2017 Acura MDX Hybrid engine

245
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way th at you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of ca rgo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not select a shift button while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored. Repeated operation under
these conditions can eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the power system will shut down and all
steering and brake power a ssist functions will stop,
making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not press the
( N button, as you will lose
regenerative braking (and ac celeration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
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Continued249
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■Shift Operation1Shift Operation
NOTICE
When you change (D to (R and vice versa, come to
a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift button before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.
Use the gear position indicator and the shift button
indicator to check the gear position before selecting
a shift button.
If the indicator of the curren tly selected gear position,
or all the gear position indicators are blinking
simultaneously, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
When the engine speed is increased while the
transmission is in
( N, (P or (R, the fuel supply may
be cut off even without the engine speed entering
the tachometer’s red zone.
The beeper sounds once when you change to
( R.
Gear Position Indicator
Tachometer’s red zone
Press the (P button.
Pull back the ( R button.
Press the
( N button.
Press the button.
D/S
Shift Button
Indicator M
(sequential mode)
Indicator
Sequential Mode Gear
Selection Indicator
Press the button twice.
If the gear position is in
( D,
press the button again.
D/S
D/S
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
254
Driving
■Sequential Mode Operation1Sequential Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.
If the sequential mode gear selection indicator blinks
when you try to shift up or down, this means your
vehicle speed is not in its allowable gear range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indi cator is blinking.
In S range and SPORT+ mode, to prioritize the engine
performance enhancement, the transmission may
not allow for shifting up while the engine speed is
low.
Downshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter.
(Changes to a lower gear)Upshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter.
(Changes to a higher gear)
Paddle Shifter
(Shift down) Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)
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287
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Continued
Driving
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during corn ering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine and motor output and selectively applying the
brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine and motor do not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic system. You will also see
the indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and alwa ys leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System
Indicator
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uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
288
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
The traction control stops fully functioning,
allowing the wheels to sp in more freely at low
speed. The VSA ® OFF indicator will also come
on.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press
the (VSA ® OFF) button until you hear a
beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you turn the
power system on, even if you turned it off the
last time you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
With the button pressed, your vehicle will have
normal braking and corn ering ability, but VSA®
traction and stability enhancement becomes less
effective.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the button is pressed, the traction control
function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after turning the power
system on or while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
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289
uuWhen Driving uAgile Handling Assist
Driving
Agile Handling Assist
Lightly brakes each of the front and rear wheels, as needed, when you turn the
steering wheel, and helps support the vehi cle’s stability and performance during
cornering.1 Agile Handling Assist
The agile handling assist cannot enhance stability in
all driving situations. You still need to drive and
corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions and
always leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, the agil e handling assist does not
activate.
You may hear a sound coming from the engine
compartment while the agile handling assist is
activated. This is normal.
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290
uuWhen Driving uSPORT HYBRID Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD® )
Driving
SPORT HYBRID Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM
(SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ®)
The system controls and transfers varying amounts of motor and/or engine torque
to each wheel in accordance with the driving conditions.
SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ® helps to enhance driving stability, and lets you handle
situations like slippery surfaces, such as snow, sand, mud, and steep hills, better
than when driving with stan dard two wheel drive. Howe ver, the system does not
help to enhance braking. Be cautious about the following:
• It is still your responsibility to drive safely when you steer, accelerate, and apply
brakes.
• Leave a sufficient margin when braking on slippery surfaces.
1SPORT HYBRID Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SPORT
HYBRID SH-AWD ®)
Do not drive through deep water.
The SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ® system may not
function properly if tire type and size are mixed.
Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and
the air pressures as specified. 2 Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 367
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299Continued
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. When the
parking brake is applied, you can manu ally or automatically release it.
■To apply
Press the electric parking brake switch. u The electric parking brake indicator
comes on.
■Parking Brake1Brake System
When you depress the brak e pedal, you may hear a
whirling sound from the engine compartment. This is
because the brake system is in operation, and it is
normal.
1 Parking Brake
You may hear the electric parking brake system
motor operating from the re ar wheel area when you
apply or release the parki ng brake, or set the power
mode to OFF. This is normal.
The brake pedal may slightly move due to the electric
parking brake system opera tion when you apply or
release the parking br ake. This is normal.
You cannot apply or release the parking brake if the
12-volt battery goes dead. 2 Jump Starting P. 407
If you press and hold the electric parking brake
switch while driving the brakes on all four
wheels are applied (by the VSA ® system) until
the vehicle come to a stop (at which point the
electric parking brake is applied) or the switch is
released.Electric Parking
Brake Switch
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