There are a few things you should know before you get started with an oil change, such as how much oil your engine can hold. That’s why we’ve compiled all the major oil change details you’ll want to know, including your 2014 Acura MDX’s oil capacity, as well as when and how the oil needs to be changed.

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2014 Acura MDX engine oil capacity

All 2014 Acura MDXs are equipped with a 3.5L i-VTEC

V6 engine

that has a total oil capacity of 5.7 quarts, or roughly 5.4 liters.

Your oil capacity is very different from your engine’s displacement, or the 3.5L space the engine’s cylinders take up. Take care not to mix up these figures, as they are not interchangeable, and filling your oil reservoir with only 3.5 liters of oil can leave parts under-lubricated and lead to disastrous consequences for your engine.

What kind of oil does a 2014 Acura MDX need?

According to the owner’s manual, your 2014 Acura MDX requires premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil. If you don’t know what that means or what those numbers stand for, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through how to read an oil rating.

The first number—which would be “0” here—indicates the oil’s winter rating, which tells you what the oil’s consistently is like at low temperatures. Any oil with a “0” winter rating will still be very thin even in the dead of winter, which makes it easier to start your vehicle on very cold mornings.

The second number speaks to the oil’s thickness under extremely high temperatures of 212℉ or more, or the normal operating temperature of an engine. A “20” rating here means that the oil will be quite thin when heated to extremely hot temperatures.

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How often to change oil on a 2014 Acura MDX

As recommended by Acura technicians, you’ll want to change your 2014 Acura MDX’s oil after every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, or about every six months if you don’t drive as often. You may have to change your oil more often if you live somewhere that regularly experiences extreme temperatures or if you routinely drive down dusty, sandy, or dirt roads.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should go half a year without checking your oil. Most experts recommend that you check your motor oil at least monthly to monitor your oil’s condition and avoid potentially damaging your engine.

During these routine checks, keep an eye out for the following signs an oil change is needed sooner rather than later:

Oil has taken on a

gritty or grainy texture

Vehicle performance has worsened

Exhaust smoke is darker, thicker, and more foul-smelling than usual

You notice burning or oily odors

Oil has changed from its original color to a very dark brown or black

Dashboard oil pressure light or

check engine light

has turned on

How to change your oil and oil filter

When you decide you’re ready to change your 2014 Acura MDX’s engine oil yourself, you’ll need to gather the following:

A socket wrench set

An oil filter wrench

New oil filter

Drain pan

Funnel

6 quarts of premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil

Once you have the necessary supplies, switch your ignition on and allow the engine to run for four to five minutes or until it reaches its normal operating temperature. When the engine is hot, switch it off, prop open the hood, and follow the steps below:

Find the oil reservoir and remove the oil fill cap.

Position your drain pan underneath the oil drain bolt.

Use the socket wrench to unscrew the drain bolt and washer. Set the bolt aside and discard the old washer. With the bolt removed, oil will empty into the pan below.

As the oil drains, use the filter wrench to remove the old filter and replace it with a clean one.

Once the oil finishes draining, replace the bolt with a brand new washer.

Fill the reservoir with new oil and replace the oil fill cap.

Now that clean oil has been added, turn your vehicle on, let it run for approximately 30 seconds, and then shut it off. Use a dipstick to verify that the oil reaches the “MAX FILL” line and add more oil if necessary. It’s important that the oil level is just right when you finish up, as both too much and too little oil can be damaging to an engine.

Once the reservoir is full, switch the engine on a final time and let it run for a few minutes while you inspect for leaks—as long as there are no leaks and you follow the steps correctly, the oil pressure warning light on your 2014 Acura MDX’s dashboard should automatically shut off.

Before you can consider yourself done, however, you’ll need to properly dispose of the old oil—rather than dumping it in the garbage, empty it into a sealable container and bring it to a designated recycling center.

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