2013 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
information display shows a‘‘CHECK
TPMS SYSTEM’’message, the VSA
system automatically turns on even
when the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF button
(see page 474). If this happens, you
cannot turn the VSA system off by
pressing the VSA OFF button again.
When you restart the vehicle with
the compact spare tire, the TPMS
system message will also be
displayed on the multi-information
display after several miles
(kilometers) driving.Changing a Tire with TPMS
If you have a flat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS and tire monitor
indicators will come on. Replace the
indicated flat tire with the compact
spare tire (see page 551).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. After several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to flash, then stays on again.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’message on the multi-
information display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
spare tire pressure to be sure it is
correct.This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-information
display will go off, after several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified
regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor. You must use
TPMS specific wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualified technician.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a flat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Have the flat tire repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
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This device complies with the
appropriate requirements or the
required standards. See page 592 for
more information.Braking System
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, fuel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, confusing
drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
effectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your foot
off the accelerator and downshifting
to a lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Braking System46012/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu

Braking System Design
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Brake Wear Indicators
All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal for
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the wheels from
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
You should never pump the 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.’’You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. 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.
CONTINUED
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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ABS Indicator
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 88).
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page 564.If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page 564. If the brakes feel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.It only helps with steering
control during braking.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly,such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stopon loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)46212/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu

OverviewIf equippedThe collision Mitigation braking
system™(CMBS™) can assist the
driver when there is a possibility of
colliding with the vehicle in front of
yours. It is designed to reduce the
speed of your vehicle before an
unavoidable collision occurs and, if
possible, to alert you to a potential
collision while there is time for the
driver to prevent it. Here is a brief
description of what the CMBS can
do:When your speed is above 10 mph
(15 km/h), the CMBS is monitoring
the vehicle ahead of you with radar.
When your vehicle is approaching
the vehicle ahead of yours too
quickly, the system may activate one
or more of the following: a visual
alert, an audible alert, apply the
brakes and e-pretensioners to tighten
the front seat belts - first as a
warning, then to prepare for an
impending crash. (see page 24).
The CMBS consists of a radar sensor
in the front grille, a brake actuator in
the engine compartment, an
indicator on the instrument panel,
seat belt e-pretensioners on the front
seats, and an on/off button on the
dashboard.RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE
ACTUATORSEAT BELT
e-PRETENSIONERS
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™)
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Radar SensorThe radar sensor is located under the
Acura emblem in the front grille. If
the radar sensor cover is covered
with mud, dirt, dead leaves, wet
snow, etc., or if you put a sticker on
it, the CMBS will automatically shut
off, and the CMBS indicator on the
instrument panel will come on. You
will also see a‘‘CHECK CMBS
RADAR SENSOR’’message on the
multi-information display for about 5
seconds.
Always keep the radar sensor cover
clean. If it gets dirty, clean it with
water or a mild detergent. Never use
chemical solvents or polishing
powder.
There are three bolts on the sides of
the radar sensor. Do not tamper with
these bolts, or you may cause the
system to malfunction.Do not allow anything to impact the
radar sensor or the radar sensor
cover. If either of these parts receives
a strong impact, switch the system
off by pressing the CMBS off button,
and have your vehicle checked by a
dealer. If the front grille ever needs
to be repaired, consult a dealer first.
If the radar sensor cover or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
When the CMBS is on, the radar sensor
constantly scans for vehicles directly
ahead of you. This means that driving
on a road with a few or no vehicles
could cause a CHECK CMBS RADAR
SENSOR message to appear on the
multi-information display. This is
normal and not a cause for concern.
RADAR SENSOR COVER
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™)46412/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu

Certain conditions may cause the
radar aim to be temporarily out of
proper range, such as the following
two examples:●Your vehicle is tilted because of a
heavy load in the rear or from
modifications to the suspension.
Do not overload your vehicle (see
Carrying Cargo on page 433), and
do not make any modifications to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modifications on page 431).●The tires are not correctly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page 540), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page 540).Collision Alert
If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with a visual alert or a
combination of a visual alert and an
audible alert.
The visual alert is an amber colored
BRAKE message that flashes on the
multi-information display, the audible
alert is a constant beeping sound. If
one or more of the alerts come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™)
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Distance between vehicles
CMBS
The radar sensor
detects a vehicleE-pretensionerAudio & Visual
WARNINGSBraking
Stage oneThere 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 twoThe 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 CMBS determines
that a collision is
unavoidable.Forcefully tightens
driver and front
passenger seat belts.
Forcefully
applied
ᤳ: Depending on the circumstances, CMBS may not go through all of the alert stages before initiating the last stage.
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEAD
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEAD
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEAD
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™)46612/07/17 18:10:57 13 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX660 enu