2017 Acura MDX service

| 121
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
After the Engine Starts
Once your vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following
order:
1.
Disconnect the jumper cable fr

om your vehicle’s ground.
2.
Disconnect the other end

of the jumper cable from the booster battery (-)
terminal.
3.
Disconnect the jumper cable fr

om your vehicle’s battery (+) terminal.
4.
Disconnect the other end

of the jumper cable from the booster battery (+)
terminal.
5.
Have y

our vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
A battery can explode if you do not follow the correct procedure, seriously
injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking materials away from the battery.
WARNING
Emergency Engine Stop
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be used to stop the engine due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must stop the engine, choose one of
the following operations:
•
Press and hold the ENGINE

START/STOP button
for two seconds, OR
•
Firmly press

the ENGINE START/STOP button three
times.
The steering wheel will not lock. The power mode changes to ACCESSORY, unless
the gear is in Park, in which case the power mode changes to VEHICLE OFF.
Because turning off the engine also disables the power assist the engine provides to
the steering and braking systems, it will require significantly more physical effort
and time to steer and slow the vehicle. Downshift gears and use both feet on the
brake pedal, if necessary, to slow the vehicle and stop immediately in a safe place.
Do not press the button while driving unless it is absolutely necessary for the
engine to be switched off.
NOTICE

128 |
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Setting Up the Jack
1.
Place the jack under the jacking point closest
to
the tire to be changed.
2.
Turn the end bracket clockwise (as shown in
the

image) until the top of the jack contacts the
jacking point. Make sure that the jacking point
tab is resting in the jack notch.
3.
Assemble the jack, jack handle bar, and jack
handle as shown. Raise

the vehicle until the tire
is off the ground.
The following instructions must be followed to use the jack safely:
•
Do not use the jack with people

or luggage in the vehicle.
•
Use the jack pro

vided in your vehicle. Other jacks may not support the weight
(load) or fit the jacking point.
•
Do not use while the engine is running.
•
Use only

where the ground is firm and level.
•
Use only at

the jacking points.
•
Do not get in the v

ehicle while using the jack.
•
Do not put

anything on top of or underneath the jack.
Jacking PointsJacking PointsJacking Points
Jack handle
barWheel nut wrench
as jack handle
The vehicle can easily roll off the jack, seriously injuring anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for changing a tire exactly, and never get under the
vehicle when it is supported only by the jack.
WARNING
Do not use the jack if it doesn’t work properly. Call your dealer or a professional
towing service.
NOTICE

| 135
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Inspecting and Changing Fuses
1.
Turn off the
vehicle, including headlights and all
accessories.
2.
Remov

e the fuse box cover.
3.
Check the large

fuse inside the engine
compartment. If the fuse is blown, use a Phillips-
head screwdriver to remove the screws and
replace the fuse with a new one. Reinstall the
screws.
4.
Inspect the small fuses in

the engine
compartment and the vehicle interior. If there is
a blown fuse, remove it with the fuse puller and
replace it with a new one.
Blown fuse
Combined
fuse Fuse puller
Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatly increases the chances
of damaging the electrical system.
NOTICE
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle.
All models
Flat bed equipment: The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck. This is
the best way to transport your vehicle.
2WD models
Wheel lift equipment: The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the
front tires and lift them off the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is
an acceptable way to tow your vehicle.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will cause serious damage. The
bumpers are not designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing such as towing behind a motorhome or other motor vehicle can
damage the transmission.
NOTICE

| 137
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Minder™
When maintenance is due, the system message indicator comes on and the
Maintenance Minder appears on the multi-information display every time you turn
the vehicle on. Roll the right selector wheel to change displays.
U.S. models
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control 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.
Engine oil life Service codesRoll the right
selector wheel to
change displays
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, r eplace 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.

138 |
MAINTENANCE
*if equipped
Maintenance Minder
Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1: If the message Maintenance 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 s\
oot in the air from industry and diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every \
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
Replace engine oi l*1
BReplace engine oil*1 and oil lter
Inspect front and rear brakesCheck expiration date for TRK bottle*
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Inspect suspension component s
Inspect driveshaft boots
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
Inspect all uid levels and condition of uids
Inspect exhaust system#
Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4:Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission temperature. This requires transmission uid changes mor\
e frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehic\
le under these
conditions, have the transmission uid changed at 30,000 miles (48,0\
00 km).
*5:If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°\
C), in very low temperatures
(under -20°F, -29°C), replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*6:Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towin\
g results in higher level
of mechanical (Shear) stress to uid. This requires differential \
uid changes more frequently
than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your \
vehicle under these
conditions, have the differential uid changed at 7,500 miles (12,00\
0 km), then every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
Rotate tires
2Replace air cleaner element*2
Replace dust and pollen lter*3
Inspect drive belt
3
Replace transfer-case uid and transmission ui d*4
4Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pum p*5
Inspect valve clearance
5
Replace engine coolant
6Replace rear differential uid*, *6
*

| 141
MAINTENANCE
Adding Oil
1.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2.
Add oil slowly.
3.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten it
securely.
4.
Wait for three minutes and recheck the engine
oil dipstick.
Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark. Overfilling the engine oil can result
in leaks and engine damage.
NOTICE
Failure 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.
NOTICE
Resetting the Engine Oil Life If you change or replace the vehicle’s engine oil yourself, you must reset the
engine oil life. Use the right selector wheel on the steering wheel to make
selections in the MID.
1.
Scroll to Maintenance Info and select it to
display the oil life reset mode.
2.
Select Reset. The service code disappears and
the oil life returns to 100%.
Engine Oil Fill Cap

148 |
MAINTENANCE

Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach
five years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of
wear.
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season tires marked “M+S”, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between
vehicles when driving. For winter tires, select the size and load ranges that are the
same as the original tires, and mount them to all four wheels.
Tire Chains
Install tire chains on the front tires only. Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend using the following chains: Cable type: SCC
Cable Chain ZT735. Mount chains as tightly as you can, and make sure that they
do not touch the brake lines or suspension.
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage the
brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of tire
chains.
WARNING
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can damage your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting
any part of the vehicle.
NOTICE

150 |
MAINTENANCE
DOT Tire Quality Grading
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All tires are
also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance according to
Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades
represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.