2018 Acura MDX maintenance

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uuAcuraLink ®*u
Features
AcuraLink sends you messages on vehicle
features, safety and emissions recall
campaigns, maintenance reminders, and
diagnostic information.
When you receive a new message, an icon
appears on the information screen.
■Message category
There are six message categories.
• Feature Guide : Appears for the first 30 days of ownership, introducing vehicle
features each day.
• Quick Tips : Supplements your Owner’s Manual with updated vehicle
information.
• Diagnostic Information : Appears when a warning in dicator or message comes
on.
Rotate to select Check Later or Check Now .
u Selecting Check Now lets you know if you should see a dealer immediately or
later in accordance with the warning severity level.
• Scheduled Dealer Appointment : An appointment made through the Acura
server or Acura Owners website can be re scheduled or canceled from this option.
2 P. 441
•Maintenance Minder : Lets you know which maintenance item is due along with
a reminder message.
• Recalls/Campaigns : Reminds you of a recall or important safety information.
You should also be notified by mail.
■AcuraLink Message1 AcuraLink Message
Messages may not appear immediately after your
vehicle purchase. It can ta ke several days for your
dealer to register your vehicle’s ID.
If an icon includes an excl amation point, it indicates
that Acura gives high priority to this message
compared to the one without.
•: An unread message with high priority
•: An unread message
Message Icon
1 Message category
Message categories can be added, edited, or deleted
through broadcast me ssages from Acura.
You can call your dealer, find the nearest dealer, or
schedule appointments from the message options in
Maintenance Minder , Recalls/Campaigns, and
Diagnostic Information .
2 Message Options P. 440
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uuAcuraLink ®*u
Features
■Dealer Appointments
You can confirm the scheduled appointment date when you receive a
Maintenance Minder , Recalls/Campaigns , or Diagnostic Information
message, or reschedule an y existing appointments.
1. Select a Maintenance Minder , Recalls/Campaigns, Diagnostic Information ,
or Scheduled Dealer Appointment message.
2. Rotate to select Schedule Dealer Appoi… or Reschedule Appoint…
(depending on the screen). Press .
u A suggested time and date are displayed.
3. Rotate to select Confirm Appointment . Press to accept the time and
date.
4. Press to select OK.1Dealer Appointments
To set up an automated de aler appointment when a
regular maintenance is due , visit the Acura Owners
website at owners.acura.com (U.S.) or
www.acura.ca/owners/acuralink (Canada), and set
the required option. A remi nder message will be sent
as the date for the dealer appointment approaches. A
reminder message will also be sent if you schedule an
appointment online using Schedule Service
Appointment function.
If you are not satisfied with the proposed
appointment date and time, ca ll your dealer directly.
To cancel the scheduled appointment, select Cancel
Appointment when a message is displayed.
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446
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on th e windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheel s, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressure, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 602
•Make sure there are no people or ob jects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert the key if the water
freezes in the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you’ve parked y our vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has
performed maintenance on your vehicle.
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464
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limit s (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all cond itions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck , carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.
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527
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if un der-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of th e TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equi pped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the syst em detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash fo r approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illumina ted. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
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571
Driving
Fuel Economy and CO2 Emissions
Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing CO2
Emissions
Achieving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions is dependent on several
factors, including driving conditions, load weight, idling time, driving habits, and
vehicle condition. Depending on these and other factors, you may not achieve the
rated fuel economy of this vehicle.
You can optimize your fuel economy with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Always maintain your vehicle in accord ance with the messages displayed on the
MID.
• Use the recommended viscosit y engine oil, displaying the API Certification Seal.
• Maintain the specified tire pressure.
• Do not load the vehicle with excess cargo.
• Keep your vehicle clean. A buildup of snow or mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and increases wind resistance.
■Maintenance and Fuel Economy
1Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing CO2 Emissions
Direct calculation is the recommended method to
determine actual fuel consumed while driving.
In Canada, posted fuel economy numbers are
established following a simulated test. For more
information on how this test is performed, please visit
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
Miles driven Gallons of
fuel Miles per
Gallon
100 Liter Kilometers L per 100 km
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573
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 574
Safety When Performing Maintenance ..575
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service...576Maintenance MinderTM..................... 577
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood .. 581
Opening the Hood ........................... 582
Engine Compartment Cover ............. 583
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 584
Oil Check ......................................... 585
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 586
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ...587 Engine Coolant ................................ 589
Transmission Fluid ............................ 591
Brake Fluid ....................................... 592
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 592
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 593Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades... 598Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 602
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 603
Tire Labeling .................................... 603
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles).. 605Wear Indicators................................ 607
Tire Service Life ................................ 607 Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 608
Tire Rotation .................................... 609
Winter Tires ..................................... 610
Battery ............................................... 611
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 613
Remote Control and Wireless Headphone Care
*........................... 615Climate Control System Maintenance.. 617Cleaning Interior Care .................................... 618
Exterior Care.................................... 620
Accessories and Modifications ........ 623
* Not available on all models
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574
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 maintena nce 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 brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 592
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 602
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 593
•Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 598
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
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 fede ral 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 accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the multi-information display (MID).
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 579
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills a nd tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 682
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
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