engine coolant Acura MDX 2002 User Guide

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
3. 4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance266
R RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
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CONT INUED
Turn the ignition ON (II). Set the
Climate control system to 90°F(32
°C). Turn the ignition off.
Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2. Use of any non-
Honda coolant or plain water can
result in corrosion and deposits in
the cooling system.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1.
3.
2.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance267
D D
R
RAA I
INN P
PL
LUUG G
01/09/07 12:38:01 31S3V610_272

When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque:
Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
Install a rubber hose on the drain
bolt in the back of the engine
block. Loosen the drain bolt. 6.
4. 5. 7.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance268
R RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
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TA
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NK K
H
H O
OL LDD E
ER
R R
RE
ES
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RV V E
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T
T A
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NK K C
CAA P
P
D
D
R
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LTT
7 lbf·ft (10 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
01/09/07 12:38:11 31S3V610_273

Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
The cooling system capacity is: 10.
11.
12.
13. 9.
8.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance269
F FI ILLL LEE R
R N
NEEC
CK K
F
Fi illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree
2.01 US gal (7.6, 1.67 Imp gal)
01/09/07 12:38:21 31S3V610_274

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling/
climate control system and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until all are
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Your vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting, If Your Engine Overheats
If Your Engine Overheats
325
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
01/09/07 12:47:08 31S3V610_330

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ). Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.10.
11.
12.
199 338
338
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
326
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.
01/09/07 12:47:18 31S3V610_331

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
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Î
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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

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

.................................................
Fuel .194
......................
Fill Door and Cap .195
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement .194
...............................
Oxygenated .346
........................
Reserve Indicator .65
........................
Tank, Filling the .195
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .333
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .200
..........................................
Gasohol .346
.........................................
Gasoline .194
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .65
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement .194
........................
Tank, Filling the .195
................
Gas Station Procedures .195
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .68
...............................................
Fuel .68
...............................
Speedometer .67
.................................
Tachometer .67
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .227 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) .227
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .212
..............................
Glass Cleaning .310
........................................
Glove Box .89
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .227
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 295
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .72
........................................
Aiming .295
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 73
............
Daytime Running Lights . 73
..................
High Beam Indicator . 65
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 72
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 72
.........................
Reminder Chime .72
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 295
...................................
Turning on .72
..............................
Head Restraints .94
...............................
Heated Mirror .106
.....................
Heating and Cooling .122
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 210.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 72
HomeLink Universal ...............................
Transmitter .188
....................................
Hood Latch .277
.......................
Hood, Opening the .196
..................................................
Horn .71
.................................
Hydroplaning .225
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 340
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .81
............
Timing Control System . 349
........................
Immobilizer System .80
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 61
..................
Individual Map Lights . 119
.........................
Inf ant Restraint .26, 30
................................
Inf ant Seats .26, 30
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 286
.................................
Inside Mirror .104
.............................
Inspection, Tire .288
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,60
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 73
Index
G HI
IV
01/09/07 12:52:32 31S3V610_367