2012 Acura ZDX automatic transmission

Visual Index
4
Quick Reference Guide❙Driving Position Memory System Buttons (P 139)
❙Power Tailgate Button (P 117)
❙Glove Box (P 153)
❙Parking Brake (P 253)
❙Hood Release Handle (P 278)
❙Power Door Lock Master Switch (Unlocking Fuel Fill Door) (P 111)
❙Interior Fuse Box (P 339)
❙Door Mirror Controls (P 142)
❙Power Window Switches (P 123)
❙Integrated Dynamics System
(IDS) Switch* (P 252)
❙Panoramic Glass Roof/
Sunshade Switch
(P 126)
❙Map Lights (Front) (P 152)
❙Rearview Mirror (P 141)
❙HomeLink® Button (P 195)
❙Driver’s Front Airbag (P 38)
❙Passenger’s Front Airbag
(P 38)
❙Shift Lever Automatic
Transmission
(P 227)

13
Quick Reference Guide
Driving (P 209)
Release ButtonShift Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
P.
Move the shift lever without
pressing the release button.
Press the rele
ase button to
move the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission (P 227)
● Shift to
P and depress the brake pedal when starting the engine.
● Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving. D-paddle shift mode can be used.
S Position
Sequential shift mode can be used. Paddle Shifters
(P 230)
M Indicator
Shift Down
Paddle Shifter
-Shift Up +
Paddle Shifter
●
Paddle shifters allow you to shift gears much like a manual
transmission (1st through 6th). This is useful for engine braking.
● D-paddle shift mode: The transmission will shift back to
automatic mode once the system detects that the vehicle is
cruising.
● Sequential shift mode: Holds the selected gear, and the M
indicator comes on.
Selected Gear Number

209
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, an d information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 210
Maximum Load Limit........................ 213
Towing a Trailer Towing Preparation ..... ..................... 215
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 218
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 219
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines General Information ......................... 220
Important Safety Prec autions............ 220
Avoiding Trouble ......... .................... 221
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 223
Precautions While Driving ................ 226
Automatic Transmission ................... 227
Shifting ............................................ 228
Cruise Control
*............................... 232
ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)*....... 235VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 243
SH-AWD ® (Super Handling-All Wheel
DriveTM) .......................................... 245
BSI (Blind Spot Information)*........... 246TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) .. 248IDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*... 252 Braking
Brake System ................................... 253
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 255
Brake Assist System ......................... 256
CMBS
TM (Collision Mitigation Braking
SystemTM)*..................................... 257
Parking Your Vehicle ........................ 261
Rearview Camera
*............................ 262
Refueling ........................................... 263
Fuel Economy .................................... 266
Accessories and Modifications ........ 267
* Not available on all models

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

230
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 6th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmissi on will switch to the sequential shift
mode.
■When the shift lever is in D:
The vehicle will go into th e sequential shift mode mome ntarily, and the gear position
indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.
Hold the
+ paddle shifter for two second s to return to normal drive.
■When the shift lever is in S:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the M (sequential shift mode)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. When you accelerate from
a stop, the transmission starts in first gear, and shifts from first to second
automatically.
You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.
When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from
S to
D. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and gear position
indicator go off.
■Sequential Shift Mode

277
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Coolant Reservoir Radiator Cap
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Handle)
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (Yellow Loop)Battery
Power Steering Fluid
(Black Cap)

