2012 Acura MDX maintenance

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.
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Tires544

It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, replace the two front
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle's handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel's specifications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specific wheels. If you do not, the tire
pressure monitoring system will not
work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner's manual.
Wheel and Tire Specifications
Wheel:
MDX, Technology Package, and U.S.
Technology Package with Entertainment
models18 x 8 J (TPMS)U.S. Advance Package, Advance
Package with Entertainment, and
Canadian Elite Package models19ᤲ8ᨨJ (TPMS)Tires:
MDX, Technology Package, and U.S.
Technology Package with Entertainment
models255/55R18 105HU.S. Advance Package, Advance
Package with Entertainment, and
Canadian Elite Package modelsP255/50R19 103H
See page 581 for information about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and page
583 for tire size and labeling
information.
Winter Driving
Tires marked‘‘M＋S’’or‘‘All
Season’’on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
CONTINUED
Tires
545
Maintenance

The sensor on the negative terminal
monitors your vehicles battery
condition.
If there is a problem with the sensor,
you will see a‘‘CHECK BATTERY
SENSOR’’message on the
multiinformation display. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it off with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a cloth
or paper towel. Coat the terminals
with grease to help prevent further
corrosion.If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician.
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle's
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative (－) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt
you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
If the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The
next time you turn on the radio you
will see‘‘ENTER CODE’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the digit code (see
page 308).
Checking the Battery
547
Maintenance

Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.)As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure.Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)－Required Federal Explanation
585
Technical Information

The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle's engine produces several
byproducts. Some of these are
carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of
nitrogen (NOx), and hydrocarbons
(HC). Gasoline evaporating from the
tank also produces hydrocarbons.
Controlling the production of NOx,
CO, and HC is important to the
environment. Under certain
conditions of sunlight and climate,
NOx and HC react to form
photochemical‘‘smog.’’Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act
ᤳ
sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
work and what to do to maintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
514.ᤳ
In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specified in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manufactured.Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Your vehicle has a positive crankcase
ventilation system. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine's
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The positive crankcase
ventilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
CONTINUED
Emissions Controls
587
Technical Information

Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)The publications shown below can be purchased from Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:●
Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
●
Go online atwww. helminc. com
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Publication
Form NumberForm Description
61STX05 2010-2012 Acura MDX Service Manual
61STX03EL 2010-2011 Acura MDX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
61STX30 2008 Acura MDX Body Repair Manual
31STX650 2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual
31STX850 2012 Acura MDX
Navigation System Owner's Manual
31STXM50 2012 Acura MDX Maintenance Journal
31STXQ50 2012 Acura MDX Advance Technology Guide
ACU-R Order Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Service Manual:
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures for
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
for the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
for most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in
your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
597
Warranty and Client Relations

A
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
431
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)
.................................
139
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
177
AC Power Outlet
........................
178
Active Damper System
...............
484
Active Head Restraints
...............
152
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
402
Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)
.....................................
348
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
518
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
....
134
Advanced Airbags
........................
31
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 27
Air Conditioning System
............
182
Rear A/C Control
....................
187
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
189
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
540, 541
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
422
Antifreeze
...................................
520Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator
............................
70, 462
Operation
................................
461
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
308
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock
.......................................
139
Audio System
......................
192, 212
Automatic Climate Control
.........
183
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature
...................................
131
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
23
Automatic Speed Control
...........
345
Automatic Transmission
............
443
Capacity, Fluid
........................
578
Checking Fluid Level
..............
523
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
................................
447
Shifting
...................................
444
Shift Lever Position
Indicators
............................
443
Shift Lever Positions
...............
444
Shift Lock Release
...................
446
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
307B
Battery
Charging System
Indicator
........................
69, 562
Jump Starting
..........................
558
Maintenance
...........................
547
Specifications
..........................
579
Before Driving
...........................
421
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 21
Beverage Holders
......................
174
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
......................................
476
Bluetooth
®Audio
.......................
298
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
(Models with navigation
system)
...............................
383
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
(Models without navigation
system)
...............................
365
Booster Seats
...............................
58
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX

Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
67
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
.......
70, 462
Active Damper System
......
77, 484
Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)
...................................
75
A/T Temp
................................
72
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
....................................
76
Brake (Parking and Brake
System)
.........................
69, 564
Charging System
..............
69, 562
Collision Mitigation Braking
System™
...............................
75
Cruise Control
..........................
75
Cruise Main
.............................
75
Door and Tailgate Open
...........
76
Fog Lights
................................
74
High Beam
...............................
74
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
74
Lights On
.................................
74
Low Fuel
..................................
77
Low Oil Pressure
..............
69, 562
Low Tire Pressure
....................
72
Maintenance Minder
TM
...........
507
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
.............................
69, 563Passenger Airbag Off
...............
37
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
21, 68
Security System
.......................
77
SH-AWD
®.................................
73
Side Airbag Off
....................
36, 70
SRS
.....................................
36, 70
System Message
.................
73, 86
Tire Pressure Monitor
..............
72
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning
...............................
71
VSA OFF
..................................
71
VSA System
.............................
71
Individual Map Lights
................
171
Infant Restraint
............................
45
Infant Seats
..................................
45
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
54
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
540
Inside Mirror
.............................
165
Inspection, Tire
..........................
542
Installing a Child Seat
..................
49
Instrument Panel
..........................
67
Instrument Panel Brightness
.....
133
Instruments and Controls
.............
65
Interface Dial
.............................
212
Interior Lights
............................
170
Introduction
...................................
iiPod
®
..........................................
278
iPod
®Error Messages
................
286
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
551
Jack, Tire
...................................
551
Jump Starting
.............................
558
K
Keys
...........................................
136
L
Label, Certification
.....................
576
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
128
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
16, 22
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
50
Lights
Indicator
...................................
67
Interior
....................................
170
Parking
...................................
128
Turn Signal
.............................
128
IndexVI