fuel Acura MDX 2002 Owner's Guide

If you are planning to take your
Acura outside the U.S., contact the
tourist bureaus in the areas you will
betravelingintofindoutaboutthe
availability of unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Acura will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your vehicle back
into compliance will require the re-
placement of several components,
such as the oxygen sensors and the
three way catalytic converter. These
replacements are not covered under
warranty.
T echnical Inf ormation
Driving in Foreign Countries
347
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The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control, Exhaust
Gas Recirculation and Three Way
Catalytic Converter. These four
systems work together to control the
engine’s combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual f or more informa-
tion.
The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air Intake,
Engine Control, and Fuel Control.
The Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls how
much f uel to inject under all operat-
ing conditions. This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) system takes some of the
exhaust gas and routes it back into
the intake manif old. Adding exhaust
gas to the air/f uel mixture reduces
the amount of NOx produced when
the f uel is burned.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), dinitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
genuine Acura replacement parts or
their equivalent f or repairs. Using
lowerqualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI Syst emIgnit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
T echnical Inf ormation
Emissions Cont rols
349
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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

CONT INUED
...................
Neutral Gear Position .213
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .194
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .340
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .318
.......................................
Jack, Tire .315
................................
Jump Starting .323 ...........................
Interior Cleaning .308
...............................
Interior Lights .117
........................................
Introduction .i
..................................................
Keys .79
.......................
Label, Certif ication .340
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .74
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .15,46
....................
Light Control Switch .117
.............................................
Lights .293
....................
Bulb Replacement .295
.......................................
Indicator .61
.......................................
Interior .117
.........................................
Parking .72
..................................
Turn Signal .74 ....................................
Load Limits .204
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81
............................
Fuel Fill Door .195
....................................
Glove Box .89
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
.................................
Power Door .82
......................
2Low Coolant Level .199
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,327
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 342
.........................................
Luggage .203 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 194
.........................................
Odometer .67
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
Oil ........................
Change, How to .263
......................
Change, When to .252
......................
Checking Engine .198
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62,327
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .262
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 82
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 347
............................
Outside Mirrors .104
..................................
Maintenance .247
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 259
.................................
Record .257-258
......................
Required Indicator .69
..........................................
Saf ety .248
.............................
Schedule .252-256
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 62,329
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 92
...............................
Meters, Gauges .61
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 346........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .105
Index
J
L K N
M O
V
01/09/07 12:52:42 31S3V610_368

Î
....................
Overheating, Engine .325
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .259
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .346
..............................
Paint Touch-up .307
..............
Panel Brightness Control .73
........................
Park Gear Position .212
...........................................
Parking .219
...............................
Parking Brake .106
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .350
.............................
PGM-FI System .349
..................
Polishing and Waxing .307
................
Power Seat Adjustments .90
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist .11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions .19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children .38
.........
Protecting Small Children .35 Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .44
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 46
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 356
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
..........................................
Air bags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 57
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 46
...............
Additional Information . 46
...................
Radiator Overheating . 325
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 133,151
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .130
.......................
Rear Compartment .112
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 298
..........................
Rear View Mirror .104
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 76
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 91,92
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 93
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 93
.............................
Reminder Lights .61
................
Remote Audio Controls . 169
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 275
.......................................
Coolant .267
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 263
..........................................
Fuses .333
................................
Light Bulbs .295 ....................................
Schedule .252
................................
Spark Plugs .277
................................
Timing Belt .286
...........................................
Tires .290
.............................
Wiper Blades .282
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .49
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 199
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 213
................................
Rotation, Tire .289
Index
P
S
R
VI
01/09/07 12:52:48 31S3V610_369

Î
Technical Descriptions......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .344
.....
Emissions Control Systems .348
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .346
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .350
.......................
Temperature Gauge .68
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .48
........
Testing of Readiness Codes .351
............................
Thef t Protection .170
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .350
....................................
Timing Belt .286
....................................
Tire Chains .292
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .315
...............................................
Tires .286
..............................
Air Pressure .286
...................................
Balancing .289
.........................
Checking Wear .288
..........................
Compact Spare .314
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .344
......................................
Inf lation .286
..................................
Inspection .288
...................................
Replacing .290
......................................
Rotating .289
...........................................
Snow .292
............................
Specif ications .343 ................................
Tire Chains .292
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .226
................
Emergency Wrecker .338
Your Vehicle Behind a
............................
Motorhome .238
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level .271
...........................
Fluid Selection .271
..............
Identif ication Number .340
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .211
.....................................
Treadwear .344
.......................................
Trip Meter .68
....................................
Turn Signals .74
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .315
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .311
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .313
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .344
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .194
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .308
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .264 ................................
Vanity Mirror .114
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .204
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .342
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .340
.............................
Vehicle Storage .303
.....................................
Ventilation .122
.................................................
VIN .340
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .309
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .262
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .217
.............
WARNING, Explanation of .ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .57
..................
Warranty Coverages .355
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .270
............................
Level Indicator .65
.....................................
Operation .76
.........................................
Washing .306
..................
Waxing and Polishing .307
Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering .78
Index
V
W
U
VIII
01/09/07 12:53:01 31S3V610_371

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Rear Differential Fluid: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Front/Rear:
Compact Spare Tire:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
5.0 US qt (4.7
, 4.1 Imp qt)
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
(see page ).
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-20
viscosity (see page ). 274
273
271 261
272
19.3 US gal (73, 16.1 Imp gal)
01/09/07 12:53:25 31S3V610_375