2012 Acura MDX steering wheel

Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
of the steering
wheel, then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left.
Turn the wheel to the right to move
the trailer to the right.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires.
Retrieving a BoatIf the vehicle tires slip when
retrieving a boat from the water,
keep the transmission in the D
position and do not use the
sequential sport shift mode. This
prevents the transmission damage.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page 572.Trailer Stability Assist
Your vehicle is equipped with trailer
stability assist function. This function
works on the same sensors as the
vehicle stability assist (VSA) system.
This function helps to stabilize the
vehicle/trailer combination when the
trailer severely sways or oscillates.
For more information on the VSA
system, see page 473.
If the function detects vehicle/trailer
instability, it checks if the swaying is
caused by the trailer, and if the
trailer swaying or oscillation is
increasing.
The vehicle/trailer combination is
more affected by crosswinds,
buffeting, and improper tongue load.
These conditions can make the
trailer unstable, and cause it to sway.
Towing a Trailer, Trailer Stability Assist498

One of the most convenient and
important features of the multi-
information display on your vehicle is
the Maintenance Minder™.
Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life.
The system also displays the code for
other scheduled maintenance items
needing service.Engine Oil Life
To see the remaining engine oil life
displayed on the multi-information
display as a percentage, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
Make sure the display shows blank,
SH-AWD and tire pressure, and then
press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly until the
engine oil life appears (see page 79).
The remaining engine oil life is
displayed according to the table shown
below.
Calculated Engine
Oil Life (%)Displayed
Engine Oil Life
(%)
100%－91% 100%
90%－81% 90%
80%－71% 80%
70%－61% 70%
60%－51% 60%
50%－41% 50%
40%－31% 40%
30%－21% 30%
20%－16% 20%
15%－11% 15%
10%－6% 10%
5%－1% 5%
0% 0%
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
TM
507
Maintenance

When the remaining engine oil life is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-information
display shows a‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’message along with the
maintenance schedule code
indicating the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil
change. Refer to page 514 for a
complete list of the maintenance
main items and sub items.
When the remaining oil life is 1 to 5
percent, the multi-information display
shows a‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’
message with the same maintenance
items‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON’’was
displayed with. When you see this
message have the indicated
maintenance performed as soon as
possible.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil life. The message
‘‘SERVICE’’, along with‘‘5%’’, and the
maintenance item code are displayed
on the lower part of the multi-
information display when the
calculated engine oil life is 1－5
percent (see page 507).
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEMMAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS
Maintenance Minder
TM
508

If the indicated maintenance service
is not done and the remaining engine
oil life reaches 0%, the multi-
information display will show the
message‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’and
the maintenance item code(s). This
message is displayed again when the
total distance traveled is less than 10
miles (for U.S. models) or 10 km (for
Canadian models) after the engine
oil life became 0%.These messages will come on every
time you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position.
Immediately have the service
performed, and make sure to reset
the oil life minder as previously
described.
The message will be canceled if the
INFO (
/
) button on the steering
wheel is pressed. Press the INFO
(
/
) button to see the message
again.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil life. The message
‘‘SERVICE’’, along with‘‘0%’’, and the
maintenance item code are displayed
on the lower part of the multi-
information display when the
calculated engine oil life is 0－1%.
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
TM
509
Maintenance

If the indicated required service is
not done and the remaining engine
oil life becomes 0%, the multi-
information display will show a
‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’message, the
total distance traveled after the
remaining oil life became 0%, and the
maintenance item code(s).This message is displayed when you
drive over 10 miles (for U.S. models)
or 10 km (for Canadian models) after
seeing the 0% message.
Immediately have the service
performed, and make sure to reset
the display as previously described.
The message will be canceled if the
INFO (
/
) button on the steering
wheel is pressed. Press the INFO
(
/
) button to see the message
again.
When you press the SEL/RESET
button to select the engine oil life,
the message‘‘SERVICE’’, along with
the maintenance item code and the
total negative mileage after the oil life
became 0%, will be displayed on the
lower part of the multi-information
display.
TOTAL PAST DUE
DISTANCE TRAVELED
U.S.
MAINTENANCE CODE
CANADA
U.S.
CANADA
TOTAL PAST DUE MILEAGE
Maintenance Minder
TM
510

Maintenance Main Items and Sub
ItemsAll the maintenance items displayed
in the multi-information display are in
code.
For an explanation of the
maintenance codes, see page 514.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. If the engine oil life is not displayed,
press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly until the
multi-information display shows blank,
SH-AWD and tire pressure.
3. Press and hold the SEL/RESET button
on the steering wheel for more than 10
seconds. The remaining engine oil life
reset mode will be shown on the multi-
information display.
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.’’
MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEMMAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
TM
511
Maintenance

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

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