2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

BSI OFF ButtonTo turn the system off, press the BSI
OFF button when the ignition switch
is in the ON (II) position. The BSI
indicator on the instrument panel
glows amber, indicating that the
system is turned off. The multi-
information display indicates that the
system is off.To turn the system on again, press
the same button. The BSI indicator
on the instrument panel turns off.
The multi-information display
indicates that the system is on.
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, the system will
be in the previously selected ON or
OFF setting.Blind Spot Information System (BSI)482

BSI Status Displays
System
StatusMulti-information
display messageBSI Indicator Description
ON－
When you push the BSI OFF button, a BSI ON or OFF message is displayed on the multi-information
display for about 5 seconds.
The BSI indicator will remain on while the system is off.
A chime sounds to indicate that the system has been turned ON or OFF.
OFF
ON/OFF
ᤳ
If while driving, mud, snow, or ice accumulates in the vicinity of sensor:●
The system may shut down
●
The BSI indicator illuminates, a message is displayed on the multi-information display, and a chime
sounds.
The BSI indicator will turn off and the system will return to normal once the obstacle is removed, and
you begin to drive.
Always keep the area around the radar sensors clean. BSI may not operate properly if the sensors are
obstructed.
The BSI alert indicator:
●
May come on when a vehicle enters one of the alert zones, even if this message is displayed.
●
May not come on due to obstruction (splashes, etc.), even if this message is not displayed.
ᤳ: System status may remain on even when the BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE message is
displayed.
OFFIf the system is faulty, the BSI indicator illuminates and a message is displayed on the multi-
information display.
Have your vehicle inspected by your Acura dealer.
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Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
483
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.
Active Damper SystemIf equippedThe active damper system is always
on, constantly adjusting your
vehicle's dampers to the best settings
for current road conditions along
with vehicle speed and handling
inputs.The system uses electrically
controlled dampers to enhance
handling precision, vehicle
composure, tire to road adhesion and
rough road ride comfort isolation.
The system reacts to inputs from
various electronic sensors to give
exactly the right amount of
suspension damping to provide
optimal ride comfort and handling.
Blind Spot Information System (BSI), Active Damper System484

The system provides two selectable
modes.
Sport mode: The system prioritizes
handling response, vehicle body
control and tire-to-road adhesion to
allow for higher performance
handling.
Comfort mode: The system
prioritizes road isolation to allow for a
more comfortable ride.
Either mode can be used in any type
of operating conditions, but the mode
may change temporarily to suit a
change in road surface.
To switch between comfort and sport
mode, press and release the active
damper system button located on the
center console to choose the desired
mode.
When comfort mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button comes
on, and the message‘‘COMFORT’’
will appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
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Active Damper System
485
Driving

When sport mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button goes
off, and the message‘‘SPORT’’will
appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
Active Damper System
Indicator
If there is a problem with the active
damper system, the active damper
system shuts down and the active
damper system indicator on the
instrument panel comes on.
You will also see the‘‘CHECK ADS
SYSTEM’’message appear on the
multi-information display.If you see this warning indicator and
message, have your vehicle checked
at your dealer as soon as possible.
In this case, your vehicle still has the
normal damper function, but it will
not have the active damper function.
Active Damper System486

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.
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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.
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Towing a Trailer
489
Driving