engine Acura MDX 2009 Owners Manual

Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S.only)The publications shown below can be purchased from Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:●Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)●Go online atwww. helminc. com
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Publication
Form Number Form Description
61STX02 2007-2009 Acura MDX Service Manual
61STX02EL 2009 Acura MDX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
61STX30 2008 Acura MDX Body Repair Manual
31STX620 2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual
31STX820 2009 Acura MDX
Navigation System Owner's Manual
31STXM20 2009 Acura MDX Maintenance Journal 31STXQ20 2009 Acura MDX Quick Start Guide
ACU-R Order Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Service Manual:
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures for
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
for the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
for most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in
your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
469
W arrant y and Client R elat ions
2009 MDX

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
330
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
166
AC Power Outlet
........................
167
Active Damper System
...............
361
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
307
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
394
Advanced Airbags
.................. ......
29
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 24
Air Conditioning System
............
170
Rear A/C Control
....................
175
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
177
Air Pressure, Tires
.....................
415
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
322
Antifreeze
...................................
396
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
66, 357
Operation
................................
357
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
235 Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock
.......................................
129
Audio System
..............
180, 181,200
Auto Control Mode, Starting
Engine
....................................
339
Automatic Climate Control
.........
170
Automatic Lighting
....................
118
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
.................. .............
22
Automatic Speed Control
...........
270
Automatic Transmission
............
341
Capacity, Fluid
........................
452
Checking Fluid Level
..............
399
Shifting
...................................
341
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
341
Shift Lever Positions
...............
342
Shift Lock Release
...................
346
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
232
B
Battery Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 436 Jump Starting
..........................
432
Maintenance
...........................
421
Specifications
..........................
453
Before Driving
...........................
321
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 20
Beverage Holders
......................
163
Booster Seats
...............................
55
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
357
Break-in, New Linings
.............
322
Bulb Replacement
...................
406
Fluid
.......................................
401
Parking
...................................
153
System Indicator
...............
65, 438
Wear Indicators
.......................
357
Braking System
..........................
356
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
322
Brightness Control, Instruments
............................
123
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

D
DANGER, Explanation of
..............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
120
Dead Battery
..............................
432
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
468
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
122
Defrosting the Windows
............
174
Differential Fluid
........................
452
Dimensions
................................
452
Dimming the Headlights
............
118
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
399
Engine Oil
...............................
326
Directional Signals
.......................
67
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
357
Disc Care
........ ...........................
229
Disc Changer
......................
190, 218
Disc Changer Error Messages
........................
199, 228
Disc Player
..........................
190, 218
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
395
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
131 Locking and Unlocking
...........
130
Lockout Prevention
.................
131
Monitor
................ ....................
11
Power Door Locks
..................
130
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
454
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
337
Economy
.................................
327
Driving Guidelines
.....................
338
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
157
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
409
DVD Player
................................
239
DVD Player Error Messages
...............................
265
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
327
Emergencies on the Road
..........
423
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
432
Brake System Indicator
...........
438
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
425
Charging System Indicator
.....
436 Checking the Fuses
................
440
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
424
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
122
Jump Starting
..........................
432
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.....
436
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................................
437
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
446
Overheated Engine
.................
434
Towing
....................................
446
Emergency Brake
......................
153
Emergency Flashers
..................
122
Emergency Towing
....................
446
Emissions Controls
....................
460
Emissions Testing
......................
463
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

