2012 Acura ZDX 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

70
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Shift Position
Indicator●Indicates in which position your shift
lever is.2Shifting P. 228—
Transmission
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w*1, then goes off.●Blinks if the transmission system has
a problem.
●Blinks while driving - Avoid sudden
starts and acceleration and have the
vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
M (sequential
shift mode)
Indicator/Gear
Position Indicator
*
●Comes on when the manual
sequential shift mode is applied.
●Blinks if the transmission system has
a problem.2 Sequential Shift Mode P. 230—
* Not available on all models

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

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.

226
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than you would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way th at you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicl e, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicl e for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q or
LOCK (0*1 while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
( N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acce leration) performance.
During the first 600 mile s (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
1 Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehi cle correctly might result
in a crash or a roll over.
2 Important Handling Information P. 24
2 Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 220
*1: Models with the keyles s access system have an
ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition
switch.

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

Continued229
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICEWhen you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a co mplete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill ca n damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
( D indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the ta chometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happen s, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer’s red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift. M
(Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator