2015 Acura MDX ESP

DISCLoSUreS
California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: This product contains or emits chemicals known to the state of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention ActThe airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR-type batteries in this vehicle may contain
perchlorate materials — special handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate/ for more information.
Devices That emit radio Waves
The following products and systems on your vehicle emit radio waves when in operation:
•  AcuraLink®
•  Audio system
•  Blind Spot Information (BSI) system
•  Bluetooth® Audio
•  Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
•  Collision Mitigation Braking
System
TM (CMBSTM) • 
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
•  Immobilizer system
•  Remote transmitter
•  Keyless Access System
•  Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Each of the above complies with the appropriate requirements or the required standards
of FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and Industry Canada, described below:
As required by  the FCC:
This  device complies  with Part 15 of the FCC rules.  Operation is subject  to the following 
two conditions:  (1) This  device may not cause harmful interference,  and (2)  this device 
must  accept  any interference received,  including interference that may cause undesired 
operation.
Changes  or modifications not expressly  approved by the party responsible for compliance 
could  void the user’s  authority to operate  the equipment.
As required by Industry  Canada:
This  device complies  with Industry Canada Standard RSS-Gen/210/310.  Operation is subject 
to  the following  two conditions:  (1) this  device may not cause interference,  and (2)  this 
device must  accept any interference,  including interference  that may cause undesired 
operation  of the  device.  
event Data r ecorders
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (eDr). The main purpose of
an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The eDr is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The eDr in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
•  How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•  Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
•  How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
•  How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes
and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash
situation occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and
no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are recorded. However,
other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle
or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties such as law
enforcement that have the special equipment can read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR.
The data belong to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else except as
legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic r ecorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record information about
powertrain performance. The data can be used to verify emissions law requirements and/
or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may also be combined with
data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential.

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SAFeTy
vISUAL INDex
Dashboard and Ceiling Controls
1 Color information display
2 On-Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD)
p. 53
3 Hazard warning button
4 Climate control buttons p. 46
5 Moonroof switch p. 33
Map lights p. 35
HomeLink® buttons p. 45
AcuraLink® buttons* p. 73
6 Power window switches p. 32
Door lock switches p. 31
Door mirror controls p. 41
Power folding mirror button* p. 41
7 Power tailgate button* p. 30
Fuel fill door handle p. 107
8 Hood release handle p. 124
9 Driving Position Memory System
buttons p. 42
10 Integrated Dynamics System
(IDS) button p. 94
11 Parking brake p. 95
12 Audio/phone/navigation/Surround
View Camera* buttons p. 50, 65,
75, 105
13 Rear entertainment system* p. 62
14 USB port p. 51
Auxiliary input jack p. 51
Accessory power socket p. 51
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Your safety—and the safety of others—is very important, and operating this vehicle safely
is an important responsibility. While we strive to help you make informed decisions about
safety, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with
operating or maintaining your vehicle. Therefore, you must use your own good judgment.
Important Safety Information
This guide explains many of your vehicle’s safety features and how to use them. Please read
this information carefully. Following the instructions below will also help to keep you and
your passengers safe.
Important Safety Precautions
•  Always wear your seat belt.
•  Secure all children in the proper restraint system.
•  Be aware of airbag hazards.
•  Don’t drink and drive.
•  Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely.
•  Control your speed.
•  Keep your vehicle in safe condition.
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying close
attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash. Remember,
situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to divert some
attention away from driving.
Important Handling Information Your vehicle has a higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only
on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway driving.
It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off
the ground, it has a higher center of gravity, making it more susceptible to tripping or
rollover if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your
passengers always wear seat belts.
SAFeTy INFormATIoN
13
*if equipped
14

