Automatic transmission Acura MDX 2002 User Guide

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t down one
gear.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause your trailer
to sway. When being passed by a
truck or other large vehicle, keep a
constant speed and steer straight
ahead. Do not try to make quick
steering or braking corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in PARK and f irmly
setting the parking brake when you
have f inished parking.
Donotparkonaninclineunlessitis
unavoidable. If you must park on an
incline, turn the vehicle wheels
toward the curb on a downhill and
awayfromthecurbonanuphill.
After parking, place wheel chocks at
each trailer tire, on the downhill side.
If the vehicle wheels slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shifttofirstgearandturnonVTM-4
Lock (see page ).
Disengage VTM-4 Lock as soon as
the boat is out of the water to
prevent damage to the VTM-4
system.
217
3
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and
T urbulence
Backing Up Parking
Ret rieving a Boat
237
01/09/07 12:33:01 31S3V610_242

Your MDX can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
MDX f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake. ShifttoD ,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine. Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R,N,D,D,D,2,1)
271
Do not overf ill.
5
543
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
Ext ended T owing
238
01/09/07 12:33:13 31S3V610_243

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .248
.
Important Safety Precautions .249
.................
Maintenance Schedule .250
...
Required Maintenance Record .257
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .259
..............................
Fluid Locations .260
......................................
Engine Oil .261
..................................
Adding Oil .261
....................
Recommended Oil .261
..............................
Synthetic Oil .262
....................................
Additives .262
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter .263
.............................
Cooling System .265
............
Adding Engine Coolant .265
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant .267
....................
Windshield Washers .270
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .271
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .272
....................................
Brake Fluid .273
............................
Brake System .273
..............................
Power Steering .274
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
....................................
Hood Latch .277
....................................
Spark Plugs .277
..............................
Replacement .277
............................
Specif ications .279 ...........................................
Battery .280
.................................
Wiper Blades .282
..............
Air Conditioning System .284
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .285
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
....................................
Timing Belt .286
...............................................
Tires .286
......................................
Inf lation .286
..................................
Inspection .288
..............................
Maintenance .289
.............................
Tire Rotation .289
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels .290
......................
Wheels and Tires .291
..........................
Winter Driving .291
.............................
Snow Tires .292
............................
Tire Chains .292
.............................................
Lights .293
.....................
Headlight Aiming .295
........................
Replacing Bulbs .295
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .303
357
Maintenance
Maint enance247
01/09/07 12:34:33 31S3V610_252

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 198
199
271 286
293
273
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance259
01/09/07 12:36:49 31S3V610_264

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
Remove the dipstick and check the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive
the vehicle a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Acura dealer. The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule. Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always
use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). If it is not
available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
1.
2.
3. 5.
6.
4.
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission Fluid
271
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M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
D
D I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K D
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IPP S
ST TI
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01/09/07 12:38:41 31S3V610_276

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation342
Dimensions Capacities
Air Conditioning Weights Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb. Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir2.01 US gal (7.6
, 1.67 Imp gal)
2.30 US gal (8.7, 1.91 Imp gal)
5.0 US qt (4.7
, 4.1 Imp qt)
4.5 US qt (4.3
, 3.8 Imp qt)
5.8 US qt (5.5
, 4.8 Imp qt)
4.0 US qt (3.8, 3.3 Imp qt)
9.0 US qt (8.5, 7.5 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 19.3 US gal (73
, 16.1 Imp gal)
3.0 US qt (2.8
, 2.5 Imp qt)
188.5 in (4,789 mm)
76.3 in (1,938 mm)
68.7 in (1,744 mm)
71.3 in (1,811 mm)
106.3 in (2,700 mm)
66.3 in (1,685 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
9,700 lbs (4,400 kg)
4.8 US qt (4.5
, 4.0 Imp qt)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
Standard
Premium
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering fluid
cooler. Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
1:
2:
2 1
2
1
01/09/07 12:49:39 31S3V610_347

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .201
................................
Accessories .201
...
Additional Safety Precaution .202
............................
Modif ications .202
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .262
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
..............
Air Conditioning System .124
..............................
Maintenance .284
.....................
Rear A/C Control .130
.........................................
Usage .124
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .286
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .346
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .307
......................................
Antif reeze .265
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light .63,222
...................................
Operation .221
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .170
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .81 ..........................
Appearance Care .305
........................
Audio System .133,151
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .48
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control .172
..............
Automatic Transmission .211
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .342
...............
Checking Fluid Level .271
.......................................
Shif ting .212
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .211
................
Shif t Lever Positions .212
....................
Shif t Lock Release .215
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,328
............................
Jump Starting .323
..............................
Maintenance .280
............................
Specif ications .343
..............................
Bef ore Driving .193
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
...................................
Body Repair .312 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .221
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 194
...........................................
Fluid .273
....................
Bulb Replacement .298
.......................................
Parking .106
.................
System Indicator . 63,331
........................
Wear Indicators .220
.............................
Braking System .220
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 194
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .298
..............................
Brake Lights .298
......................
Cargo Area Light .301
................
Front Parking Lights . 296
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 296
.................................
Headlights .295
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 299
..............
Individual Map Lights . 300
...................
License Plate Light . 300
.................................
Rear Bulbs .298
............................
Specif ications .343
............
Turn Signal Lights . 296,298
Index
A
B
I
01/09/07 12:52:14 31S3V610_364

