2012 Acura MDX brakes

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
......................
440
Preparing to Drive
......................
441
Starting the Engine
.....................
442
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
443
Automatic Transmission
.............
443
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
................................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the D position (D-Paddle
Shift Mode)
.....................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the S position (Sequential
Shift Mode)
.....................
449
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
452
Parking
.......................................
454
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
455
Braking System
..........................
460
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
461
Collision Mitigation Braking
System™(CMBS™)
...............
463Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
473
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
476
Active Damper System
................
484
Towing a Trailer
..........................
487
Trailer Stability Assist
.................
498
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
500
Driving
439
Driving

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.
Parking454

As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Braking System
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, fuel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, confusing
drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
effectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your foot
off the accelerator and downshifting
to a lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Braking System460

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)
461
Driving

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 88).
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page 564.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 564. 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 stopon loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)462

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
ACTUATORSEAT BELT
e-PRETENSIONERS
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™)
463
Driving

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 433), and
do not make any modifications to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modifications on page 431).
●
The tires are not correctly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page 540), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page 540).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™)
465
Driving

●
When the VSA system indicator
comes on (see page 473).
●
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™)
469
Driving