2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

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

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

If equippedThe blind spot information system
(BSI) is designed to assist you when
you are changing lanes.If the system detects vehicles in
adjacent lanes, it automatically
illuminates the appropriate indicator
to provide assistance when you
change lanes. It is not a substitute for
visual confirmation that it is safe to
change lanes.
Failure to visually confirm that it
is safe to change lanes before
doing so may result in a crash
and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on the blind
spot information system when
changing lanes.
Always look in your mirrors, to
either side of your vehicle, and
behind you for other vehicles
before changing lanes.
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)476

BSI OperationA: Approximately 1.6 ft. (0.5m)
B: Approximately 10 ft. (3m)
C: Approximately 10 ft. (3m)
BSI is designed to detect vehicles in
specified alert zones adjacent to your
vehicle, particularly in harder to see
areas commonly known as‘‘blind
spots.’’When BSI detects a vehicle in an alert
zone, a BSI alert indicator comes on
near the corresponding outside
rearview mirror.
While your vehicle is moving forward
at a speed between 6 mph (10 km/h)
and 100 mph (160 km/h), the BSI alert
indicator comes on under either of the
following conditions:
●
Another vehicle overtakes you,
entering the alert zone from behind,
at a speed that differs from your
vehicle's speed by no more than 31
mph (50 km/h).
●
You pass a vehicle at a speed that
differs from that vehicle's speed by
no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The indicator comes on
approximately 2 seconds after the
vehicle enters the alert zone.The system will not alert you to all
vehicles in blind spot zones (such as
vehicles you have just passed which
you should already be aware of) unless
it remains in the alert zone for
approximately 2 or more seconds.
While the system is on, BSI is active
whenever the shift lever is in the D or S
position.
A
C BALERT
ZONE
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
477
Driving

BSI INDICATORMULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
BSI ALERT INDICATOR
LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE
BSI OFF BUTTON
U.S. model is shown
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)478

The BSI alert indicator starts to blink
as a reminder if you move the turn
signal lever in the direction of the
detected vehicle.
Radar sensors, located underneath
each corner of the rear bumper,
detect objects. Do not cover this area
with labels or stickers of any kind.
Always keep this area is free of any
kind of dirt every time you get in the
vehicle.
Impacts to the radar sensors or the
area around them can affect system
performance. If an impact occurs,
have the system checked by your
dealer.
LEVER
INDICATOR
ILLUMINATE
BLINK
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
479
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