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9 Impact sensors that can detect a
moderate-to-severe front or side
impact.
10 An indicator on the dashboard that alerts you that the front
passenger’s front airbag has been
turned off.
11 An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible
problem with the airbag system or
seat belt tensioners.
12 Safing sensor
13 A rollover sensor that detects whether the vehicle is about to roll
over.
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any airbag
system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer in the following situations:
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be replaced.
When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s seat
position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt tensioners, and
each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
Do not remove or modify a front seat without first consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver’s seat position sensor or the weight sensors in the
passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate
a person with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S. vehicles, call Acura Client
Relations at (800) 382-2238. For Canadian vehicles, call Acura Client Services at (888)
922-8729.
Child Safety
Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are either
unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle collisions are the number one cause
of death of children ages 12 and under.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend
that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear seat. Some states or
provinces/territories have laws restricting where children may ride.
To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province, and
territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride in a
vehicle.
Protecting Child Passengers—Important Considerations •  An inflating front or side airbag can injure or kill a child sitting in the front seat.
•  A child in the front seat is more likely to interfere with the driver’s ability to safely
control the vehicle.
•  Statistics show that children of all sizes and ages are safer when they are properly
restrained in a rear seat.
•  Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt
portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
•  Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the event of a
collision.
•  Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would likely
press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
•  Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very seriously
injured in a crash.
•  Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows, or seat adjustments.
•  Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when the
inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate vehicle
controls, causing it to move unexpectedly.
Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously
injured or killed in a crash.
Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child
seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt, using a
booster seat if necessary.
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SmS Text messaging and e-mail
Receive and send text messages and e-mails from your paired and linked phone. Visit
www.acura.com/handsfreelink (U.S.) or www.handsfreelink.ca (Canada) to check phone
compatibility. Standard message rates apply. This feature is limited while the vehicle is
moving.
Selecting an Account
If your phone has both text message and mail accounts, you can select only one of them
at a time to be active and receive notifications.
1. Press SETTINGS.
2. Select Phone Settings.
3. Select Select Account.
4. Select Text Messages or an e-mail account.
receiving and r esponding to messages
When your receive a new message, a pop-up appears on the display. Use the interface
dial to view the message when the vehicle is stopped. You can also reply to it using fixed
phrases or call the sender.
1. When the prompt appears, select Read.
2. The message is displayed, and the system reads it aloud.
To reply: Select Reply, and choose one of the six
available responses. Select Send to send the message.
You cannot create a new text message.
To call the sender: Select Call.
Learn about Acura’s advanced connectivity services.
AcuraLink messages
Receive messages on vehicle features, safety and emissions recall campaigns, maintenance
reminders, and diagnostic information.
Some message features require a phone connection. Visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink
(U.S.) or www.handsfreelink.ca (Canada) to check phone compatibility.
viewing messages
When you receive a new message, an envelope icon appears at the top of the upper
display. Use the interface dial to make and enter selections.
1. Press INFO.
2. Select AcuraLink Messages.
3. Select the message category (Feature Guide, Quick
Tips, Diagnostic Info, Maintenance Minder, or Recalls/
Campaigns).
4. Select the message you want to hear it read aloud.
message options
When you receive certain messages, you can call your
dealer if your phone is paired to the system, find the
nearest dealer, or schedule service appointments. A current
AcuraLink subscription is required to set up this feature and
modify your message preferences.
A CUrALINK®*
*if equipped
ACURALINK®
BLUETOOTH® HANDSFreeLINK®
ACURALINK®

