Page 443 of 609

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
87). Shifting
To shift from Park to any position,
press firmly on the brake pedal, and
press the release button on the front
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.
To shift from:
Do this:
PtoR Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever release
button.
RtoP
NtoR DtoS Press the shift lever release
button.
StoD
DtoN
NtoD
RtoN Move the shift lever.Park (P)
-This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
off or starting the engine. To shift out
of Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and press the release button on
the shift lever. Make sure your foot is
off the accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on
page 440.
Automatic Transmission43810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 444 of 609

To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into park. The
shift lever must be in Park before
you can remove the key from the
ignition switch.
Reverse (R)-Press the brake
pedal and the release button on the
front of the shift lever to shift from
Park to reverse. To shift from reverse
to neutral, come to a complete stop,
and then shift. Press the release
button before shifting into reverse
from neutral.
Neutral (N) -Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with the
engine idling. Shift to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Drive (D)
-Use this position for
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 6) for your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shifting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up faster. S Position (S)
-To shift into the S
position, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, and move
the lever to S. This position is similar
to D, except only gears from first to
fifth are selected. (When shifting up
automatically, the vehicle speed is
higher than when in the D position.)
The S position keeps the
transmission from cycling between
fourth, fifth, and sixth gears in stop-
and-go driving.
With the shift lever in D or S, you
can also use the paddle shifters to
shift the transmission up or down.
Once you begin to use the paddle
shifters in S, the transmission will no
longer upshift or downshift
automatically. For more information
of driving with the paddle shifters,
see page 443.
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission
439
Driving
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Page 446 of 609

4. Insert a key into the shift lockrelease slot.
5. Push down on the key while you press the release button on the
front of the shift lever and move
the shift lever out of Park to
neutral. 6. Remove the key from the shift lock
release slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the driver's side. Press
the brake pedal, and restart the
engine.
If you need to use the shift lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer. Using the Paddle Shifters in the D
position (D-Paddle Shift Mode)
When you are driving in the D
position, pulling either paddle shifter
switches from the ordinary automatic
transmission [drive mode (D)] to the
D-paddle shift mode. You can shift
the transmission up or down
manually with the paddle shifters.
Downshifting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep
hill.RELEASE
BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
PADDLE SHIFTERS
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission, Driving with the Paddle Shifters
441
Driving
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Page 453 of 609

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 moonroof 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.
Parking44810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu
Page 460 of 609

Braking System Design
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Brake Wear Indicators
All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal for
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the wheels from
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal.Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
referred to as
‘‘stomp and steer. ’’You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may feel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
CONTINUED
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
455
Driving
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Page 462 of 609

OverviewIf equippedThe collision Mitigation braking
system™(CMBS ™) can assist the
driver when there is a possibility of
colliding with the vehicle in front of
yours. It is designed to reduce the
speed of your vehicle before an
unavoidable collision occurs and, if
possible, to alert you to a potential
collision while there is time for the
driver to prevent it. Here is a brief
description of what the CMBS can
do: When your speed is above 10 mph
(15 km/h), the CMBS is monitoring
the vehicle ahead of you with radar.
When your vehicle is approaching
the vehicle ahead of yours too
quickly, the system may activate one
or more of the following: a visual
alert, an audible alert, apply the
brakes and e-pretensioners to tighten
the front seat belts - first as a
warning, then to prepare for an
impending crash. (see page 24).
The CMBS consists of a radar sensor
in the front grille, a brake actuator in
the engine compartment, an
indicator on the instrument panel,
seat belt e-pretensioners on the front
seats, and an on/off button on the
dashboard.RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE
ACTUATOR SEAT BELT
e-PRETENSIONERS
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )
457
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Page 465 of 609
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
Page 466 of 609

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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