EngineAdding Engine Coolant
...........
396
Check Starting System
............
340
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
72
If it Won ’t Start
........................
431
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 437
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
383
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
65, 436
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
393
Overheating
............................
434
Specifications
..........................
453
Speed Limiter
..........................
346
Starting
...................................
339
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
322
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
460
Exhaust Fumes
............................
58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
461
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
18 F
Fan, Interior
...............................
173
Features, Comfort and Convenience
...........................
169
Filling the Fuel Tank
..................
323
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
409
Oil
...........................................
394
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
122
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
425
Floor Mats
.................................
410
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
399
Brake
......................................
401
Power Steering
........................
402
Windshield Washer
.................
398
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
205
Fog Lights
..................................
120
Folding the Second Seat
.............
144
Folding the Third Seat
...............
145
Four-way Flashers
......................
122
Front Airbags
...........................
9, 27 Front Seat
..................................
140
Adjusting
.............................. ...
140
Airbags
.................................
9, 27
Heaters
...................................
148
Fuel
............................................
322
Fill Door and Cap
....................
323
Gauge
......................................
72
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
71
Octane Requirement
...............
322
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
446
Oxygenated
.............................
322
Reserve Indicator
.....................
71
Tank, Filling the
......................
323
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
324
Fuel Economy
............................
327
Fuses, Checking the
..................
440
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
327
Gasohol
......................................
322
Gasoline
.....................................
322
Gauge
......................................
72
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
71
IndexIV08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Octane Requirement
...............
322
Tank, Refueling
.......................
323
Gas Station Procedures
..............
323
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature
.........................
72
Fuel
..........................................
72
Speedometer
............................
72
Tachometer
..............................
72
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
...................................
364
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)
...................................
364
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
.........
342
Glove Box
..................................
164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
...................................
364
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
403
HandsFreeLink
®........................
278
HFL Buttons
...........................
280
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
122 Headlights
.................................
118
Aiming
....................................
403
Automatic Lighting
.................
118
Daytime Running Lights
.........
120
High Beam Indicator
................
70
High Beams, Turning on
.........
118
Lights On Indicator
..................
70
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
118
Reminder Chime
.....................
118
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
403
Turning on
..............................
118
Washers
..................................
117
Headphones
...............................
266
Head Restraints
..........................
141
Heated Mirror
............................
156
Heaters, Seats
............................
148
Heating and Cooling
..................
170
High-Low Beam Switch
..............
118
HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
276
Hood, Opening and Closing
the
..........................................
325
Horn
..........................................
115 I
Identification Number,
Vehicle
...................................
450
Ignition Keys
........................................
126
Switch
.....................................
129
Timing Control System
...........
461
Immobilizer System
...................
128
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Fuel Fill Door
..........................
323
Glove Box
...............................
164
Lockout Prevention
.................
131
Power Door
.............................
130
Tailgate
...........................
131, 132
Low Coolant Level
......................
326
Lower Anchors
.............................
47
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
71
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
65, 436
Lubricant Specifications Chart
......................................
452
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
332
M
Maintenance
..............................
381
Main Items and Sub Items
......
387
Minder
....................................
383
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
389
Safety
......................................
382
Schedule
.................................
390
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.......
437
Memory, Driving Position
..........
157 Message Display
..........................
80
Message Indicator
.......................
69
Meters, Gauges
............................
72
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
322
Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
155
Modifications
.............................
331
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
331
Moonroof
...................................
152
Multi-Information Display
............
73
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
342
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
322
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
450
O
Odometer
.....................................
75
Odometer, Trip
............................
75
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
378
Off-Road Precautions
..................
378 Oil
Change, How to
......................
394
Change, When to
....................
383
Checking Engine
....................
326
Life, Engine
.............................
383
Pressure Indicator
.............
65, 436
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
393
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
129
Outside Mirrors
.........................
154
Outside Temperature
...................
76
Overheating, Engine
..................
434
Owner's Maintenance Checks
...................................
389
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
322
P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
123
Park Gear Position
.....................
342
Parking
......................................
350
Parking Brake
............................
153
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
...........................
65, 438
Parking Lights
...........................
118
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Parking Over Things thatBurn
................................
350, 462
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
...... .............................
34
PGM-FI System
..........................
461
Playing the AM/FM Radio
...............................
201, 207
Pollen Filter
...............................
409
Power Seat Adjustments
............
140
Power Socket Locations
.............
162
Power Windows
.........................
149
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
.. ......
18
Preparing to Drive
......................
338
Proper Solution
..........................
396
Protecting Adults and Teens
........
11
Additional Safety Precautions
..........................
19
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
18
Protecting Children
......................
37
General Guidelines
..................
37
Protecting Infants
.....................
42
Protecting Larger Children
......
54
Protecting Small Children
........
43
Using Child Seats with Tethers
.................................
51
Using LATCH
..........................
47 R
Radiator Overheating
.................
434
Radio/Disc Sound System
............................
181, 201
Radio Theft Protection
...............
235
Readiness Codes
........................
463
Rear A/C Unit
............................
175
Rear Audio Control Panel
...........
241
Rear Entertainment System
.......
237
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
406
Rearview Camera and Monitor
..................................
319
Rear View Mirror
.......................
154
Rear Window Defogger
..............
122
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
...................................
117
Reclining the Seat Backs
............
140
Reclining the Second Seats
........
144
Refueling
....................................
323
Reminder Indicators
........ .............
64
Remote Audio Controls
..............
233
Remote Control (RES)
...............
262
Remote Transmitter
...................
135 Replacement Information
Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
409
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
394
Fuses
......................................
439
Light Bulbs
.............................
403
Schedule
.................................
383
Timing Belt
.............................
402
Tires
.......................................
418
Wiper Blades
..........................
411
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash
........................................
23
Reserve Tank, Engine
Coolant
............................
326, 396
Restraint, Child
........ ....................
37
Reverse Gear Position
................
342
Reverse Lockout
........................
346
Rotation, Tire
.............................
418
S
Safety Belts
..............................
8, 20
Safety Defects, Reporting (U.S. only)
.......................................
468
Safety Features
..............................
7
Airbags
......................................
9
IndexVIII08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

SRS, Additional Information
.........
24
Additional Safety Precautions
..........................
35
Airbag Service
..........................
35
Airbag System Components
.....
24
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
33
How the SRS Indicator Works
..................................
33
How Your Front Airbags Works
..................................
27
How Your Side Airbags
Work
....................................
30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
32
SRS Indicator
.........................
33, 66
START (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
129
Starting the Engine
....................
339
Auto Control Mode
.................
339
In Cold Weather at High
Altitude
................................
340
With a Dead Battery
................
432
State Emissions Testing
.............
463
Steam Coming from Engine
.......
434 Steering Wheel
Adjustment
..............................
124
Anti-theft Column Lock
...........
129
Buttons
....................
233, 270,280
Position Memory
....................
157
Stereo Sound System
....................
180, 181,200
Storage Compartment................
164
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
422
Sunglasses Holder
.....................
165
Sun Visor
...................................
166
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ™
(SH-AWD
®) System
................
348
Supplemental Restraint System
..............................
9,24
Servicing
.............. ....................
35
SRS Indicator
......................
33, 66
System Components
................
24
Synthetic Oil
..............................
394
T
Tachometer
..................................
72
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 (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
454
Emissions Control Systems
.....
460
Three Way Catalytic Converter
............................
462
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
458
Temperature Gauge
.....................
72
Temperature, Inside Sensor
.......
179
Temperature, Outside
..................
76
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
22
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
51
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
235
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
462
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel
.....................................
124
Timing Belt
................................
402
IndexX08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Gasoline:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
21.00 US gal (79.5 L)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page393).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Acura ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) (see page
400).Rear Differential Fluid:
Use Acura ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) only.
Capacity:
SH-AWD differential case
2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
Transfer Assembly Fluid:
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only.
Power Steering Fluid:
Acura Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page402).Brake Fluid:
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page401).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front/Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Compact Spare Tire: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)
Service Information Summary08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX