lock Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

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: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:
8. 9.
11.
12.
10. Specif ications:
Spark Plugs
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13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m) SKJ16DR-M11 IZFR5K-11
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.

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 if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.To replace a wiper blade: Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
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
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WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB

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
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BLADE BLADE
REINFORCEMENT

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
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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.

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
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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
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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
CONT INUED
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
Lights
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BOLT
CONNECTOR

Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb. Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Put the light assembly into the
bumper. Tighten the mounting
bolt.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Open the tailgate. Use a
screwdriver protected with a cloth
to pry open the two covers.
Remove the two screws and
remove the rear light assembly
f rom the rear pillar.
Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: brake/taillight, turn
signal/hazard lights, side marker
light, or back-up light. Remove the burned out bulb. To
remove the brake/taillight, back-
up or side marker light bulb, pull
the bulb straight out of its socket.
To remove the turn signal/hazard
light bulb, push it in and turn it
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
8. 6.
7.
5.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
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Put the socket back into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place. Test the light to make sure the
new bulb is working. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Install the rear light assembly in
the body.Tighten the two screws.
Snap the covers back into position.
Remove the light assembly cover
by prying caref ully with a cloth-
covered screwdriver in the
notches along the top edge.Then
pivot the cover out and down.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.Place the cover back into the light
assembly. Push it up until it locks
in place.
1. 4.
5.
6.
2. 3.
6.
7.
8.
9. Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
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If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield. Disconnect the battery.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Nonporous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Acura
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months/30,000 miles
(48,000 km) maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page ).
The replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.
309
298
St oring Your Vehicle
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