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Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)
Choose a driving mode for your preference based on road conditions, vehicle speed, and
handling.
Comfort: Maximizes driver comfort through increased steering assist.
Normal: Balances performance for everyday driving.
Sport: Enhances vehicle response and feel through decreased steering assist and increased
throttle and torque.
The selected mode
briefly appears in
the MID.IDSIntegrated Dynamics System
NormalSport
Comfort
Press IDS to cycle
through modes.
v ehicle Stability Assist (vSA®), aka electronic Stability Control (eSC)
System
Helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less than what
was intended. It assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces by regulating engine
output and selectively applying the brakes.
Turning vSA on or off
VSA is turned on every time you start the vehicle. If you turn VSA off, your vehicle has
normal braking and cornering ability, but not VSA traction and stability enhancement.
Press and hold the VSA OFF button until you hear a beep
to turn VSA on or off. The VSA Off indicator appears when
the system is off.
Traction control stops functioning, which allows the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. This can be
helpful when trying to free your vehicle if it is stuck in
mud or snow.
VSA OFF
button VSA OFF
indicator
Braking
Slow down or stop your vehicle, and keep it from moving when parked.
Foot Brake
Press the brake pedal to slow down or stop your vehicle
from moving.
Parking BrakeKeep the vehicle from moving when it is parked.
To apply: Press the parking brake with your foot.
To release: Press the brake pedal, then press the parking
brake until it releases.
Brake Assist SystemDuring hard or emergency braking, the system increases braking force. The brake pedal
may move slightly or make a noise; this is normal. Continue to hold the brake pedal
firmly down.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
During hard or emergency braking, the system rapidly pumps the brakes to prevent wheel
lockup and help you maintain steering control. The brake pedal may pulsate slightly
during ABS operation; this is normal. Do not pump the brake pedal, and continue to hold
it firmly down.
The ABS may not function correctly if you use an incorrect tire type and size.
Release the parking brake fully before driving. The rear brakes and axle can be
damaged if you drive with the parking brake applied.
Brake pedal
Parking brake
No TICe
NoTICe

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Improper use of ACC with LSF can lead to a crash.
Use ACC with LSF only when driving on expressways or freeways and in good
weather conditions.
Exiting a vehicle that has been stopped while the ACC with LSF system is
operating can result in the vehicle moving without operator control. Always
make sure the shift lever is in Park (P) before exiting the vehicle.
A vehicle that moves without operator control can cause a crash, resulting in
serious injury or death.
Never exit a vehicle when the vehicle is stopped by ACC with LSF.
ACC with LSF has limited braking capability and may not stop your vehicle in
time to avoid a collision with a vehicle that quickly stops in front of you.
Always be prepared to apply the brake pedal if conditions require.
During operation
If a vehicle detected ahead of you slows down abruptly, or if
another vehicle cuts in front of you, a beep sounds and BRAKE
appears on the multi-information display to alert you.
When a vehicle detected ahead is within ACC with low speed
follow range and stops, your vehicle also stops. The Stopped
message appears on the multi-information display.
When the vehicle ahead of you starts again, the vehicle icon on the
multi-information display blinks. Press RES/+/SET/– up or down, or
depress the accelerator pedal to resume the prior set speed.
Canceling ACCYou can press CANCEL, press MAIN, or depress the brake pedal. The
ACC indicator goes off.
Certain conditions may cause ACC to cancel automatically. When
this happens, a beep sounds and a message appears on the multi-
information display.
After cruise control has been canceled, you can still resume the
prior set speed by pressing RES/ACCEL while driving at a speed of at
least 25 mph (40 km/h).
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Forward Collision Warning (FCW)*
If the camera mounted between the windshield and the rearview mirror detects a vehicle
in front of you when your vehicle speed is 10 mph (15 km/h) or higher—and it determines
there is a likelihood of a frontal collision—the system provides you with visual and audible
warnings.
If you do not brake in time or take preventive
action, BRAKE flashes in the MID and a beep sounds
continuously.
Changing Settings
Determine the warning timing, or turn the system off. Use the interface dial to make and
enter selections.
1. Press SETTINGS.
2. Select Vehicle Settings.
3. Select Forward Collision Warning Distance.
4. Select Long, Normal, Short, or Off.
5. Press BACK to exit the menu.
Important Safety reminder
FCW cannot detect all objects ahead and may not detect a given object; accuracy of the
system will vary based on weather, speed, extreme interior heat, and other factors. FCW
does not include a braking function. It is always your responsibility to safely operate the
vehicle and avoid collisions.
*if equipped
BRAKE
message Audible
beep

