2007 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading. If
this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehic le as
soon as possible.
You
will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may feel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page .
You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ 43281
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You should never pump the brake pedal.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
Driving
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on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
It
only helps with steering
control during braking.
If
the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
such as trying to take a
corn er too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderate ly
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator.
432
Important Saf ety Reminders A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise from the modulator. When
VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink. There
mayalsobesomenoisefromthe
modulator.
The
vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
If the VSA system indicator comes
on while driving, pull to the side of
theroadwhenitissafe,andturnoff
the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays, or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your deale r. If
the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehic le as
soon as possible.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
information display if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
If the low tire pressure indicator
comes on (see page ), or the
multi-info rmation display shows a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’ message
(see page ), the VSA system
automatically turns on even if you
turn it of f with the VSA OFF switch.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
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343
VSA A ctivation Indicator
VSA System Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
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VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turn ed it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malfunction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This
switch is under the driver’s side
vent. To turn the VSA system on and
off, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
With the VSA off, the trailer stability
assist function is also turned off (see
page ).
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.413
367 VSA and Tire Sizes
VSA Of f Switch
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
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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
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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
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If you see this warning indicator and
message, have your vehicle checked
at your dealer as soon as possible.
In this case, your vehicle still has the
norm al damper function, but it will
not have the active damper function. Your
vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you carefully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
trailer stability assist to help stabilize
the vehicle/trailer combination by
reducing the vehicle speed. For
more information, see page .
Be
sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces. 369
367
A ctive Damper System, Towing a Trailer
Towing a Trailer
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Driving
355
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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µ
µ
The
weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentofthetotal
trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
for all other trailers. (See page
for limits for your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable and
cause it to sway.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,888 lbs (1,310 kg) on the front axle,
and 3,175 lbs (1,440 kg) on the rear
axle. The
maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo
and the tongue load is 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg).
The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
inyourvehicleandthetypeoftrailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and driven. The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 10,053 lbs
(4,560 kg) with the proper hitch. The
GCWR must be reduced 2 percent
f or every 1,000 f eet (305 meters) of
elevation.
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358
Towing a Trailer
Tongue Load
T ot al T railer Weight
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Load Limit
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
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