Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Manual

Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your Acura
dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil.
9. 8. 7. 6.
4.
5. 3.
Maint enance
Changing the Oil and Filter
207
NOTICE:OIL FILTER
4.5 US qt (4.3)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) Improper disposal of engine
oil can be harmf ul to the environment.
If you change your own oil, please
dispose of used oil properly. Put it in a
sealed container, and take it to a
recycling center. Do not discard used
oilinatrashbinordumpitonthe
ground.

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If it is not available, you may use
another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
208
RESERVE TANK
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.

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer level indicator will
come on when the level is low (see
page ).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2. 61
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Windshield Washers
209
NOTICE:
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission. Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary replacement. However, continued
use can af f ect the shif t quality.
Have the transmission flushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive
the vehicle f or a short distance.
Do this three times. Then drain
and ref ill the transmission a f inal
time.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule. Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Acura dealer.
1.
2.
3.
5.
6.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance210
DIPSTICK DIPSTICK
LOWER MARK UPPER MARK

Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add
VTM-4 Dif f erential Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole.Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
Checkthefluidinthetransfer
assembly with the vehicle sitting on
level ground. Remove the f iller plug
and check that the f luid level is up to
the edge of the f iller plug hole.
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Differential Fluid, Transfer Assembly Fluid
Maint enance
Dif f erential Fluid
Transf er Assembly Fluid
211
FILLER BOLT
CORRECT LEVEL FILLER PLUG
DRAIN PLUG
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)

µµ
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.
Tightening torque:
UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
transf er assembly.
Viscosity
The transf er assembly f luid should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule. Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly. Replace it
according to the maintenance
schedule recommendations.
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. Using 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.
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.
Tightening torque:
T ransf er A ssembly Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid
212
MAX
MIN
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)

µµ
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
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.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km) if you regularly drive
your vehicle in one or more of these
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Maint enance
Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid
213
NOTICE:
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to
f ull lef t or right lock and holding it
there can damage the power steering
pump.

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.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 should be done by an
Acura dealer or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, two on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its base
and protect the glass from contact
with your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.
Open the hood.
1.
Hood Latch, Lights
Maint enance
Hood L atch Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
214
NOTICE:
LATCH ASSEMBLY
Halogen headlight bulbs get
very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a
scratch on the glass can cause the bulb
to overheat and shatter.

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.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
To remove a bulb, pull it straight
out of its socket.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.
Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker L ight
Bulbs
215
TAB
BULB CONNECTOR

Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.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 socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
3.
4.
5. Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance216