2017 Acura MDX Hybrid traction control

238
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limit s (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all cond itions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck , carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.
17 ACURA MDX E-AWD-31TRX6000.book 238 ページ ２０１７年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時 ５３分

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
17 ACURA MDX E-AWD-31TRX6000.book 287 ページ ２０１７年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時 ５３分

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
17 ACURA MDX E-AWD-31TRX6000.book 288 ページ ２０１７年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時 ５３分

364
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety
Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,
and temperature performance a ccording to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder an d maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested un der controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
■Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■Treadwear
1 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
17 ACURA MDX E-AWD-31TRX6000.book 364 ページ ２０１７年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時 ５３分

365
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asph alt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when te sted under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and ex cessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
■Traction
■Temperature
1 Traction
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
17 ACURA MDX E-AWD-31TRX6000.book 365 ページ ２０１７年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時 ５３分