2017 Acura MDX tow

This Owner’s Guide is intended to help you quickly get acquainted with your
2017 Acura MDX. It provides basic information and instructions on technology and
convenience features, as well as emergency procedures and how to get assistance.
This guide is for vehicles sold in the United States and Canada. It covers all MDX
models, so you may find descriptions of features and equipment that are not in
your vehicle. Images throughout this guide are from U.S. vehicles and represent
features and equipment that are available on some, but not all, models.
This guide is not intended to be a substitute for the Owner’s Manual. The Owner
Information CD enclosed in your glove box kit includes the Owner’s Manual,
Navigation Manual, and vehicle and tire warranties in electronic format. This
information can be viewed on a computer (PC
or Mac platform) and saved or
printed

for your reference. You can also visit owners.acura.com (U.S.) or myacura.ca
(Canada) to view the complete and most current information.
If you are the first registered owner of your vehicle, you may request a
complimentary printed copy of the Owner’s Manual, Navigation Manual, or Vehicle
Warranty up to six months after vehicle purchase. To request a copy, visit owners.
acura.com (U.S.) or myacura.ca (Canada) and create or log in to your account. In
Canada, please request a copy from your Acura dealer.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., strives to be proactive in protecting our
environment and natural resources. By using electronic delivery for a considerable
portion of the information typically found in a vehicle owner’s manual, we are
further reducing our impact on the environment.
Acura Total Luxury Care Roadside Assistance
Your Acura TLC Roadside Assistance representative is here to help you
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Under your 4-year/50,000-mile (80,000-km)
warranty, the following benefits are available:
- Towing services — full cost of towing to the closest Acura dealer
- Roadside assistance — jump starting, fuel delivery, lockout, and flat tire
- Trip planning — detailed trip routing, emergency services, and more
Call (800) 594-8500 (U.S.) or (800) 565-7587 (Canada)
Acura Client Relations
Your authorized Acura dealer should be able to answer any questions you have
about your vehicle. However, if you are dissatisfied with the information you
receive, you can call Acura Client Relations (see page 155).Call (800) 382-2238 (U.S.) or (888) 922-8729 (Canada)
INTRODUCTION

*if equipped
DRIVING
................................................................
88
Before Driving ......................................................... 88
Maximum Load Limit ............................................ 90
Towing

a Trailer
......................................................
92
Remote

Engine Start*
...........................................
96
Starting to Driv

e
......................................................
97
Shifting ..................................................................... 98
Auto Idle Stop* ..................................................... 100
Integrated Dynamics S

ystem
..............................101
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®)
........................... 101
Braking ................................................................... 102
Adaptiv

e Cruise Control (ACC)
with Low Speed
F

ollow
.............................................................
104
Forwar

d Collision Warning (FCW) with
Pedestrian Detection
.................................... 107
Collision Mitigation Braking

System™
(CMBS™)
....................................................... 108
Lane Departure

Warning (LDW)
.........................
110
Lane Keeping

Assist System (LKAS)
...................
111
Road Departur

e Mitigation (RDM)
....................
112
Blind Spot Information (BSI)*

............................. 113
Parking Sensor System*
....................................... 114
Multi-View

Rear Camera*
...................................
115
Cross T

raffic Monitor*
..........................................
116
Surround View

Camera*
......................................
117
Refueling ................................................................. 119
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED ........................

120
Keyless Access Remote Battery Strength
........ 120
Jump Starting ........................................................ 120
Emergency

Engine Stop
.......................................
121
Overheating ........................................................... 122
Tire Pr

essure Monitoring System (TPMS)
........
123
Handling a Flat Tir

e
..............................................
126
Changing a Flat Tir

e*
...........................................
126
Tire R

epair Kit*
.....................................................
130
Fuse Locations ....................................................... 131
Emer

gency Towing
...............................................
135MAINTENANCE
..................................................
136
Safety Precautions ............................................... 136
Maintenance Minder™ ......................................... 137
Under the

Hood
.................................................... 139
Engine Oil
.............................................................. 140
Engine Coolant ..................................................... 142
Window Washer

Fluid
.........................................
143
Checking the Battery ........................................... 143
Changing Wiper Blades ....................................... 144
Tire Information ................................................... 146
Tire Labeling .......................................................... 149
DOT

Tire Quality Grading
...................................
150
Testing

of Readiness Codes
.................................
152
SPECIFICATIONS
................................................ 153
CLIENT INFORMATION
..................................... 154
Fr

equently Asked Questions/Troubleshooting
154
Contact Us .............................................................. 155
Acura

