2014 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

uuBrakinguBrake System
368Driving
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. 370
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 369■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.

369
uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
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 you.
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.”■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. 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.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.■ABS
1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

370
uuBrakinguBrake Assist System
Driving
Brake Assist SystemDesigned to assist the driver by generating greater braking force when you depress
the brake pedal hard during emergency braking.■Brake assist system operation
Press the brake pedal firmly for more powerful braking.
When brake assist operates, the pedal may wiggle slightly and an operating noise
may be heard. This is normal. Keep holding the brake pedal firmly down.

371
uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
Continued
Driving
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
Can assist you when there is a possibility of your vehicle colliding with a vehicle
detected in front of yours. The CMBS
TM is designed to alert you when a potential
collision is determined, as well as to reduce your vehicle speed when a collision is
deemed unavoidable to help minimize collision severity.
■How the system works
1Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
Important Safety Reminder
The CMBS
TM is designed to reduce the severity of an
unavoidable collision. It does not prevent a collision
nor stop the vehicle automatically. It is still your
responsibility to operate the brake pedal and steering
wheel appropriately according to the driving
conditions.
The CMBSTM may not activate or may not detect a
vehicle in front of your vehicle under the following
conditions:
•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.•When you accelerate rapidly and approach the
vehicle ahead of you at high speed.•The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle or other
small vehicle.•A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.•When you drive on a curved or winding road that
makes it difficult for the sensor to properly detect a
vehicle in front of you.•When there are pedestrians or animals in front of
your vehicle.
A radar sensor starts to monitor if there is a vehicle in front of you when your
vehicle speed is above 10 mph (15 km/h).
The radar sensor is
in the front grille.
The CMBS
TM activates when the speed difference between your vehicle and a
vehicle detected in front of you becomes more than 10 mph (15 km/h) with a
chance of a collision.
* Not available on all models

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
372Driving
■When the system activates
1When the system activates
The heads-up warning uses a lens located at the front
end of the dashboard.
Do not cover the lens or spill any liquid on it.
Lens
The system provides visual and audible alerts of a possible collision, and stops
the alerts if the collision is avoided.
uTake appropriate action to prevent a collision (apply the brakes, change
lanes, etc.)
Beep Heads-up
Warning
LightsVisual Alerts
Audible Alert

373
uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
Continued
Driving
The system has three alert stages for a possible collision. However, depending on the circumstances, the CMBS
TM may not go through all
of the stages before initiating the last stage.
■Collision Alert StagesDistance between vehicles
CMBS
TM
The radar sensor
detects a vehicle
E-pretensioner
Audible & Visual WARNINGS
Braking
Stage
one
There is a risk of a
collision with the
vehicle ahead of
you.
—
You can change the distance
between vehicles at which visual
alerts will display (Long/Normal/
Short).2Customizable Features P. 107When your setting is:●Long: Visual alerts flash twice at
Long distance. When the Short
distance is reached, visual and
audible alerts are provided.●Normal: Visual alerts flash twice
at the Normal distance. When
the Short distance is reached,
visual and audible alerts are
provided.●Short: Visual and audible alerts
are provided immediately.
—
Your VehicleVehicle
Ahead
Normal
Short Long

374
uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
Driving
Stage
two
The 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.
Visual and audible alerts.
Lightly
applied
Stage
three
The CMBS
TM
determines that a
collision is
unavoidable.
Forcefully tightens driver
and front passenger seat
belts.
Forcefully
applied
Distance between vehicles
CMBS
TM
The radar sensor
detects a vehicle
E-pretensioner
Audible & Visual WARNINGS
Braking
Your
VehicleVehicle
Ahead
Your
VehicleVehicle
Ahead

Continued
375
uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
Driving
Press this button for about one second to turn
on and off the system.
When the CMBS
TM is off:
•The beeper sounds.
•The CMBS
TM indicator in the instrument
panel comes on.
•A message on the MID reminds you that the
system is off.
The CMBS
TM is in the previously selected ON or
OFF setting each time you start the engine.
■CMBS
TM On and Off
1Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
The CMBS
TM may automatically shut off, and the
CMBS
TM indicator will come and stay on when:
•You drive off-road or on a mountain road for an
extended period.•You drive with the parking brake applied.•You drive in bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)•The radar sensor cover is blocked by dirt, mud, dry
leaves, wet snow, etc.•An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire
size, flat tire, etc.)
Once the conditions that caused the CMBS
TM to shut
off improve, the system comes back on.
* Not available on all models