oil temperature Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the under-
side. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the tailgate open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system/climate control system as
shown below.
Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system as f ollows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety62
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
CONT INUED
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols67
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM (VSA) INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
VTM-
4INDICATOR DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHTBRAKE LAMP INDICATOR SIDE AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE
AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
(P.376)
(P.68)
(P.68)
(P.76)
(P.72) (P.72) (P.70)
(P.71)
(P.73) (P.
68)
(P.
70)
(P.
69)
(P.
68) (P.73)
(P.
72)
(P.71)
(P.69)
(P.
69) (P.
68)
(P.71)
(P.71)

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Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than
10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods
of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you drive
your vehicle
MAINLYunder one or
more of the f ollowing conditions:
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
300
Visually inspect the following items:
Follow this schedule for rear differential
fluid replacement if you use your vehicle
for off-highway driving, trailer towing,
or mainly in stop-and go driving.
Otherwise, use the fluid replacement
schedule in the Maintenance Schedule
for Normal Conditions.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Service at the indicated distance or
time whichever comes first.
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
15
24
12
30
48
2445
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Replace transfer assembly fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least
once per month) Adjust only if noisy
Refer to page332for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Refer to page 331for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
See page 297.
1:
2:
3:
:
,1
3
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
A dditives
308
Ambient Temperature

Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Changing the Oil and Filter
309
WASHERDRAIN BOLT

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.

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Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .344
..............................
Brake Lights .344
......................
Cargo Area Light .347
................
Front Parking Lights . 342
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 342
.................................
Headlights .341
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 345
..............
Individual Map Lights . 346
...................
License Plate Light . 346
.................................
Rear Bulbs .344
............................
Specif ications .391
............
Turn Signal Lights . 342,344
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .341
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 66
................
Daytime Running Lights . 82
................................
Cancel Button .218
............................
Capacities Chart .390
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 62
..........................
Cargo Area Light .130
.............................
Carrying Cargo .245
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .180
...................
Operation . 151,177,191
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii...................................
CD Changer .155
..............................
CD Player .171, 194
........................
Certif ication Label .388
............................................
Chains .338
Change Oil ........................................
How to .309
......................................
When to .296
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .361
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 313
...
Charging System Indicator . 68,374
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 251
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 99
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 321
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .353
...................................
Carpeting .354
......................................
Exterior .352
.........................................
Fabric .355
.......................................
Interior .354
.......................................
Leather .355
...................................
Seat Belts .355
...........................................
Vinyl .355
....................................
Windows .356 ...............
Climate Control System . 134
......................................
Coat Hook .127
.....................
Code, Audio System .182
........................
CO in the Exhaust .397
........................................
Coin Box .127
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 252
..............................
Compact Spare .361
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 402
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 65
Coolant ........................................
Adding .311
....................................
Checking .241
.........................
Proper Solution .311
...................................
Replacing .313
...................
Temperature Gauge . 75
....................
Corrosion Protection .357
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .397
............
Cruise Control Operation . 216
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 402
Index
C
D
II

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

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