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Lane Departure Warning (LDW)*
A camera mounted between the windshield and the rearview mirror determines if your
vehicle begins to move away from the center of a detected lane while driving between
40–90 mph (64–145 km/h).
If you cross a detected lane line without using your turn
signal, a message appears on the MID and a beep sounds.
Turning LDW on or off
Press LDW to turn the system on or off. A green indicator
light appears on the button when the system is on.
Important Safety reminder
Like all assistance systems, LDW has limitations. Over-reliance on LDW may result in a
collision. It is always your responsibility to keep the vehicle within your lane.
LDW only alerts you when lane drift is detected without a turn signal in use. LDW may not
detect all lane markings or lane departures; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed,
and lane marker condition. It is always your responsibility to safely operate the vehicle and
avoid collisions.
*if equipped
Lane departure
message Audible
beep
Indicator
Turning LKAS on or off 1. Press MAIN. LKAS appears in the MID.
2. Press the LKAS button. Lane outlines appear in the
MID. Dotted lane lines turn solid when the system
operates.
3. Press MAIN or the LKAS button to turn the system
off.
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*
A camera mounted between the windshield and the rearview mirror determines if your
vehicle begins to move away from the center of a detected lane while driving between
45–90 mph (72–145 km/h).
If you cross a detected lane line without using your turn
signal, a message appears on the MID and a beep sounds.
Light steering torque is applied to keep your vehicle in the
middle of the lane.
Important Safety reminder
The LKAS is for your convenience only. It is not a substitute for your vehicle control. The
system does not work if you take your hands off the steering wheel or fail to steer the
vehicle.
Do not place an object on the top of the instrument panel. It may reflect onto the
windshield and prevent the system from detecting lane lines properly.
Do not use when towing.
*if equipped
Lane departure
message Audible
beep
Light steering
assistance

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Blind Spot Information (BSI) System*
Alerts you to a detected vehicle in your left or right blind spot.
When a vehicle is detected in your blind spot, the blind
spot indicator turns on and stays lit until the area is clear.
When your turn signal is on and a vehicle is detected, the
blind spot indicator blinks and a beep sounds until the
area is clear or the turn signal is off.
Changing Settings
Change the alert type, or turn the system on or off. Use the interface dial to make and
enter selections.
1. Press SETTINGS.
2. Select Vehicle Settings.
3. Select Blind Spot Info.
4. Select an alert type, or Off.
5. Press BACK to exit the menu.
Important Safety reminder
Like all assistance systems, BSI has limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may result in a
collision. The system is for your convenience only.
Failure to visually confirm that it is safe to change lanes before doing so may
result in a crash and serious injury or death. Do not rely only on the blind
spot information system when changing lanes.
Always look in your mirrors, to either side of your vehicle, and behind you for
other vehicles before changing lanes.
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*if equipped
Indicator
Collision mitigation Braking System™ (CmBS™)*
Can alert you when a potential frontal collision is determined and reduce your vehicle
speed when a collision is deemed unavoidable to help minimize collision severity.
The system provides visual and audible alerts if you
do not take appropriate action to avoid a collision.
Alert Stages The system has three alert stages for a possible collision. Depending on the
circumstances or CMBS settings, CMBS may not go through all of the stages before
initiating the last stage.
  Stage 1: Head-up warning and audible beep
  Stage 2: Head-up warning, audible beep, light seat belt retraction, and
light brake application
Stage 3:  Head-up warning, audible beep, strong seat belt retraction, and
strong brake application
Turning CmBS on or off
Press and hold CMBS OFF. A beep sounds and a message
appears in the MID. The CMBS indicator appears when the
system is off.
Changing SettingsSee page 98 for how to change CMBS settings. Options include Long, Normal (default),
and Short. Use the CMBS OFF button to turn the system off.
Important Safety reminder
CMBS is designed to reduce the severity of an unavoidable collision. It does not prevent
collisions nor stop the vehicle automatically. It is still your responsibility to operate the
brake pedal and steering wheel appropriately according to the driving conditions.
*if equipped
BRAKE
message
Audible
beep Head-up warning lights