fuel Acura MDX 2012 Service Manual

The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle's engine produces several
byproducts. Some of these are
carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of
nitrogen (NOx), and hydrocarbons
(HC). Gasoline evaporating from the
tank also produces hydrocarbons.
Controlling the production of NOx,
CO, and HC is important to the
environment. Under certain
conditions of sunlight and climate,
NOx and HC react to form
photochemical‘‘smog.’’Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act
ᤳ
sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
work and what to do to maintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
514.ᤳ
In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specified in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manufactured.Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Your vehicle has a positive crankcase
ventilation system. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine's
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The positive crankcase
ventilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
CONTINUED
Emissions Controls
587
Technical Information

Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
The onboard refueling vapor
recovery (ORVR) system captures
the fuel vapors during refueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
filled with activated carbon. While
driving, the fuel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned off.
Exhaust Emissions Controls
The exhaust emissions controls
include four systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These four systems work
together to control the engine's
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
PGM-FI SystemThe PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport fuel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and fuel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
fuel to inject under all operating
conditions.Ignition Timing Control SystemThis system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
SystemThe exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manifold. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/fuel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the fuel is
burned.
Three Way Catalytic ConverterThe three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine's exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO
2), nitrogen
(N
2), and water vapor.
Replacement Parts
The emissions control systems are
designed and certified to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent for repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions from your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more
information.
Emissions Controls588

Coolant
Adding
....................................
520
Checking
................................
427
Proper Solution
.......................
520
Temperature Gauge
.................
78
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
...................................
587
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
75
Cruise Control Operation
...........
345
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
75
Cup Holders
...............................
174
Customize Settings
......................
90
D
DANGER, Explanation of
..............
iv
Dashboard
...............................
3, 66
Daytime Running Lights
............
130
Dead Battery
..............................
558
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
132
Defrosting the Windows
............
186
Dimensions
................................
578
Dimming the Headlights
............
128
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission
.........
523Engine Oil
...............................
427
Directional Signals
...............
71, 128
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
461
Disc Care
...................................
247
Disc Changer
.............................
203
Disc Changer Error
Messages
...............................
211
Disc Player
..........................
203, 235
Disc Player Error Messages......
246
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
519
Doors
Childproof Door Locks
............
141
Indicator
...................................
12
Locking and Unlocking
...........
140
Lockout Prevention
.................
141
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
................................
581
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
439
Economy
.................................
428
Driving Guidelines
.....................
440
Driving Position Memory
System
...................................
168
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
...................................
447
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
534DVD Player
................................
313
DVD Player Error Messages
......
337
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
428
Emergencies on the Road
..........
549
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
558
Brake System Indicator
.....
69, 564
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
551
Charging System
Indicator
........................
69, 562
Checking the Fuses
................
566
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
551
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
132
Jump Starting
..........................
558
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
........................
69, 562
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
.............................
69, 563
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
572
Overheated Engine
.................
560
Towing
....................................
572
Emergency Brake
......................
164
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX

Emergency Flashers
..................
132
Emergency Towing
....................
572
Emissions Controls
....................
587
Emissions Testing
......................
590
Engine
Adding Engine Coolant
...........
520
Check Starting System
............
443
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
78
If it Won't Start
........................
557
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
.............................
69, 563
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
507
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
69, 562
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
517
Overheating
............................
560
Specifications
..........................
579
Speed Limiter
..........................
446
Starting
...................................
442
Engine Coolant
..........................
520
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
422
Evaporative Emissions
Controls
..................................
587
Exhaust Fumes
............................
61
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System
...................................
588Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
185
Features
.....................................
181
Filters
Dust and Pollen
.......................
534
Oil
...........................................
518
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
132
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
551
Floor Mats
.................................
535
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
.........
523
Brake
......................................
525
Location
..................................
515
Power Steering
........................
526
Windshield Washer
.................
522
FM Stereo Radio
Reception
................................
303
Fog Lights
..................................
130
Folding the Second Seat
.............
153
Folding the Third Seat
...............
154
Four-way Flashers
......................
132Front Airbags
.........................
10, 30
Front Seat
..................................
149
Adjusting
.................................
149
Air Ventilation
.........................
158
Heaters
...................................
157
Fuel
............................................
422
Economy
.................................
428
Fill Door and Cap
....................
424
Gauge
......................................
78
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
77
Octane Requirement
...............
422
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
572
Reserve Indicator
.....................
77
Tank, Filling the
......................
424
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
425
Fuel Economy
............................
428
Fuses, Checking the
..................
566
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
429
Gasoline
.....................................
422
Gauge
......................................
78
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
77
IndexIV

