engine overheat Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t down one
gear.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause your trailer
to sway. When being passed by a
truck or other large vehicle, keep a
constant speed and steer straight
ahead. Do not try to make quick
steering or braking corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in PARK and f irmly
setting the parking brake when you
have f inished parking.
Donotparkonaninclineunlessitis
unavoidable. If you must park on an
incline, turn the vehicle wheels
toward the curb on a downhill and
awayfromthecurbonanuphill.
After parking, place wheel chocks at
each trailer tire, on the downhill side.
If the vehicle wheels slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shifttofirstgearandturnonVTM-4
Lock (see page ).
Disengage VTM-4 Lock as soon as
the boat is out of the water to
prevent damage to the VTM-4
system.
259
3
bottom
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and
T urbulence
Backing Up Parking
Ret rieving a Boat
Towing a Trailer
Driving282

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
Maint enance325
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.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .360
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .361
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 368
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .368
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .368
................................
Jump Starting .369
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 371
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 373
..........
Charging System Indicator . 374
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 375
...............
Brake System Indicator . 377
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 378
..............................................
Fuses .379
..........
Checking and Replacing . 380
......................
Emergency Towing .385
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed359

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling/
climate control system and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until all are
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Your vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting, If Your Engine Overheats
If Your Engine Overheats
371
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ). Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.10.
11.
12.
385
241 385
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
372
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .355
...................................
Fan, Interior .138
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .133
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 237
Filters ...............................................
Air .321
.......................
Air Conditioning .331
...............................................
Oil .309
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 404
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 88
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 140
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .318
..........................
Digital Clock .150, 190
....................................
Dimensions .390
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 79
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 317
..................................
Engine Oil .240
..........................
Directional Signals .83
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 262
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .310
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 93
....................
Lockout Prevention . 94
......................
Power Door Locks .93
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....................................
Drive Belts .331
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .249
....................................
Economy .242
.........................
In Bad Weather .269
................
In Foreign Countries . 396
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .118 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
...................................
DVD Player .199
..............................
Economy, Fuel .242
............
Emergencies on the Road . 359
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 369
...........
Brake System Indicator . 377
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 361
.....
Charging System Indicator . 374
..................
Checking the Fuses . 380
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 373
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 375
..................
Overheated Engine . 371
.........................
Emergency Brake .117
......................
Emergency Flashers .87
......................
Emergency Towing .385
.......................
Emissions Controls .397
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 75
.................................
Drive Belts .331
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .68, 375
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 68,373
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 307...............................
Overheating .371
............................
Specif ications .391
............................
Speed Limiter .257
.......................................
Starting .252
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .395
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 397
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .62
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .398
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 354
Index
E
F
III

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 255
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 236
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 388 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 371
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound .......................
System .145, 163,183
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .142
.......................
Rear Compartment .123
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 344
..........................
Rear View Mirror .115
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 88
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 87
.....
Reclining the Seat Backs . 102,103
.........
Reclining the Second Seats . 104
..............
Reclining the Third Seat . 104
.............................
Reminder Lights .67
................
Remote Audio Controls . 181
.......................
Remote Transmitter .95
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 321
.......................................
Coolant .313
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 309
..........................................
Fuses .380
................................
Light Bulbs .341
....................................
Schedule .296
................................
Spark Plugs .323
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 236
.........................................
Odometer .74
...............................
Odometer, Trip .75
Oil ........................
Change, How to .309
......................
Change, When to .296
......................
Checking Engine .240
..............
Pressure Indicator . 68,373
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .308
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 93
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 396
............................
Outside Mirrors .115
....................
Overheating, Engine .371
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .395 ..............................
Paint Touch-up .353
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 82
........................
Park Gear Position .254
...........................................
Parking .261
...............................
Parking Brake .117
.................................
Parking Lights .79
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 399
.............................
PGM-FI System .398
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 353
..............
Power Seat Adjustments . 101
............
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 .31
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .44
Index
N
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VI