2012 Acura MDX check engine

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
88).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:
PtoRPress the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever release
button.
RtoP
NtoR
DtoSPress the shift lever release
button.
StoD
DtoN
NtoD
RtoNMove 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, seeShift Lock Releaseon
page 446.
Automatic Transmission444

4. Insert a key into the shift lock
release 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 D-normal drive mode,
to 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
447
Driving

If the SH-AWD indicator blinks while
driving, it indicates the differential
temperature is too high. You will also
see an‘‘SH-AWD DIFF TEMP.
HIGH’’message on the multi-
information display. If this happens,
pull to the side of the road when it is
safe, shift to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out. If
the indicator does not go out, take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked.
If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM’’
message also appears on the multi-
information display, there is problem
with the SH-AWD system.Your vehicle still has normal front-
wheel drive with vehicle stability
assist (VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™(SH-AWD
®) System
453
Driving

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes significantly low, the sensor
in that tire immediately sends a
signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
information display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message.
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated.
You should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle's tire information
placard.
It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-information
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
different.
If the difference is significant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-information display go out after
inflating the tires to the specified
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.If you think you can safely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
If the tire is flat, or if the tire pressure
is too low to continue driving, replace
the tire with the compact spare tire
(see page 551).
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Because tire pressure varies by
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
455
Driving

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

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 458), the
VSA system automatically turns on
even if the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF button. If
this case, you cannot turn the VSA
system off by pressing the VSA OFF
button again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.VSA Off Button
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
498).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
474

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

Under these conditions, trailer
stability assist begins to stabilize the
vehicle/trailer combination by
reducing the vehicle speed. The
control unit sends signals to
selectively apply the brakes and
regulate the engine output. The
brake lights of your vehicle will be
turned on automatically by the
system even if you do not keep the
pressure on the brake pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
trailer's brake lights come on along
with the vehicle brake lights.
When the trailer stability assist
activates, you will see the VSA
system indicator blink. There may
also be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system.Trailer stability assist cannot prevent
a loss of control. Always reduce the
vehicle speed and steer firmly. Do
not brake suddenly or make quick
steering motion. It could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over and
the system becomes ineffective.
Trailer stability assist cannot prevent
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. It helps only to
stabilize the vehicle/trailer
combination in these conditions,
after the oscillation becomes severe.
Trailer stability assist will also be
ineffective while driving at high
speed or towing a trailer with a high
center of gravity.
Always obey the recommended
speed limits for towing a trailer, see
page 497.Trailer Stability Assist Failure
The control unit monitors the VSA
circuitry and the braking system. If
there is a problem with the brake
lighting system, the trailer stability
assist function shuts down and the
‘‘CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST’’message appears on the
multi-information display.
If you see this message, have your
vehicle checked at your dealer as
soon as possible.
CONTINUED
Trailer Stability Assist
499
Driving