power steering fluid Acura MDX 2011 Owner's Manual

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
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

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

POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap) ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop) RADIATOR CAP AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
Fluid Locations
509
Maintenance
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

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 Belt52010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
Low Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself. If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the front bulkhead cover
(see page 510).
(Passenger's side)
Remove the power steering
reserve tank from the stay
brackets.STAY BRACKETS
POWER STEERING FLUID
CONTINUED
Lights
521
Maintenance
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

(Passenger's side)
Use a flat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
engine coolant reserve tank, and
then remove the engine coolant
reserve tank.
Remove the cap from the engine
coolant reserve tank (use towel to
wipe fluid).
Unclip hose from the stay brackets
on the engine coolant reserve
tank.
3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
4. Remove the bulb by turning it about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise. 5. Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
6. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb.
7. Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Passenger's side) Install the engine coolant reserve
tank and power steering reserve
tank.
HOLDING CLIP
CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
BULB
CONNECTOR
Lights52210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
426
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
138
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
175
AC Power Outlet
........................
176
Active Damper System
...............
478
Active Head Restraints
...............
151
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
398
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
345
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
512
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
....
133
Advanced Airbags
........................
30
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 26
Air Conditioning System
............
180
Rear A/C Control
....................
185
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
187
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
534, 535
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
418
Antifreeze
...................................
514 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator
............................
68, 456
Operation
................................
455
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
305
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.......................................
138
Audio System
......................
190, 209
Automatic Climate Control.........
181
Automatic Lighting Off Feature
...................................
130
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
23
Automatic Speed Control
...........
342
Automatic Transmission
............
437
Capacity, Fluid
........................
572
Checking Fluid Level
..............
517
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
441
Shifting
...................................
438
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
437
Shift Lever Positions
...............
438
Shift Lock Release
...................
440
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
304 B
Battery
Charge Low
..............................
82
Charging System Indicator
........................
67, 556
Jump Starting
..........................
552
Maintenance
...........................
541
Specifications
..........................
573
Before Driving
...........................
417
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 21
Beverage Holders
......................
172
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
......................................
470
Bluetooth
®Audio
.......................
295
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
......
362
Booster Seats
...............................
57
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Emergency Brake
......................
163
Emergency Flashers
..................
131
Emergency Towing
....................
566
Emissions Controls
....................
580
Emissions Testing
......................
583
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
514
Check Starting System
............
437
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
76
If it Won't Start
........................
551
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
501
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
67, 556
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
511
Overheating
............................
554
Specifications
..........................
573
Speed Limiter
..........................
440
Starting
...................................
436
Engine Coolant
..........................
514
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
418
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
580
Exhaust Fumes
............................
60
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
581 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
183
Features
.....................................
179
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
528
Oil
...........................................
512
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
131
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
545
Floor Mats
.................................
529
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
.........
517
Brake
......................................
519
Location
..................................
509
Power Steering
........................
520
Windshield Washer
.................
516
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
300
Fog Lights
..................................
129
Folding the Second Seat
.............
152
Folding the Third Seat
...............
153
Four-way Flashers
......................
131 Front Airbags
.........................
10, 29
Front Seat
..................................
148
Adjusting
.................................
148
Air Ventilation
.........................
157
Heaters
...................................
156
Fuel
............................................
418
Economy
.................................
423
Fill Door and Cap
....................
419
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
Octane Requirement
...............
418
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
566
Reserve Indicator
.....................
75
Tank, Filling the
......................
419
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
420
Fuel Economy
............................
423
Fuses, Checking the
..................
560
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
424
Gasoline
.....................................
418
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
IndexIV10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
132
Park Gear Position
.....................
438
Parking
......................................
448
Parking Brake
............................
163
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator
...........................
67, 558
Parking Lights
...........................
127
Parking Over Things that Burn
................................
448, 582
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
36
PGM-FI System
..........................
581
Playing a Disc
............................
232
Playing an iPod
®.........................
275
Playing a USB Flash Memory Device
....................................
284
Playing Disc
...............................
200
Playing Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Audio (Models with navigationsystem)
...............................
247
Playing the AM/FM Radio
...............................
191, 210
Playing the XM
®Radio
........
195, 223
Pollen Filter
...............................
528 Power Seat Adjustments
............
148
Power Socket Locations
.............
175
Power Steering Fluid
.................
520
Power Windows
.........................
158
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
19
Preparing to Drive
......................
435
Proper Seat Belt Usage
................
16
Protecting Adults and Teens
........
12
Additional Safety Precautions
...
20
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
19
Protecting Children
......................
39
General Guidelines
..................
39
Protecting Infants
.....................
44
Protecting Larger Children
......
56
Protecting Small Children
........
45
Using Child Seats with Tethers
.................................
53
Using LATCH
..........................
49
R
Radiator Overheating
.................
554
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
190
Radio/Disc Sound System
............................
191, 210 Radio Theft Protection
...............
305
Readiness Codes
........................
583
Rear A/C Unit
............................
185
Rear Audio Control Panel
...........
312
Rear Entertainment System
.......
307
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
525
Rearview Mirror
.........................
163
Rearview Mirror with Rearview Camera Display
......................
414
Rear Window Defogger
..............
131
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
...................................
126
Recalling a Memorized Driving Position
..................................
147
Reclining the Seat Backs
............
148
Reclining the Second Seats
........
152
Refueling
....................................
419
Reminder Indicators
.....................
66
Remote Audio Controls
..............
302
Remote Control (RES)
...............
331
Remote Transmitter
...................
144
Replacement Information Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
528
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
512
Fuses
......................................
559
IndexVIII10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

V
Vanity Mirror
.............................
175
Vehicle Capacity Load
................
429
Vehicle Dimensions
...................
572
Vehicle Identification Number
...
570
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
................................
467
VSA OFF Indicator
...................
69
VSA OFF Switch
.....................
468
VSA System Indicator
..............
69
Vehicle Storage
..........................
542
Ventilation
..................................
187
VIN
............................................
570
Viscosity, Oil
..............................
511
W
WARNING, Explanation of
...........
iii
Warning Labels, Location of
.........
61
Warranty Coverages (U.S. only)
.......................................
587
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level
........
516
Operation
................................
125 Wheels
Adjusting the Steering
.............
133
Alignment and Balance
...........
538
Aluminum Alloy Wheels
.........
540
Cleaning
..................................
540
Compact Spare
........................
544
Wrench, Nut
...........................
545
Windows Auto Reverse
...........................
159
Operating the Power
...............
158
Rear, Defogger
........................
131
Windshield
Cleaning
..................................
125
Defroster
.................................
184
Washers
..........................
125, 516
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades
.....................
530
Operation
................................
125
Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer
................................
126
Worn Tires
.................................
536
Wrecker, Emergency Towing
....
566 X
XM
®Radio
..........................
195, 223
IndexXII10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu