2012 Acura ZDX oil

269
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Mainte nance ............ 270
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 271Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 272
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 273
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 277Opening the Hood ........................... 278
Engine Compartment Covers ........... 279
Recommended Engine Oi l ................ 280
Oil Check ......................................... 281
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 282
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 283Engine Coolant ................................ 285
Transmission Fluid ............................ 287
Brake Fluid ....................................... 288
Power Steering Fluid Check.............. 289
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 290
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 291
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 298
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 300
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 301Tire Labeling .................................... 301
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ...... 303Wear Indicators ............................... 305
Tire Service Life ................................ 305
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 306
Tire Rotation .................................... 307
Winter Tires ..................................... 308
Battery ............................................... 309
Remote Transmitter Care ................. 310
Climate Control System Maintenance..... 312Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 313
Exterior Care.................................... 315

270
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenanc e booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.
■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
• Check the automatic transmi ssion fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Tran smission Fluid P. 287
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.2 Brake Fluid P. 288
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 300
•Check the operation of th e exterior lights monthly.2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 291
•Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 298
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions contro l devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals
indicated by the multi-information display.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 275
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills an d tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Serv ice Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 358
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the nece ssary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models

273Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance MinderTM
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the multi-information display every time you turn the ignition switch to
ON
w*1. The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or when to bring
your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
To Use Maintenance MinderTM
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON w*1.
2. Press the SEL/RESET button repeatedly until the engine oil life appears on the
multi-information display.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ig nition switch.
■Displaying the Engine Oil Life1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
There is a list of maintenance main and sub items you
can view on the multi-information display. 2 Maintenance Service Items P. 275
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100 100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
60 60 to 51
5050 to 41
40 40 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
10 10 to 6
55 to 1
00
Maintenance
Service Items
Remaining
Engine Oil Life
SEL/RESET
Button

274
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
The system message indicator ( ) comes on al ong with the Maintenance Minder message.
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-Information
Display
Maintenance MessageOil Life DisplayExplanationInformation
SERVICE DUE SOON15 %The remaining engine oil life is 15 to
6 percent. Once you switch the
display by pressing the /
(information) button, this message
will go off.The engine oil is approaching the end
of its service life, and the maintenance
items should be inspected and serviced
soon.
SERVICE DUE NOW5 %The remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1
percent. Press the / button to
switch to another display.The engine oil has almost reached the
end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be inspected
and serviced as soon as possible.
SERVICE PAST DUENegative DistanceThe remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a negative
distance appears after driving over
10 miles (U.S. models) or 10 km
(Canadian models). Press the /
button to switch to another display.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced immediately.
34
34
34

275
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, 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.
Maintenance Minder
Message
System Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message SERVICE DUE NOW 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.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*5: 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.
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*5

uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
276
Maintenance
Reset the engine oil life display if y ou have performed the maintenance service.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
w*1.
2. Display the engine oil life by repeatedly pressing the SEL/RESET button.
3. Press and hold the SEL/RESET button for 10 seconds or more.
u The oil life reset mode is displayed on the multi-information display.
4. Select RESET with the / button.
u The service code will disappear and the engine oil life display will return to
100%.
To cancel the oil life reset mode, select CANCEL, then press the SEL/RESET button.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ignition switch.
■Resetting the Display1 Resetting the Display
NOTICEFailure to reset the engine oil life after a maintenance
service results in the system showing incorrect
maintenance intervals, which can lead to serious
mechanical problems.
The dealer will reset the engine oil life display after
completing the required ma intenance service. If
someone other than a dealer performs maintenance
service, reset the engine oil life display yourself.
Engine
Oil Life
SEL/RESET
Button /
Button
34Maintenance Item Codes
34

277
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Coolant Reservoir Radiator Cap
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Handle)
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (Yellow Loop)Battery
Power Steering Fluid
(Black Cap)

280
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uRecommended Engine Oil
Maintenance
Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contribu tor to your engine’s
performance and longevity. If you drive the
vehicle with insufficient or deteriorated oil,
the engine may fail or be damaged.
This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving
and that it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Use a Genuine Acura Motor Oil or another
commercial engine oil of suitable viscosity for
the ambient temperature as shown.
■Synthetic oil
You may also use synthetic motor oil if it is labeled with the API Certification Seal
and is the specifie d viscosity grade.
•Genuine Acura Motor Oil
• Premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil with an API Certification Seal on the
container.1 Recommended Engine Oil
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not requir e oil additives. In fact,
they may adversely affect the engine performance
and durability.
Ambient Temperature