2011 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●
Glove box
●
Door and seat-back pockets
●
Rear cargo area, including the
second and third row seats when
folded flat
●
Console compartment
●
Storage compartment
●
Rear compartment
●
Roof-rack (if equipped)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect
your vehicle's handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsafe. Before carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
following pages.
STORAGE COMPARTMENT SEAT-BACK POCKETS
CARGO AREA
REAR COMPARTMENT
DOOR POCKETS
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
GLOVE BOX
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Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 1,150 lbs (525 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit －
(1) Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs. ’’on your
vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs. (4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs.
(1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
429
Before Driving
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Example 1
Example 2
Example 3In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (1,150 lbs)
(521 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
(850 lbs)
(385 kg)
Cargo Weight
(550 lbs)
(249 kg)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(68 kg x 4 = 272 kg)
Max Load (1,150 lbs)
(521 kg)
Max Load (1,150 lbs)
(521 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
(68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
(400 lbs)
(181 kg)
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Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
●
Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
Also, keep all cargo below the
bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
●
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
●
Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
●
If you fold down the second or
third row seats, tie down items that
could be thrown about the vehicle
during a crash or sudden stop.
●
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page 60.
●
If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
431
Before Driving
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Optional Separation Net
The separation net can be used to
hold back soft, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy items
should be tied down, as the net may
not prevent them from being thrown
about the vehicle in a crash or a
sudden stop.
Optional Cargo Cover
The cargo cover can be used to cover
the cargo area behind the third row
seats. When the third row seats are
folded down, the cargo cover can be
extended over the larger area. Do not
install the cover over the larger area
if the third row seats are not folded
down.Cargo Hooks
The four hooks on the side panels
can be used to install a net for
securing items. Each hook is
designed to hold up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
of weight.
Your vehicle also has a grocery hook
on each side panel in the cargo area.
They are designed to hold light
items. Heavy objects may damage
the hook. Make sure any items put
on each hook weigh less than 6.5 lbs
(3 kg).
CARGO
HOOKS
GROCERY HOOKS
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive™(SH-AWD
®) system,
the vehicle stability assist (VSA
®)
system, active damper system (If
equipped), the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), the
collision mitigation braking system ™
(CMBS ™), the blind spot information
system (BSI) and facts you need if
you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive off-high way. Driving Guidelines
......................
434
Preparing to Drive
......................
435
Starting the Engine
.....................
436
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
437
Automatic Transmission
.............
437
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
441
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the D position (D-PaddleShift Mode)
.....................
441
Using the Paddle Shifters in the S position (Sequential
Shift Mode)
.....................
443
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive ™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
446
Parking
.......................................
448
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...................................
449
Braking System
..........................
454
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
455
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
457Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
467
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
470
Active Damper System
................
478
Towing a Trailer
..........................
481
Trailer Stability Assist
.................
492
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
494
Driving
433
Driving
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Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
the ground, it has a high center of
gravity that can cause it to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
●
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
●
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
●
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
●
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof.Your vehicle is equipped with a super
handling-all wheel drive (SH-AWD)
system. When the system senses a
loss of one or more wheel traction, it
automatically transfers some power
to the other wheels. This gives you
better traction and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
braking that you would in a two-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page 494 for off-highway driving
guidelines.
Driving Guidelines43410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
5. Check the seat adjustment (see page 148). 6. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors (see page
163).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 133).
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 65, 76 and 86).
Preparing to Drive
435
Driving
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