2013 Acura ZDX ABS

8Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P 65)
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
Indicator
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA®)
System Indicator VSA® OFF IndicatorLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Lights Reminders
Lights On Indicator
High Beam IndicatorFog Light Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
System Indicators
CRUISE CONTROL
Indicator System Message
IndicatorParking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
Supplemental
Restraint System
IndicatorSide Airbag Off
Indicator
Door and Tailgate
Open Indicator
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator TachometerSpeedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security System
IndicatorShift Lever Position
Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P86)
/Multi-Information Display
(P87)
/System Indicators
(P66)
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
IndicatorsTemperature
Indicator SH-AWD Indicator Keyless Access
System Indicator
Blind Spot
Information
Indicator
System Indicators
Multi-Information Display
U.S.
CanadaCanada
U.S.
Forward Collision
Warning (FCW)
Indicator
M (sequential shift mode)
Indicator/Gear Position Indicator

16Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The power mode does not
change from VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK) to ACCESSORY.
Why?
●The steering wheel may be locked.●Move the steering wheel left and right after
pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
The power mode does not
change from VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK) to ACCESSORY.
Why?
The shift lever should be moved to
(P.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why?
Check if the childproof lock is in the
LOCK position. If so, open the rear
door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the lever
to the UNLOCK position.

39
uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)
Continued
Safe Driving
■When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags
and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags
could provide little if any protection, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.■When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.■When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

42
uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
Safe Driving
■When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle’s framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.■When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle’s crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

66Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
(Red)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.●Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.●Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.●The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level.
2What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 294
●Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 294
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off when
the engine starts.●Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place.
2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 292
U.S.
Canada

70
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON, then
goes off.●If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function.
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
P. 214
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you set the power mode to ON, then
goes off.●Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:
-Supplemental restraint system
-Side airbag system
-Side curtain airbag system
-Seat belt tensioner
●Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.

171
DrivingThis chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 172
Maximum Load Limit........................ 175
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation .......................... 177
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 180
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 181
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information ......................... 182
Important Safety Precautions............ 182
Avoiding Trouble ............................. 183When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 185
Precautions While Driving ................ 187
Automatic Transmission ................... 188
Shifting ............................................ 189
Cruise Control ................................. 193
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) .... 196
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) ....... 199
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 202
SH-AWD® (Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive
TM) .......................................... 204BSI (Blind Spot Information) ............. 205
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) .. 208Braking
Brake System ................................... 212
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 214
Brake Assist System ......................... 215
Parking Your Vehicle........................ 216
Refueling........................................... 221
Fuel Economy.................................... 224
Accessories and Modifications........ 225

213
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The 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.2Brake Assist System P. 215
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 214■Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.