2013 Acura ZDX ESP

19Quick Reference Guide
A Few Words About SafetyYour safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And
operating this vehicle safely is an important responsibility.
To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and other information on labels and
in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that
could hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle. You
must use your own good judgement.You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:
●Safety Labels - on the vehicle.
●Safety Messages - preceded by a safety alert symbol
3 and
one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.
These signal words mean:
●Safety Headings - such as Important Safety Precautions.
●Safety Section - such as Safe Driving.
●Instructions - how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information - please
read it carefully.
3DANGER
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if
you don't follow instructions.
3WARNING
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if
you don't follow instructions.
3CAUTION
You CAN be HURT if you don't follow
instructions.

22Safe Driving
For Safe DrivingThe following pages explain your vehicle’s safety features and how to use them
properly. The safety precautions below are ones that we consider to be among the
most important.Important Safety Precautions■Always wear your seat belt
A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to
supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly.■Restrain all children
Children age 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the
front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger
children should use a booster seat and a lap/shoulder seat belt until they can use the
belt properly without a booster seat.■Be aware of airbag hazards
While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants
who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children,
and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.■Don’t drink and drive
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to
changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink.
So don't drink and drive, and don't let your friends drink and drive, either.
1Important Safety Precautions
Some states, provinces and territories prohibit the use
of cell phones other than hands-free devices by the
driver while driving.

uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)
38Safe Driving
Front airbags are designed to inflate during moderate-to-severe frontal collisions.
When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the sensors send information to the control
unit which signals one or both front airbags to inflate.
A frontal collision can be either head-on or angled between two vehicles, or when a
vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a concrete wall.
While your seat belt restrains your torso, the
front airbag provides supplemental protection
for your head and chest.
The front airbags deflate immediately so that
they won’t interfere with the driver’s visibility
or the ability to steer or operate other
controls.
The total time for inflation and deflation is so fast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in front of them.■Operation■How the Front Airbags Work
1How the Front Airbags Work
After an airbag inflates in a crash, you may see a
small amount of smoke. This is from the combustion
process of the inflator material and is not harmful.
People with respiratory problems may experience
some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Although the driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
normally inflate within a split second of each other, it
is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can
happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin,
or threshold, that determines whether or not the
airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will
provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental
protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

uuChild SafetyuProtecting Child Passengers
50Safe Driving
•Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt
portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
•Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the
event of a collision.
•Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would
likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
•Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
•Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.
•Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when
the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.
1Protecting Child Passengers
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
To remind you of the passenger’s front airbag
hazards and child safety, your vehicle has warning
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the
front visors. Please read and follow the instructions
on these labels.
2Safety Labels P. 64
3
WARNING
Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or
wrap one around their neck can result in
serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat
belt and make sure any unused seat belt a
child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,
and locked.

Continued
109
uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuLocking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside
Controls
When you carry the keyless access remote,
you can lock/unlock the doors and the
tailgate.
You can lock/unlock the doors within a radius
of about 32 inches (80 cm) of the outside door
handle. You can open the tailgate within
about 32 inches (80 cm) radius from the
tailgate release switch.■Locking the door and tailgate
Press the door lock button on the front door
or lock button on the tailgate.
uSome exterior lights flash; a beeper
sounds; all the doors and the tailgate
lock; and the security system sets.
■Using the Keyless Access System
1Using the Remote Transmitter
If the distance at which it works varies, the battery is
probably low.
If the LED does not come on when you press a
button, the battery is dead.
2Replacing the Button Battery P. 268
You can customize the door unlock mode setting.
2Customized Features P. 921Using the Keyless Access System•The driver must carry the keyless access remote and
not leave it in the vehicle when you get out.•A person who is not carrying the keyless access
remote can lock/unlock the doors if a person who
is carrying it is within range.•The door may be unlocked if the door handle is
covered with water in heavy rain or in a carwash if
the keyless access remote is within range.•If you grip a front door handle wearing gloves, the
door sensor may be slow to respond or may not
respond by unlocking the doors.•The door might not open if you pull it immediately
after gripping the door handle. Grip the handle
again and confirm that the door is unlocked before
pulling the handle.
Door Lock
Button
Lock Button

116Controls
Opening and Closing the TailgatePrecautions for Opening/Closing the TailgateAlways make sure individuals and objects are clear of the tailgate before opening or
closing it.■Opening the tailgate
•Open the tailgate all the way.
uIf it is not fully opened, the tailgate may come down accidentally by its own
weight.
•Be careful when it is windy. The wind may cause the tailgate to close.■Closing the tailgate
Keep the tailgate closed while driving to:
uAvoid possible damage.
uPrevent exhaust gas from leaking into the vehicle.2Carbon Monoxide Gas P. 63
1Precautions for Opening/Closing the Tailgate
Be careful not to hit your head on the tailgate or to
put your hands between the tailgate and the cargo
area when closing the tailgate.
When operating the power tailgate, make sure there
is enough space around your vehicle. People near the
tailgate may be seriously hurt if the tailgate hits their
head or closes on their hands. Be especially cautious
if children are around.
When you are storing or picking up luggage from the
cargo area while the engine is idling, do not stand in
front of the exhaust pipe. You may get burned.
Do not allow any passenger in the cargo space.
They may get hurt during hard braking, a sudden
acceleration, or a crash.
3
WARNING
Closing a power tailgate while anyone is
in the path of the tailgate can cause
serious injury.
Make sure everyone is clear before
closing the tailgate.

Continued
157
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
■Front seat beverage holders
Slide the lid and the tray to use the front seat
beverage holders.■Rear seat beverage holders
Fold the armrest down and pull the lid to use
the rear seat beverage holders. To close the
lid, push it down until it latches.
■Beverage Holders
1Beverage HoldersNOTICESpilled liquids can damage the upholstery, carpeting,
and electrical components in the interior.
Be careful when you are using the beverage holders.
Hot liquid can scald you.1Rear seat beverage holders
When you put back the armrest in the center seat-
back, make sure the lid is closed properly.

188
uuWhen DrivinguAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic TransmissionThe engine runs at a higher idle speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.■Creeping■Kickdown