2017 Acura MDX engine

| 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

136 |
MAINTENANCE
Learn about basic maintenance that you can perform on the vehicle yourself, as
well as information about how to best maintain the vehicle.
Safety Precautions
Some of the most important safety precautions are listed below; however,
we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing
maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety
•
To reduce
the possibility of fire or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
•
Never leav

e rags, towels, or other flammable objects under the hood. Heat
from the engine and exhause can ignite them, causing a fire.
•
To clean parts, use a commerciall

y available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
•
Wear eye pr

otection and protective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
•
Do not run the engine in confined spaces wher

e carbon monoxide gas can
accumulate.
Vehicle Safety
•
The vehicle must be stationary
, and parked on level ground with the parking
brake set and the engine off.
•
Be aware that hot parts can burn

you.
•
Be aware that mo

ving parts can injure you.
MAINTENANCE
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or failing to correct a problem before
driving can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this guide.
WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can
cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this guide.
WARNING

| 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
*

| 139
MAINTENANCE
Under the Hood
Brake Fluid

Washer Fluid
Radiator Cap
Engine Coolant
Reserve Tan
k Batter
y
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange) Engine Oil Fill Ca
p
Opening the Hood
1.
Park the
vehicle on a level surface, and set the
parking brake.
2.
Pull the hood release handle under

the lower left
corner of the dashboard.
3.
Push up the hood latch lever in

the center of the
hood to release the lock mechanism, and open
the hood.
4.
Lift the hood up about halfway.

The hydraulic
supports will continue to lift and hold it up.
When closing, lower the hood to approximately
12 inches (30 cm), then press down firmly with
your hands.
Lever
Hood release handle
Pull
Lever
Engine Compartment CoverCertain parts in the engine compartment are
protected by a cover. You may need to remove the
cover when you perform certain maintenance work.
Pull up on the engine cover, and remove it from the
pins.
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised. The hood will strike the
wipers, and may damage either the hood or the wipers. Do not open the hood
during auto idle stop operation.*
NOTICE
*if equipped

140 |
MAINTENANCE
Engine Oil
Park the vehicle on level ground, and wait approximately three minutes after
turning the engine off before you check the oil.
Checking the Oil
1.
Remov
e the dipstick (orange loop).
2.
Wipe the dipstick

with a clean cloth or paper
towel.
3.
Insert the dipstick all

the way back into its hole.
4.
Remov

e the dipstick again, and check the level. It
should be between the upper and lower marks.
Add oil if necessary.
Upper mark
Lower mark
Recommended Engine Oil
•
Genuine Acura Motor
Oil
•
Premium-grade 0W-20 deter

gent oil with an API Certification Seal on the
container
This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving and
that it meets the American Petroleum Institute’s
latest requirements.
Use Genuine Acura Motor Oil or another
commercial engine oil of suitable viscosity for the
ambient temperature as shown.
You may also use synthetic motor oil if it is labeled with the API Certification Seal
and is of the specified viscosity grade.
Ambient temperature

| 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

142 |
MAINTENANCE
Adding Coolant
1.
Make sure
the engine and radiator are cool.
2.
Remov

e the engine compartment cover (see
page 139).
3.
Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise and
r

elieve any pressure in the coolant system. Do
not push the cap down when turning.
4.
Continue turning

the cap counterclockwise until
you can remove it.
5.
The coolant level should be up to

the base of the
filler neck. Add coolant if it is low.
6.
Put the radiator cap back on, and

tighten it fully.
7.
Pour coolant into the r

eserve tank until it
reaches the MAX mark. Put the cap back on the
reserve tank.
Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to
spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiator cap.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately; they can damage components in the engine compartment.
Radiator cap
WARNING
Engine Coolant
Park the vehicle on level ground. Check the reserve tank and the coolant level in the
radiator. We recommend Acura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2.
Checking the Reserve Tank
1.
Check the amount of coolant
in the reserve tank.
2.
If the coolant level is below

the MIN mark, add
the specified coolant until it reaches the MAX
mark.
3.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Reserve TankMAX MIN
MIN
For vehicles used in temperatures below -31°F (-35°C), change the coolant from
the standard 50:50 antifreeze:water mix to one with added antifreeze. Consult a
dealer for more information.
NOTICE
NOTICE