coolant level Acura MDX 2013 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 560.
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
GAUGETACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGEGauges7812/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 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
...........................
422
Fuel Recommendation
................
422
Service Station Procedures
.........
424
Refueling
.................................
424
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
.....
425
Opening and Closing the
Hood
...................................
426
Oil Check
................................
427
Engine Coolant Check
............
427
Fuel Economy
.............................
428
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
431
Carrying Cargo
...........................
433
Before Driving
421
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, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
seeAdding Engine Oilon page 517.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, seeAdding
Engine Coolanton page 520 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer toOwner's Maintenance
Checkson page 513 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK
MIN
MAX
CONTINUED
Service Station Procedures
427
Before Driving
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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
427.●Engine coolant level－Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 427.●Automatic transmission－Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
523.●Brakes－Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 525.●Tires－Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
541.
●Lights－Check the operation of
all the lights monthly. See page
527.
Maintenance Minder
TM513
Maintenance
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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
51412/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 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 Coolant52012/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu

1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are 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 by
pushing 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
521
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 Washers52212/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu

4. If the temperature gauge stays at
the 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 (seeEmergency
Towingon page 572).
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 (seeEmergency
Towingon page 572).
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
561
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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LATCH Anchorage System
..........
50
Lights
Indicator
...................................
67
Interior
....................................
170
Parking
...................................
128
Turn Signal
.............................
128
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)
...........
433M
Maintenance
..............................
505
Main Items and Sub Items
......
511
Minder
....................................
507
Owner's Maintenance
Checks
................................
513
Safety
......................................
506
Schedule
.................................
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
.................
445New Vehicle Break-in
.................
422
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
576
O
Octane Requirement,
Gasoline
.................................
422
Odometer
.....................................
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
..................
165, 166
Outside Temperature
...................
82
Overheating, Engine
..................
560
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
513
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
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