This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page 597 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are‘‘certified’’to EPA
standards.Maintenance Safety
.....................
506
Maintenance Minder
TM
...............
507
Fluid Locations
...........................
515
Engine Compartment Cover
........
516
Adding Engine Oil
......................
517
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
.......................................
518
Engine Coolant
...........................
520
Windshield Washers
...................
522
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
523
Brake Fluid
.................................
525
Power Steering Fluid
..................
526
Timing Belt
.................................
526
Lights
..........................................
527
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
534
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
534
Floor Mats
..................................
535
Wiper Blades
..............................
536
Tires
...........................................
540
Checking the Battery
..................
547
Vehicle Storage
...........................
548
Maintenance
505
Maintenance
12/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
Symbol Maintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
1
B
●Replace engine oil
1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
#
●Fuel lines and connections
#
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 in the
first column on page 512.
NOTE:
●Independent of the Maintenance Midner 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.Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filter
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under-20°F,-
29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.
S.)/100,000 km (Canada).●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid
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).
Maintenance Minder
TM
Maintenance Minder
51412/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
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 Belt52612/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
Ignition
Keys
........................................
136
Switch
.....................................
139
Timing Control System
...........
588
Immobilizer System
...................
138
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
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
.................................
74Low Fuel
..................................
77
Low Oil Pressure
..............
69, 562
Low Tire Pressure
....................
72
Maintenance Minder
TM
...........
507
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
.............................
69, 563
Passenger 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
..................
49Instrument Panel
..........................
67
Instrument Panel Brightness
.....
133
Instruments and Controls
.............
65
Interface Dial
.............................
212
Interior Lights
............................
170
Introduction
...................................
i
iPod
®..........................................
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
IndexVI12/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
518
Fuses
......................................
565
Schedule
.................................
514
Spark Plugs
.............................
579
Timing Belt
.............................
526
Tires
.......................................
544
Wiper Blades
..........................
536
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash
........................................
25
Reporting Safety Defects
............
596
Reserve Tank, Engine
Coolant
............................
427, 520
Restraint, Child
............................
40
Reverse Gear Position
................
445
Rotation, Tire
.............................
544
S
Safety Belts
..............................
9, 21
Safety Defects, Reporting
...........
596
Safety Features
..............................
8
Airbags
...............................
10, 27
Door Locks
..............................
12
Head Restraints
........................
15
Seat Belts
........................
9, 16, 21Seats & Seat-Backs
..............
14, 15
Safety Labels, Location of
.............
62
Safety Messages
...........................
iv
Seat Belt e-pretensioners
..............
24
Seat Belts
.................................
9, 21
Additional Information
.............
21
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
19
Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners
...........................
23
Cleaning
..................................
534
e-pretensioner
..........................
24
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
16, 22
Maintenance
............................
25
Reminder Indicator and
Beeper
.............................
21, 68
System Components
................
21
Use During Pregnancy
.............
19
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder
Belt
..................................
16, 22
Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
..............................
158
Seats
..........................................
149
Adjusting the Second Seat
.......
153
Air Ventilation
.........................
158
Folding the Second Seat
..........
153
Folding the Third Seat
............
154Head Restraints
.......................
150
Heaters
...................................
157
Position Memory
....................
168
Third Row Access
...................
154
Seats, Adjusting the
...................
149
Security System
.........................
341
Security System Indicator
............
77
Sensors
Driver's Seat Position Sensor
...
31
Front Passenger's Weight
Sensors
................................
31
Impact Sensors
........................
27
Serial Number
............................
576
Service Intervals
.........................
507
Service Station Procedures
........
424
SH-AWD
®...................................
452
Indicator
...................................
73
Shifting the Automatic
Transmission
..........................
444
Shift Lever Position Indicators
...
443
Shift Lock Release
......................
446
Side Airbags
.................................
33
How the Side Airbag Off
Indicator Works
...................
36
How Your Side Airbags Work..33
CONTINUED
Index
IX
INDEX
12/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu
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
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
.......................
542Compact Spare
........................
550
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
.............................
581
Inflation
...................................
540
Inspection
...............................
542
Labeling
..................................
583
Maintenance
...........................
544
Pressure Monitoring System
...
455
Replacing
................................
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
................
498Transmission
Checking Fluid Level
..............
523
Identification Number
.............
576
Shifting the Automatic
.............
444
Treadwear
..................................
542
Trip Computer
.............................
84
Trip Meter
...................................
81
Turn Signals
.................................
71
U
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
CONTINUED
Index
XI
INDEX
12/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu