Acura MDX 2007 Owner's Manual

The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in 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.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine. 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. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’ Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
387
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
——y

y
()-yy

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. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.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.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
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. Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
1.
2.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
388
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT
——y
y
()-yy

Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.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. Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks. Reinstall 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. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Check the oil f ilter to make sure
its gasket did not stick to the
engine block. A stuck gasket could
cause an oil leak.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it. 9. 8. 7. 6.
4.
5. 3. 10.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
389
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
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.
——y
y
()-yy

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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 Long-Lif e
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 %
antif reeze and 50 % water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
If Honda Long-lif e antif reeze/
coolant 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 Long-lif e antif reeze/coolant
as soon as possible.
Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Coolant
390
MAX
MIN
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.
——y
y
()-yy

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down. Remove the radiator cap cover. Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
3. 4.
1.
2. 5.
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
391
RADIATOR CAP COVER
RADIATOR CAP
——y
y
()-yy

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.
If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
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.
6.
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
392
RESERVE TANK
MINMAX
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.
——y
y
()-yy

CONT INUED
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 securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator fan comes on, then
shut of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds
bef ore going to step 2, but don’t
wait longer than 90 seconds.
1.
2. 3.4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
393
DIPSTICK LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK
——y
y
()-yy

Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If it’s
not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
394
——y

y
()-yy

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 f luid 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.
Replace the brake f luid when this
service is indicated on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
395
MAX
MIN
——y

y
()-yy

µµ
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).
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. 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.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
If you f requently tow a trailer.
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.
If you are not sure how to add
f luid, contact your dealer.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
396
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
——y
y
()-y
y