2014 Acura MDX Towing

319
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
•Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
•Shift to the
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
If the vehicle tires slip when retrieving a boat from the water, keep the transmission
in
(D and do not use the sequential shift mode in
(S. This prevents damage to the
transmission.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.2Emergency Towing P. 475■Driving in Hilly Terrain■Retrieving a Boat

349
uuWhen DrivinguForward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Driving
FCW may not activate or may not detect a vehicle in front of your vehicle, and may
activate even when you are aware of a vehicle ahead of you, or when there is no
vehicle ahead, under the following conditions.■FCW Limitations
Condition
●The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you is too short.●A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and it brakes suddenly.●A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.●When either your vehicle or the vehicle ahead of you accelerates rapidly.●The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle, a small vehicle, or a unique vehicle such as a tractor.●When you drive off-road or on a mountain road, or curved and winding road for an extended period that makes it difficult for the sensor/camera to
properly detect a vehicle in front of you.●When there are pedestrians or animals in front of your vehicle.●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When streetlights are perceived as the taillight of a vehicle in front of yours.●When driving at night, the vehicle ahead of you is running with either taillight bulb burned out.●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.

352
uuWhen DrivinguLane Departure Warning (LDW)
*
Driving
LDW may not activate or may not recognize lanes, and may activate even when
keeping in the middle of a lane, under the following conditions.■LDW Limitations
Condition
●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.●When you drive on a wet road surface following another vehicle.uThe camera may perceive the tire tracks in the water as lane lines.
●When there is snow or wheel tracks on the side of the road.●When the road has many repaired area or an erased lane line.●When the vehicle is running over painted signs or crosswalk markings.●When you drive in a lane with worn-out lane markings.

uuWhen DrivinguBlind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
362Driving
■When the system detects a vehicle
1Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
You can change the setting for BSI.
2Customizable Features P. 107
Turn the system off when towing a trailer.
The system may not work properly for the following
reasons:•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI alert indicators to come on.
BSI may be adversely affected when:•Objects (guard rails, poles, trees, etc,.) are
detected.•An object that does not reflect radio waves well,
such as a motorcycle, is in the alert zone.•Driving on a curved road.•A vehicle is moving from a far lane to the adjacent
lane.•The system picks up external electrical interference.•The rear bumper or the sensors have been improperly
repaired or the rear bumper has been deformed.•The orientation of the sensors has been changed.•In bad weather (Heavy rain, snow, and fog).
For proper BSI use:•Always keep the rear bumper corner area clean.•Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with
labels or stickers of any kind. •Take your vehicle to a dealer if you need the rear
bumper corner area or the radar sensors to be repaired,
or the rear bumper corner area is strongly impacted.
■Comes on when●A vehicle enters the alert zone from behind
to overtake you with a speed difference of
no more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.●You pass a vehicle with a speed difference
of no more than 12 mph (20 km/h). BSI Alert Indicator: Located near the outside
rearview mirror on both sides.■Blinks and the beeper sounds when
You move the turn signal lever in the direction
of the detected vehicle. The beeper sounds
three times.Comes On
Blinks
* Not available on all models

393
uuMaintenance Minder
TMuTo Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (Shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder Message
System Message
Indicator
Sub Items Main
Item
*1: If the message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
*1
B
●Replace engine oil
*1 and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes, service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system
#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under
-20°F, -29°C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2
●Replace air cleaner element
*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter
*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
*
4
●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6
●Replace rear differential fluid
*
* Not available on all models

437
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 438
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
*....................... 439
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire
*..... 446
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 457
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak ............................................. 458
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 459
Jump Starting.................................... 460
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 462Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 463
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 465If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 465
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 466If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes
On .................................................... 467
If the Speed-Sensitive Electric Power Steering
(EPS) System Indicator Comes On ........... 467If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 468
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 469
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 474
Emergency Towing........................... 475
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill
Door................................................. 476When You Cannot Open the Tailgate
.. 477
* Not available on all models

438Handling the Unexpected
ToolsTypes of Tools
1Types of Tools
The tools are stored in the cargo area.
Wheel Nut Wrench/
Jack Handle
Jack Jack Handle BarTowing Hook
Tool Case
Models with a compact spare tire

uuIf a Tire Goes FlatuChanging a Flat Tire
*
440Handling the Unexpected
1.Push the rear edge of the handle on the
floor lid and open the lid.
2.Take out the cargo floor box.
3.Take the jack, wheel nut wrench, and jack
handle bar out of the tool case.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire
1Changing a Flat Tire
*
NOTICEDo not use the jack if it doesn’t work properly. Call
your dealer or a professional towing service.
Handle
Cargo Floor Box
Tool Case* Not available on all models