light Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

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CONT INUED
Maint enance301
Canadian Owners U.S. Owners A, B, C, D
B
C A
D
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
3,750 mi/6,000 km
7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos
11,250 mi/18,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km
22,500 mi/36,000 km
26,250 mi/42,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km
37,500 mi/60,000 km
41,250 mi/66,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km
52,500 mi/84,000 km
56,250 mi/90,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km
67,500 mi/108,000 km
71,250 mi/114,000 km Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page335).
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Replace air cleaner element every 15,000 mi
(24,000 km) under dusty conditions. Otherwise, use
Normal Conditions schedule.
Replace rear differential fluid .
Check parking brake adjustment.
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system .
Inspect fuel lines and connections .
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace transmission fluid.
Replace transfer assembly fluid.
Replace dust and pollen filter .
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
300
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Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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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
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
240
241
317 319 332
339
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance305

Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to: Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your Acura
dealer) is required to remove the
f ilter.Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick. Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks. Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and check your work.
9. 8. 7. 6.
4.
5. 3.
Engine Oil
Maint enance310
OIL FILTER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
).
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
duringnormaluse.Inbadweather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
71
Windshield Washers
Maint enance316
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your vehicle’s
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer
pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

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. 390
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance330
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
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.

Check the operation of your vehicle’s
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsaf e condition by reducing your
vehicle’s visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Lights
Maint enance339
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT
HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT
FOG LIGHT PARKING LIGHT/
SIDE MARKER
TURN SIGNAL

Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. 391
Lights
Maint enance340
BRAKE/TAILLIGHTS
HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT
LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS
BACK-UP LIGHT
TAIL LIGHTS/
SIDE MARKER LIGHT TURN SIGNAL/
HAZARD LIGHT

Open the hood.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Acura technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, two on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Remove the electrical connector
fromthebulbbysqueezingthe
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance341
BULB
CONNECTORHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
To remove the f ront turn signal
bulb, push it in slightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the
side marker bulb, pull it straight
out of its socket.Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place. Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
4.
5.
6. Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance342
TAB

Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Your car uses halogen f og light
bulbs. See page f or inf ormation
on replacing a halogen bulb.
Remove the electrical connector
fromthebulbbysqueezingthe
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Use a wrench to loosen the light
assembly’s mounting bolt.
Remove the light assembly f rom
the bumper.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
341
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ReplacingaFogLightBulb
Lights
Maint enance343
BOLT
CONNECTOR