Octane Requirement
...............
422
Tank, Refueling
.......................
424
Gas Station Procedures
..............
424
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature
...
78
Fuel
..........................................
78
Speedometer
............................
78
Tachometer
..............................
78
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
...................................
488
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)
...................................
488
Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic
Transmission
...............
443, 444
Glove Box
..................................
175
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR)
.................................
488
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
.................................
488
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
...................................
488H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
527
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........
132
Headlights
.................................
128
Aiming
....................................
527
Automatic Lighting Off
............
131
Daytime Running Lights
.........
130
High Beam Indicator
................
74
High Beams, Turning on
.........
128
Lights On Indicator
..................
74
Low Beams, Turning on
..........
128
Reminder Chime
.....................
129
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
527
Turning on
..............................
128
Washers
..................................
127
Headphones
...............................
338
Head Restraints
..........................
150
Heated Mirror
............................
167
Heaters, Seats
............................
157
Heating and Cooling
..................
182
High Altitude, Starting at
............
442
High Beam Lever
................
128, 129
High-Low Beam Switch
..............
128HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver
............................
363
Hood, Opening and Closing
the
..........................................
426
Horn
......................................
4, 125
I
Identification Number,
Vehicle
...................................
576
Ignition
Keys
........................................
136
Switch
.....................................
139
Timing Control System
...........
588
Immobilizer System
...................
138
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX

Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
67
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
.......
70, 462
Active Damper System
......
77, 484
Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)
...................................
75
A/T Temp
................................
72
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
....................................
76
Brake (Parking and Brake
System)
.........................
69, 564
Charging System
..............
69, 562
Collision Mitigation Braking
System™
...............................
75
Cruise Control
..........................
75
Cruise Main
.............................
75
Door and Tailgate Open
...........
76
Fog Lights
................................
74
High Beam
...............................
74
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
74
Lights On
.................................
74
Low Fuel
..................................
77
Low Oil Pressure
..............
69, 562
Low Tire Pressure
....................
72
Maintenance Minder
TM
...........
507
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
.............................
69, 563Passenger Airbag Off
...............
37
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
21, 68
Security System
.......................
77
SH-AWD
®.................................
73
Side Airbag Off
....................
36, 70
SRS
.....................................
36, 70
System Message
.................
73, 86
Tire Pressure Monitor
..............
72
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning
...............................
71
VSA OFF
..................................
71
VSA System
.............................
71
Individual Map Lights
................
171
Infant Restraint
............................
45
Infant Seats
..................................
45
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
54
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
540
Inside Mirror
.............................
165
Inspection, Tire
..........................
542
Installing a Child Seat
..................
49
Instrument Panel
..........................
67
Instrument Panel Brightness
.....
133
Instruments and Controls
.............
65
Interface Dial
.............................
212
Interior Lights
............................
170
Introduction
...................................
iiPod
®
..........................................
278
iPod
®Error Messages
................
286
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
551
Jack, Tire
...................................
551
Jump Starting
.............................
558
K
Keys
...........................................
136
L
Label, Certification
.....................
576
Lane Change, Signaling
.............
128
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
16, 22
LATCH Anchorage System
..........
50
Lights
Indicator
...................................
67
Interior
....................................
170
Parking
...................................
128
Turn Signal
.............................
128
IndexVI

