2014 Acura MDX automatic transmission

Visual Index
4Quick Reference Guide
❙Power Window Switches
(P138)
❙Hood Release Handle
(P396)
❙Driver’s Side Interior Fuse Box
(P471)
❙Driver’s Knee Airbag
(P46)
❙Door Mirror Controls
(P159)
❙Power Door Lock Master Switch
(P126)
❙Memory Buttons
(P156)
❙SET Button
(P156)
❙Passenger’s Front Airbag
(P42)
❙Shift Lever
Automatic Transmission
(P329)
❙USB Port
(P199)
❙Rearview Mirror
(P158)
❙IDS Button
(P333)
❙Driver’s Front Airbag
(P42)
❙Parking Brake
(P367)
❙Auxiliary Input Jack
(P200)
❙Accessory Power Socket
(P178)
❙Accessory Power Socket
(P178)
❙Passenger’s Side Interior Fuse
Box
(P472)
❙Glove Box
(P174)
❙Power Tailgate Button (P132)❙Fuel Fill Door Release Button (P384)

15Quick Reference Guide
Driving
(P303)
Release
ButtonShift
Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
(P.
Move the shift lever without
pressing the release button. Press the release button to
move the shift lever. ●Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Used when reversing.
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving. D-paddle shift mode can be used.
S Position
Sequential shift mode can be used.
Paddle Shifters
(P331)
M Indicator
Shift Down
(-
Paddle ShifterShift Up
(+
Paddle Shifter ●Paddle shifters allow you to shift gears much like a manual
transmission (1st through 6th). This is useful for engine braking.
●D-paddle shift mode: The transmission will shift back to automatic
mode once the system detects that the vehicle is cruising.
●Sequential shift mode: Holds the selected gear, and the M
indicator comes on.
●The selected gear position is shown in the instrument panel.
Selected Gear Number
Automatic Transmission
(P328)
●Shift to
(P and depress the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
Shift Lever
Position
Indicator

Continued
151
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluWipers and Washers
Controls
The rear wiper and washer can be used when
the power mode is in ON.■Wiper switch (OFF, INT, ON)
Change the wiper switch setting according to
the amount of rain.■Washer ( )
Sprays while you rotate the switch to this
position.
Hold it to activate the wiper and to spray the
washer. Once released, it stops operating
after a few more sweeps.
■Operating in reverse
When you shift the transmission to
(R with the front wiper activated, the rear wiper
operates automatically as follows even if its switch is off.
■Rear Wiper/Washer
1Wipers and Washers
If the wiper stops operating due to any obstacle such
as the build-up of snow, park the vehicle in a safe
place.
Rotate the wiper switch to OFF, and set the power
mode to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE OFF (LOCK), then
remove the obstacle.
INT: Intermittent
OFF ON: Continuous wipe
WasherFront Wiper Position Rear Wiper OperationINT (Intermittent)
Intermittent
LO (Low speed wipe)
HI (High speed wipe)Continuous

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

Continued
313
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a variety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Acura equipment
whenever possible.■Towing Equipment and Accessories
1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer maker for proper installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and braking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.
Trailer packages and products:•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit•Trailer hitch kit (jumper harness included)
2Trailer brakes P. 314•Automatic transmission cooler kit
2Automatic transmission cooler P. 316
Are available at a dealer.

316
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■Hitches
Read the trailer manufacturer’s instructions, and select the appropriate draw bar for
the height of the trailer you will be towing.■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please consult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handling, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer tends to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.■Automatic transmission cooler
Install an additional ATF (automatic transmission fluid) cooler to help prevent the
transmission from overheating, and damaging. You can get the additional ATF
cooler at a dealer.An additional ATF cooler is required to keep the transmission from overheating when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). You can get the additional ATF cooler at a dealer.■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and territories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.4WD models

328
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
1Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover.
2Important Handling Information P. 28
2Precautions While Driving P. 327

331
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 6th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential shift
mode.■When the shift lever is in
(D:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode momentarily, and the gear position
indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.
■When the shift lever is in
(S:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the M (sequential shift mode)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. If you do not operate the
paddle shifters while in 1st gear, the transmission automatically shifts up to 2nd
gear.
You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.
When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from
(S to
(D. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and gear position
indicator go off.■Sequential Shift Mode