engine coolant Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom mark to about the
middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper zone. If it reaches the red (hot)
mark, pull safely to the side of the
road. For instructions and
precautions on checking the engine's
cooling system, see page 589.
If the pointer of the temperature
gauge reaches to or above the red
mark, you will also see the‘‘WATER
TEMP HOT ’’message on the multi-
information display. This will alert
you that the engine should be cooled
down.
Gauges
77
Instruments and Controls
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Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
cargo or packages. The information
in this section will help you. If you
plan to add any accessories to your
vehicle, please read the information
in this section first.Break-in Period
...........................
454
Fuel Recommendation
................
454
Service Station Procedures
.........
455
Refueling
.................................
455
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
.....
456
Opening and Closing the
Hood
...................................
457
Oil Check
................................
458
Engine Coolant Check
............
459
Fuel Economy
.............................
460
Accessories and
Modifications
..........................
463
Carrying Cargo
...........................
465
Before Driving
453
Before Driving
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Engine Coolant CheckLook at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeAdding
Engine Coolant on page 548 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 541 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
Service Station Procedures
459
Before Driving
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page 625 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certified’’ to EPA standards. Maintenance Safety
.....................
532
Maintenance Minder
..................
533
Fluid Locations
...........................
543
Engine Compartment Cover
........
544
Adding Engine Oil
......................
545
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
.......................................
546
Engine Coolant
...........................
548
Windshield Washers
...................
550
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
551
Brake Fluid
.................................
553
Power Steering Fluid
..................
554
Timing Belt
.................................
554
Lights
..........................................
555
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
562
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
562
Floor Mats
..................................
563
Wiper Blades
..............................
564
Tires
...........................................
567
Checking the Battery
..................
573
Vehicle Storage
...........................
575
Interior Care
...............................
576
Maintenance
531
Maintenance
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Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.●Engine oil level－Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
458.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 459.●Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
551.●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 553.●Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
568.
●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 555.
Maintenance Minder
541
Maintenance
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SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
1
B
●Replace engine oil
1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’does not appear more than
12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every
year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page
539.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-
information display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are
noisy. Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under －20°F, －
29°C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000
km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
54209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

WASHER FLUID
(Black cap with blue icon)
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Black cap with red
steering mark)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
DIPSTICK (Yellow loop)BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Fluid Locations
543
Maintenance
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Adding Engine CoolantIf the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX
line. Inspect the cooling system for
leaks.Always use Honda Long-life Anti-
freeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antifreeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or plain
water.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure 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.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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.
MAX
MIN
Engine Coolant54809/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

1. Make sure the engine and radiatorare cool.
2. Relieve any pressure in the cooling system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
3. Remove the radiator cap bypushing down and turning
counterclockwise. 4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
5. Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it fully.
RADIATOR CAP
CONTINUED
Engine Coolant
549
Maintenance
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Windshield Washers
Check and fill the windshield washer
reservoir according to the warning
message on the multi-information
display.
If the washer fluid is low, a
‘‘LOW
WASHER FLUID ’’message appears
on the multi-information display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid.
MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers55009/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu