service Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Guide

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.
Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. The oil
and f ilter collect contaminants that
can damage your engine if they are
not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
1. 2.
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
206
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT

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If it is not, slowly add proper f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole.
Reinstall the f iller plug and tighten it
securely.
Tightening torque:
UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
transf er assembly.
Viscosity
The transf er assembly f luid should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule. Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly. Replace it
according to the maintenance
schedule recommendations.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. Using any non-Honda
brake fluid can cause corrosion and
decrease the lif e of the system. Have
the brake system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Tightening torque:
T ransf er A ssembly Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid
212
MAX
MIN
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)

Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Remove the center cap from the
flat tire.Place the f lat tire f ace up under
the hoist.
Insert the hoist bracket into the
center hole of the f lat tire.
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground
and remove the jack. 20.
21.
18.
19.
17. 16.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed235
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within ten seconds, turn of f
the engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
GotoanAcuradealeroraservice
station where you can get technical
assistance.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
3.
4.161
205
244
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
242
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.

The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II), and as a
reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take the
vehicle to your dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
Refer to on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
212
191
Brake System Indicator
Emergency Towing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Brake System Indicator, Emergency Towing
244
NOTICE:
Canada U.S.
Towing your vehicle with
two tires on the ground will damage
parts of the 4WD system. It should be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.

µ
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger vehicle tires must
conf orm to Federal Saf ety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.
The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A Treadwear
Traction AA, A, B, C
T echnical Inf ormation
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
256

Customer Service................................
Inf ormation .266
....................
Warranty Coverages .267
Reporting Saf ety Def ects ..........................
(U.S. Vehicles) .268
.....................
Authorized Manuals .269
Warranty and Customer Relations
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions265

Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
U.S. Owners:In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel:(787) 250-4327
Canadian Owners:
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact the Acura
Customer Service Office. 252
Cust omer Service Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions266
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÉLE
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Services
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238 Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel:1-888-9-ACURA-9
Fax:Toll-free 1-877-939-0909
Toronto (416) 287-4776

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providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
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