2012 Acura ZDX ESP

227
uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic Transmission
The following conditions caus e the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
• Immediately after the engine starts.
• When the climate control system is in use.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pe dal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especi ally on slippery roads and curves.
■Creeping
■Kickdown

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

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.

251
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is no t a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driv er’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if u nder-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of th e TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equi pped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the syst em detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction te lltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tire s and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.

252
uuWhen Driving uIDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*
Driving
IDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*
Constantly controls your vehicle’s damper s and power steering assist according to
current road conditions, vehicle speed, and steering operation.
You can choose between two modes, sport mode and comfort mode, according to
your driving taste.
Turn the switch to select from the two driving
modes:
SPORT - The system prioritizes handling
response for higher handling performance.
COMFORT - The system prioritizes driving
comfort according to the road surface.
■IDS mode switching
1 IDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*
IDS (Integrated Dynamics System) controls the
dampers and power steering assist, using the
following two main systems:
•Active Damper System - Electronically controls the
dampers to enhance riding comfort, handling
precision, and tire to road adhesion.
•ECPS (Electronically C ontrolled Power Steering)
System - Changes the amount of steering assist to
enhance steering operation.
* Not available on all models

257
uuBraking uCMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Continued
Driving
CMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Can assist you when there is a possibility of your vehicle colliding with the vehicle in
front of yours. The CMBSTM is designed to alert you, then reduce your vehicle speed
when a possible collision is likely unavoidable to help minimize collision severity.
■How the system works
■When the system activates
1 CMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Important Safety Reminder
The CMBSTM is designed to reduce the severity of an
unavoidable collision. It do es not prevent collision nor
stop the vehicle automatically. It is still your
responsibility to operate th e brake pedal and steering
wheel appropriately according to the driving
conditions.
The CMBS
TM may not activate or may not detect a
vehicle in front of your vehicle under the following
conditions:
•The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
ahead of you is too short.
•A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and
it brakes suddenly.
•When you accelerate ra pidly and approach the
vehicle ahead of you at high speed.
•The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle or other
small vehicle.
•A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.•When you drive on a curved or winding road that
makes it difficult for the se nsor to properly detect a
vehicle in front of you.
•When there are pedestrians or animals in front of
your vehicle.
A radar sensor starts to detect if there is a vehicle in front of you when your vehicle
speed is above 10 mph (15 km/h).
The radar sensor is under the
emblem in the front grille.
The CMBS
TM activates when the speed difference betw een the two vehicles
becomes more than 10 mph (15 km/h ) with a chance of a collision.
A visual alert or a combination of a visual
alert and an audible alert for a possible
collision.
Beep
u
Take appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the
brakes, change lanes, etc.)
* Not available on all models

258
uuBraking uCMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Driving
The system has three alert stages for a possible collis ion. However, depending on the circumstances, CMBSTM may not go through all of
the stages before init iating the last stage.
■Collision Alert Stages
Distance between vehicles
CMBSTM
The radar sensor
detects a vehicleE-pretensionerAudio & Visual WARNINGSBraking
Stage one
There is a risk of
a collision with
the vehicle
ahead of you.
—
BRAKE flashes
on the multi-
information
display.
—
A beep sounds
and BRAKE
flashes on the
multi-
information
display.
Stage two
The risk of a
collision has
increased, time
to respond is
reduced.
Retracts the driver’s seat belt
gently a few times, providing
a physical warning.
Lightly
applied
Stage three
The CMBSTM
determines that
a collision is
unavoidable.
Forcefully tightens driver and
front passenger seat belts.
Forcefully applied
Your
Vehicle Vehicle
Ahead
Your
VehicleVehicle
Ahead
Your
VehicleVehicle
Ahead

uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
304
Maintenance
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphal t and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when te sted under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temp erature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
■Traction
■Temperature
1 Traction
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.