2012 Acura ZDX towing

217
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Your trailer lighting connector is located
under the right side tool case in the cargo
area. Each pin’s purpose and wiring color
code are shown in the image.
When using a non-Acura trailer lighting
harness and converter, get the connector and
pins for your vehicle from a dealer.
■Additional towing equipment
Many states and provinces/territories requ ire special outside mirrors when towing a
trailer. Even if mirrors ar e not required in your locale, you should install special
mirrors if visibility is restricted in any way.
Left Turn
Signal
(Blue)
Taillight
Signal
(Pink)
Stop Light Signal
(Light Green)
+B Turn/stop
(White) Right Turn Signal
(Green)
+B Taillight and
Auxiliary Lights
(Yellow)

218
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 215
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains , and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the tra iler tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly an d with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.

219
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it n ears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the air
conditioning and reduce speed . Pull to the side of the road safely to cool down
the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
S position if the transmi ssion shifts frequently.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 344
■Driving in Hilly Terrain1Driving in Hilly Terrain
If you use the paddle shifters when driving uphill and
downhill, select 2nd or 3rd gear, depending on the
vehicle speed and road conditions. Do not use 4th,
5th and 6th gears.

uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
222
Driving
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep wate r can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck, carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the ti res as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow ho oks are provided for this purpose.
2Towing Hook P. 344
1Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Spinning the tires can also damage the SH-AWD
system.

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

275
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder
Message
System Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message SERVICE DUE NOW does not appear more than 12 months after the display is
reset, change the engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles/12,000 km, then every 15,000 miles/24,000 km.
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt an d inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*5

317
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 318
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 319
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 326
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak ..........................................327
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 328
Jump Starting .................................... 329
Shift Lever Do es Not Move.............. 331 Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 332
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On ............................................. 334
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 334
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 335
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................. 336
If the ECPS Indicator* Comes On ..... 336 If the Low Tire Pres
sure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 337
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 338
Circuit Protected and Amps for Each Fuse............................................ 340
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 343
Emergency Towing ........................... 344
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door ................................................. 346
When You Cannot Open or Close the Tailgate ............................................ 347
* Not available on all models

uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
320
Handling the Unexpected
1. Push the rear edge of the handle on the
front cargo floor lid and open the lid.
2. Take the jack, extension bar, and wheel nut
wrench out of the tool case.
3. Remove the cover on the cargo area lining
to access the shaft fo r the spare tire hoist.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire1Changing a Flat Tire
NOTICEDo not use the jack if it doesn’t work properly. Call
your dealer or a professional towing service.
The subwoofer, a large black enclosure, is located on
the right side under the lid. Do not store anything in
this area. Doing so may compromise vehicle audio
performance.
Handle
Tool Case
Spare Tire
Cover