2007 Acura MDX ABS

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automati cally shut off. You will also
see a ‘‘P ASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
For more information, see page .
This
indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a
poten tial problem with your front
airbags. This indica tor will also alert
you to a poten tial problem with your
side airbags, passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system, side curtain
airbags, or automa tic seat belt
tensioners. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page ). For more
info rmation, see page . This
indicator normally comes on
for a few seconds when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on
at any other time, there is a
problem in the ABS. If this
happens, take the vehicle to your
dealer to have it checked. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
an ti-lock function. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK ABS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
81
33 81
33
81349
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Side Airbag Of f Indicator Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
66
U.S. Canada
——y
y
()-y
y

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the super handling-all wheel
drive (SH-AWD) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, active
damper system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-high way.........................
Driving Guidelines .330
........................
Preparing to Drive .330
.......................
Starting the Engine .332
Check Starting System .................................
Message .332
..............
Automatic Transmission . 333
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System . 340
...........................................
Parking .342
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .343
.............................
Braking System .348
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 349
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .351
................
Active Damper System . 353
...........................
Towing a Trailer .355
..................
Trailer Stability Assist . 367
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 369
Driving
Driving
329
——y
y
()-yy

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 increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the brake pedal
applies the brakes slightly. This
builds up heat, and reduces brake
ef f ectiveness and brake pad lif e. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.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.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
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.
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.
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.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
348
——y
y
()-yy

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
CONT INUED
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
Driving
349
——y
y
()-yy

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)
350
——y

y
()-yy

IfyouturnofftheVSA,thetrailer
stability assist function also shuts off.
Press and hold the VSA off switch
until you hear a beep (see page ).
The VSA activation indicator comes
on as a reminder. Press and hold the
switch again to turn the system on.
The function turns on every time you
start the engine along with the VSA,
even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
The control unit monitors the VSA
circuitry and the braking system. If
there is a problem with the brake
lighting system, the trailer stability
assist function shuts down and the
‘‘CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST’’ message appears on the
multi-info rmation display.
If you see this message, have your
vehicle checked at your dealer as
soon as possible. In
this case, your vehicle still has the
VSA traction and stability
enhancem ent, but it will not have the
trailer stability assist function.
Ifth erei saproblemwiththeVSA
system,thesystemand Trailer
Stability Assist shuts off. TheVSA
systemandVSAactivationindica tors
al socomeon(seepage).
The ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator may also come on
along with the VSA system indicator.
If you see these warning indicators,
have your vehicle checked at your
dealer as soon as possible. 351
352
T railer Stability A ssist
Trailer Stability Assist Failure
368
——y
y
()-yy

ÌÌ
µµ
Ì
Maintenance
Minder
382
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check praking brake adjustment
Inspect these items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Su spension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance
Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid
Symbol
Symbol
A B 1
2
3
4
5
61
1
If
the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12
months after the disp lay is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first
column on page . Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy. 461
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every
60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
:
1:
NOTE :
Maintenance Sehedule for Normal Conditions
——y

y
()-yy

Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinf orcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinf orcement strips f rom the old
wiper blade, and install them in
the slots along the edge of the new
blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm against the
window.
Windshield: Lower the passenger’s
side first, then the driver’s side.
6.
7.
4. 5.
3.
Wiper Blades
406
BLADE BLADE
REINFORCEMENT
——y

y
()-y

y