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Fuel Economy Factors
The following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines
are more efficient when warmed
up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the information
display (seeOwner's Maintenance
Checks on page 541). For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page 545).●Maintain proper tire inflation
-
An under-inflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle -It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean -In
particular, a build-up of snow or mud
on your vehicle's underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately -Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
●Observe the speed limit -
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Avoid excessive idling -Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
461
Before Driving
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6. Check the adjustment of the insideand outside mirrors (see page
177).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 145).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 16).
10. When you start the engine, check the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 63, 76 and 90). Starting the Engine
Your vehicle's starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START (III)
position, this feature keeps the
engine's starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. The starter
motor can run for up to 9 seconds
to guarantee starting when the
outside temperature is very low. If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position for more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs for up to 25
seconds until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds before trying
again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled. For
more information, see page 149.
CONTINUED
Preparing to Drive, Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)
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The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.Check Starting System Message
If there is a problem with the starting
system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK
STARTING SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display when
the ignition switch is turned to the
ON (II) position. You will also see
this message when the auto control
mode of the starting system has a
problem. If this message is on, the ignition
switch has to be held in the START
(III) position manually until the
engine starts. The ignition switch can
be held in that position up to 15
seconds.
Even though you may be able to start
the engine manually without the auto
control mode of the starting system,
have your dealer inspect your
vehicle.
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Check Starting System MessageIf there is a problem with the starting
system, you will see a‘‘CHECK
STARTING SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display with the
power mode ON.
You will also see this message when
the auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem. If this message is on, you should
press and hold the engine start/stop
button until the engine starts. The
engine start/stop button can be
pressed up to 15 seconds.
Even though you may be able to start
the engine manually without the auto
control mode of the starting system,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer.
Your vehicle has the engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch to select the power mode. For
more information, see page 194.
Emergency Engine Start
If you cannot start the engine using
the normal engine start procedure,
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Put the shift lever into Park.
3. Press the engine start/stop button
to turn on the ACCESSORY mode.
4. Press and hold the engine start/ stop button for about 15 seconds
while pressing the brake pedal.
Do not follow this procedure unless it
is a case of emergency. Even if you
can start the engine using this
method, the system may have a
malfunction. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible.Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)47609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
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Shift Lever Position IndicatorsThese indicators between the
tachometer and speedometer show
which position the shift lever is in.
Using a paddle shift mode, the gear
position indicator shows you the
selected gear number (see page
482).
The‘‘D ’’indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
flashes while driving (in any shift
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission. Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. ON mode is the equivalent of
ON (II). See page 196 for ignition
switch and power mode comparison.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on along with the
‘‘D ’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D ’’indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION ’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
91).
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission
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The transmission control system
monitors the accelerator pedal use
and your driving conditions. When
you press the accelerator pedal as in
normal driving, the system judges
that you are driving at a constant
cruising speed without using the
paddle shifters. Under these
conditions, D-paddle shift mode is
canceled, and the transmission
automatically returns to drive mode
(D).
Hold the+paddle shifter for 2
seconds to return to drive mode (D).
When the transmission returns to
drive mode (D), the displayed gear
number disappears.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear if you do not
accelerate. Each time you pull either paddle
shifter, the transmission shifts one
gear up or down. If you want to shift
up or down more than two gears, pull
the paddle shifter twice, pause, and
then pull it again.
The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shift up or down if:
●You downshift before the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will flash the
number of the lower gear several
times, then return to a higher gear.●You upshift before the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.●You pull both paddle shifters at the
same time.●You pull one of the two paddle
shifters while another paddle
shifter is being pressed.
●You are trying to downshift from
second to first with the accelerator
pedal off . This will only work
when the accelerator pedal is
applied deeply.
The transmission downshifts to first
gear and returns to drive mode (D)
when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop or the vehicle speed is
about 6 mph (9 km/h).
If there is a problem in the
transmission while you are driving
with the paddle shifters, the D
indicator flashes, the D-paddle shift
mode is canceled, and the
transmission returns to drive mode
(D).
CONTINUED
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
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Driving
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Using the Paddle Shifters in the S
position (Sequential Shift Mode)
With the shift lever in the S position,
you can select the sequential shift
mode to shift gears; much like a
manual transmission using the
paddle shifters, but without a clutch
pedal.
Shifting between first and second
gears may occur automatically.
Downshifting from second to first
with the accelerator pedal off is not
allowed.To enter the sequential shift mode,
press the release button on the front
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shifter. To cancel the sequential shift
mode and return to the ordinary
automatic transmission, move the
shift lever from S position. When
moving the shift lever, be careful not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the sequential shift mode,
the transmission will not
automatically return to ordinary
automatic transmission.
When you move the shift lever from
‘‘
D ’’to ‘‘S ’’ and pull either paddle
shifter, the gear position indicator
displays ‘‘M’’ along with the selected
gear number.
To upshift, pull the +(right) paddle
shifter. To downshift, pull the -
(left) paddle shifter.
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘ M’’ INDICATOR
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The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shift up or down if:●You downshift before the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will flash the
number of the lower gear several
times, then return to a higher gear.
If the vehicle speed decreases
below the redline of the selected
lower gear while the indicator is
flashing, the transmission
downshifts, and the indicator
displays the selected gear.
●You upshift before the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.●You pull both paddle shifters at the
same time.●You pull one of the two paddle
shifters while another paddle
shifter is being pressed.
Starting in Second GearWhen you are in sequential shift
mode, and the vehicle is stopped,
pull the+(right) paddle shifter to
shift to second gear. You will see
‘‘ M2’’ in the display. Starting in
second gear helps to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surface.
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