2010 ACURA ZDX tow

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive™(SH-AWD
®) system,
the vehicle stability assist (VSA
®),
aka electronic stability control (ESC)
system, active damper system (if
equipped), the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), the
collision mitigation braking system ™
(CMBS ™) (if equipped), the blind
spot information system (BSI) (if
equipped), and facts you need if you
are planning to tow a trailer or drive
off-high way. Driving Guidelines
......................
472
Preparing to Drive
......................
472
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access
System)
...........................
473
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
474
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
......
475
Check Starting System Message
.............................
476
Automatic Transmission
.............
477
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
...................................
482
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive ™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
487
Parking
.......................................
489
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...................................
490
Braking System
..........................
495
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
496
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
498Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
508
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
511
Integrated Dynamics System
(IDS)
.......................................
519
Towing a Trailer
..........................
522
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
528
Driving
471
Driving
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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●Make sure the panoramic glass
roof and the windows are closed.●Turn off the lights.●Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.●Lock the doors and the tailgate.
●Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.●If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.●If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.●Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.●Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking
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Driving
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Important Precautions
Like all assistance systems, BSI has
limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may
result in a collision. Always look in
your mirrors, to either side of your
vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.The system should be turned off
when towing a trailer. Due to the
added mass and resulting changes in
radar coverage, the system cannot
operate as intended, and detection of
the trailer itself by the radar sensors
may cause the BSI alert indicators to
illuminate.Limitations
The BSI alert indicators may not
illuminate under the following
circumstances:
●The speed difference between
your vehicle and a vehicle
approaching from behind is
greater than 31 mph (50 km/h).●A vehicle is parked in a side lane.●The speed difference between
your vehicle and the vehicle you
are passing is greater than 6 mph
(10 km/h).●An object not detected by the
radar sensors approaches or
passes your vehicle.
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
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Driving
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BSI may be adversely affected under
the following circumstances:●When objects such as guard rails,
poles, trees, etc., are detected.●When an object that doesn't reflect
radio waves well, such as a
motorcycle, is in the alert zone.●A vehicle is behind or approaching
your vehicle while on a curved
road.●When towing a trailer.●A vehicle is moving from a far lane
to the adjacent lane.●The system picks up external
electrical interference.●The rear bumper has been
deformed, or improperly repaired.
●The orientation of the sensors has
been changed.●Bad weather conditions, such as
heavy rain, snow and fog.The system is for your convenience.
Even if an object is within the alert
zone, the system may not detect it,
depending on its shape.
Always look in your mirrors, to either
side of your vehicle, and behind you
for other vehicles before changing
lanes.EXAMPLES
GUARD RAIL POLE OR TREE
MOTORCYCLE
ꭍ :
\b :BSI Alert indicator is on
BSI Alert indicator is off
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)51609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
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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.
If your vehicle is equipped with the
blind spot information system (BSI),
do not use it when towing a trailer.
For more information see page 517.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 454).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
528 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.
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
before starting to drive. Load Limit
Total Trailer WeightThe maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
transmission.
Towing a Trailer52209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
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Tongue LoadThe weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should be approximately 10% of the
total trailer weight.
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.To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and 40%
toward the rear, then re-adjust the
load as needed.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is 5,534 lbs (2,510 kg).
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) －The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed 2,921
lbs (1,325 kg) on the front axle, and
2,679 lbs (1,215 kg) on the rear axle.
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) －The maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle and
trailer is 6,593 lbs (2990 kg). Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that all 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.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manufacturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the first time you set up
a towing combination (a fully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
523
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Towing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets federal, state, province, and
local regulations.HitchAny hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Safety ChainsAlways use safety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it becomes
unhitched. Leave enough slack to
allow the trailer to turn corners
easily, but do not let the chains drag
on the ground.
Trailer LightsTrailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Towing a Trailer52409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
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Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area. Refer
to the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle
’s electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don ’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation. Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits.●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
＋
B TAILLIGHT AND
AUXILIARY LIGHTS
(YELLOW) RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(GREEN) LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(BLUE)
＋ B TURN/STOP
(WHITE)
STOP LIGHT SIGNAL
(LIGHT GREEN) TAILLIGHT
SIGNAL
(PINK)
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
525
Driving
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