coolant level Acura MDX 2011 Owner's Manual

Temperature Gauge
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. For
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system, see page 554.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
U.S. model is shown.TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGEGauges7610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
information in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first.Break-in Period
...........................
418
Fuel Recommendation
................
418
Service Station Procedures
.........
419
Refueling
.................................
419
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
.....
420
Opening and Closing the
Hood
...................................
421
Oil Check
................................
422
Engine Coolant Check
............
422
Fuel Economy
.............................
423
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
426
Carrying Cargo
...........................
428
Before Driving
417
Before Driving
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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

U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with＃will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be performed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
multi-information display. Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●
Engine oil level
－Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
422.
●
Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 422.
●
Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
517.
●
Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 519.
●
Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
535.
●
Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 521.
Maintenance Minder
TM507
Maintenance
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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/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust 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 page 506.
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 drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive 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
TM
Maintenance Minder
50810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Adding Engine CoolantIf 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 for
leaks.Always use Honda Long-life Anti-
freeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antifreeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or plain
water.
If Honda antifreeze/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 for aluminum
engines. Continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and
refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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.
MAX
MIN
Engine Coolant51410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

1. Make sure the engine and radiatorare cool.
2. Remove the radiator cap cover. Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
3. Remove the radiator cap bypushing down and turning
counterclockwise. 4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
5. Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it fully.
RADIATOR CAP COVER
RADIATOR CAP
CONTINUED
Engine Coolant
515
Maintenance
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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
‘‘LOW
WASHER FLUID ’’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 Washers51610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

4. If the temperature gauge stays atthe red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 566).
6. If you do not find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
7. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
before checking the radiator.
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.
8. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. 9. Start the engine and set the
climate control to AUTO at ‘‘Hi. ’’
Add coolant to the radiator up to
the base of the filler neck. If you
do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have the
cooling system drained and refilled
with the proper mixture as soon as
you can.
10. Put the radiator cap back on tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see Emergency
Towing on page 566).
11. If the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has gone
down, add coolant to the MAX
mark. Put the cap back on tightly.
If the Engine Overheats
555
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Turn Signal
.............................
127
Load Limit
...........................
429, 481
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....
138
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column
......
138
Childproof Door
......................
140
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
419
Glove Box
...............................
173
Lockout Prevention
.................
140
Power Door
.............................
139
Tailgate
...........................
140, 141
Low Coolant Level
......................
422
Lower Anchors
.............................
49
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
75
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
67, 556
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
572
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
428
M
Maintenance
..............................
499
Main Items and Sub Items
......
505
Minder
....................................
501 Owner's Maintenance
Checks
................................
507
Safety
......................................
500
Schedule
.................................
508
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................
67, 557
Memory, Driving Position
..........
166
Message Display
..........................
85
Message Indicator
.......................
71
Meters, Gauges
............................
76
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
418
Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
164
Modifications
.............................
427
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
427
Moonroof
...................................
161
Multi-Information Display
............
77
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
439
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
418
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
570 O
Octane Requirement,
Gasoline
.................................
418
Odometer
.....................................
79
Odometer, Trip
............................
79
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
494
Oil Change, How to
......................
512
Change, When to
....................
501
Checking Engine
....................
422
Life, Engine
.............................
501
Pressure Indicator
.............
67, 556
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
511
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
138
Outside Mirrors
.........................
163
Outside Temperature
...................
80
Overheating, Engine
..................
554
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
507
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
418
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
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