2017 Acura MDX engine

| 31
V
EHICLE CONTROLS
Learn about the various controls necessary for operating and driving the vehicle.
Using the
Remote Transmitter
Lock or unlock the doors and tailgate.
Unlock button: Press once
to unlock the driver’s door.
Press again to unlock all
doors and the tailgate.
Release knob (front or back
of key): Slide the knob to
release the built-in key for
valet use.
Power tailgate button:
Press and hold to unlock and
open the power tailgate.
Press again to close it. Lock button: Press to lock
the doors and tailgate. Press
again for verification. LED indicators*: Check door
lock or engine status (see
page 96).
Panic button: Press and
hold to sound the alarm for
30 seconds. Press again to
cancel.
VEHICLE CONTROLS
ENGINE HOLD button*:
After pressing the Lock
button once, press and hold
to remotely start the engine.
*if equipped
Leaving the remote transmitter in the vehicle can result in theft or accidental
movement of the vehicle. Always take it with you whenever you leave the vehicle
unattended.
NOTICE

88 |
DRIVING
Learn about preparation for driving, as well as other features.
Before Driving
Check the following items before you begin driving.
Exterior Checks
•
Make sur
e there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
•
Remov

e any frost, snow, or ice.
•
Make sure

the hood is securely closed.
•
Heat from

the engine and exhaust can ignite flammable materials left under
the hood, causing a fire. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an extended period,
inspect and remove any debris that may have collected, such as dried grass
and leaves that have fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a small
animal. Also check under the hood for leftover flammable materials after you
or someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.
•
Make sure

the tires are in good condition.
•
Make sure

there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
DRIVING
Interior Checks•
Store or secur
e all items on board properly.
•
Do not pile items higher than the seat height

.
•
Do not place anything in the

front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mats.
•
If you hav

e any animals on board, do not let them move freely in the vehicle.
•
Securely close and lock all

doors and the tailgate.
•
Adjust y

our seating position, mirrors, and steering wheel properly.
•
Make sure items placed

on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under
the seats.
•
Everyone in

the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
•
Make sure

that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you start
the vehicle, and go off soon after.
If the doors are frozen shut, use warm water around the door edges to melt any
ice. Do not try to force them open, as this can damage the rubber trim around the
doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
NOTICE

| 89
DRIVING
Driving Guidelines for Your
Utility Vehicle
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 you would with a passenger vehicle.
•
Avoid sharp

turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
•
Do not modify your

vehicle in any way that raises its center of gravity.
•
Never carry more

than 165 lbs (75 kg) of cargo on the roof rack (Acura
accessory).
In addition:
•
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 har

d braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this
when the brake pads are replaced.
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off pavement can cause crash or
rollover in which you and your passengers can be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions and guidelines in this guide.
Keep your speed low, and don’t drive faster than conditions permit.
WARNING
Improper accessories or modifications can affect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, and performance, and cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual regarding accessories
and modifications.
WARNING

92 |
DRIVING
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. An accessory front towing grille is
required whenever a trailer is towed. You can get the accessory grille at a dealer.
See the Owner’s Manual on the Owner Information CD or visit owners.acura.com
for more information.
Towing
Load Limits
Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable weight of
the trailer, cargo, and everything in or on it shown
in the table below.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously affect
vehicle handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain.
Total load
Number of
occupants
AWD models with
ATF cooler
AWD models
without ATF cooler2WD model s
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg )3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
34,750 lbs (2,155 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
44,500 lbs (2,041 kg )3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
54,250 lbs (1,928 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)
64,000 lbs (1,814 kg )2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
7Towing not recommended
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 car

go in the cargo area.
Any additional weight, cargo or accessories reduce the maximum trailer weight
and maximum tongue load.
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.
WARNING

96 |
DRIVING
Remote Engine Start*
Start your vehicle’s engine from extended distances using the two-way remote
transmitter before you enter the vehicle.
Green indicator:
Confirms doors are
locked or engine is
running.Amber indicator:
Remote is
communicating with
vehicle.
Red indicator:
Remote is out of
range or cannot
communicate with
the vehicle, or engine
is stopped.ENGINE HOLD button:
After pressing the LOCK
button, press and hold
to start the engine.
LOCK button
Make sure the vehicle is in a safe location when using remote engine start (i.e., a
well ventilated area, away from any flammable materials).
Starting the Engine
Press the LOCK button, then press and hold the ENGINE HOLD button to
remotely start the engine.
The engine runs for up to 10 minutes. To extend the run time for another
10 minutes, repeat the procedure during the initial 10 minutes.
While the engine is running, the climate control system adjusts the cabin
temperature, the security system remains on, and lights and accessories remain off.
Stopping the Engine Press and hold ENGINE.
The engine will also stop if it has been running for more than 10 minutes, or if any
door is opened without using the remote or keyless access.
Engine exhaust contains toxic carbon monoxide gas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can kill you or cause unconsciousness.
Never use the remote engine starter when the vehicle is parked in a garage
or other area with limited ventilation.
WARNING
*if equipped

| 97
DRIVING
Starting to Drive
The keyless access system allows simple push-button start.
Before
Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and
in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000
feet (2,400 m). When starting the engine in cold
weather, turn off all electrical accessories such
as the lights, climate control system, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
Changing the Power Mode
Accessory or On Mode: Press ENGINE START/
STOP once without pressing the brake pedal for
Accessory mode. Press it again for On mode.
Starting the engine: Press and hold the brake
pedal, then press ENGINE START/STOP. Keep your
foot firmly on the brake pedal when starting the
engine.
Turning the vehicle off:
U.S. models
Stop, press and hold the brake pedal, then press ENGINE START/STOP. The
transmission changes to Park (P) and the engine shuts off.
Canadian models
Stop, change the gear to Park (P), press the brake pedal, then press ENGINE
START/STOP. If you press the button and the gear is not in Park, the vehicle goes
into Accessory mode.
Brake pedal

| 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