Load Limit
...........................
434, 487
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....
139
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column
......
139
Childproof Door
......................
141
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
424
Glove Box
...............................
175
Lockout Prevention
.................
141
Tailgate
...........................
141, 142
Low Coolant Level
......................
427
Lower Anchors
.............................
50
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
77
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
...........................
69, 562
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
578
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
433
M
Maintenance
..............................
505
Main Items and Sub Items
......
511
Minder
....................................
507
Owner's Maintenance
Checks
................................
513
Safety
......................................
506Schedule
.................................
514
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
................................
69, 563
Memory, Driving Position
..........
168
Message Display
..........................
86
Message Indicator
.......................
73
Meters, Gauges
............................
78
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
422
Mirrors, Adjusting
......................
166
Modifications
.............................
432
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
432
Moonroof
...................................
163
Multi-Information Display
............
79
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
445
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
422
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
576
O
Octane Requirement,
Gasoline
.................................
422Odometer
.....................................
81
Odometer, Trip
............................
81
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
..............................
500
Oil
Change, How to
......................
518
Change, When to
....................
507
Checking Engine
....................
427
Life, Engine
.............................
507
Pressure Indicator
.............
69, 562
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart
...................................
517
ON (Ignition Key Position)
........
139
Outside Mirrors
.........................
166
Outside Temperature
...................
82
Overheating, Engine
..................
560
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
513
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
422
P
Panel Brightness Control
...........
133
Park Gear Position
.....................
444
Parking
......................................
454
Parking Brake
............................
164
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX

Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
...........................
69, 564
Parking Lights
...........................
128
Parking Over Things that
Burn
................................
454, 589
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
37
PGM-FI System
..........................
588
Playing a Disc
............................
235
Playing an iPod
®.........................
278
Playing a USB Flash Memory
Device
....................................
287
Playing Disc
...............................
203
Playing Hard Disc Drive (HDD)
Audio (Models with navigation
system)
...............................
250
Playing the AM/FM
Radio
...............................
193, 213
Playing the XM
®Radio
........
197, 226
Pollen Filter
...............................
534
Power Seat Adjustments
............
149
Power Socket Locations
.............
177
Power Steering Fluid
.................
526
Power Windows
.........................
160
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
19
Preparing to Drive
......................
441
Proper Seat Belt Usage
................
16Protecting Adults and Teens
........
12
Additional Safety Precautions
...
20
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
19
Protecting Children
......................
40
General Guidelines
..................
40
Protecting Infants
.....................
45
Protecting Larger Children
......
57
Protecting Small Children
........
46
Using Child Seats with
Tethers
.................................
54
Using LATCH
..........................
50
R
Radiator Overheating
.................
560
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
192
Radio/Disc Sound
System
............................
193, 213
Radio Theft Protection
...............
308
Readiness Codes
........................
590
Rear A/C Unit
............................
187
Rear Audio Control Panel
...........
315
Rear Entertainment System
.......
310
Rear Lights, Bulb
Replacement
...........................
531Rearview Mirror
.........................
165
Rearview Mirror with Rearview
Camera Display
......................
417
Rear Window Defogger
..............
132
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
...................................
127
Recalling a Memorized Driving
Position
..................................
148
Reclining the Seat Backs
............
149
Reclining the Second Seats
........
153
Refueling
....................................
424
Reminder Indicators
.....................
68
Remote Audio Controls
..............
305
Remote Control (RES)
...............
334
Remote Transmitter
...................
145
Replacement Information
Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
534
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
518
Fuses
......................................
565
Schedule
.................................
514
Spark Plugs
.............................
579
Timing Belt
.............................
526
Tires
.......................................
544
Wiper Blades
..........................
536
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash
........................................
25
IndexVIII

Gasoline:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
21.00 US gal (79.5 L)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page 517).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid) (see page 524).Rear Differential Fluid:
Use Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid
(DPSF) only.
Capacity:
SH-AWD differential case
2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
Transfer Assembly Fluid:
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only.
Power Steering Fluid:
Acura Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 526).Brake Fluid:
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 525).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front/Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Compact Spare Tire:
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)
Service Information Summary