2012 Acura MDX catalytic converter

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 560.
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
GAUGETACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
Gauges78

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
●
Turn off the lights.
●
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.
●
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
●
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●
If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
●
If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
●
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.
●
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking454

The diagrams in this section give you
the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle and the locations of the
identification numbers. It also
includes information you should
know about your vehicle's tires and
emissions control systems.Identification Numbers
...............
576
Specifications
..............................
578
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
.................................
581
Tire Labeling
..............................
583
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)－Required Federal
Explanation
.........................
585
Emissions Controls
.....................
587
Three Way Catalytic
Converter
................................
589
Emissions Testing
.......................
590
Technical Information
575
Technical Information

Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
The onboard refueling vapor
recovery (ORVR) system captures
the fuel vapors during refueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
filled with activated carbon. While
driving, the fuel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned off.
Exhaust Emissions Controls
The exhaust emissions controls
include four systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These four systems work
together to control the engine's
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
PGM-FI SystemThe PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport fuel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and fuel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
fuel to inject under all operating
conditions.Ignition Timing Control SystemThis system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
SystemThe exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manifold. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/fuel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the fuel is
burned.
Three Way Catalytic ConverterThe three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine's exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO
2), nitrogen
(N
2), and water vapor.
Replacement Parts
The emissions control systems are
designed and certified to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent for repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions from your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more
information.
Emissions Controls588

The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without affecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is referred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Acura part or
its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on fire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
flammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine's
performance. Follow these
guidelines to protect your vehicle's
three way catalytic converter.●
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter ineffective.
●
Keep the engine well maintained.
●
Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misfiring,
backfiring, stalling, or otherwise
not running properly.
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WARM UP THREE WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS
Three Way Catalytic Converter
589
Technical Information

Spare Tire
..................................
550
Inflating
...........................
540, 550
Specifications
..........................
580
Spark Plugs
................................
579
Specifications
.............................
578
Speed Control
............................
345
Speed Limiter
.............................
446
Speedometer
................................
78
SRS, Additional Information
.........
27
Additional Safety Precautions
...
39
Airbag Service
..........................
38
Airbag System Components
.....
27
How the Side Airbag Off
Indicator Works
...................
36
How the SRS Indicator Works
..
36
How Your Front Airbags
Work
....................................
30
How Your Side Airbags Work
..
33
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
Work
....................................
35
SRS Indicator
.........................
36, 70
START (Ignition Key
Position)
.................................
139
Starting the Engine
....................
442
Auto Control Mode
.................
442In Cold Weather at High
Altitude
................................
442
With a Dead Battery
................
558
State Emissions Testing
.............
590
Steam Coming from Engine
.......
560
Steering Wheel
Adjustments
............................
134
Anti-theft Column Lock
...........
139
Buttons
...........................
305, 345
Position Memory
....................
168
Stereo Sound System
..........
192, 212
Storage Compartment
................
175
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
548
Sunglasses Holder
.....................
176
Sun Visor
...................................
176
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™
(SH-AWD
®) System
................
452
Supplemental Restraint
System
............................
10, 27
Servicing
..................................
38
SRS Indicator
......................
36, 70
System Components
................
27
Synthetic Oil
..............................
518T
Tachometer
..................................
78
Tailgate
......................................
141
Open Indicator
.........................
76
Opening the
............................
141
Power
......................................
142
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
.....
531
Taking Care of the
Unexpected
............................
549
Technical Descriptions
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
.............................
581
Emissions Control Systems
.....
587
Three Way Catalytic
Converter
............................
589
Tire Labeling
...........................
583
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)－Required Federal
Explanation
......................
585
Temperature Gauge
.....................
78
Temperature, Inside Sensor
.......
191
Temperature, Outside
..................
82
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
23
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
54
IndexX

Theft Protection, Radio
..............
308
Three Way Catalytic
Converter
...............................
589
Tilt/Telescopic Steering
Wheel
.....................................
134
Timing Belt
................................
526
Tire Chains
................................
546
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
551
Tire Information
.........................
583
Tire Labeling
..............................
583
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
.......................
455, 585
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
........................
72, 455
Tire Pressure Monitor
.......
83, 456
Tires
..........................................
540
Air Pressure
............................
541
Checking Wear
.......................
542
Compact Spare
........................
550
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
.............................
581
Inflation
...................................
540
Inspection
...............................
542
Labeling
..................................
583
Maintenance
...........................
544
Pressure Monitoring System
...
455Replacing
................................
544
Rotating
..................................
544
Snow
.......................................
546
Specifications
..........................
580
Tire Chains
.............................
546
Tools, Tire Changing
.................
551
Towing
A Trailer
..................................
487
Emergency Wrecker
...............
572
Equipment and Accessories
....
492
Trailer Loading
.......................
488
Trailer Towing Tips
.................
496
Weight Limit
...........................
487
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
..............................
455
Required Federal
Explanation
.........................
585
Trailer Stability Assist
................
498
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level
..............
523
Identification Number
.............
576
Shifting the Automatic
.............
444
Treadwear
..................................
542
Trip Computer
.............................
84
Trip Meter
...................................
81
Turn Signals
.................................
71U
Unexpected, Taking Care of
the
..........................................
549
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
....
581
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
422
USB Flash Memory Device Error
Messages
...............................
297
Used Oil, How to Dispose of
......
519
Using the Paddle Shifters in the D
position (D-Paddle Shift
Mode)
.................................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in the S
position (Sequential Shift
Mode)
.................................
449
V
Vanity Mirror
.............................
177
Vehicle Capacity Load
................
434
Vehicle Dimensions
...................
578
Vehicle Identification Number
...
576
CONTINUED
Index
XI
INDEX