2012 Acura MDX engine

1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are 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 by
pushing 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
521
Maintenance

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‘‘LOW
WASHER FLUID’’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 Washers522

Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the
fluid level. It should be between
the upper and lower marks.
DIPSTICK
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission Fluid
523
Maintenance

5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Acura ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid.)
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick fits in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message on the multi-information
display.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Use only Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid). Do not mix with
other transmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Acura ATF DW-1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting from the use of
transmission fluid other than Acura
ATF DW-1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
Automatic Transmission Fluid524

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 Belt526

(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 connector
from 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
Lights528

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 to
remove 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
Lights530

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 Storage548