INTRODUCTION
Use this article to quickly find specifications related to servicing and on-vehicle adjustments. This is a quick-reference article to use when you are familiar with an adjustment procedure and only need a specification.
CAPACITIES
| Application | Quantity |
|---|
| Automatic Transaxle (1) |
| MDX |
| Fluid Change | 2.9 Qts. (2.7L) |
| Overhaul | 7.7 Qts. (7.3L) |
| RSX |
| Fluid Change | 2.9 Qts. (2.7L) |
| Overhaul | 6.9 Qts. (6.5L) |
| 3.2CL & 3.2TL |
| Fluid Change | 3.1 Qts. (2.9L) |
| Overhaul | 7.6 Qts. (7.2L) |
| 3.5RL |
| Fluid Change | 3.2 Qts. (3.0L) |
| Overhaul | 9.1 Qts. (8.6L) |
| Cooling System (2) |
| MDX | 7.5 Qts. (7.1L) |
| RSX |
| A/T | 5.3 Qts. (5.0L) |
| M/T | 5.4 Qts. (5.1L) |
| 3.2CL & 3.2TL | 5.9 Qts. (5.6L) |
| 3.5RL | 6.4 Qts. (6.1L) |
| Crankcase (Includes Filter) |
| MDX | 4.5 Qts. (4.3L) |
| RSX |
| K20A2 | 5.0 Qts. (4.7L) |
| K20A3 | 4.4Qts. (4.2L) |
| 3.2CL & 3.2TL | 4.6 Qts. (4.4L) |
| 3.5RL | 4.9 Qts. (4.6L) |
| Differential |
| MDX | 2.8 Qts. (2.6L) |
| 3.5RL | 1.2 Qts. (1.0L) |
| Manual Transaxle (3) |
| RSX | 1.6 Qts. (1.5L) |
| 3.2L CL | 2.3 Qts. (2.2L) |
| (1) Manufacturer recommends Honda ATF-ZF1. (2) Drain and refill capacity, including heater. (3) Manufacturer recommends Honda MTF. |
| (1) | Manufacturer recommends Honda ATF-ZF1. |
| (2) | Drain and refill capacity, including heater. |
| (3) | Manufacturer recommends Honda MTF. |
Replacement Intervals
| Component | (1) Miles |
|---|
| Air Filter | 30,000 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid |
| 3.2CL, 3.2TL & 3.5RL | (2) |
| MDX | (4) |
| RSX | (3) |
| Brake Fluid | 3 Years |
| Camshaft Timing Belt | (5) (6) 105,000 |
| Coolant | (2) |
| Differential |
| 3.5RL | (7) |
| MDX | (8) 30,000 |
| Engine Oil | (9) 7500 |
| Engine Oil Filter | 15,000 |
| Fuel Filter | (10) |
| Manual Transmission Oil | 120,000 |
| Spark Plugs | (11) 105,000 |
| Valve Clearance |
| MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL | (12) 105,000 |
| RSX | (12) 110,000 |
| 3.5RL | (13) |
| (1) For severe service divide mileage intervals in half. (2) First service at 120,000 miles. Service every 90,000 miles thereafter. (3) First service at 75,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. (4) First service at 45,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. (5) Inspect water pump and replace as necessary. (6) If regularly driven in very hot or cold weather, over 110°F (43°C) or under -20°F (-29°C), replace belt every 60,000 miles. (7) First service at 60,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. (8) On MDX, first service at 15,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. (9) On RSX, every 10,000 miles. (10) Replaced when fuel pressure drops to less than specification. See REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE table under FUEL SYSTEM. (11) On RSX, replace every 110,000 miles. (12) Adjust valves only if noisy. (13) Equipped with hydraulic lifters. No adjustment required. |
| (1) | For severe service divide mileage intervals in half. |
| (2) | First service at 120,000 miles. Service every 90,000 miles thereafter. |
| (3) | First service at 75,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. |
| (4) | First service at 45,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. |
| (5) | Inspect water pump and replace as necessary. |
| (6) | If regularly driven in very hot or cold weather, over 110°F (43°C) or under -20°F (-29°C), replace belt every 60,000 miles. |
| (7) | First service at 60,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. |
| (8) | On MDX, first service at 15,000 miles. Service every 30,000 miles thereafter. |
| (9) | On RSX, every 10,000 miles. |
| (10) | Replaced when fuel pressure drops to less than specification. See REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE table under FUEL SYSTEM. |
| (11) | On RSX, replace every 110,000 miles. |
| (12) | Adjust valves only if noisy. |
| (13) | Equipped with hydraulic lifters. No adjustment required. |
Drive Belt Adjustment
| Application | (1) Deflection - In. (mm) |
|---|
| A/C Compressor |
| Except 3.5RL | (4) |
| 3.5RL |
| New Belt | (2) .22-.24 (5.5-6.0) |
| Used Belt | (3) .31-.43 (8.0-11.0) |
| Generator |
| Except 3.5RL | (4) |
| 3.5RL |
| New Belt | (2) .28-.31 (7.0-8.0) |
| Used Belt | (3) .37-.45 (9.5-11.5) |
| Power Steering |
| 3.2CL & 3.2TL |
| New Belt | (2) .33-.45 (8.5-11.0) |
| Used Belt | (3) .51-.65 (13.0-16.5) |
| MDX & RSX | (4) |
| 3.5RL |
| New Belt | (2) .30-.35 (7.5-9.0) |
| Used Belt | (3) .41-.49 (10.5-12.5) |
| (1) Deflection is with 22 lbs. (10 kg) pressure applied midway on longest belt run. (2) Install new belt to new specification. Run for 5 minutes and readjust to used belt specification. (3) Belt is considered used when it has been run for 5 minutes or more. (4) Automatic belt tensioner is used. Belt adjustment not required. |
| (1) | Deflection is with 22 lbs. (10 kg) pressure applied midway on longest belt run. |
| (2) | Install new belt to new specification. Run for 5 minutes and readjust to used belt specification. |
| (3) | Belt is considered used when it has been run for 5 minutes or more. |
| (4) | Automatic belt tensioner is used. Belt adjustment not required. |
ENGINE COMPRESSION
| Application | Specification (1) |
|---|
| MDX |
| Minimum | (3) 145 psi (10.1 kg/cm 2 ) |
| RSX (2) , 3.2CL & 3.2TL |
| Minimum | (3) 135 psi (9.5 kg/cm 2 ) |
| 3.5RL |
| Minimum | (3) 142 psi (10.0 kg/cm 2 ) |
| (1) Maximum variation between cylinders is 28 psi (2 kg/cm 2 ). (2) Check compression at 250 RPM and WOT. (3) Check compression at 200 RPM and WOT. |
| (1) | Maximum variation between cylinders is 28 psi (2 kg/cm 2 ). |
| (2) | Check compression at 250 RPM and WOT. |
| (3) | Check compression at 200 RPM and WOT. |
ENGINE COMPRESSION SPECIFICATIONS
VALVE CLEARANCE
| Application (1) | In. (mm) |
|---|
| MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL |
| Intake | 0.008-0.009 (0.20-0.23) |
| Exhaust | 0.011-0.013 (0.28-0.33) |
| RSX (K20A2) |
| Intake | 0.008-0.010 (0.20-0.25) |
| Exhaust | 0.010-0.011 (0.25-0.28) |
| RSX (K20A3) |
| Intake | 0.008-0.010 (0.20-0.25) |
| Exhaust | 0.011-0.013 (0.28-0.33) |
| 3.5RL | (2) |
| (1) Adjust valves when engine is cold. (2) Equipped with hydraulic lifters. No adjustment is necessary. |
| (1) | Adjust valves when engine is cold. |
| (2) | Equipped with hydraulic lifters. No adjustment is necessary. |
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
IGNITION COIL
| Application | Primary | Secondary |
|---|
| MDX & RSX | (1) | (1) |
| 3.2CL & 3.2TL | .34-.42 | 1,710-20,900 |
| 3.5RL | 0.9-1.1 | (2) |
| (1) Ignition coil specifications not available. (2) If primary resistance is as specified and trouble shooting does not reveal problem cause, replace coil with known good coil, and retest system. |
| (1) | Ignition coil specifications not available. |
| (2) | If primary resistance is as specified and trouble shooting does not reveal problem cause, replace coil with known good coil, and retest system. |
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE - Ohms @ 77°F (25°C)
SPARK PLUGS
| Application | NGK | Nippondenso |
|---|
| MDX | IZFR5K-11 | SKJ16DR-M11 |
| RSX |
| K20A2 | IFR7G-11K | SK22PR-M11 |
| K20A3 | IFR6K11 | SKJ20DR-M11 |
| 3.2CL & 3.2TL |
| J32A1 | PZFR5F-11 | PKJ16CR-L11 |
| J32A2 | PZFR6E-11 | PKJ20CR-M11 |
| 3.5RL | PFR5L-11 | PK16PR-L11 |
| Application | Gap In. (mm) | Torque Ft. Lbs. (N.m) |
|---|
| Spark Plugs (1) | .039-.043 (1.0-1.1) | 13 (18) |
| (1) DO NOT adjust gap on platinum spark plugs. If adjustment is required, replace with NEW platinum spark plug. |
| (1) | DO NOT adjust gap on platinum spark plugs. If adjustment is required, replace with NEW platinum spark plug. |
SPARK PLUG SPECIFICATIONS
FIRING ORDER & TIMING MARKS
Note. To identify firing order and locate timing marks, refer to illustrations. (Scheme 1)- (Scheme 5).
Scheme 1
Scheme 1: Firing Order (Except RSX)
Scheme 2
Scheme 2: Firing Order (RSX)
Scheme 3
Scheme 3: Ignition Timing Mark (MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL)
Scheme 4
Scheme 4: Ignition Timing Mark (RSX)
Scheme 5
Scheme 5: Ignition Timing Mark (3.5RL)
IGNITION TIMING
| Application | Specification |
|---|
| MDX | 8-12 @ 680-780 |
| RSX |
| A/T | 6-10 @ 600-700 |
| M/T | 6-10 @ 650-750 |
| 3.2CL |
| A/T | 8-12 @ 700-800 |
| M/T | 8-12 @ 710-810 |
| 3.2TL | 8-12 @ 630-730 |
| 3.5RL | 13-17 @ 600-700 |
| (1) Install Service Check Connector Tool (07PAZ-0010100) to service check connector before checking timing. (2) With automatic transmission in Neutral or Park, manual transmission in Neutral. |
| (1) | Install Service Check Connector Tool (07PAZ-0010100) to service check connector before checking timing. |
| (2) | With automatic transmission in Neutral or Park, manual transmission in Neutral. |
IGNITION TIMING (DEGREES BTDC - RED MARK @ RPM) (1) (2)
FUEL PUMP
| Application | At Idle W/ Vacuum psi (kg/cm 2 ) | At Idle W/O Vacuum psi (kg/cm 2 ) |
|---|
| MDX | 48-55 (3.4-3.9) | 57-64 (4.0-4.5) |
| RSX | (2) | 47-54 (3.3-3.8) |
| 3.2CL | 40-46 (2.7-3.3) | 47-54 (3.3-3.8) |
| 3.2TL | 40-46 (2.7-3.3) | 48-55 (3.4-3.9) |
| 3.5RL | 35-42 (2.5-3.0) | 43-51 (3.0-3.6) |
| (1) Pressure is measured at fuel filter, with vacuum hose connected or disconnected from fuel pressure regulator. (2) Information not available w/vacuum applied. |
| (1) | Pressure is measured at fuel filter, with vacuum hose connected or disconnected from fuel pressure regulator. |
| (2) | Information not available w/vacuum applied. |
REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE (1)
IDLE SPEED & MIXTURE
Note. Before setting idle speed, ensure MIL is not on, no DTCs are stored, ignition timing is correct, spark plugs and air cleaner are okay, and PCV system is operating properly.
Note. On models equipped with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), apply parking brake, and with engine running, ensure headlights are off.
| Application | (1) Curb Idle RPM |
|---|
| MDX | 680-780 |
| RSX |
| K20A2 | 650-750 |
| K20A3 (A/T & M/T) | 600-700 |
| 3.2CL |
| A/T | 700-800 |
| M/T | 710-810 |
| 3.2TL | 630-730 |
| 3.5RL | 600-700 |
| (1) With A/T in Neutral or Park, or M/T in neutral with no accessory loads. |
| (1) | With A/T in Neutral or Park, or M/T in neutral with no accessory loads. |
IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | CO Level |
|---|
| All Models | 0.1% |
FAST IDLE SPEED
| Application | (1) RPM |
|---|
| MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL | (2) |
| RSX |
| K20A2 | 1600-2000 |
| K20A3 A/T Or M/T | 1400-1800 |
| 3.5RL | 1100-1500 |
| (1) With A/T in Neutral or Park, or M/T in neutral with no accessory loads. (2) Information is not available from manufacturer. |
| (1) | With A/T in Neutral or Park, or M/T in neutral with no accessory loads. |
| (2) | Information is not available from manufacturer. |
FAST IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
Note. Throttle position sensor is not removable or adjustable. For testing procedures, see appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article or SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING article.
