2014 Acura MDX ECO mode

268Features
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®See Navigation System Manual for how to operate Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®.
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (HFL) allows you to place and receive phone calls using
your vehicle’s audio system, without handling your cell phone.Using HFL (Pick-up) button: Press to go to the Speed Dial/Call History on the multi-
information display or to answer an incoming call.
(Hang-up/back) button: Press to end a call, to cancel a command or to clear
the phone information on the MID.
(Talk) button: Press to give HFL voice commands.
PHONE button: Press to go directly to the Phone screen.
Interface dial: Rotate to select an item on the screen, then press . Move ,
, or to select secondary menu.■HFL Buttons
1Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
To use HFL, you need a Bluetooth-compatible cell
phone. For a list of compatible phones, pairing
procedures, and special feature capabilities:•U.S.: Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink, or call 1-
888-528-7876.•Canada: Visit www.handsfreelink.ca, or call 1-888-
528-7876.
To use HFL, the Bluetooth setting must be On.
2Customized Features P. 248
Voice control tips:•Aim the vents away from the ceiling and close the
windows, as noise coming from them may interfere
with the microphone.•Press and release the button when you want to
call a number using a stored voice tag, a
phonebook name, or a number. Speak clearly and
naturally after a beep.•If the microphone picks up voices other than yours,
the command may be misinterpreted.•To change the volume level, use the audio system’s
volume knob or the remote audio controls on the
steering wheel.
State or local laws may prohibit the operation of
handheld electronic devices while operating a
vehicle.
If you receive a call while using the audio system, the
system resumes its operation an after ending the call.
Models with navigation systemModels without navigation system
Talk Button Volume up
MicrophoneHang-up/Back Button
Pick-up
Button
Volume down
Interface DialPHONE
Button

301Features
Compass
*
When you set the power mode to ON, the compass self-calibrates, and the compass
display appears.Compass CalibrationIf the compass indicates the wrong direction, or the CAL indicator blinks, you need
to manually calibrate the system.
1.Set the power mode to ON.
2.On the top screen of any audio source,
press and hold for five seconds.
uThe display switches to the Compass
settings screen.
3.Rotate to select Calibration, then press
.
4.When the display changes to Calibration
Start, press .
5.Drive the vehicle slowly in two circles.
uThe compass starts to show a direction
after the calibration. The CAL indicator
goes off.
1Compass
*
Compass operation can be affected under the
following conditions:•Driving near power lines or stations•Crossing a bridge•Passing a large vehicle, or driving near a large
object that can cause a magnetic disturbance•When accessories such as antennas and roof racks
are mounted by magnets
1Compass Calibration
Calibrate the compass in an open area.
While setting the compass, press the BACK button to
cancel the setting mode and return to the previous
screen.
* Not available on all models

302
uuCompass
*uCompass Zone Selection
Features
Compass Zone Selection
1.Set the power mode to ON.
2.On the top screen of any audio source,
press and hold for five seconds.
uThe display switches to the Compass
settings screen.
3.Rotate to select Zone Adjust, then
press .
uThe display shows the current zone
number the system is set to.
4.To change the zone, rotate to select the
zone number of your area (See Zone Map),
then press .2
3
4
5
6
78910111213 14 15
Zone Map
Guam Island: Zone 8
Puerto Rico: Zone 11
1Compass Zone Selection
The zone selection is done to compensate the
variation between magnetic north and true north.
If the calibration starts while the audio system is in
use, the display returns to normal after the calibration
is completed.

303
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 304
Maximum Load Limit........................ 307
Towing a Trailer................................ 309
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines..... 320
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 322
Precautions While Driving................. 327
Automatic Transmission ................... 328
Shifting ............................................ 329
Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)..... 333
Cruise Control ................................. 334
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low
Speed Follow (LSF)
*......................... 337Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*.. 346
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
*..... 350
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*.. 353
VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 358Agile Handling Assist System............ 360
Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*... 361
Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SH-
AWD®)
*......................................... 363
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ... 363Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 365
Braking
Brake System ................................... 367Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 369
Brake Assist System ......................... 370
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBS
TM)*..................................... 371
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 377
Parking Sensor System
*................... 378
Multi-View Rear Camera*................ 382
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 383
How to Refuel ................................. 384
Fuel Economy.................................... 385
Accessories and Modifications........ 386
* Not available on all models

309
Continued
Driving
Towing a TrailerTowing PreparationYour vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
•Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
•Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
•Each occupant has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessories reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits
1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estimate it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information
2Vehicle Specifications P. 480
3
WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupants
4WD models with
ATF cooler
4WD models
without ATF cooler
2WD models
2
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
3
4,750 lbs (2,155 kg)
3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
4
4,500 lbs (2,041 kg)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
5
4,250 lbs (1,928 kg)
2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)
2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)
6
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
7
Towing not recommended

310
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5 – 15% of the total trailer
weight
Other trailers: 10 – 15% of total trailer weight
Tongue LoadTongue Load
Number of
occupants
4WD models
2WD models
2
500 lbs (227 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
3
475 lbs (215 kg)
325 lbs (147 kg)
4
380 lbs (172 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
5
290 lbs (132 kg)
275 lbs (125 kg)
6
165 lbs (75 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
7
Towing not recommended

311
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■To estimate the tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by measuring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1.Park the vehicle on level ground.
2.Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3.Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4.Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5.Subtract the second measurement from the first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.If the difference is
4WD models
2WD models
1 inches (2.5 cm)
150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm)
250 lbs (114 kg)
2 inches (5.1 cm)
350 lbs (159 kg)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm)
450 lbs (205 kg)
—
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)
500 lbs (227 kg)
—

317
uuTowing a TraileruTrailer Stability Assist
*
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
*
Helps to stabilize the vehicle and trailer when the trailer severely sways.■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscillation is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the brakes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights come on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1Trailer Stability Assist
*
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep the trailer from swaying.
When swayed too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may loose control of your
vehicle, causing the trailer to roll over or get
damaged.
2Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 318
Trailer towing sway is caused by:•Crosswinds•Improper towbar down load•Excessive Speed
The VSA® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation.
2VSA® Operation P. 358
* Not available on all models