2008 Acura MDX towing

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two f unctions:This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. It should come on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If this happens, pull to the side of
the road when it is saf e, check
which tire has lost pressure on the
multi-inf ormation display, and
determine the cause. If it is
because of a flat tire, have the flat
tire repaired as soon as possible. If
two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator begins to f lash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. The indicator continues to
f lash f or a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more inf ormation, see page
.
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-inf ormation display and
determinethecause(seepage).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
1.
82
2.
82 446
352 354
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator A/T Temperature
Indicator
68
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
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µµ·
Label Example
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer. Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg).
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
333
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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2008 MDX

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
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 .338
........................
Preparing to Drive .338
.......................
Starting the Engine .339
Check Starting System .................................
Message .340
..............
Automatic Transmission .341
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive
...........................................
Parking .350
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
......................................
(TPMS) .351
.............................
Braking System .356
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .357
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .359
................
Active Damper System .361
...........................
Towing a Trailer .363
..................
Trailer Stability Assist .375
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines .377
Driving
Driving
337
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drive(SH-AWD®) system, the vehicle(SH-AWD®) System ....................348
2008 MDX

µIf you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third, f ourth, and f if th gears
in stop-and-go driving.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD or
D, you can get the transmission to
automatically downshif t by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shif t down one,
two, or three gears, depending on
your speed. This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Set the parking brake.
1.
2.
3
3
3
Engine Speed Limiter Shift Lock Release
Drive (D )
Automatic Transmission
3
346
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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
normal damper f unction, 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 caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
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 . 322
377
375
A ctive Damper System, Towing a Trailer
Towing a Trailer
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Break-In Period
Driving
363
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
µ
The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See page
f or limits f or 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 f ront 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
inyourvehicleandthetypeof trailer
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
drivetrain. 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.
366
366
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)
364
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2008 MDX

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the f ully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again f rom the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
ref er to the f ollowing table.
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’’
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) 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. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
366
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
365
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Î
µµ
Î
ÎÎ
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 T owing is Not Recommended Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
Towing a Trailer
366
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (70 kg),
and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum trailer
weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 15% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers.
364
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)
4,750 lbs (2,155 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,041 kg)
4,250 lbs (1,928 kg)
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)500 lbs (227 kg)
470 lbs (213 kg)
370 lbs (168 kg)
275 lbs (125 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
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2008 MDX