2012 Acura MDX trailer

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 545).
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 steep
inclines as you move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator.
This feature starts operating a few
seconds after you are in any drive
gear position (when faced uphill) or
in reverse (when faced downhill).
This feature requires that the vehicle
has come to a complete stop before it
can work.
Hill start assist may not hold a
heavily loaded vehicle, such as when
your vehicle is connected to a trailer,
or prevent your vehicle from rolling
downhill on a very steep or slippery
slope.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
475
Driving

Important Precautions
Like all assistance systems, BSI has
limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may
result in a collision. Always look in
your mirrors, to either side of your
vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.The system should be turned off
when towing a trailer. Due to the
added mass and resulting changes in
radar coverage, the system cannot
operate as intended, and detection of
the trailer itself by the radar sensors
may cause the BSI alert indicators to
illuminate.Limitations
The BSI alert indicators may not
illuminate under the following
circumstances:
●
The speed difference between
your vehicle and a vehicle
approaching from behind is
greater than 31 mph (50 km/h).
●
A vehicle is parked in a side lane.
●
The speed difference between
your vehicle and the vehicle you
are passing is greater than 6 mph
(10 km/h).
●
An object not detected by the
radar sensors approaches or
passes your vehicle.
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)480

BSI may be adversely affected under
the following circumstances:●
When objects such as guard rails,
poles, trees, etc., are detected.
●
When an object that doesn't reflect
radio waves well, such as a
motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
●
A vehicle is behind or approaching
your vehicle while on a curved
road.
●
When towing a trailer.
●
A vehicle is moving from a far lane
to the adjacent lane.
●
The system picks up external
electrical interference.
●
The rear bumper has been
deformed, or improperly repaired.
●
The orientation of the sensors has
been changed.
●
Bad weather conditions, such as
heavy rain, snow and fog.The system is for your convenience.
Even if an object is within the alert
zone, the system may not detect it,
depending on its shape.
Always look in your mirrors, to either
side of your vehicle, and behind you
for other vehicles before changing
lanes.EXAMPLES
MOTORCYCLEGUARD RAILPOLE or TREE
●: BSI Alert indicator is on
○: BSI Alert indicator is off
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
481
Driving

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to tow
a trailer if you carefully observe the
load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
If your vehicle is equipped with the
blind spot information system (BSI),
do not use it when towing a trailer.
For more information see page 482.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 422).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelinessection on page
500 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.Your vehicle is equipped with a
trailer stability assist to help stabilize
the vehicle/trailer combination by
reducing the vehicle speed. For more
information, see page 498.
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.Load Limit
Total Trailer WeightThe maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page 490).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
487
Driving

Tongue LoadThe weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should be 5 to 15 percent of the total
trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
for all other trailers. (See page 490
for limits for your towing situation).
Too much tongue load reduces front-
tire traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the trailer
unstable and cause it to sway.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo and the
tongue load is 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg).
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR)－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed 2,888
lbs (1,310 kg) on the front axle, and
3,175 lbs (1,440 kg) on the rear axle.
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)－The maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle and
trailer is 10,053 lbs (4,560 kg) with
the proper hitch. The GCWR must be
reduced 2 percent for every 1,000
feet (305 meters) of elevation.Estimating Loads
The best way to confirm that all loads
are within limits is to check them at a
public scale. For public scales in your
area, check your local phone book,
or contact your trailer dealer or
rental agency for assistance.
To help ensure a safe drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described.
To Estimate the Total Trailer WeightAdd the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manufacturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page 490 to make
sure you do not exceed the limit for
your conditions.
Towing a Trailer488

To Estimate the Tongue Load1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
4. Measure again from the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
5. Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table.
On models without Active Damper
System
If the
difference is:Estimated
tongue load is:
13/32’’
11/16’’
31/32’’
1 1/4’’150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
On models with Active Damper System
If the
difference is:Estimated
tongue load is:
1/2’’
27/32’’
1 5/32’’
1 1/2’’150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If the difference is more than 1ᨨ
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
489
Driving

Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
Number of
Occupants
ᤳ
Maximum Total Trailer Weight Maximum Tongue Load
ᤳᤳ
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
34,751 lbs (2,155 kg) 470 lbs (213 kg)
44,500 lbs (2,041 kg) 370 lbs (168 kg)
54,250 lbs (1,928 kg) 276 lbs (125 kg)
63,999 lbs (1,814 kg) 150 lbs (68 kg)
7 Towing is Not Recommended
ᤳ
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs
(68 kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the
maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page 487).
ᤳᤳ
Recommended tongue load should be 5－15% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8－15% of the total trailer weight for
all other trailers.
Towing a Trailer490

Checking Loads
To accurately check your loads at the
public scale, the vehicle and trailer
should be fully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.1. Check the front gross axle weight.
Limit: 2,888 lbs (1,310 kg)
2. Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit: 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg)
3. Check the rear gross axle weight.
Limit: 3,175 lbs (1,440 kg)
4. If you cannot weigh the rear axle
directly, you can calculate the rear
gross axle weight by subtracting
the weight in step 1 from the
weight in step 2.
Limit: 3,064 lbs (1,390 kg)
5. Check the gross combined weight.
Limit: 10,053 lbs (4,560 kg)
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2% for every 1,000 feet
(305 meters) of elevation.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
491
Driving