2012 Acura MDX weight

6. Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
7. Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page 490.
8. Calculate the tongue load. Subtract
the weight in step 6 from the
weight in step 7.
Limit: See page 490.
Recommended: see page 487.
Range: 5-15% for boat trailers
8-15% for other trailersTowing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer offers a trailer package
that includes a hitch, a ball mount,
and a wiring harness.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, federal, province,
and local regulations.
Towing a Trailer492

HitchWe strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install a class 3
hitch. Using non-Acura equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
Read the trailer manufacturer's
instructions, and select the
appropriate draw bar for the height of
the trailer you will be towing.Weight Distributing HitchA weight distributing hitch is not
recommended for use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
performance.
Trailer BrakesAcura recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure
they are electronically actuated. Do
not attempt to tap into your vehicle's
hydraulic system. No matter how
successful it may seem, any attempt
to attach trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic system will lower
braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.A 4-pin gray connector is available as
an option at your dealer. This
connector has all of the circuits
required to install most electric
trailer brake controllers. A jumper
harness to adapt your electric trailer
brake controller to the vehicle is
included with the optional Acura
Genuine trailer hitch kit. To obtain a
connector and a trailer hitch kit, see
your dealer.
Have a qualified mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
following the trailer brake controller
manufacturer's instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes for you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
493
Driving

Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:●
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
●
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
●
All weights and loads are within
limits.
●
The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.
●
All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
●
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inflated.
●
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing a Trailer496

If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may be
required. This service is not covered
by your warranties.
If You Get Stuck
If you get stuck, carefully try to go in
the direction (forward or reverse)
that you think will get you unstuck.
Do not spin the tires at high speeds.
It will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
SH-AWD system.
If you are still unable to free yourself,
your vehicle is equipped with front
and rear tow hooks designed for this
purpose.
Use a nylon strap to attach the MDX
to the recovery vehicle and carefully
take out the slack in the strap. Once
the strap is tight, the recovery
vehicle should apply force.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip off the jack and hurt you or
someone else.
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
You may be able to safely tow a
lightweight trailer (such as a
motorcycle or small tent trailer) off-
road if you follow these guidelines:
●
Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45
kg).
●
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
●
Allow extra room for starting,
stopping, and turning.
●
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles.
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
503
Driving

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certification Seal
says‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
517
Maintenance

Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certification Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the multi-
information display.
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
information display. The oil and filter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
WASHER DRAIN BOLT
Adding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter518

The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the floor mat
anchors. This keeps the floor mats
from sliding forward, possibly
interfering with the pedals, or
backwards, making the front
passenger's weight sensors
ineffective.
If you remove a floor mat, make sure
to re-anchor it when you put it back
in your vehicle.
If you use a non-Acura floor mat,
make sure it fits properly and that it
can be used with the floor mat
anchors. Do not put additional floor
mats on top of the anchored mats.
Front
Rear
Floor Mats
535
Maintenance

Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights for
balancing.Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
The ABS works by comparing the
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Tires544