Total Luxury Care Roadside Assistance
156
Warranty Co

verages
............................................
156
EPA C

ontact Information
....................................
156
INDEX...................................................................
159

38 |
V
EHICLE CONTROLS
Auto High-Beam System
Automatically changes the low beam headlights to high beam headlights when
necessary.
How It Works
When you are driving at night above 35 mph (56 km/h) and the headlight lever is
in the low beam position with the switch rotated to AUTO, the system changes
between low and high beams depending on the surrounding conditions.
15-degrees
Your vehicle Oncoming
vehicle
Vehicle ahead
of you
If a vehicle is detected ahead of you, the headlights stay in low beams. If the
system does not detect any vehicles ahead of you, the headlights change to high
beams.
Certain conditions, such as weather and brightness of other vehicles’ lights, can
affect system operation.
Turning the System On or Off Make sure the headlight lever is in the low beam
position with the switch rotated to the AUTO
position. The auto high-beam system indicator
appears when the system is on.
The system is canceled temporarily when you drive
at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h), the vehicle
speed is below 15 mph (24 km/h), or the windshield
wipers run at high speed for more than a few
seconds.
To disable the system: When the vehicle is on and parked, pull the headlight
lever towards you and hold it for 40 seconds. The auto high-beam indicator
blinks twice.
To re-enable the system: When the vehicle is on and parked, pull the headlight
lever towards you and hold it for 30 seconds. The auto high-beam indicator
blinks once.
To temporarily cancel operation, do either of the following:
•
Flash the high beams by mo

ving the lever toward you. Flash the high beams
again to resume auto high beam operation.
•
Engage high beams by moving

the lever into the high beam position. Return the
lever to the low beam position to resume auto high beam operation.
SwitchHeadlight

| 41
V
EHICLE CONTROLS
Wiper Operation
The windshield wipers and washers can be used when the vehicle is on. Move the
wiper lever up or down to the desired position.
*if equipped
Headlight-Wiper Integration
When the headlights are in the AUTO position, they automatically turn on when
the front wipers operate several times within a certain interval. The headlights
turn off shortly after the wipers are turned off, or if there is enough ambient light.
Mist
Pull toward
you for
washer.
OFF
INT (intermittent)*/
AUTO (automatic)*
LO: low speed
HI: high speed
Intermittent Wipers* When you move the lever to the INT position, the wipers operate based on the
delay adjustment.
Rotate the adjustment ring to adjust the wiper delay.
Long delayRotate the
adjustment
ring.
Short delay
INT position

90 |
DRIVING
Maximum Load Limit
Carrying too much cargo or improperly storing it can affect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe. See the Tire and Loading
Information label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Maximum load for a vehicle with with second-row bench seats: 1,173 lbs (532 kg).
Maximum load for a vehicle with with second-rowcaptain seats: 1,005 lbs (456 kg).
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer. Below are the
steps for determining the 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 driv

er and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3.
Subtract the combined weight of the driv

er and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4.
The resulting figur

e equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
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.)
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 v

ehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult the Owner’s Manual on the Owner
Information CD or at owners.acura.com 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.

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

| 93
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.
To
ng ue Loa dTongue load
Number of
occupant s
AWD models 2WD model s
2500 lbs (227 kg)350 lbs (159 kg )
3475 lbs (215 kg)325 lbs (147 kg)
4380 lbs (172 kg)300 lbs (136 kg)
5290 lbs (132 kg)260 lbs (118 kg)
6165 lbs (75 kg)140 lbs (63 kg)
7Towing not recommended
Estimate tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by measuring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1.
Park the v

ehicle on level ground.
2.
Measure the distance between the

ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3.
Connect the full

y loaded trailer to the hitch.
4.
Measure the distance between the

ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5.
Subtract the second measur

ement from the first measurement, then refer to
the following table.
If the difference isAWD model s2WD models
1 inches (2.5 cm)150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm )250 lbs (114 kg)
2 inches (5.1 cm)350 lbs (159 kg)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm )450 lbs (205 kg)—
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm )500 lbs (227 kg)—
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.

| 95
DRIVING
Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before driving away, be sure to check the following:
•
Avoid

towing a trailer during your vehicle’s first 600 miles (1,000 km).
•
The vehicle and

trailer have been properly serviced and are in good condition.
Lights and brakes work properly, and the tires are properly inflated.
•
All weights and loads are

within limits. Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
•
When towing more

than 3,500 lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended.
•
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale (see page 94). If a pu

blic
scale is not available, add the estimated weight of your cargo load to the
weight of the trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer) and the tongue load.
•
The hitch, safety chains, and any other attachments ar

e secure.
•
All items in or on

the trailer are properly secured and cannot shift while you
drive.
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