
Important Safety Reminder
The main purpose of the CMBS is to
reduce the severity of injuries caused
by an unavoidable collision. While
the CMBS may help to alert you and
minimize the severity of a collision, it
may not activate in every dangerous
situation.
Even with the CMBS, it is still your
responsibility to operate the brake
pedal and steering wheel
appropriately, according to the
driving conditions.
As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 ofthe FCC rules. Operation is subjectto the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmfulinterference, and (2) this device mustaccept any interference received,including interference that maycause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications notexpressly approved by the partyresponsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210. Operationis subject to the following twoconditions: (1) this device may notcause interference, and (2) thisdevice must accept any interference
that may cause undesired operationof the device.
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS™ )
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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
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Driving on HillsWhen climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the H (Hot) mark, turn the A/C off,
reduce speed and, if necessary, pull
to the side of the road to let the
engine cool.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shift down to S
position, or use the paddle shifters to
the lower gear (3 and 2) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not‘‘ride ’’the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
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.
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. 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 page 602.
Towing a Trailer
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General Information
Your vehicle has been designed
primarily for use on pavement. But
its higher ground clearance and
super handling-all wheel drive
(SH-AWD) system allow you to
occasionally travel on unpaved roads,
to campgrounds, picnic sites, and
similar locations. It is not designed
for trailblazing, mountain climbing,
or other challenging off-road
activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved
roads, you will find that it requires
somewhat different driving skills.
Your vehicle will also handle
somewhat differently than it does on
pavement. Be sure to pay extra
attention to the precautions and tips
in this section, and get acquainted
with your vehicle before leaving the
pavement.
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured or
killed.●Follow all instructions and
guidelines in this owner's
manual.●Keep your speed low, and
don't drive faster than
conditions permit.Important Safety Precautions
To avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to follow all precautions and
recommendations.
●Be sure to store cargo properly
and do not exceed your cargo load
limits (see page 466 and 522).●Whenever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.●Keep your speed low, and never go
faster than the conditions allow.●It's up to you to continually assess
the situation and drive within the
limits.
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines52809/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
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Check Out Your Vehicle
Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
for any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
carefully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsafe.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
Remember
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving off-highway can be
hazardous if you fail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Accelerating and Braking
For better traction on all surfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the shift
lever in the D position will help you
have a smoother start on snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surfaces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not
‘‘pump ’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them for you.
Avoiding Obstacles
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over. Driving on Slopes
If you can't clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope before you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can safely drive on the slope, don't
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and find
that you cannot continue,
do not try to
turn around.
Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
following the same route you took up
the hill.
Crossing a Stream
Before driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that:
●The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components.
CONTINUED
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
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●The banks are sloped so you can
drive out.●The water is not flowing too fast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushing water can wash the
ground from under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.●The banks and surface under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
If you decide it is safe to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed, and proceed without shifting,
changing speeds, stopping, or
shutting off the engine.
After driving through water, test your
brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘ pump ’’them while driving slowly
until they operate normally. If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may be
required. This service is not covered
by your warranties.
If You Get Stuck
If you get stuck, carefully try to go in
the direction (forward or reverse)
that you think will get you unstuck.
Do not spin the tires at high speeds.
It will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
SH-AWD system.
If you are still unable to free yourself,
your vehicle is equipped with front
and rear tow hooks designed for this
purpose.
Use a nylon strap to attach your
vehicle to the recovery vehicle and
carefully take out the slack in the
strap. Once the strap is tight, the
recovery vehicle should apply force.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip off the jack and hurt you or
someone else.Off-Highway Driving Guidelines53009/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
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Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the multi-information display to show
you when you should have your
dealer perform engine oil
replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as a
percentage.Engine Oil Life Display
To see the current engine oil life
displayed on the multi-information
display, turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, and press the
SEL/RESET button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the engine oil
life is displayed.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.
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
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This message reminds you that your
vehicle will soon be due for
scheduled maintenance.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil life information. Along
with the‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message, you
will see the percentage of the
remaining engine oil life and the
maintenance item codes on the multi-
information display.
When the remaining oil life is 5 to 1
percent, the multi-information display
shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’
message with the same maintenance
items ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON ’’was
displayed with. When you see this
message, have the indicated
maintenance performed as soon as
possible.
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
MAIN ITEM(S) SUB ITEM(S)
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM CODE MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEM CODE(S)
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
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Maintenance
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