oil level Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Pour the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection.
CONT INUED
Recommended Oil
A dding Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance307
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL

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.

µµ The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
If it is not, slowly add proper f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole.
Reinstall the f iller plug and tighten it
securely.
The transf er assembly f luid should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule. Viscosity UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
transf er assembly. Tightening torque:
Brake System
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
T ransf er A ssembly Fluid, Brake Fluid
319
MAX
MIN
SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
240 307 385
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
373
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .68, 374
............................
Jump Starting .369
..............................
Maintenance .326
............................
Specif ications .391
..............................
Bef ore Driving .235
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .121 ...................................
Body Repair .358
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 263
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 236
...........................................
Fluid .319
....................
Bulb Replacement .344
.......................................
Parking .117
.................
System Indicator . 69,377
........................
Wear Indicators .262
.............................
Braking System .262
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 236
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 82
........................
Brights, Headlights .79
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 243
................................
Accessories .243
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 244
............................
Modif ications .244
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .93
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 125
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 308
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .321
..............
Air Conditioning System . 136
..............................
Maintenance .330
.....................
Rear A/C Control .142
.........................................
Usage .136
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .134
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .332
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .395
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 353
......................................
Antif reeze .311
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .69, 264
...................................
Operation .263
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 182
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 92..........................
Appearance Care .351
................
Audio System . 149,163,183
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 48
.........................
Automatic Lighting .80
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 81
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 216
..............
Automatic Transmission . 253
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .390
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 317
.......................................
Shif ting .254
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 254
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 257
...........................
Automatic Wipers .85
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .90
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 364
.......................................
Jack, Tire .361
................................
Jump Starting .369
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 388
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .90
...........................................
Switch .92
............
Timing Control System . 398
........................
Immobilizer System .91
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 67
..................
Individual Map Lights . 130
.........................
Inf ant Restraint .27, 31
................................
Inf ant Seats .27, 31
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 332
.................................
Inside Mirror .115
.............................
Inspection, Tire .334
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,66
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 82
...........................
Interior Cleaning .354
...............................
Interior Lights .128
........................................
Introduction . i.......................
Label, Certif ication .388
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 83
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,46
....................
Light Control Switch .128
.............................................
Lights .339
....................
Bulb Replacement .341
.......................................
Indicator .61
.......................................
Interior .128
.........................................
Parking .79
..................................
Turn Signal .83
.....................................
Load Limit .246
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 92
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 92
............................
Fuel Fill Door .237
..................................
Glove Box .100
....................
Lockout Prevention . 94
.................................
Power Door .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .241
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .71 ...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 68,373
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 390
.........................................
Luggage .245
..................................
Maintenance .293
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
.................................
Record .303-304
......................
Required Indicator .76
..........................................
Saf ety .294
.............................
Schedule .296-302
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 68,375
............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 103
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 118
...............................
Meters, Gauges .74
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 395
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .116
.......................................
Moonroof .114
......................
Closing Manually .378
...................................
Operation .114
Index
J L K
M
V

Steering Wheel..................................
Adjustment .89
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 92
...
Stereo Sound System . 145,163,183
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .349
........................
Sunglasses Holder .124
........................................
Sun Visor .124
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .61
.........................
SRS Indicator .56 ,68
...................
System Components . 50
..................................
Synthetic Oil .308
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .357
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .359
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 392
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .236
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .354
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 310
................................
Vanity Mirror .125
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 246
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .390
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 388
.....................................
Tachometer .74
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 344
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 359
...................
Tape Player . 151,177,191
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 397
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .395
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .399
.......................
Temperature Gauge .75 ...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 48
............................
Thef t Protection .182
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 399
....................................
Timing Belt .332
....................................
Tire Chains .338
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 361
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .394
...............................................
Tires .332
..............................
Air Pressure .332
...................................
Balancing .335
.........................
Checking Wear .334
..........................
Compact Spare .360
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
......................................
Inf lation .332
..................................
Inspection .334
...................................
Replacing .336
......................................
Rotating .335
...........................................
Snow .338
............................
Specif ications .391
................................
Tire Chains .338
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .271
................
Emergency Wrecker . 385
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .283
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 318Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 317
...........................
Fluid Selection .317
..............
Identif ication Number . 388
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 253
.....................................
Treadwear .392
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .83
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 361
Index
T U
V
VIII

ÎÎ
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)....................................
System .266
........
VSA System Indicator . 73,267
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 73,266
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .267
.............................
Vehicle Storage .349
.....................................
Ventilation .134
.................................................
VIN .388
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .355
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .308
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .259
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
........
Warning Labels, Location of f . 63
..................
Warranty Coverages .403
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 316
............................
Level Indicator .71
.....................................
Operation .87
.........................................
Washing .352
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 353
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 89
............
Alignment and Balance . 335..........................
Compact Spare .360
......................................
Wrench .363
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .356
................
Operating the Power . 111
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .88
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .356
...................................
Def roster .140
.......................................
Washers .87
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .328
.....................................
Operation .83
Rear Windshield Wiper and .....................................
Washer .87
....................................
Worn Tires .334
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 335
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
IX