
that requires the use of synthetic
motor oil. Always use Mobil 1
®
5W-30 or an equivalent oil that meets
the Acura HTO-06 standard. Not all
synthetic oils will meet this standard.
Only use oils that display the HTO-06
standard on the label.
Failure to use Mobil 1
®or an
equivalent oil that meets the HTO-06
standard can lead to a reduction in
engine performance or durability,
and can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
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Page 426 of 517
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-30 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.
Ambient Temperature
Adding Engine Oil
421
Maintenance
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Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
information display. The oil and filter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1. Run the engine until it reachesnormal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
4. Check the oil filter to make sure its gasket did not stick to the filter
base. A stuck gasket could cause
an oil leak.
5. Install a new oil filter according to the instructions that come with it.
OIL
FILTER
OIL DRAIN
BOLT WASHER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter42210/06/08 17:42:32 11 ACURA RDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STK640 enu