engine oil Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

15
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P 269)
Under the Hood (P 277)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid.
● Check the battery regularly.
aPull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
bLocate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
cWhen finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights (P 291)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades (P 298)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P 300)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pre ssures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.

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Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas
The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.
■Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous conditio n. If you must drive with the tailgate
open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below.
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1 Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door
closed.Even when the garage door is open, drive out
of the garage immediately after starting the engine.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.

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Instrument Panel
Indicators
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
(Red)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w*1, then goes off.●Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.
●Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
●Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
●The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level.
2 What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 336
●Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 336
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (w*1, and
goes off when the engine starts.
●Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place.
2 If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 334
U.S.
Canada

90
uuGauges and Multi-Information Display uMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
Shows the total number of miles (U.S.) or ki lometers (Canada) that your vehicle has
accumulated.
■Odometer
SEL/RESET Button.
Outside Temperature
Trip A Trip B Engine Oil Life
Odometer

Continued91
uuGauges and Multi-Information Display uMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
Shows the total number of miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada) driven since the last
reset. Meters A and B can be used to measure two separate trips.
■Resetting a trip meter
To reset a trip meter, display it, then press and hold the SEL/RESET button. The trip
meter is reset to 0.0.
Shows the outside temperature in Fahr enheit (U.S.) or Celsius (Canada).
■Adjusting the outside temperature display
Adjust the temperature reading up to ±5°F or ±3°C if the temperature reading
seems incorrect.
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder
TM.2 Maintenance MinderTM P. 273
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg (U.S.) or l/
100 km (Canada). The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset,
the average fuel econ omy is also reset.
■Trip Meter
■Outside Temperature
■Engine Oil Life
■Average Fuel Economy
1Trip Meter
Switch between trip meter A and trip meter B by
pressing the SEL/RESET button.
1Outside Temperature
The temperature sensor is in the front bumper.
Road heat and exhaust fr om another vehicle can
affect the temperature reading when your vehicle
speed is less than 19 mph (30 km/h).
It may take several minutes for the display to be
updated after the temperature reading has stabilized.
Use the multi-information display’s customized
features to correct the temperature. 2 Customized Features P. 94
1Average Fuel Economy
You can choose to reset Trip A information when you
refuel.
2 Customized Features P. 94

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Driving
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped
1.Always use the parking brake when you park your vehicle.
2. Make sure the parking brake is set firmly, or your vehicle may roll if parked on an
incline.
Parking
1. Depress the brake pedal firmly with the shift lever in D.
2. Apply the parking brake while holding the brake pedal down.
3. Move the shift lever to
P.
4. Turn off the engine.
1Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.
1 When Stopped
NOTICEThe following can damage the transmission:•Depressing the accelera tor and brake pedals
simultaneously.
•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by
depressing the ac celerator pedal.
•Moving the shift lever into (P before the vehicle
stops completely.
1 Parking
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.

266
Driving
Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy
Fuel economy depends on several conditions, including driving conditions, your
driving habits, the condition of your vehicle, and loading. Depending on these and
other conditions, you may or may not achieve the rated fuel economy of this vehicle.
You can optimize your fuel economy with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Always maintain your vehicle in accordance with the messages displayed on the
multi-information display.
• Use the recommended viscosity engine oil, displaying the API Certification Seal.
• Maintain the specified tire pressure.
• Do not load the vehicle with excess cargo.
• Keep your vehicle clean. A buildup of snow or mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and increases wind resistance.
■Maintenance and Fuel Economy
1Improving Fuel Economy
Direct calculation is th e recommended method to
determine actual fuel consumed while driving.
In Canada, posted fuel economy numbers are
established following a si mulated test. For more
information on how this test is performed, please visit
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
Miles driven Gallons of
fuel Miles per
Gallon
100 Liter of fuel Kilometers
driven L per 100 km

269
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Mainte nance ............ 270
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 271Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 272
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 273
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 277Opening the Hood ........................... 278
Engine Compartment Covers ........... 279
Recommended Engine Oi l ................ 280
Oil Check ......................................... 281
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 282
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 283Engine Coolant ................................ 285
Transmission Fluid ............................ 287
Brake Fluid ....................................... 288
Power Steering Fluid Check.............. 289
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 290
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 291
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 298
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 300
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 301Tire Labeling .................................... 301
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ...... 303Wear Indicators ............................... 305
Tire Service Life ................................ 305
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 306
Tire Rotation .................................... 307
Winter Tires ..................................... 308
Battery ............................................... 309
Remote Transmitter Care ................. 310
Climate Control System Maintenance..... 312Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 313
Exterior Care.................................... 315

273Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance MinderTM
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the multi-information display every time you turn the ignition switch to
ON
w*1. The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or when to bring
your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
To Use Maintenance MinderTM
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON w*1.
2. Press the SEL/RESET button repeatedly until the engine oil life appears on the
multi-information display.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ig nition switch.
■Displaying the Engine Oil Life1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
There is a list of maintenance main and sub items you
can view on the multi-information display. 2 Maintenance Service Items P. 275
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100 100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
60 60 to 51
5050 to 41
40 40 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
10 10 to 6
55 to 1
00
Maintenance
Service Items
Remaining
Engine Oil Life
SEL/RESET
Button

274
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
The system message indicator ( ) comes on al ong with the Maintenance Minder message.
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-Information
Display
Maintenance MessageOil Life DisplayExplanationInformation
SERVICE DUE SOON15 %The remaining engine oil life is 15 to
6 percent. Once you switch the
display by pressing the /
(information) button, this message
will go off.The engine oil is approaching the end
of its service life, and the maintenance
items should be inspected and serviced
soon.
SERVICE DUE NOW5 %The remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1
percent. Press the / button to
switch to another display.The engine oil has almost reached the
end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be inspected
and serviced as soon as possible.
SERVICE PAST DUENegative DistanceThe remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a negative
distance appears after driving over
10 miles (U.S. models) or 10 km
(Canadian models). Press the /
button to switch to another display.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced immediately.
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