2014 Acura RLX Owner's Manual

384Driving
BrakingBrake SystemUse the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. You can
manually apply and release, or automatically release it.■Manual operations
Use the electric parking brake switch to apply or release the brake. Manually
releasing the parking brake using the switch helps your vehicle start slowly and
smoothly when facing down hill on steep hills.
■To apply manually
Pull the electric parking brake switch up gently
and securely.
uThe electric parking brake indicator
comes on.■To release manually
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2.Press the electric parking brake switch.
uThe electric parking brake indicator goes
off.
■
Parking Brake
1Parking Brake
You may hear the electric parking brake system
motor operating from the rear wheel area when you
apply or release the parking brake, or set the power
mode to OFF. This is normal.
The brake pedal may slightly move due to the electric
parking brake system operation when you apply or
release the parking brake. This is normal.
You cannot apply or release the parking brake if the
battery goes dead.
2Jump Starting P. 475
If you pull up the electric parking brake switch while
driving, the parking brake is applied.
In the following situations, the parking brake
automatically operates.•When the vehicle stops more than 10 minutes
while ACC with LSF is activated.•When the driver’s seat belt is unfastened while
your vehicle is stopped automatically by ACC with
LSF.•When the engine is turned off while ACC with LSF
is activated.•When the vehicle stops with the automatic brake
hold system activated for more than 10 minutes.
Electric Parking
Brake SwitchElectric Parking
Brake Switch

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385
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
■To release automatically
Depressing the accelerator pedal releases the parking brake.
Use the accelerator pedal to release the brake when you are starting the vehicle
facing uphill, or in a traffic jam.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
uThe electric parking brake indicator goes
off.
You can release the parking brake automatically when:
•You are wearing the driver’s seat belt.
•The engine is running.
•The shift lever is in any position other than
(P
or
(N
.
1Parking Brake
If the parking brake cannot be released
automatically, release it manually.
The parking brake cannot be released automatically
while the following indicators are on:•Malfunction indicator lamp•Transmission indicator
The parking brake may not be released automatically
while the following indicators are on:•Electric parking brake system indicator•VSA® system indicator•ABS indicator•Supplemental restraint system indicator
Accelerator Pedal

uuBrakinguBrake System
386Driving
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. 390
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 389■
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.
Your vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic brake
booster that, under certain conditions, such as
braking at high altitudes, supplements the vacuum
power assist. When the hydraulic brake booster
activates, you may hear a motor sound and a slight
vibration in the pedal. This is normal.

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387
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Keeps the brake applied after releasing the brake pedal until the accelerator pedal is
pressed. You can use this system while the vehicle is temporarily stopped, such as
when you stop at a traffic light.■
Automatic Brake Hold
1Automatic Brake Hold
3
WARNING
Activating the automatic brake hold system
on steep hills or slippery roads may still
allow the vehicle to move if you remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
If a vehicle unexpectedly moves, it may
cause a crash resulting in serious injury or
death.
Never activate the automatic brake hold
system or rely on it to keep a vehicle from
moving when stopped on a steep hill or
slippery roads.
3
WARNING
Using the automatic brake hold system to
park the vehicle may result in the vehicle
unexpectedly moving.
If a vehicle moves unexpectedly, it may
cause a crash, resulting in serious injury or
death.
Never leave the vehicle when braking is
temporarily kept by automatic brake hold
and always park the vehicle by putting the
transmission in
(P and applying the
parking brake.
■Turning on the system
Fasten your seat belt
properly, then start the
engine. Press the
automatic brake hold
button.●The automatic brake
hold system indicator
comes on. The system
is turned on.
■Activating the system
Depress the brake pedal
to come to a complete
stop. The shift lever must
be in
(D or
(N.
●The automatic brake
hold indicator comes
on. Braking is kept for
up to 10 minutes.●Release the brake
pedal after the
automatic brake hold
indicator comes on.
■Canceling the system
Depress the accelerator
pedal while the shift
lever is in
(D or
(R. The
system is canceled and
the vehicle starts to
move.
●The automatic brake
hold indicator goes
off. The system
continues to be on.Accelerator Pedal
Brake Pedal
Automatic Brake
Hold Button
Goes
Off On OnOn
On
On U.S.
Canada

uuBrakinguBrake System
388Driving
■The system automatically cancels when:
•You depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever to
(P
or
(R
.
•You engage the parking brake.
Under the following conditions, the system automatically cancels, and the parking
brake is applied:
•Braking is kept for more than 10 minutes.
•The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.
•The engine is turned off.
•Brake Hold System Problem/CHECK BRAKE HOLD SYSTEM appears on the
multi-information display.
■Turning off the automatic brake hold system
While the system is on, press the automatic
brake hold button again.
uThe automatic brake hold system
indicator goes off.
If you want to turn off automatic brake hold
while the system is in operation, press the
automatic brake hold button with the brake
pedal depressed.
1Automatic Brake Hold
While the system is activated, you can turn off the
engine or park the vehicle through the same
procedure as you normally do.
2When Stopped P. 397
Whether the system is on, or the system is activated,
the automatic brake hold turns off once the engine is
off.1Turning on the system
Make sure to turn off the automatic brake hold
system before using an automated car wash.
You may hear an operating noise if the vehicle moves
while the automatic brake hold system is in
operation. The system generates sound while holding
the vehicle and it moves.
Automatic Brake
Hold Button
Goes
Off

389
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.

390
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.■
Brake Assist System

391
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 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