fuel Acura MDX 2012 Owner's Guide

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certification Seal
says‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
517
Maintenance

To safely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inflated.
The following pages give more
detailed information on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.Inflation Guidelines
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life, and riding
comfort.
●
Underinflated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
●
Overinflated tires can make your
vehicle ride more harshly, are
more prone to damage from road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) warns you when a tire
pressure is low. See page 455 for
more information.
Even though your vehicle is
equipped with TPMS, we
recommend that you visually check
your tires every day. If you think a
tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per
month. Remember to check the
spare tire at the same time.
Tires540

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.●
Fill the fuel tank.
●
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
●
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
●
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
●
Block the rear wheels.
●
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
●
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
●
Disconnect the battery.
●
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.
●
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
●
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage548

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................
550
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
551
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
557
Jump Starting
..............................
558
If the Engine Overheats
..............
560
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
562
Charging System Indicator
.........
562
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
563
Brake System Indicator
...............
564
Fuses
..........................................
565
Fuse Locations
............................
569
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.................................
572
Emergency Towing
.....................
572
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
..........
573
Taking Care of the Unexpected
549
Taking Care of the Unexpected

●
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer toStarting the
Engineon page 442.
●
Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
●
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see
page 566).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. SeeEmergency Towingon
page 572.Jump Starting
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
If the Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting558

If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine's emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle's performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fuel fill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least once. Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator off
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving.If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
If you keep driving with the malfunction
indicator lamp on, you can damage
your vehicle's emissions controls and
engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your vehicle's warranties.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’message on
the multi-information display (see
page 87).
Readiness Code
Your vehicle has certain‘‘readiness
codes’’that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions systems. In
some states, part of the emissions testing
is to make sure these codes are set. If
they are not set, the test cannot be
completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has been
disconnected or gone dead, these codes
may be erased. It takes several days of
driving under various conditions to set
the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, without
starting the engine. The malfunction
indicator lamp will come on for 20
seconds. If it then goes off, the readiness
codes are set. If it blinks five times, the
readiness codes are not set. If possible,
do not take your vehicle for an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer toEmissions Testingfor more
information (see page 590).Malfunction Indicator Lamp
563
Taking Care of the Unexpected

INTERIOR FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5 A TPMS
2 10 A Driver's Lumbar Support
Motor
3 15 A Moonroof
4 20 A Front Heated Seats
5 10 A Audio
6 7.5 A Interior Light
7 10 A Back Up
8 20 A Door Lock
9 15 A ACC Socket
10 15 A IG Coil
11 30 A Windshield Wiper
12 10 A Subwoofer
13 20 A Passenger's Power ReclineNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
14 20 A Driver's Power Slide
15 20 A Telescopic Steering Wheel
16 20 A Driver's Power Recline
17 20 A Passenger's Power Slide
18 10 A Alternator
19 20 A Fuel Pump
20 10 A SH-AWD, ODS
21 7.5 A Gauges
22 10 A SRS
23－Not Used
24 20 A Left Rear Power Window
25 20 A Right Rear Power Window
26 30 A Passenger's Power Window
27 30 A Driver's Power Window
28 20 A Tilt Steering Wheel
29 10 A ABS VSA
30 10 A A/C
31 15 A Washer
32 10 A ACC
33－Not Used
Auxiliary (Holder1)No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5 A Starter DIAG
2 7.5 A SH-AWDAuxiliary (Holder2)No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5 A STS
2 7.5 A ODS
Auxiliary
(Holder1)Auxiliary
(Holder2)
Fuse Locations
571
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Opening the Fuel Fill Door
ManuallyIf the fuel fill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the rear fuse box lid in the
cargo area.
To open the fuel fill door, pull the
release lever rearward.Emergency Towing
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The only way you can safely tow
your vehicle is with flat-bed
equipment.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inform
them a flat-bed is required.
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the all-
wheel-drive system. Your vehicle should
be transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer.
LID
RELEASE LEVER
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually, Emergency Towing572

Dimensions
Length 191.6 in (4,867 mm)
Width 78.5 in (1,994 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
ᤳ1
rating (GCWR)10,053 lbs (4,560 kg)
ᤳ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
coolantChange
ᤳ1
1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
Total 2.43 US gal (9.2 L)
Engine oil Change
ᤳ2
4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
Including
filter
Without
filter4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Total 5.3 US qt (5.0 L)
Automatic
transmission
fluidChange 3.3 US qt (3.1 L)
Total 8.5 US qt (8.0 L)
Rear
differential
fluidChange 2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
Total 3.0 US qt (2.8 L)
Transfer
assembly
fluidChange 0.4 US qt (0.4 L)
Total 0.4 US qt (0.4 L)
Windshield
washer
reservoirU.S. vehicles 4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Canadian
vehicles6.1 US qt (5.8 L)
ᤳ1: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.18 US gal (0.7 L)
ᤳ2: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Specifications578

Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.)As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure.Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)－Required Federal Explanation
585
Technical Information