287
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uTransmission Fluid
Maintenance
Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature.
1. Park on level ground, and start the engine.
2. Wait until the radiator fan starts and then
turn off the engine.
u Perform step 3 after waiting for about 60
seconds (less than 90 seconds).
3. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the
transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the
transmission securely , as shown in the
image.
5. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid
level.
u It should be between the upper and
lower marks in the HOT range.
6. If the level is below the lower mark, add
fluid into the dipstick hole to bring it to the
level between the upper and lower marks,
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
■Automatic Transmission Fluid
Specified fluid: Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic transmission fluid)
1 Automatic Transmission Fluid
NOTICEDo not mix Acura ATF DW-1 with other
transmission fluids.
Using a transmission fluid other than Acura ATF
DW-1 may adversely affe ct the operation and
durability of your vehicle’s transmission, and damage
the transmission.
Any damage caused by usin g a transmission fluid that
is not equivalent to Acur a ATF DW-1 is not covered
by Acura’s new vehicle warranty.
NOTICEPour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill
any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can
damage components in the engine compartment.Upper Mark
Lower Mark
HOT
Range

350
Information
Specifications
■Vehicle Specifications
*1: The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
■Engine Specifications
■ Fuel
■ Battery
ModelAcura ZDX
No. of Passengers:
Front 2
Rear 3
Total 5
Weights:Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating 5,534 lbs (2,510 kg)
Gross Axle Weight
Rating (Front)2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)Gross Axle Weight
Rating (Rear)2,679 lbs (1,215 kg)
Gross Combined
Weight
*1
Rating (GCWR) 6,593 lbs (2,990 kg)
Air Conditioning:Refrigerant Type HFC-134a (R-134a)Charge Quantity16.9 – 18.7 oz (480 – 530 g)Lubricant TypeND-OIL 8
Displacement223.5 cu-in (3,664 cm3)
Spark Plugs NGK ILZKR7B-11S
DENSO SXU22HCR11S
Fuel:
TypePremium unleaded gasoline, Pump octane
number of 91 or higher
Fuel Tank Capacity 21.00 US gal (79.5 ℓ)
Capacity/Type55AH(5)/65AH(20)
■ Washer Fluid
■ Light Bulbs
■ Brake Fluid
■ Transmission FluidTank Capacity5.2 US qt (4.9 ℓ)
Headlights (High/Low Beam)35W (D2S)
Daytime Running Lights 60W (HB3)
Fog Lights55W (H11)
Front Turn Signal/Parking Lights 28/8W (Amber)
Front Side Marker Lights5W
Side Turn Signal Lights
(on Door Mirrors) LED
Rear Turn Signal Lights21W
Rear Side Marker Lights 3 CP
Back-Up Lights21W
Stop/Taillights 21/5W
High-Mount Brake LightLED
Rear License Plate Lights 5W
Cargo Area Lights8W
Interior Lights
Front and Rear Map
LightsLED
Vanity Mirror Lights2WDoor Courtesy Lights3.4WConsole Compartment Light1.4WGlove Box Light1.4WFoot LightLEDDoor Inner Handle Light*LED
SpecifiedHonda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3
SpecifiedAcura ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid)
Capacity Change 3.3 US qt (3.1 ℓ)
■ Rear Differential Fluid
■ Transfer Assembly Fluid
■ Power Steering Fluid
■ Engine Oil
■ Engine Coolant
■ TireSpecifiedAcura All Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF)
Capacity Change 2.67 US qt (2.53 ℓ)
Specified·SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 Viscosity Hypoid Gear Oil
·API Service Classified GL4 or GL5 only
Capacity Change 0.45 US qt (0.43 ℓ)
SpecifiedAcura Power Steering Fluid
Recommended·Acura Genuine Motor Oil 5W-20
·API Premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil
Capacity Change 4.2 US qt (4.0 ℓ)
Change
including
filter
4.5 US qt (4.3 ℓ)
SpecifiedHonda Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type2
Ratio 50/50 with distilled water
Capacity1.77 US gal (6.7 ℓ)
(change including the remaining
0.18 US gal (0.675 ℓ) in the reserve tank)
RegularSizeP255/50R19 103HPressure
psi (kPa [kgf/cm2])32 (220 [2.2])
Compact
Spare Size T165/80D17 104M
Pressure
psi (kPa [kgf/cm
2])
60 (420 [4.2])
Wheel SizeRegular19 x 8.5 JCompact Spare17 x 4 T
* Not available on all models