Page 278 of 454

OnStar uses the global positioning
system (GPS) to locate your vehicle
f or f unctions such as route guidance
and roadside assistance. GPS is
af f ected by structures that can
obstruct the signal, such as tunnels,
parking structures, and tall buildings.
It may not be possible f or OnStar to
pinpoint your location if you are in or
near such structures.
OnStar uses cellular technology to
communicate with your vehicle.
Cellular coverage varies by location,
which may af f ect the ability to
establish a connection, or the quality
of the connection.
Onstar has antennas in the rear
window (on each side of the high-
mount brake light) and on the roof
near the high-mount brake light. To
avoid reception problems, do not
cover the window antennas with
metal stickers, and do not cover theroof antenna with cargo or bicycles
on a roof rack.
When you turn of f your vehicle’s
ignition, OnStar goes into low-power
mode. Af ter 48 hours, it switches to
sleep mode to conserve your vehicle’s
battery power. Features such as
remote door unlocking and
misplaced vehicle assistance will not
work af ter your vehicle has been
parked f or more than 48 hours.
OnStar
is a registered trademark of
the OnStar Corporation.
As required by the FCC: This device
complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) This device may notcause harmf ul interf erence, and (2) thisdevice must accept any interf erencereceived, including interf erence thatmay cause undesired operation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210. Operation issubject to the f ollowing two conditions:(1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.System Limitations
OnStar
Features
277
Page 300 of 454

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release lever located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Turn the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel cap until it clicks at
least once. The MIL goes out af ter
several days of normal driving once
the cap is tightened or replaced. If it
does not go out, have your dealer
inspect the vehicle. For more
inf ormation, see page .
The TIGHTEN FUEL CAP message,
displayed after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position or
start the engine, should go of f af ter
tightening the f uel cap, turning the
ignition switch of f and on, then
driving over 12 mph (US) or 20
km/h (Canada) for at least 10
minutes. Due to dif f erent driving
conditions,itmaytakeafewdrive
trips to make the message go of f .
The TIGHTEN FUEL CAP message
displayed while driving should go of f
af ter tightening the f uel cap, turning
the ignition switch of f and on, then
driving over 30 mph (US) or 48
km/h (Canada) for at least 45
seconds. Due to dif f erent driving
conditions,itmaytakeafewdrive
trips to make the message go of f . If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel cap, the malf unction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on. If a
loose or missing f uel cap was not the
cause of the TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
message coming on, the MIL will
also come on. When the MIL comes
on, the message goes of f .
1.
410
CONT INUED
Opening and Closing the Hood
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
299
HOOD RELEASE LEVER
Page 304 of 454

When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Acura accessories may
f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability (see page ).
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows as these may interf ere
with proper operation of the side
curtain airbags. Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer. If possible,
have your dealer inspect the f inal
installation. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
the proper operation of your
vehicle.
306 413
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
303
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
Page 309 of 454
The cargo f loor hooks can also be
used to tie down and secure items on
the f loor.
There are hooks on the f loor and
both sides of the trunk. They can be
used to install the cargo net f or
securing items. The side cargo
hooks are designed to hold light
items (maximum load: 6 lbs or 3 kgs
for each hook). Heavy objects may
damage the side hooks. Cargo Hooks
Carrying Cargo
308
SIDE CARGO HOOKS
CARGO FLOOR HOOKS
Page 311 of 454
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and the
trunk are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page , and).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 17
151
155
154
78 143
7061
Preparing to Drive
310
Page 321 of 454

Each torque indicator is displayed
as a bar graph divided into 5
segments. The number of
segments represents the amount
of torque distributed to each
wheel.
The SH-AWD torque distribution
monitor on the multi-inf ormation
display shows you the amount of
torque being sent to the wheels.
Each wheel: right f ront (RF), lef t
front(LF),rightrear(RR),andleft
rear (LR), has its own torque
indicator. When cruise control is on while
driving, the torque distribution
monitor is not shown.
The SH-AWD system is a full time
all-wheel-drive system that
automatically controls and transfers
varying amounts of engine torque to
all wheels independently, according
to the driving conditions.
When there is only a slight change in
torque distribution while driving,
such as cruising on level roads at the
same speed, the torque distribution
monitor may stop displaying the
amount of torque. This is not a
system problem. The monitor will
show the amount if the system
senses any change in torque
distribution.
While the SH-AWD system helps to
enhance the vehicle’s driving
stability in all situations, it is still
your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
SH-AWD T orque Distribution
Monitor
SH-A WD System
320
TORQUE INDICATOR
TORQUE INDICATOR
Page 322 of 454

If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
multi-inf ormation display shows an
SH-AWD message, there is a
problem with the system. Your
vehicle still has normal f ront-wheel
drive with vehicle stability assist
(VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
SH-A WD System, Parking
Parking
Parking T ips
Driving
321
Page 323 of 454

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. Emergency
Brake Assist System gains the
stopping f orce when you depressed
thebrakepedalhardinanemergent
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System
322