Î
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .295
................................
Cancel Button .174
............................
Capacities Chart .342
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .56
..........................
Cargo Area Light .119
.............................
Carrying Cargo .203
Cassette Player
............................................
Care .168
...........................
Operation .139,165
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
...................................
CD Changer .143
.......................................
CD Player .159
........................
Certif ication Label .340
............................................
Chains .292
Change Oil
........................................
How to .263
......................................
When to .252
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .315
............
Changing Engine Coolant .267
...
Charging System Indicator .62,328
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .209
..................
Childproof Door Locks .88
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21 .......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air .275
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .307
...................................
Carpeting .308
......................................
Exterior .306
.........................................
Fabric .309
.......................................
Interior .308
.......................................
Leather .309
...................................
Seat Belts .309
...........................................
Vinyl .309
....................................
Windows .310
...............
Climate Control System .122
......................................
Coat Hook .116
.....................
Code, Audio System .170
........................
CO in the Exhaust .348
........................................
Coin Box .116
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .210
..............................
Compact Spare .314
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .354
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .265
....................................
Checking .199
.........................
Proper Solution .265 ...................................
Replacing .267
...................
Temperature Gauge .68
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .348
............
Cruise Control Operation .172
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .354
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .73
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .356
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .77
..............
Def rosting the Windows .128
....................................
Dimensions .342
...............
Dimming the Headlights .72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .271
..................................
Engine Oil .198
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .220
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .264
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .82
Index
C
D
II
01/09/07 12:52:20 31S3V610_365

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .309
...................................
Fan, Interior .126 Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .195
Filters
...............................................
Air .275
.......................
Air Conditioning .285
...............................................
Oil .263
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 315
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 271
..........................................
Brake .273
..........................
Power Steering .274
..................
Windshield Washer . 270
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .157
........................................
Fog Lights .77
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 96
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 347
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Economy, Fuel .200
............
Emergencies on the Road . 313
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 323
...........
Brake System Indicator . 331
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 315
.....
Charging System Indicator . 328
..................
Checking the Fuses . 333
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 327
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 329
..................
Overheated Engine . 325
.........................
Emergency Brake .106
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .338 .......................
Emissions Controls .348
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts .285
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 329
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,327
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 261
...............................
Overheating .325
............................
Specif ications .343
............................
Speed Limiter .215
.......................................
Starting .210
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .346
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 348
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .349
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 306
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .207
....................................
Economy .200
.........................
In Bad Weather .224
................
In Foreign Countries . 347
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 285
Index
E
F
III
01/09/07 12:52:26 31S3V610_366

Î
CONT INUED
.....................................
Tachometer .67
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .298
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .313
...........................
Tape Player .139,165
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .48
.....................................
Cleaning .309
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .46
................................
Maintenance .49
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .46,62
...................
System Components .46
...............
Use During Pregnancy .19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .15
.................................................
Seats .90
............
Folding the Second Seat .95
...............
Folding the Third Seat .96
..........................
Head Restraints .94
.........
Reclining the Second Seat .93
............
Reclining the Third Seat .93
........................
Rear Seat Access .95
...............................
Serial Number .340
...........................
Service Intervals .250
...........................
Service Manual .357
.........
Service Station Procedures .195
Shif ting the Automatic
.............................
Transmission .212
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .211
........................
Shif t Lock Release .215 Side Marker Lights, Bulb
.........................
Replacement in .296
...............................
Signaling Turns .74
.....................................
Snow Tires .292
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners .306
........................
Sound System .133,151
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .314
............................
Specif ications .343
....................................
Spark Plugs .277
....................
Specif ications Charts .342
................................
Speed Control .172
...................................
Speedometer .67
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .50
...
Additional Safety Precautions .55
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .53
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .50
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .52
........................
SRS Components .50
..................................
SRS Service .55
.............................
SRS Indicator .53,62
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .82
.......................
Starting the Engine .210
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .210 ................
With a Dead Battery .323
..............
State Emissions Testing .351
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .325
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .81
...........
Stereo Sound System .133,151
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .303
........................
Sunglasses Holder .113
........................................
Sun Visor .114
Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing .55
.........................
SRS Indicator .53,62
...................
System Components .50
..................................
Synthetic Oil .262
Index
T
VII
01/09/07 12:52:54 31S3V610_370