catalytic converter Acura MDX 2008 Owner's Manual

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Forinstructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system, see page .This shows how much f uel you
have. It may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount.
434
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
72
U.S. model is shown.SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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2008 MDX

Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Parking
Parking T ips
350
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2008 MDX

µ
Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems. ................
Identif ication Numbers .450
................................
Specif ications .452
DOT Tire Quality Grading
..........................
(U.S. Vehicles) .454
.................................
Tire Labeling .456
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Required Federal ............................
Explanation .458
.......................
Emissions Controls .460
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .462
........................
Emissions Testing .463
T echnical Inf ormation
Technical Inf ormation
449
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2008 MDX

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These f our systems work
together to control the engine’s
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: air intake,
engine control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
f uel to inject under all operating
conditions.This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manif old. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/f uel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the f uel is
burned.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI System Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Emissions Cont rols
Technical Inf ormation
461
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2008 MDX

The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Acura part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables.A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter.
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective. Keep the engine well maintained.
Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
462
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WARM UP THREE WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS
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2008 MDX

CONT INUED
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .423
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .454
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .322
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .395
..........................................
Tailgate .131
...............................
Opening the .131
..............................
Open Monitor .11
.........................................
Power .132
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .406
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .423
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .454
.....
Emissions Control Systems .460
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .461
.......................
Temperature Gauge .72
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .179
....................
Temperature, Outside .76
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .22
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .235
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .462
.
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel .124
....................................
Timing Belt .402
....................................
Tire Chains .420
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .425
.................................
Tire Labeling .456 Tire Pressure Monitoring
............
System (TPMS) .351,458
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .68,351
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor .77,352
...............................................
Tires .415
..............................
Air Pressure .415
.........................
Checking Wear .417
..........................
Compact Spare .424
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .454
......................................
Inf lation .415
..................................
Inspection .417
..............................
Maintenance .418
...................................
Replacing .418
......................................
Rotating .418
...........................................
Snow .419
............................
Specif ications .453
................................
Tire Chains .420
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .425
Torque Distribution Monitor
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .363
................
Emergency Wrecker .446
....
Equipment and Accessories .368
.............................
Weight Limit .364 .........................
Trailer Loading .364
..............
Trailer Stability Assist .376
.................
Trailer Towing Tips .372
..................
Trailer Stability Assist .375
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .399
...........................
Fluid Selection .400
..............
Identif ication Number .450
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .341
.....................................
Treadwear .417
................................
Trip Computer .78
.......................................
Trip Meter .75
....................................
Turn Signals .67
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .425
Index
INDEX
U
IX
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(SH-AWD®)............................... .348
2008 MDX