Acura MDX 2002 Owner's Manual

The spark plugs in your vehicle are a
special platinum-tipped design f or
longer lif e. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.Loosen the two holding clips by
turning the heads one-quarter turn
counterclockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Remove the cover on
the f ront cylinder bank by pulling
it straight up.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer. 1.
2.
CONT INUED
Hood L atch
Spark PlugsReplacement
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
Maint enance277
L LAA T
TC
CH H A
AS
SSSEEM
M B
BLLYY
H
HO
OL LDD I
INNG G C
CLLIIPP
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Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. Use a wrench to remove the
hexagonsocketheadcapbolt
holding the ignition coil. Remove
the ignition coil by pulling it
straight out.Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
3. 4.
5.6.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
278
H H
E
EX
X A
AG
GO ONN S
SOOC CKKEET
T H
HE
EA
A D
D C
CAA P
P B
BOOL LTT
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µ
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:Spark Plug Gap:
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt.
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
Reinstall the cover on the front
cylinder bank while putting its
mounting clip in the hole on the
passenger’s side. Secure the cover
by turning the heads of the two
holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. NGK:
DENSO:
7. 8.
9.
10.
11. Specif ications:
Spark Plugs
Maint enance279
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
PKJ16CR-L11 PZFR5F-11
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.
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µ
Check the condition of your vehicle’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors. Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Maint enance280
T T E
ES
ST T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R W
WI INND DO
OW W
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If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the vehicle’s
electrical system.If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system will disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘ ’’ in the f requency
display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page
).
170
Battery
Maint enance281
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance. Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
vehicle’s electronic controls. Detach
the battery cables bef ore connecting
the battery to a charger.
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Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.To replace a wiper blade: Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
window.
Windshield: Raise the driver’s side
first, then the passenger’s side. Front only:
2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance282
W WI IPP E
ER
R A
AR
RMM S
S
L
LOOC CKK T
TA
A B
B
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Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder. Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place. Front only:
Lower the wiper arm down against
the window.
Windshield: Lower the passenger’s
side first, then the driver’s side.
6.
7.
4. 5.
3.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance283
R RE EI
INNF FOOR RCCEEM
M E
EN
NT T
B
BL
LAA D
DE
E B
BL
LAA D
DE
E
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Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 342
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance284
A A
I
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G
C
CO ON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
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µµ
Check the condition of the two drive
belts (power steering belt and
alternator belt). Examine the edges
of each belt f or cracks or f raying. If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts. Power steering belt: Thebeltshouldhavethefollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection.
Check the tension of the power
steering belt by pushing on it with
your thumb midway between the
pulleys.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under nor-
mal conditions. It should be replaced
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) if you
drive primarily in urban areas that
have high concentrations of soot in
the air f rom industry and diesel-pow-
ered vehicles. Replace it more of ten
if air f low f rom the climate control
system becomes less than usual.
Have dust and pollen f ilter replaced
by your Acura dealer. The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system.
Drive Belts
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance
Dust and Pollen Filter, Drive Belts
285
A A L
LTT E
ER
RN NA AT
TO
OR R B
BEEL
LTT
P
P
O
OW WE ER
R S
STTE
EE
ER
RI INNG G B
BEEL
LTT
0.51 0.65 in (13.0 16.5 mm)
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µµKeeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,aremore
prone to damage from road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated. The
f ollowing pages give more detailed
informationonhowandwhento
check air pressure, how to inspect
your tires f or damage and wear, and
what to do when your tires need to
be replaced.
The timing belt should normally be
replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you regu-
larly drive your vehicle in one or
more of these conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer. Inf lation
Tires
Timing Belt
Timing Belt, Tires
Maint enance286
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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