2012 Acura ZDX engine

uuWhen Driving uACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)*
236
Driving
Take your foot off the pedal and press the DECEL/SET button when you reach the
desired speed. The moment you release the DECEL/SET
button, the set speed is fixed, and adaptive
cruise control begins. uA vehicle icon and distance bars appear
on the multi-information display.
■To Set the Vehicle Speed1ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)*
Do not use ACC under these conditions:•In poor visibility.•In heavy traffic.•When you must slow down and speed up
repeatedly.
•On winding roads.•When you enter a toll gate, interchange, service
area, parking area, etc. In these areas, there is no
vehicle ahead of you, but ACC would still try to
accelerate to your set speed.
•In bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)•On a slippery road (for example a road covered
with ice or snow).
•When a spare tire is installed.•When going down a steep hill where the engine
braking does not work sufficiently.
When not using adaptive cruise control: Turn off
adaptive cruise by pressing the MAIN button.
1To Set the Vehicle Speed
You can switch the displayed set speed
measurements on the multi-information display
between mph and km/h.
2 Customized Features P. 94
On when adaptive cruise
control begins Press and releaseDECEL/SET
Button
Set Vehicle
Speed
Set Vehicle
Distance
* Not available on all models

243
uuWhen Driving uVSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Continued
Driving
VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during corn ering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine ou tput and selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA ® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respon d to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
The VSA ® may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may no t interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA ® System
Indicator

uuWhen Driving uVSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
244
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA ® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on agai n, press the (VSA ® OFF)
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
Without VSA ®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA ®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual condition s 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 sh ould 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 yo ur vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/T PMS indicator comes on or
blinks, the VSA ® system comes on automatically. In
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing
the button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartmen t while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator

245
uuWhen Driving uSH-AWD ® (Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM)
Driving
SH-AWD ® (Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM)
The system controls and transfers varying amounts of engine torque to each wheel
in accordance with the driving conditions.
SH-AWD® helps to enhance driving stability, and lets you handle situations like
slippery surfaces, such as snow, sand, mud, and steep hill, better than when driving
with two wheel drive. However, the system does not help to enhance braking. Be
precautious about the following:
• It is still your responsibility to drive sa fely when you steer, accelerate, and apply
brakes.
• Leave a sufficient margin when braking on slippery surfaces.1SH-AWD ® (Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM)
NOTICEAvoid continuously driving in sand or mud where a
wheel is likely to spin out, and do not drive once the
SH-AWD ® indicator starts blinking. Driving
continuously under such conditions can damage the
system’s torque distribution unit.
Do not drive through deep water.
The SH-AWD ® system may not function properly if
tire type and size are mixed.
Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and
the air pressures as specified.

247
uuWhen Driving uBSI (Blind Spot Information)*
Driving
Press the BSI OFF button until you hear a beep to turn on and off the system. A
message on the multi-information display appears for five seconds and indicates
that the system is on or off.
When BSI is off, the BSI indicator in the in strument panel stays on.
BSI stays off next time you sta rt the engine, if you turned it off the last time you drive
the vehicle.
■BSI On and Off1 BSI (Blind Spot Information)*
The BSI alert indicator may not come on under
following conditions:
•A vehicle does not stay in the alert zone for more
than two seconds.
•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.
Turn the system off when towing a trailer. The system
does not work properly for the following reasons:
•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the radar coverage.•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar sensors,
causing the BSI alert indicators to come on.
BSI may be adversel y affected when:•Objects (guard rails, poles, trees, etc,.) are detected.•An object that does not reflect radio waves well,
such as a motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
•Driving on a curved road.•A vehicle is moving from a far lane to the adjacent lane.•The system picks up external electrical interference.•The rear bumper or the sensors have been improperly
repaired or the rear bumper has been deformed.
•The orientation of the sensors has been changed.•In bad weather (Heavy rain, snow, and fog).
For a proper BSI use:
•Always keep the rear bu mper corner area clean.•Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with
labels or stickers of any kind.
•Take your vehicle to a dealer if you need the rear bumper
corner area or the radar sensors to be repaired, or the
rear bumper corner area is strongly impacted.
BSI
Indicator
BSI OFF Button Multi-information
display
* Not available on all models

248
uuWhen Driving uTPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Driving
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure
becomes significantly low, the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on and a
message appears on the mu lti-information display.
To select the tire pressure monitor, turn the
ignition switch to ON
w*1 and press the /
button until you see the tire pressure screen.
If all the tire pressures are normal, TIRE
PRESSURE OK and the pressure of all four
tires will be displayed.
The pressure for each tire is displayed in PSI
(U.S.) or kPa (Canada).
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ignition switch.
■Tire Pressure Monitor
1 TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure / TPMS indicator to come
on. 2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 337
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure/TPM S indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
1 Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed on the multi-information
display can be slightly different from the actual
pressure as measured by a gauge. If there is a
significant difference between the two values, or if
the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator and the message
on the multi-information display do not go off after
you have inflated the tire to the specified pressure,
have the system checked by a dealer.
TPMS ERROR may appear if you drive with the
compact spare tire, or ther e is a problem with the
TPMS.
34

uuBraking uBrake System
254
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pe dal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you re tain steering control when braking very
hard.
2 Brake Assist System P. 256
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 255
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driv ing through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicl e checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

255
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, an d helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) sy stem, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distri bution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump th e brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”
■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is no t affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the ti me or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:
•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.
•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartmen t while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.