2017 Acura MDX Owner's Guide

98 |
DRIVING
When you change from D to R and vice versa, press the brake pedal and come
to a complete stop, then select the intended gear position while maintaining
brake pressure.
NOTICE
Shifting
Change your vehicle’s gears to begin driving.
Electronic Gear Selector
Select the vehicle’s gear using a simple button interface.
Park (P): Used for parking or starting or turning off
the vehicle. Press P with the brake pedal pressed. A
red indicator appears.
Reverse (R): Used for reversing. Pull back R. A green
indicator appears.
Neutral (N): Used for idling. Press N. A red
indicator appears
Drive (D/S): Used for normal driving (D) or driving in sequential mode (S) (see
page 99). Press D/S once for normal driving. Press D/S twice for sequential
mode driving. A green indicator appears. Make sure the parking brake is released
(see page 102).
Auto park mode
For your convenience, Park (P) is automatically selected when all of the following
conditions are met:
•
The vehicle is stopped.
•
The driver

’s seatbelt is unbuckled.
•
The driver’

s door is opened.
The vehicle can roll away if left unattended without confirming that Park is
engaged. Always keep your foot on the brake pedal until you have confirmed
that P is shown on the gear position indicator.
WARNING

| 99
DRIVING
Sequential Mode
Use the paddle shifters to change gears from 1st through 9th without removing
your hands from the steering wheel.
When the transmission is in D: The vehicle goes into sequential shift mode
momentarily, and the gear position indicator comes on. When you start
traveling at a constant speed, sequential mode and the gear position indicator
automatically go off.
When the transmission is in S: The vehicle goes into sequential mode, and the M
(sequential mode) indicator and gear position indicator come on. Use the paddle
shifters to change gears.
To cancel this mode, hold the + paddle shifter for two seconds or push D. The M
indicator and gear position indicator go off.
(-) Paddle shifter:
Pull to shift down to
a lower gear. (+) Paddle shifter:
Pull to shift up to a
higher gear.
M indicator/gear
position indicator
Car wash mode
If you are driving through a conveyor-style car wash where you or the attendant
do not remain in the vehicle, follow these steps while the engine is on:
1.
Press and hold the brak

e pedal.
2.
Select N.
3.
Within 5 seconds, press the ENGINE

START/STOP button. The gear position
remains in Neutral with the power mode in Accessory for 15 minutes. After 15
minutes (or if the vehicle is turned off at any time), the gear position changes
to Park and the vehicle turns off.
Shift up Normal acceleration1st to 2n d15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5t h4 7 mph (76 km/h )
5th to 6th52 mph (84 km/h)
6th to 7t h5 7 mph (92 km/h )
7th to 8th62 mph (100 km/h)
8th to 9th 67 mph (108 km/h)
Recommended shift points

100 |
DRIVING
Auto Idle Stop*
Automatically stops and restarts the engine to help maximize your fuel economy,
depending on environmental and vehicle conditions.

Activating Auto Idle Stop
When the vehicle stops with the gear position
in Drive (D) and the brake pedal is pressed, the
engine turns off and the auto idle stop indicator
appears if conditions permit.
When you release the brake pedal, turn the
steering wheel, or press the accelerator pedal, the
engine restarts and the vehicle begins to move.
Auto idle stop does not activate (or the engine may automatically restart)
when the driver’s seat belt is unfastened, the vehicle is stopped on a steep hill,
the windshield defroster is on, and other conditions.
Turning the System On or Off
Press the Auto Idle Stop Off button to turn the
system off. Press the button again to turn it on.
The system defaults to On every time you start
the engine.
*if equipped

| 101
DRIVING
Integrated Dynamics System
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,
enhanced throttle response and torque biasing.
The selected mode
briefly appears in
the MID.Integrated Dynamics System
NormalSport
Comfort
Dynamic Mode
Press the Dynamic
Mode button to cycle
through modes.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®)
Also known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this helps 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 VSA traction and stability
enhancement become less effective.
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.
When VSA is off, traction control 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.
VS A OFF Indicator

102 |
DRIVING
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.
This vehicle uses an electric parking brake.
To apply: Press the parking brake switch.
To release: Depress the brake pedal, then pull up
on the parking brake switch.
Automatic release: Press the accelerator.
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.
NOTICE
Parking brake

| 103
DRIVING
Automatic Brake Hold
Keeps the brake applied until you press the
accelerator.
To turn the system on or off: Press the automatic
brake hold button.
To activate: Brake to a full stop. Once the brake-
hold indicator lamp comes on, release the brake
pedal.
To release: Press the accelerator.
Brake hold
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.
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.
WARNING

104 |
DRIVING
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
Helps maintain a constant vehicle speed and a set following interval behind a
vehicle detected ahead of yours.
CANCEL
MAIN button
RES/+ switch
SET/- switch
CANCEL button
Interval button
Following-distance
When the Set Speed is:
50 mph (80 km/h )65 mph (104 km/h )
Short
83 fee t
25 meters 1.1 sec100 feet
31 meters
1.1 se c
Middle33 meters110 fee
t
1.5 sec
137 fee t
42 meters
1.5 se c
Long
154 fee t
47 meters 2.1 sec200 feet
61 meters
2.1 se c
Extra
Lon g
204 fee t
62 meters 2.8 sec265 feet
81 meters
2.8 se c

| 105
DRIVING
Activating and Setting the Vehicle Speed
1.
Press MAIN. The
ACC indicator appears.
2.
Accelerate to the desired

speed.
Above 25 mph/40 km/h:

Take your foot off the


accelerator pedal, and press SET/-

to set the speed.
Below 25 mph/40 km/h (Lo

w Speed Follow): Press


SET/- to set the speed at 25 mph/40 km/h.
Adjusting the Vehicle Speed
Press RES/+ to increase speed or SET/- to decrease
speed.
Each time you press the switch up or down, the

vehicle speed is increased

or decreased by about
1 mph/1 km/h. If you keep the switch pressed up or
down,
the vehicle speed increases or decreases by 5 mph or
5 km/h until you release it.
Adjusting the Following Interval
Press the Interval button to change the following
distance. Each time you press the button, the following
distance cycles through short, middle, long, and
extra long.
Switching to Standard Cruise ControlPress and hold the Interval button. Press and hold again
to switch back to ACC.