maintenance Acura MDX 2011 User Guide

●
Use the interface knob to scroll to
the AcuraLink/Messages option,
and select it by pressing ENTER
on the interface selector.
●
Scroll to the Delete Messages
option, and select it by pressing
ENTER on the interface selector.
●
Scroll to the category with the
messages you want to delete, and
select the category by pressing
ENTER on the interface selector.Message Categories
There are six message categories in
AcuraLink: Quick Tips, Feature
Guide, Maintenance Minder
™,
Recalls/Campaigns, Diagnostic Info,
and Scheduled Dealer Appointments.
The system can store up to 255
messages.
Message categories can be added,
revised, or deleted through
broadcast messages from Acura. Quick Tips
These messages, based on updated
vehicle information and comments
from other MDX owners, supplement
your Owner's Manual. They provide
you with relevant information for a
safe and enjoyable ownership
experience. For additional
information, call Acura Client
Services directly through the HFL.
CONTINUED
AcuraLink
®
(U.S. models only)
403
Features
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Feature GuideDuring the first 90 days of
ownership, a number of messages
appears each day. These messages
help you to use and understand the
features of your vehicle.Maintenance Minder
™
These messages provide detailed
information about the service needed
for your vehicle. When a
maintenance message appears on the
multi-information display, a list of
needed maintenance items is
provided through an AcuraLink
message. These messages tell you
the exact maintenance needed,
helping you to avoid unnecessary
maintenance costs. You can use the following message
options:
●
Make an appointment from the
schedule at the dealer.
●
Reschedule the appointment with
the dealer.
●
Call your dealer for an
appointment.
●
Find the nearest dealer.
AcuraLink
®
(U.S. models only)
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Automated AppointmentYou can make an appointment with
your dealer through the AcuraLink
when you receive a Maintenance
Minder message.
To use the automated appointment
function, you should visit the My
Acura website atwww.owners.acura.com
, register some
required settings, and complete the
Phone-Data Connection set-up (see
page 412). Your
Bluetooth
®
compatible phone should also be
paired and linked to your vehicle'sBluetooth
®HFL (see page 385).
When you see the Maintenance
Minder message on the multi-
information display, you will also
receive a message in the navigation
screen. To open the message, press
ENTER. Select ‘‘New Messages, ’’
then press ENTER. You will see the
list of all messages. The most recent
message is listed at the top.
Select the received message, then
press ENTER. You will see the
message as shown. To make an
appointment, select ‘‘Schedule
Dealer Appt. ’’then press ENTER.
CONTINUED
AcuraLink
®
(U.S. models only)
405
Features
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The system will automatically
connect to the Acura server, then
show you the confirmation on the
navigation screen. If you accept the
cancel, press ENTER.
If you select the cancel appointment,
you cannot try to reschedule the
appointment. If you want to change
or reschedule the appointment date,
call your dealer directly with the
HFL.Using automated appointment, your
registered dealer through My Acura
is automatically selected. If you want
to select another dealer, such as in
case of an emergency, find the
nearest dealer and call the dealer
directly with the HFL.
When a maintenance appointment is
due soon, you will also receive an
appointment reminder message.
Recall/Campaigns
If your vehicle is affected by a recall
or other important safety
information, a letter will be mailed to
you about the issue and how to fix it.
If you don't get your vehicle fixed,
you will also receive a reminder
message through AcuraLink. You
can then use the message options to
call your dealer for an appointment
or to find the nearest dealer.
AcuraLink
®
(U.S. models only)
40810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Oil CheckWait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
2. Wipe off the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way back into its hole.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Engine Oil on page 511.Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
Adding
Engine Coolant on page 514 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 507 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
Service Station Procedures42210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Fuel Economy Factors
The following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
●
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic
●
Cold engine operation (engines
are more efficient when warmed
up)
●
Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running
●
Improperly inflated tires
Improving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
information display (seeOwner's
Maintenance Checks on page 507).For example:
●
Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page 511).
●
Maintain proper tire inflation
－
An underinflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.
●
Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.
●
Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or mud
on your vehicle's underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
Drive Efficiently●
Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
●
Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
●
Always drive in the highest gear
possible －If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your fuel economy by up
shifting as early as possible.
●
Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
Fuel Economy42410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured or
killed.●
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in this owner's
manual.
●
Keep your speed low, and
don't drive faster than
conditions permit.Important Safety Precautions
To avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to follow all precautions and
recommendations.
●
Be sure to store cargo properly
and do not exceed your cargo load
limits (see page 429 and 481).
●
Whenever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.
●
Keep your speed low, and never go
faster than the conditions allow.
●
It's up to you to continually assess
the situation and drive within the
limits. Check Out Your Vehicle
Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
for any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
carefully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsafe.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
Remember
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving off-highway can be
hazardous if you fail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.
CONTINUED
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
495
Driving
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page 589 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are
‘‘certified’’to EPA
standards. Maintenance Safety
.....................
500
Maintenance Minder
TM
...............
501
Fluid Locations
...........................
509
Engine Compartment Cover
........
510
Adding Engine Oil
......................
511
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
.......................................
512
Engine Coolant
...........................
514
Windshield Washers
...................
516
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
517
Brake Fluid
.................................
519
Power Steering Fluid
..................
520
Timing Belt
.................................
520
Lights
..........................................
521
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
528
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
528
Floor Mats
..................................
529
Wiper Blades
..............................
530
Tires
...........................................
534
Checking the Battery
..................
541
Vehicle Storage
...........................
542
Maintenance
499
Maintenance
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All service items not detailed in this
section should be performed by a
certified technician or other qualified
mechanic.
Important Safety Precautions
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions before you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.●
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is off.
●
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
●
To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all fuel-related parts.
●
Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when working with the
battery or compressed air.Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner's
manual.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
●
Carbon Monoxide poison from
engine exhaust. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
●
Burns from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down before touching any parts.
●
Injury from moving parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner's
manual.
Some of the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety50010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

One of the most convenient and
important features of the multi-
information display on your vehicle is
the Maintenance Minder™.
Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life.
The system also displays the code for
other scheduled maintenance items
needing service. Engine Oil Life
To see the remaining engine oil life
displayed on the multi-information
display as a percentage, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
Make sure the display shows blank,
SH-AWD and tire pressure, and then
press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly until the
engine oil life appears (see page 77).
The remaining engine oil life is
displayed according to the table shown
below.
Calculated Engine
Oil Life (%) Displayed
Engine Oil Life (%)
100% －91% 100%
90% －81% 90%
80% －71% 80%
70% －61% 70%
60% －51% 60%
50% －41% 50%
40% －31% 40%
30% －21% 30%
20% －16% 20%
15% －11% 15%
10% －6% 10%
5% －1% 5%
0% 0%
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
TM501
Maintenance
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