Page 513 of 645

The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this by
regulating the engine's output and by
selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle's driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle's entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
VSA OFF Indicator
When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA system indicator blink.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, and turn off the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
NOTE: The main function of the VSA
system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control function. If the indicator does not come on
when the power mode is set to ON,
there may be a problem with the VSA
system. Have your dealer inspect
your vehicle as soon as possible.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
50809/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 514 of 645

You will also see a‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
information display shows a ‘‘CHECK
TPMS SYSTEM ’’message, the VSA
system automatically turns on even
when the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF button. If
this happens, you cannot turn the
VSA system off by pressing the VSA
OFF button again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. VSA OFF Button
This button is under the driver's side
vent. To turn the VSA system on and
off, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the button again. It
turns the system back on.VSA is turned on every time you start
the engine, even if you turned it off
the last time you drove the vehicle.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched off. When the VSA system
is off, the traction control system is
also off. You should only attempt to
free your vehicle with the VSA off if
you are not able to free it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately after freeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
VSA OFF BUTTON
CONTINUED
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
509
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 515 of 645

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
page 571).
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.Hill Start Assist
Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist feature to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling on inclines as
you move your foot from the brake
pedal to the accelerator.
To activate hill start assist, you must
come to a complete stop and make
sure the shift lever is either in D or S
when facing uphill, or reverse when
facing downhill.
This feature begins working a few
seconds after you are in the correct
gear position. Release the brake
pedal. The brakes remain engaged
briefly to keep the vehicle from
rolling forward or backward. Gently
apply the accelerator pedal as in
normal driving. Hill start assist will
release brake pressure gradually as
you accelerate.Hill start assist may not prevent your
vehicle from rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope, and will
not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement
for the parking brake. If parking your
vehicle, ensure that the transmission
is in park, and/or the parking brake
is fully applied before exiting the
vehicle.
If the VSA system indicator comes on
with a
‘‘CHECK HILL START
ASSIST SYSTEM ’’message on the
multi-information display, there may
be a problem with the hill start assist.
The VSA also may not function. Have
your vehicle inspected by your
dealer.
Hill start assist will still operate even
when VSA is switched off.Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
51009/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 516 of 645
On models with adaptive cruise control(ACC)The blind spot information system
(BSI) is designed to assist you when
you are changing lanes. If the system detects vehicles in
adjacent lanes, it automatically
illuminates the appropriate indicator
to provide assistance when you
change lanes. It is not a substitute for
visual confirmation that it is safe to
change lanes.
Failure to visually confirm that it
is safe to change lanes before
doing so may result in a crash
and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on the blind
spot information system when
changing lanes.
Always look in your mirrors, to
either side of your vehicle, and
behind you for other vehicles
before changing lanes.
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
511
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 517 of 645

BSI System OperationA:Approximately 1.6 ft. (0.5m)
B:Approximately 10 ft. (3m)
C:Approximately 10 ft. (3m)
BSI system is designed to detect
vehicles in specified alert zones
adjacent to your vehicle, particularly in
harder to see areas commonly known
as‘‘blind spots. ’’ When BSI detects a vehicle in an alert
zone, a BSI alert indicator comes on
near the corresponding outside
rearview mirror.
While your vehicle is moving forward
at a speed between 6 mph (10 km/h)
and 100 mph (160 km/h), the BSI alert
indicator comes on under either of the
following conditions:
●Another vehicle overtakes you,
entering the alert zone from behind,
at a speed that differs from your
vehicle's speed by no more than 31
mph (50 km/h).●You pass a vehicle at a speed that
differs from that vehicle's speed by
no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The indicator comes on
approximately 2 seconds after the
vehicle enters the alert zone.
The system will not alert you to all
vehicles in blind spot zones (such as
vehicles you have just passed which
you should already be aware of) unless
it remains in the alert zone for
approximately 2 or more seconds.
While the system is on, BSI is active
whenever the shift lever is in the D or S
position.
C
A
B
ALERT
ZONE
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)51209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 518 of 645
BSI INDICATOR
BSI OFF BUTTON MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY
BSI ALERT INDICATOR
LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
513
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 519 of 645
The BSI alert indicator starts to blink
as a reminder if you move the turn
signal lever in the direction of the
detected vehicle.
Radar sensors, located underneath
each corner of the rear bumper,
detect objects. Do not cover this area
with labels or stickers of any kind.
Always keep this area is free of any
kind of dirt every time you get in the
vehicle.Impacts to the radar sensors or the
area around them can affect system
performance. If an impact occurs,
have the system checked by your
dealer.
LEVER INDICATOR
ILLUMINATE
BLINK
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)51409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com
Page 520 of 645

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)
515
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com