engine Acura ZDX 2012 Owners Manual

263Continued
Driving
Refueling
Fuel Information
■Fuel recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with pump
octane of 91 or higher. If this octane grad e is unavailable, regular unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane of 87 or hi gher 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 additive s 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 need s of today’s advanced engines.
■Gasoline containing ethanol
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygen ates 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 st ation or switch to another brand of
gasoline.
Premium unleaded gasoline, pump octane number 91 or higher
1 Fuel Information
NOTICEWe 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 reco mmend 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.

uuRefueling uHow to Refuel
264
Driving
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most ca ses, identify their gasoline as having met
“TOP TIER Detergent Gasolin e” 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: 21.00 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.
u The fuel fill door on the outer side of the
vehicle will unlock.
1How to Refuel
3WARNING
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 Switch To Unlock
To Lock

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

271
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safe ty precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or expl osion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• To clean parts, use a comm ercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and pr otective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only operate the engine if th ere is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
u Make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
u Make sure to let the engine and exha ust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do not start the engine unless instruct ed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1 Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a problem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner’s manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner’s manual.

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.
34
34
34

275
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, 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.
Maintenance Minder
Message
System Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*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.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#*4: 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/100,000 km.
*5: 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.
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*5

uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
276
Maintenance
Reset the engine oil life display if y ou have performed the maintenance service.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
w*1.
2. Display the engine oil life by repeatedly pressing the SEL/RESET button.
3. Press and hold the SEL/RESET button for 10 seconds or more.
u The oil life reset mode is displayed on the multi-information display.
4. Select RESET with the / button.
u The service code will disappear and the engine oil life display will return to
100%.
To cancel the oil life reset mode, select CANCEL, then press the SEL/RESET button.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ignition switch.
■Resetting the Display1 Resetting the Display
NOTICEFailure to reset the engine oil life after a maintenance
service results in the system showing incorrect
maintenance intervals, which can lead to serious
mechanical problems.
The dealer will reset the engine oil life display after
completing the required ma intenance service. If
someone other than a dealer performs maintenance
service, reset the engine oil life display yourself.
Engine
Oil Life
SEL/RESET
Button /
Button
34Maintenance Item Codes
34

277
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Coolant Reservoir Radiator Cap
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Handle)
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (Yellow Loop)Battery
Power Steering Fluid
(Black Cap)