steering Acura MDX 2012 Repair Manual

Symbol Maintenance 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 512.
NOTE:
●Independent of the Maintenance Midner information, 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 filter
If 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
514

POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
RADIATOR CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop) ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
Fluid Locations
515
Maintenance

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 Belt526

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 516).
(Passenger's side)
Remove the power steering
reserve tank from the stay
brackets.STAY BRACKETS
POWER STEERING FLUID
CONTINUED
Lights
527
Maintenance

(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 connector
from 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
Lights528

Replacing Front Fog/Daytime
Running Light Bulbs
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, 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 bulbs get very hot when lit.
Oil, perspiration, or a scratch on the
glass can cause the bulb to overheat
and shatter.
1. To change the bulb on the driver's
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn off the engine. To
change the bulb on the
passenger's side, turn the steering
wheel to the left.
2. Remove the bolt and use the flat-
tip screwdriver to remove the
holding clips located under the
front bumper.
3. Use a flat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
inner fender, and remove the
screw with a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
4. Pull the inner fender cover away
from the fender and bumper.
BOLT
HOLDING
CLIP
HOLDING
CLIP
SCREW
Lights530

Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights for
balancing.Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
The ABS works by comparing the
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Tires544

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 120 A Main fuse
－Not Used
2－1 30 A ADS
ᤳ2
2－2 30 A SH-AWD
2－3 30 A Rear Blower Motor
2－4 40 A ABS VSA
2－5 40 A Trailer Main
2－6 40 A Power Seats, Driver's Position
Memory System, Subwoofer,
Telescopic Steering Wheel
2－7 40 A Front Heated Seat, TPMS,
Moonroof, Driver's Lumbar
Support
2－8－－
3－1 60 A Fog Lights, Front Blower
Motor, Interior Light
3－2 40 A Headlights, Daytime Running
Lights
3－3 60 A Cooling Fan, Condenser Fan,
MG Clutch, Headlight
Washer
ᤳ1
3－4 50 A Ignition Switch Main
ᤳ1: Canadian model
ᤳ2: If equippedNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
3－5 50 A Power Window
3－6 60 A Power Tailgate Opener/Closer,
Rear ACC Socket, Interior
Light,
Rear Defroster
3－7 30 A ECU (PCM)
3－8 30 A TECH
4 40 A Audio, Door Lock, Interior
Lights, Front ACC Socket
5 30 A EPT-L
ᤳ2
6 30 A EPT-R
ᤳ2
7 30 A FI ECU
8 30 A Audio Amplifier
9 7.5 A Battery Sensor
10 15 A Hazard
11 15 A Horn, Stop
12 20 A ABS VSA
13 20 A Trailer (Brake)
14 20 A Rear Heated Seat
ᤳ2
15 20 A A/C Inverter
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
569
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

A
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
431
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)
.................................
139
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
177
AC Power Outlet
........................
178
Active Damper System
...............
484
Active Head Restraints
...............
152
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
402
Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)
.....................................
348
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
518
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
....
134
Advanced Airbags
........................
31
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 27
Air Conditioning System
............
182
Rear A/C Control
....................
187
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
189
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
540, 541
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
422
Antifreeze
...................................
520Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator
............................
70, 462
Operation
................................
461
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
308
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock
.......................................
139
Audio System
......................
192, 212
Automatic Climate Control
.........
183
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature
...................................
131
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
23
Automatic Speed Control
...........
345
Automatic Transmission
............
443
Capacity, Fluid
........................
578
Checking Fluid Level
..............
523
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
................................
447
Shifting
...................................
444
Shift Lever Position
Indicators
............................
443
Shift Lever Positions
...............
444
Shift Lock Release
...................
446
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
307B
Battery
Charging System
Indicator
........................
69, 562
Jump Starting
..........................
558
Maintenance
...........................
547
Specifications
..........................
579
Before Driving
...........................
421
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 21
Beverage Holders
......................
174
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
......................................
476
Bluetooth
®Audio
.......................
298
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
(Models with navigation
system)
...............................
383
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
(Models without navigation
system)
...............................
365
Booster Seats
...............................
58
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX