engine Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

279
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uEngine Compartment Covers
Maintenance
Engine Compartment Covers
The component parts in the engine compartment are protected by three covers.
You may need to remove the covers wh en you perform certain maintenance work.
To remove the covers:1 Engine Compartment Covers
When removing the clip, inse rt a flat-tip screwdriver,
then lift and remove the central pin.
When mounting the clip, insert while keeping the
central pin of the clip raised, then push until the pin
is flat.
Push until the
pin is flat.
Bulkhead Cover
Remove the holding clips. Right Engine Compartment Cover
Left Engine Compartment Cover

280
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uRecommended Engine Oil
Maintenance
Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contribu tor to your engine’s
performance and longevity. If you drive the
vehicle with insufficient or deteriorated oil,
the engine may fail or be damaged.
This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving
and that it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Use a Genuine Acura Motor Oil or another
commercial engine oil of suitable viscosity for
the ambient temperature as shown.
■Synthetic oil
You may also use synthetic motor oil if it is labeled with the API Certification Seal
and is the specifie d viscosity grade.
•Genuine Acura Motor Oil
• Premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil with an API Certification Seal on the
container.1 Recommended Engine Oil
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not requir e oil additives. In fact,
they may adversely affect the engine performance
and durability.
Ambient Temperature

281
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uOil Check
Maintenance
Oil Check
We recommend that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Wait approximately three minutes after turn ing the engine off before you check the
oil. 1.Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or
paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick back all the way into its
hole.
4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the
level. It should be between the upper and
lower marks. Add oil if necessary.1 Oil Check
If the oil level is near or below the lower mark, slowly
add oil being careful not to overfill.
Upper Mark
Lower Mark

282
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uAdding Engine Oil
Maintenance
Adding Engine Oil
1. Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2. Add oil slowly.
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten
it securely.
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.1Adding Engine Oil
If any oil spills, wipe it up immediately. Spilled oil may
damage the engine co mpartment components.
NOTICEDo not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil can result in leaks and
engine damage.
Engine Oil
Fill Cap

283
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Continued
Maintenance
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You must change the engine oil and oil f ilter regularly in order to maintain the
engine’s lubrication. The engine may be damaged if they are not changed regularly.
Change the oil and filter in accordance with the maintenance message on the multi-
information display. 1.Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature, and then turn the
engine off.
2. Open the hood and re move the engine oil
fill cap.
3. Remove the drain bolt and washer from
the bottom of the engine, and drain the
oil into a suitable container.1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
NOTICEYou may damage the environment if you do not
dispose of the oil in a suitable way. If you are
changing the oil by yourself, appropriately dispose of
the used oil. Put the oil in a sealed container and take
it to a recycling center. Do not throw the oil away
into a garbage can or onto the ground.
Washer
Drain Bolt

uuMaintenance Under the Hood uChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
284
Maintenance
4. Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
5. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
u If it is stuck, you must detach it.
6. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
u Apply a light coat of new engine oil to
the oil filter rubber seal.
7. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
u Tightening torque:
29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0 kgf∙m)
8. Pour the recommended engine oil into the
engine.
u Engine oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
9. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely
and start the engine.
10. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that ther e is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
11. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
u If necessary, add more engine oil.1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check
your work.
Oil Filter

285
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uEngine Coolant
Continued
Maintenance
Engine Coolant
This coolant is premixed with 50% an tifreeze and 50% water. Do not add any
straight antifreeze or water.
We recommend you check the engine coolant level every time you refuel. Check the
reserve tank first. If it is completely empty, also check the coolant level in the
radiator. Add the engine coolant accordingly.
1.Check the amount of coolant in the reserve
tank.
2. If the coolant level is below the MIN mark,
add the specified coolant until it reaches
the MAX mark.
3. Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Specified coolant: Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2
■Reserve Tank
1Engine Coolant
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not available, you may
use another major brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Check that 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.
Do not add rust inhibitors or other additives to your
vehicle’s cooling system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or with the engine components.
Reserve
TankMAX
MIN

uuMaintenance Under the Hood uEngine Coolant
286
Maintenance
1. Make sure the engine and radiator are
cool.
2. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise and
relieve any pressure in the coolant system.
Do not push the cap down when turning.
3. Push down and turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise to remove it.
4. The coolant level should be up to the base
of the filler neck. Add coolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it
fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank until it
reaches the MAX mark. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
■Radiator1 Radiator
NOTICEPour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill
any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can
damage components in the engine compartment.
3WARNING
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.Radiator Cap

287
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uTransmission Fluid
Maintenance
Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature.
1. Park on level ground, and start the engine.
2. Wait until the radiator fan starts and then
turn off the engine.
u Perform step 3 after waiting for about 60
seconds (less than 90 seconds).
3. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the
transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the
transmission securely , as shown in the
image.
5. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid
level.
u It should be between the upper and
lower marks in the HOT range.
6. If the level is below the lower mark, add
fluid into the dipstick hole to bring it to the
level between the upper and lower marks,
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
■Automatic Transmission Fluid
Specified fluid: Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic transmission fluid)
1 Automatic Transmission Fluid
NOTICEDo not mix Acura ATF DW-1 with other
transmission fluids.
Using a transmission fluid other than Acura ATF
DW-1 may adversely affe ct the operation and
durability of your vehicle’s transmission, and damage
the transmission.
Any damage caused by usin g a transmission fluid that
is not equivalent to Acur a ATF DW-1 is not covered
by Acura’s new vehicle warranty.
NOTICEPour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill
any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can
damage components in the engine compartment.Upper Mark
Lower Mark
HOT
Range

289
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uPower Steering Fluid Check
Maintenance
Power Steering Fluid Check
We recommend that you check the power steer ing fluid level every time you refuel.
Check when the engi ne is not running.
1.Look at the side of the reservoir. The fluid
should be between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL .
2. Add power steering fluid if necessary to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
u Inspect the system for a leak. If the fluid
level goes below the LOWER LEVEL
frequently, have the system inspected as
soon as possible.
Specified fluid: Acura Power Steering Fluid1 Power Steering Fluid Check
NOTICETurning the steering wheel to full left or right lock
and holding it there can damage the power steering
pump.
NOTICEPour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill
any. Clean up any spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine compartment.
UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL