CONT INUED
Theactivedampersystemisalways
on, constantly adjusting your vehicle’s
dampers to the best settings f or
current road conditions along with
vehicle speed and handling inputs.
The system uses electrically
controlled dampers to enhance
handling precision, vehicle
composure, tire to road adhesion and
rough road ride comf ort isolation.
The system reacts to inputs f rom
various electronic sensors to give
exactly the right amount of
suspension damping to provide
optimal ride comf ort and handling.The system provides two selectable
modes.
Sport mode: The system prioritizes
handling response, vehicle body
control and tire-to-road adhesion to
allow f or higher perf ormance
handling.
Comf ort mode: The system
prioritizes road isolation to allow f or
a more comf ortable ride.
Eithermodecanbeusedinanytype
of operating conditions.
To switch between comf ort and
sport mode, press and release the
active damper system button located
on the center console to choose the
desired mode.
U.S. Sport Packages and Canadian Elite
models
A ctive Damper System
Driving
353
——y
y
()-yy
If there is a problem with the active
damper system, the active damper
system shuts down and the active
damper system indicator on the
instrument panel comes on.
You will also see the ‘‘CHECK ADS
SYSTEM’’ message appears on the
multi-inf ormation display.
When comf ort mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button comes
ON, and the message ‘‘COMFORT’’
will appear on the multi-inf ormation
display f or f ive seconds.
When sport mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button goes of f ,
and the message ‘‘SPORT’’ will
appear on the multi-inf ormation
display f or f ive seconds.
A ctive Damper System
Active Damper System
Indicator
354
——y
y
()-yy
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the fully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again from the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table.
Add
the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manufacturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions. To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next. Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg) Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan1½
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed. If the
dif f erence is:
13/32’’
11/16’’
31/32’’11/4’’
If the
dif f erence is:
1/2’’
27/32’’
1 5/32’’ 11/2’’
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
358
U.S. Sport Packages and Canadian Elite models
MDX and Technology Packages models
Towing a Trailer
To Estimate the Tongue Load
To Estimate the Total Trailer WeightEstimating Loads
Driving
357
——y
y
()-yy
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
CONTINUED
If the autom atic transmission fluid
temperature increases and exceeds
the speci fied limit, the A/T
temperature indicator comes on (see
page ). You will also see a ‘‘A/T
TEMP HIGH’’ message on the multi-
information display.
Make turnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance for
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
When
driving uphill and downhill,
use the Sequential SportShift mode
to provide the proper engine power
and engine braking on each gear.
Select fourth, third, second, or first
gear; dep ending on the vehicle
speeds and road condition. Do not
use fifth gear. The recommended
speed range for each gear position is
showninthetable.
Gear position
1
2
3
4 Speed
range
019mph
(0 30 km/h)
19 31 mph
(30 50 km/h)
31 41 mph
(50 65 km/h)
over 41 mph
(over 65 km/h)
Drive
slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use D position when towing a trailer
on level roads. D is the proper shif t
lever position to use when towing a
trailer in hilly terrain. (See ‘‘ ’’onthenextpagefor
additional gear information.)
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer (e.
g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling. 68
3
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
on Hills
Driving
365
——y
y
()-yy
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
ro ad to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shifts frequently
while going up a hill, shift to D3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes. Al
ways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the left. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all norm al precau tions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires. If
the vehicles tires slip when
retr ieving a boat from the water,
keep D position and do not use the
sequential sport shif t mode. This
prevents the transmission damage.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
433
3
bottom
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking Ret rieving a Boat
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer. Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
366
——y
y
()-y
y
Î
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 15
...............
Additional Information .20
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .22
.....................................
Cleaning .403
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .21
................................
Maintenance .23
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper . 20, 64
...................
System Components .20
...............
Use During Pregnancy .18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .15
...............................................
Seats .140
.......
Adjusting the Second Seat .142
..........
Folding the Second Seat .142
.............
Folding the Third Seat .143
........................
Head Restraints .141
.......................................
Heaters .146
......................
Position Memory .155
....................
Third Row Access .143
............................
Security System .265
Sensors
....
Driver’s Seat Position Sensor .29
Front Passenger’s Weight
.....................................
Sensors .29
......................
Impact Sensors . 25, 26 ........
Sequential SportShif t Mode .335
...............................
Serial Number .444
...........................
Service Intervals .375
...........................
Service Manual .463
.........
Service Station Procedures .317
........................................
SH-AWD .340
.......................................
Indicator .69
..
Torque Distribution Monitor .340
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .333
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .333
........................
Shif t Lock Release .338
....................................
Side Airbags .30
................................
Of f Indicator .34
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .32
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
.........................
Replacement in .398
...............................
Signaling Turns .67
.....................................
Snow Tires .414
........................
Sound System . 179, 199
Spare Tire ..............................
Inflating . 410, 418
............................
Specif ications .447
....................
Specif ications Charts .446
................................
Speed Limiter .338
................................
Speed Control .266 ...................................
Speedometer .72
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .26
...
Additional Safety Precautions .35
......
Airbag System Components .24
.............................
Airbag Service .35
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .33
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .27
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .32
.............................
SRS Indicator .33,66
..
START (Ignition Key Position) .129
.......................
Starting the Engine .331
...................
Auto Control Mode .331
In Cold Weather at High
..................................
Altitude .332
................
With a Dead Battery .425
..............
State Emissions Testing .453
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .428
Steering Wheel
................................
Adjustment .124
...........
Anti-thef t Column Lock .129
......................
Buttons . 229, 266, 277
......................
Position Memory .155
...
Stereo Sound System . 178, 179, 198
Index
VIII
——y
y
()-yy