2009 Acura MDX sport mode

VSA and Tire Sizes
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
page419).
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.
U.S. Sport Packages and Canadian ElitemodelsThe active damper system is always
on, constantly adjusting your
vehicle's dampers to the best settings
for 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 comfort isolation.
The system reacts to inputs from
various electronic sensors to give
exactly the right amount of
suspension damping to provide
optimal ride comfort 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 for higher performance
handling.
Comfort mode: The system
prioritizes road isolation to allow for a
more comfortable ride.
Either mode can be used in any type
of operating conditions.
CONTINUED
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System, Active Damper System
361
Driving
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2009 MDX

To switch between comfort and sport
mode, press and release the active
damper system button located on the
center console to choose the desired
mode.
When comfort mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button comes
ON, and the message‘‘COMFORT ’’
will appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
When sport mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button goes
off, and the message ‘‘SPORT ’’will
appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
Active Damper System36208/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

MDX and Technology Packages models
If the
difference is: Estimated
tongue load is:
13/32 ’’
11/16 ’’
31/32 ’’
1 1/4 ’’ 150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
U.S. Sport Packages and Canadian Elite
models
If the
difference is: Estimated
tongue load is:
1/2 ’’
27/32 ’’
1 5/32 ’’
1 1/2 ’’ 150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If the difference is more than 1 ꀨ
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
Towing a Trailer36608/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. D
3is the proper
shift lever position to use when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain. (See
‘‘
Driving on Hills
’’ on the next page
for additional gear information.)
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.
g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling. 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, depending on the vehicle
speeds and road condition. Do not
use fifth gear. The recommended
speed range for each gear position is
shown in the table.
Gear position Speed range
10 －19 mph
(0 － 30 km/h)
219 －31 mph
(30 －50 km/h)
331 －41 mph
(50 －65 km/h)
4 over 41 mph
(over 65 km/h) If the automatic transmission fluid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specified limit, the A/T
temperature indicator comes on (see
page68).You will also see a
‘‘A/T
TEMP HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display.
Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
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.
Towing a Trailer37408/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Driving on HillsWhen 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 road
to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shifts frequently
while going up a hill, shift to D
3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing on the accelerator, as
this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to D3.Do
not ‘‘ride ’’the brakes. Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds 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.Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
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.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions 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.
Retrieving a BoatIf the vehicle tires slip when
retrieving a boat from the water,
keep the transmission in the D
position and do not use the
sequential sport shift mode. This
prevents the transmission damage.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page446.
Towing a Trailer
375
Driving
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX

Door Locks
..............................
11
Head Restraints
........................
14
Seat Belts
.................... ..........
8,15
Seats & Seat-Backs
..............
12, 13
Safety Labels, Location of
.............
59
Safety Messages
...........................
iii
Satellite Radio, XM
®............
185, 210
Seat Belts
.................................
8, 15
Additional Information
.............
20
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
18
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
.............. .............
22
Cleaning
...................... ............
409
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
15, 21
Maintenance
............................
23
Reminder Indicator and Beeper
.............................
20, 64
System Components
................
20
Use During Pregnancy
.............
18
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
.......................... .............
21
Seats
..........................................
140
Adjusting the Second Seat
.......
144
Folding the Second Seat
..........
144
Folding the Third Seat
............
145
Head Restraints
.......................
141 Heaters
...................................
148
Position Memory
....................
157
Third Row Access
...................
145
Seats, Adjusting the
...................
140
Security System
.........................
269
Sensors Driver's Seat Position Sensor
..................................
29
Front Passenger's Weight Sensors
............ ....................
29
Impact Sensors
...................
24, 25
Sequential SportShift Mode
........
343
Serial Number
............................
450
Service Intervals
.........................
383
Service Manual (U.S. only)
........
469
Service Station Procedures
........
323
SH-AWD
®
Indicator
...................................
69
Shifting the Automatic Transmission
..........................
341
Shift Lever Position
Indicators
...............................
341
Shift Lock Release
......................
346
Side Airbags
.................................
30
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
33 How Your Side Airbags
Work
....................................
30
Off Indicator
.............................
33
Side Curtain Airbags
....................
32
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
32
Side Marker Lights, Bulb Replacement in
.......................
404
Signaling Turns
........ ....................
67
Snow Tires
.................................
419
Sound System
.....................
180, 200
Spare Tire
................ ..................
424
Inflating
...........................
415, 424
Specifications
..........................
453
Spark Plugs
................................
453
Specifications
.............................
452
Speed Control
............................
270
Speed Limiter
.............................
346
Speedometer
................................
72
CONTINUED
Index
IX
INDEX
08/06/06 16:58:07 09 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX620 enu
2009 MDX