power steering fluid Acura MDX 2004 Owner's Manual

Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state regulations.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
MDX.Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your Acura dealer.
Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
Electric brakes must be
electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic system. See your brake
manuf acturer f or more inf ormation
on installing electric brakes.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
We strongly recommend that you
have your Acura dealer install an
Acura hitch and use the required
f luid coolers. Using non-Acura
equipment may result in serious
damage to your vehicle. T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Hitch
Weight Distributing Hitch Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolT ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler Trailer Brakes
Trailer Mirrors
Towing a Trailer
Driving188

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .196
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 197
....................
Maintenance Record .201
..............................
Fluid Locations .204
........................
Adding Engine Oil .205
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 206
..............................
Engine Coolant .208
....................
Windshield Washers .209
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 210
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .211
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 211
....................................
Brake Fluid .212
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 213
....................................
Timing Belt .213
....................................
Hood Latch .214
.............................................
Lights .214
.......................................
Seat Belts .218
.....................................
Floor Mats .218
.................................
Wiper Blades .219
...............................................
Tires .221
...................
Checking the Battery . 226
.............................
Vehicle Storage .227
269
Maintenance
Maint enance195

Fluid Locations
Maint enance204
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)

µµ
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km) if you regularly drive
your vehicle in one or more of these
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Maint enance
Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid
213
NOTICE:
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to
f ull lef t or right lock and holding it
there can damage the power steering
pump.

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation254
Dimensions
Weights
Air ConditioningCapacities
1.88 US gal (7.1
)
2.38 US gal (9.0)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
2.9 US qt (2.7)
7.7 US qt (7.3)
19.21 US gal (72.7
)
188.7 in (4,793 mm)
77.0 in (1,955 mm)
68.7 in (1,744 mm)
71.3 in (1,811 mm)
106.3 in (2,700 mm)
66.3 in (1,685 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
9,835 lbs (4,461 kg)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8 2.9 US qt (2.7
)
3.0 US qt (2.8)
0.45 US qt (0.43
)
0.48 US qt (0.45)
0.16 US gal (0.6
) 4.8 US qt (4.5
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering fluid
cooler.
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid
Transfer
assembly
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation. Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
Standard
Premium
1:
2: Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
2 1 1
2

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 163
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 101
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 206
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 22
..............
Air Conditioning System . 104
.....................
Rear A/C Control .109
.........................................
Usage .105
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .106
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .221
......................................
Antif reeze .208
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .59, 181
...................................
Operation .181
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 129
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 79
................
Audio System . 110,115,125
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.........................
Automatic Lighting .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 144
..............
Automatic Transmission . 172
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .254
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 210.......................................
Shif ting .172
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 172
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 172
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 175
...........................
Automatic Wipers .70
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .58, 242
............................
Jump Starting .238
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .255
..............................
Bef ore Driving .157
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders .99
..................................
Booster Seats .48
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 181
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 158
...........................................
Fluid .212
....................
Bulb Replacement .216
.........................................
Parking .92
.................
System Indicator . 59,244
........................
Wear Indicators .180 .............................
Braking System .180
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 158
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 74
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .216
..............................
Brake Lights .216
................
Front Parking Lights . 215
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 215
.................................
Headlights .214
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 217
.................................
Rear Bulbs .216
............................
Specif ications .255
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 215
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .214
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .105
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .103
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 159Filters
...............................................
Oil .206
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 231
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 210
..........................................
Brake .212
......................
Dif f erential Fluid .211
..........................
Power Steering .213
...................
Transf er Assembly . 211
..................
Windshield Washer . 209
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .113
........................................
Fog Lights .75
................
Folding the Second Seat . 87
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 88
..........................
Four-way Flashers .74
........................................
Front Seat .84
......................................
Adjusting .84
.........................................
Airbags .23
.........................................
Heaters .89
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 256
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .169
....................................
Economy .162
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .94
..................
DVD Error Messages . 140
...................................
DVD Player .133
..............................
Economy, Fuel .162
..................................
Emergencies .229
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 238
...........
Brake System Indicator . 244
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 231
.....
Charging System Indicator . 242
..................
Checking the Fuses . 246
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 74
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 242
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 243
..................
Overheated Engine . 240
.......................................
Towing .244
...........................
Emergency Brake .92
......................
Emergency Flashers .74
......................
Emergency Towing .244 .......................
Emissions Controls .259
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .58, 243
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,242
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating .240
............................
Specif ications .255
............................
Speed Limiter .174
.......................................
Starting .171
...................
Engine, .237
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 259
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .260
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
E
F
III

ÎÎ
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .229
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 256
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .158
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 207
................................
Vanity Mirror .100
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 166
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .254
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 252
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .183
........
VSA System Indicator . 63,183
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 63,183
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .184
.............................
Vehicle Storage .227
.....................................
Ventilation .106
.................................................
VIN .252
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .205
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .176 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
........
Warning Labels, Location of f . 52
..................
Warranty Coverages .267
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 209
............................
Level Indicator .61
.....................................
Operation .69
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 76
......................................
Wrench .233
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 90
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .75
Windshield ...................................
Def roster .107
.......................................
Washers .69
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .219
.....................................
Operation .69
Rear Windshield Wiper and .....................................
Washer .71
....................................
Worn Tires .222
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 244: U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
V U
IX

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Rear Differential Fluid:
Transfer Assembly Fluid: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
4.5 US qt (4.3
) Front/Rear:
Compact Spare Tire:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
(see page ).
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only (see
page ).
205
210 213
212
211
211
19.21 US gal (72.7)