2011 Acura MDX Multi

ABS Indicator
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 87).
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page 558. If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page 558. If the brakes feel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
It only helps with steering
control during braking.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)45610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Radar SensorThe radar sensor is located under the
Acura emblem in the front grille. If
the radar sensor cover is covered
with mud, dirt, dead leaves, wet
snow, etc., or if you put a sticker on
it, the CMBS will automatically shut
off, and the CMBS indicator on the
instrument panel will come on. You
will also see a‘‘CHECK CMBS
RADAR SENSOR ’’message on the
multi-information display for about 5
seconds.
Always keep the radar sensor cover
clean. If it gets dirty, clean it with
water or a mild detergent. Never use
chemical solvents or polishing
powder.
There are three bolts on the sides of
the radar sensor. Do not tamper with
these bolts, or you may cause the
system to malfunction. Do not allow anything to impact the
radar sensor or the radar sensor
cover. If either of these parts receives
a strong impact, switch the system
off by pressing the CMBS off button,
and have your vehicle checked by a
dealer. If the front grille ever needs
to be repaired, consult a dealer first.
If the radar sensor cover or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
When the CMBS is on, the radar sensor
constantly scans for vehicles directly
ahead of you. This means that driving
on a road with a few or no vehicles
could cause a CHECK CMBS RADAR
SENSOR message to appear on the
multi-information display. This is
normal and not a cause for concern.
RADAR SENSOR COVER
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )45810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Certain conditions may cause the
radar aim to be temporarily out of
proper range, such as the following
two examples:●
Your vehicle is tilted because of a
heavy load in the rear or from
modifications to the suspension.
Do not overload your vehicle (see
Carrying Cargo on page 428), and
do not make any modifications to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modifications on page 426).
●
The tires are not correctly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page 534), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page 534).Collision Alert
If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with a visual alert or a
combination of a visual alert and an
audible alert.
The visual alert is an amber colored
BRAKE message that flashes on the
multi-information display, the audible
alert is a constant beeping sound. If
one or more of the alerts come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )
459
Driving
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Distance between vehicles
CMBS
The radar sensor detects a vehicle E-pretensioner
Audio & Visual
WARNINGS Braking
Stage one There is a risk of a
collision with the
vehicle ahead of you.
—
‘‘
BRAKE ’’flashes
on the multi-
information
display.
—
A beep sounds
and ‘‘BRAKE ’’
flashes on the
multi-information
display.
Stage two
The risk of a collision
has increased, time to
respond is reduced.Retracts the driver's
seat belt gently a few
times, providing a
physical warning.
Lightly
applied
Stage three
ꭧ
The CMBS determines
that a collision is
unavoidable. Forcefully tightens
driver and front
passenger seat belts.
Forcefullyapplied
ꭧ : Depending on the circumstances, CMBS may not go through all of the alert stages before initiating the last stage.
YOUR
VEHICLE VEHICLE
AHEAD
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEAD
YOUR
VEHICLE
VEHICLE
AHEAD
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )46010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

CMBS OFF ButtonTo switch the CMBS off, press the
CMBS OFF button on the dashboard
for about 1 second. When you do
this, a beeper sounds, a CMBS
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on, and a CMBS OFF
message appears on the multi-
information display. To switch the
system back on, press the button
again for about 1 second.When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the CMBS will
be in the previously selected on or off
setting.
Automatic Shut Off
Any of the conditions below can
cause the CMBS to shut off. When
the system shuts off, the CMBS
indicator in the instrument panel
comes on, and a CHECK CMBS
SYSTEM message appears on the
multi-information display for about 5
seconds.
●
An abnormal tire condition is
detected (wrong tire size, flat tire,
etc.).
●
Extended off-road or mountainous
driving.
●
Driving your vehicle with the
parking brake applied.
●
Driving your vehicle in bad
weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
●
A dirty radar sensor cover on the
front grille.
CMBS OFF BUTTON
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )
461
Driving
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●
When the VSA system indicator
comes on (see page 467).
●
When you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position, the CMBS
indicator should come on for a few
seconds, then go off. If the
indicator comes on at any other
time and a CHECK CMBS
SYSTEM message appears on the
multi-information display, there is
a problem with the CMBS. You
can still drive your vehicle, but
CMBS will not be operating. Have
your vehicle checked by a dealer.Limitations
The CMBS may not activate under
some conditions. Here are a few
examples:
●
The distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead of you is too
short.
●
A vehicle cuts in front of you at a
slow speed, or it brakes suddenly.
●
When you accelerate rapidly and
approach the vehicle ahead of you
at high speed.
●
Immediately after you begin
driving.
YOUR VEHICLE
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )
463
Driving
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

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 with the
indicator flashing (see page 452), the
VSA system automatically turns on
even if the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF switch. If
this case, you cannot turn the VSA
system off by pressing the VSA OFF
switch again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. VSA Off Switch
This switch 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 switch again. It
turns the system back on. With the
VSA off, the trailer stability assist
function is also turned off (see page
492).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.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
46810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

BSI INDICATORMULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
BSI ALERT INDICATOR LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE
BSI OFF BUTTON
U.S. model is shown
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)47210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu