fluid Acura MDX 2009 User Guide

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
1
B
●Replace engine oil
1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhasut system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’does not appear more than
12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every
year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the
first column on page388.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-
information display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are
noisy. Symbol
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you dirve in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you dirve primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under －20°F, －
29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.
S.)/100,000 km (Canada).●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000
km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
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2009 MDX

POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)RADIATOR CAP AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop) ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
CONTINUED
Fluid Locations
391
Maint enance
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2009 MDX

6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.Fill it to halfway 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. Windshield Washers
Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
If the washer fluid is low, a
‘‘
WASHER FLUID LOW ’’message
appears on the multi-information
display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid.
MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers39808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-information
display.
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.1. Park the vehicle on level ground. Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way intothe transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be between
the upper and lower marks.
DIPSTICK
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission Fluid
399
Maint enance
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2009 MDX

5. If the level is below the lowermark, add fluid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Acura ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission fluid.)
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick fits in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way. The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-information
display.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Use only Acura ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). Do not mix with
other transmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Acura ATF-Z1 may cause deterioration
in transmission operation and
durability, and could result in damage
to the transmission.
Damage resulting from the use of
transmission fluid other than Acura
ATF-Z1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
Automatic Transmission Fluid40008/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Replace the brake fluid when this
service is indicated on a maintenance
message in the multi-information
display.
Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake fluid can
cause corrosion and decrease the life
of the system. Have the brake
system flushed and refilled with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT
3 as soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle's
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
MIN
MAX
Brake Fluid
401
Maint enance
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2009 MDX

Power Steering FluidCheck the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The fluid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering fluid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Acura Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering fluid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Acura PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Turning the steering wheel to full left or
right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Timing Belt
The timing belt should be replaced at
the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicle in any of the following
conditions:
●In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).●In very low temperatures
(under
－20°F, －29°C).●Frequently tow a trailer.
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt40208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

U.S. Canada
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
fully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake fluid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it feels normal. If
it does, check the brake fluid level
the next time you stop at a service
station (see page401).
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81). If the fluid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system's dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will feel the brake
pedal go down much farther before
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
You will also see a
‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page81). Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible (see
Emergency
Towing on page446).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and carefully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
Brake System Indicator43808/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

DimensionsLength 190.7 in (4,844 mm)
Width 78.5 in (1,995 mm)
Height 68.2 in (1,733 mm)
Wheelbase 108.3 in (2,750 mm)
Track Front 67.7 in (1,720 mm) Rear 67.5 in (1,715 mm)
Weights Gross vehicle weight rating See the tire information label attached to the driver's doorjamb.
Gross combined weight
ꭧ 1
rating (GCWR) 10,053 lbs (4,560 kg)
ꭧ 1: The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
Air Conditioning Refrigerant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
Charge quantity 21.2－22.9 oz (600 －650 g)
Lubricant type ND-OIL 8
Seating Capacities Total 7
Front 2
Second 3
Third 2Capacities
Fuel tank Approx.
21.00 US gal (79.5 L)
Engine
coolant Change
ꭧ
1
1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
Total 2.43 US gal (9.2 L)
Engine oil Change
ꭧ 2
4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
Including
filter
Without
filter 4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Total 5.3 US qt (5.0 L)
Automatic
transmission
fluid Change
3.0 US qt (2.8 L)
Total 8.3 US qt (7.9 L)
Rear
differential
fluid Change
2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
Total 2.9 US qt (2.7 L)
Transfer
assembly
fluid Change
0.4 US qt (0.4 L)
Total 0.4 US qt (0.4 L)
Windshield
washer
reservoir U.S. vehicles 4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Canadian
vehicles
6.1 US qt (5.8 L)
ꭧ 1: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.18 US gal (0.7 L)
ꭧ 2: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Specifications45208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
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
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2009 MDX