2015 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. 1612 Features P. 199Audio System P. 200 Audio System Basic Operation P. 205
Customized Features P. 249 HomeLink® Universal Transceiver P. 2672 Driving P. 305Before Driving P. 306 Towing a Trailer P. 311Parking Your Vehicle P. 381
Multi-View Rear Camera
* P. 386
2Maintenance P. 391Before Performing Maintenance P. 392 Maintenance Minder
TM P. 395
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 417
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 435 Cleaning P. 436
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 441Tools P. 442 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 443
Overheating P. 468 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 470When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 4822Information P. 483Specifications P. 484 Identification Numbers P. 486
Emissions Testing P. 489 Warranty Coverages P. 491

Contents
Child Safety P. 54Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 66Safety 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. 240General Information on the Audio System P. 245
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® P. 269 Compass
* P. 302
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 322 When Driving P. 324 Braking P. 371
Refueling P. 387 Fuel Economy P. 389Accessories and Modifications P. 390Maintenance Under the Hood P. 399 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 411
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 421 Battery P. 430 Remote Transmitter Care P. 431Engine Does Not Start P. 462 Jump Starting P. 465 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 467
Fuses P. 474 Emergency Towing P. 480
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 481
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 487 Reporting Safety Defects P. 488
Authorized Manuals P. 493 Client Service Information P. 494
Quick Reference Guide
P. 4
Safe Driving
P. 25
Instrument Panel
P. 69
Controls
P. 113
Features
P. 199
Driving
P. 305
Maintenance
P. 391
Handling the Unexpected
P. 441
Information
P. 483
Index
P. 495

20Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected
(P441)
Flat Tire
(P443)
● 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
(P470)
● Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Vehicles with tire repair kitVehicles with compact spare tire
Engine Won’t Start
(P462)
● If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse
(P479)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating
(P468)
● 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
(P480)
● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

305
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before DrivingDriving Preparation .......................... 306
Maximum Load Limit........................ 309
Towing a Trailer ................................ 311
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ..... 322
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 324
Precautions While Driving................. 329
Automatic Transmission ................... 330
Shifting ............................................ 331
Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)..... 335
Cruise Control ................................. 336
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*......................... 339 Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*.. 350
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
*..... 354
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*.. 357
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ............. 362Agile Handling Assist System............ 364
Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*... 365
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive
TM (SH-
AWD® )
*......................................... 367
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ... 367Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 369
Braking Brake System ................................... 371 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 373
Brake Assist System ......................... 374
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBS
TM)*..................................... 375
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 381
Parking Sensor System
*................... 382
Multi-View Rear Camera*................ 386
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 387
How to Refuel ................................. 388
Fuel Economy .................................... 389
Accessories and Modifications ........ 390
* Not available on all models

309
uuBefore Driving uMaximum 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 lo ad 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 th e available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. an d 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.)
1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load.
2 Specifications P. 484
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 484
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

310
uuBefore Driving uMaximum 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. Co nsult 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)

311
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
1 Towing 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 fo r 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
2 Vehicle Specifications P. 484
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

312
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing 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