2014 Acura MDX towing

ContentsThis owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular model may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information and specifications included in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.
2Safe Driving P. 25For Safe Driving P. 26 Seat Belts P. 31 Airbags P. 392Instrument Panel P. 69Indicators P. 70 Gauges and Multi-Information Display (MID) P. 972Controls P. 113Clock P. 114 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 115
Opening and Closing the Moonroof P. 140
Adjusting the Seats P. 1612Features P. 197Audio System P. 198 Audio System Basic Operation P. 203
Customized Features P. 248 HomeLink® Universal Transceiver P. 2662Driving P. 303Before Driving P. 304 Towing a Trailer P. 309Parking Your Vehicle P. 377
Multi-View Rear Camera
* P. 382
2Maintenance P. 387Before Performing Maintenance P. 388 Maintenance Minder
TM P. 391
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 413
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 431 Cleaning P. 432
2Handling the Unexpected P. 437Tools P. 438 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 439
Overheating P. 463 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 465When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 4772Information P. 479Specifications P. 480 Identification Numbers P. 482
Emissions Testing P. 485 Warranty Coverages P. 487

Contents
Child Safety P. 54 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 66 Safety Labels P. 67Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 128 Security System P. 135 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 138
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 141 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 158
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 172 Climate Control System P. 185Audio Error Messages P. 239 General Information on the Audio System P. 244
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® P. 268 Compass
* P. 301
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 320 When Driving P. 322 Braking P. 367
Refueling P. 383 Fuel Economy P. 385 Accessories and Modifications P. 386Maintenance Under the Hood P. 395 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 407
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 417 Battery P. 426 Remote Transmitter Care P. 427Engine Does Not Start P. 457 Jump Starting P. 460 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 462
Fuses P. 469 Emergency Towing P. 475
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 476
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 483 Reporting Safety Defects P. 484
Authorized Manuals P. 489 Client Service Information P. 490
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 25
Instrument Panel
P. 69
Controls
P. 113
Features
P. 197
Driving
P. 303
Maintenance
P. 387
Handling the Unexpected
P. 437
Information
P. 479
Index
P. 491

18Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected
(P437)
Flat Tire
(P439)
●Park in a safe location and repair the flat
tire using the tire repair kit.
●Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located under the cargo area.
Indicators Come On
(P465)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Vehicles with tire repair kitVehicles with compact spare tire kit
Engine Won’t Start
(P457)
●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse
(P474)
●Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating
(P463)
●Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing
(P475)
●Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

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

307
uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load LimitThe maximum load for your vehicle is 1,173 lbs (532 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1)Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
(2)Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3)Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4)The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
1Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load.
2Specifications P. 480
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle.
2Specifications P. 480
3
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
Label Example

308
uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5)Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6)If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load
1,173 lbs
(532 kg)Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg)Cargo Weight
873 lbs
(396 kg)
Example2
Max Load
1,173 lbs
(532 kg)Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs
(68 kg x 5 = 340 kg)Cargo Weight
423 lbs
(192 kg)

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