power steering fluid Acura MDX 2003 Owner's Manua

Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed and maintained.
Since local requirements may vary,
check with appropriate state
authorities to be sure that your
equipment will meet all regulations
in the areas where you plan to tow. Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible. Your
dealer offers a trailer package that
includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a transmission f luid
cooler and a heavy-duty power
steering f luid cooler.We strongly recommend that you
have your Acura dealer install a
genuine Acura hitch and the
required f luid coolers. Using non-
Acura equipment may result in
serious damage to your vehicle.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
MDX as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling stability and braking
perf ormance.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
so they can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but to do not let the
chains drag on the ground.This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your Acura dealer.
CONT INUED
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
Weight Distributing HitchSaf et y Chains Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Towing a Trailer
Driving277

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .294
.
Important Safety Precautions . 295
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 296
...
Required Maintenance Record . 303
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 305
..............................
Fluid Locations .306
......................................
Engine Oil .307
..................................
Adding Oil .307
....................
Recommended Oil .307
..............................
Synthetic Oil .308
....................................
Additives .308
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 309
.............................
Cooling System .311
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 311
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 313
....................
Windshield Washers .316
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 317
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .318
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 318
....................................
Brake Fluid .319
............................
Brake System .319
..............................
Power Steering .320
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .321
....................................
Hood Latch .323
....................................
Spark Plugs .323
..............................
Replacement .323 ............................
Specif ications .325
...........................................
Battery .326
.................................
Wiper Blades .328
..............
Air Conditioning System . 330
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 331
.....................................
Drive Belts .331
....................................
Timing Belt .332
...............................................
Tires .332
......................................
Inf lation .332
..................................
Inspection .334
..............................
Maintenance .335
.............................
Tire Rotation .335
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 336
......................
Wheels and Tires .337
..........................
Winter Driving .337
.............................
Snow Tires .338
............................
Tire Chains .338
.............................................
Lights .339
.....................
Headlight Aiming .341
........................
Replacing Bulbs .341
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .349
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
405
Maintenance
Maint enance293

Fluid Locations
Maint enance306
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering
Maint enance320
LOWER LEVELUPPER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î Î
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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation390
Dimensions
Air Conditioning Weights
Capacities
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb. 1.88 US gal (7.1
)
2.38 US gal (9.0)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
2.9 US qt (2.7)
7.7 US qt (7.3)
19.21 US gal (72.7
)
188.5 in (4,789 mm)
76.3 in (1,938 mm)
68.7 in (1,744 mm)
71.3 in (1,811 mm)
106.3 in (2,700 mm)
66.3 in (1,685 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
9,700 lbs (4,400 kg)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
2.9 US qt (2.7
)
3.0 US qt (2.8)
0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
Standard
Premium
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering fluid
cooler.
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
1:
2: Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
2 1 1
2

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

.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 341
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 87
........................................
Headlights .79
........................................
Aiming .341
....................
Automatic Lighting .80
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 81
............
Daytime Running Lights . 82
..................
High Beam Indicator . 71
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 79
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 79
.........................
Reminder Chime .79
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 341
...................................
Turning on .79
............................
Head Restraints .105
...............................
Heated Mirror .117
.....................
Heating and Cooling .134
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 252
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 79
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .229
....................................
Hood Latch .323
.......................
Hood, Opening the .238
..................................................
Horn .78
.................................
Hydroplaning .270
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 87
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 361
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 317
..........................................
Brake .319
..........................
Power Steering .320
...................
Transf er Assembly . 318
..................
Windshield Washer . 316
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .169
........................................
Fog Lights .88
..............
Folding the Second Seat . 106
.................
Folding the Third Seat . 107
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 396
..........................
Four-way Flashers .87
.................................................
Fuel .236
......................
Fill Door and Cap .237
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement . 236
...............................
Oxygenated .395
........................
Reserve Indicator .71
........................
Tank, Filling the .237
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .380 ...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 242
..........................................
Gasohol .395
.........................................
Gasoline .236
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 71
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement . 236
........................
Tank, Filling the .237
................
Gas Station Procedures . 237
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 75
...............................................
Fuel .75
...............................
Speedometer .74
.................................
Tachometer .74
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .272
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .272
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 254
..............................
Glass Cleaning .356
......................................
Glove Box .100
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .272
Index
GH
IV

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

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Rear Differential Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Transfer Assembly Fluid: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Front/Rear:
Compact Spare Tire:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
(see page ).
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only (see
page ).
307
320
319
318
317 319
19.21 US gal (72.7)