service Acura ZDX 2013 Owner's Manual

Contents
Child Safety P. 49 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 63 Safety Labels P. 64Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 116 Security System P. 122 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 125
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 129 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 142
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 152 Climate Control System P. 163Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 182 When Driving P. 185 Braking P. 212
Fuel Economy P. 224 Accessories and Modifications P. 225Maintenance Under the Hood P. 235 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 249
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 258 Battery P. 267 Remote Transmitter Care P. 268
Cleaning P. 270Engine Does Not Start P. 284 Jump Starting P. 287 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 289
Fuses P. 295 Emergency Towing P. 301
When You Cannot Open or Close the Tailgate P. 303Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 308 Reporting Safety Defects P. 309 Emissions Testing P. 310
Client Service Information P. 315
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 21
Instrument Panel
P. 65
Controls
P. 105
Features
P. 167
Driving
P. 171
Maintenance
P. 227
Handling the Unexpected
P. 275
Information
P. 305
Index
P. 316

Quick Reference Guide15
Handling the Unexpected
(P275)
Flat Tire
(P277)
●Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located under the cargo area.
Indicators Come On
(P292)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Engine Won’t Start
(P284)
●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse
(P300)
●Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating
(P290)
●Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing
(P301)
●Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

18Quick Reference Guide
California Proposition 65 WarningEvent Data RecordersThis vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s
systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened;
•How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or brake pedal; and,
•How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data
are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving
conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and
crash location) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.WARNING: This product contains or emits
chemicals known to the state of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required,
and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the
vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that
have the special equipment, can read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR.
The data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by
anyone else except as legally required or with the permission of the
vehicle owner.Service Diagnostic RecordersThis vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record
information about powertrain performance. The data can be used
to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians
diagnose and solve service problems. It may also be combined with
data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains
confidential.California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention ActThe airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR type batteries in this
vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/
As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded
by a symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid
damage to your vehicle, other property, or the environment.
NOTICE

48
uuAirbagsuAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag CareYou do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:■When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced.■When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.■Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver’s seat position sensor or the passenger’s weight
sensors. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate a person
with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S. vehicles you can also contact
Acura Client Relations at 800-382-2238. For Canadian vehicles you can also contact
Canadian Acura Client Service at 888-9-ACURA-9.
1Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

80
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Message
Condition
Explanation
●Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due soon.●Consequently, SERVICE DUE NOW and SERVICE
PAST DUE follow.
2Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 232
●Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
abnormally high.
2Overheating P. 290
●Appears when the starting system has a problem.
●As a temporary measure, press and hold the ENGINE
START/STOP button for 15 seconds while depressing
the brake pedal and manually start the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.

180
uuTowing a TraileruDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer•Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
•Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 177
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
•Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
•Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
•Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
•Drive slower than normal.
•Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
•Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
•Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
•Allow more time and distance for braking.
•Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer■Towing Speeds and Gears■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.

221
Continued
Driving
RefuelingFuel Information■Fuel recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with pump
octane of 91 or higher. If this octane grade is unavailable, regular unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane of 87 or higher may be used temporally.
The use of regular unleaded gasoline can cause metallic knocking noises in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to engine damage.■Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additives in gasoline vary in the market, Honda
endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help
maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today’s advanced engines.■Gasoline containing ethanol
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates such as ethanol. Your vehicle is
designed to operate on oxygenated gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume. Do not use gasoline containing methanol. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another service station or switch to another brand of
gasoline.Premium Unleaded premium gasoline, pump octane number 91 or higher
1Fuel InformationNOTICEWe recommend quality gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and
engine deposits. In addition, in order to maintain
good performance, fuel economy, and emissions
control, we strongly recommend the use of gasoline
that does NOT contain harmful manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT, if such gasoline is
available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, and cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel to come on.
If this happens, contact a dealer for service.

uuRefuelinguHow to Refuel
222Driving
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
“TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” standards at the retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper level of detergent additives and be free of metallic
additives. The proper level of detergent additives, and absence of harmful metallic
additives in gasoline, help avoid build-up of deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
For further important fuel-related information for your vehicle, or on information on
gasoline that does not contain MMT, visit My Acura at owners.acura.com. In
Canada, visit www.acura.ca for additional information on gasoline. For more
information on top tier gasoline, visit www.toptiergas.com.■Fuel tank capacity: 21.0 US gal (79.5 liters)How to Refuel
1.Stop your vehicle with the service station
pump on the left side of the vehicle in the
rear.
2.Turn off the engine.
3.Unlock the driver’s door using the master
door lock switch.
uThe fuel fill door on the outer side of the
vehicle will unlock.
1How to Refuel
3
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
•Stop the engine, and keep heat, sparks,
and flame away.
•Handle fuel only outdoors.
•Wipe up spills immediately.
Master Door
Lock SwitchTo UnlockTo Lock

227
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 228Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 229Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 230
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 231
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 235Opening the Hood ........................... 236
Engine Compartment Covers ........... 237
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 238
Oil Check ......................................... 239
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 240
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 241Engine Coolant ................................ 243
Transmission Fluid ............................ 245
Brake Fluid ....................................... 246
Power Steering Fluid Check.............. 247
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 248
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 249Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades.......................................... 256Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 258Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 259Tire Labeling .................................... 259
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ...... 261Wear Indicators ............................... 263
Tire Service Life ................................ 263
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 264
Tire Rotation .................................... 265
Winter Tires ..................................... 266
Battery............................................... 267
Remote Transmitter Care................. 268Climate Control System Maintenance
..... 269
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 270
Exterior Care.................................... 272

228Maintenance
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and MaintenanceFor your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.■Periodic inspections
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 245
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2Brake Fluid P. 246
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 258
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 249
•Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 256
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals
indicated by the multi-information display.
2Maintenance Service Items P. 233
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com.
2Authorized Manuals P. 314
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.U.S. models