2017 Acura MDX steering

356
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■To estimate the 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 meas uring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5. Subtract the second measurement from th e first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
If the difference is4WD models2WD 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)—
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362
uuTowing a Trailer uTrailer Stability Assist
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
Helps to stabilize the vehicle and tra iler when the trailer severely sways.
■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstab le while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscill ation is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the brak es or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights come on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1 Trailer Stability Assist
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep the trailer from swaying.
When swayed too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may lose control of your vehicle,
causing the trailer to roll over or get damaged. 2 Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 363
Trailer towing sway is caused by:
•Crosswinds
•Improper towbar down load
•Excessive Speed
The VSA ® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation. 2 VSA ® Operation P. 418
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
370
Driving
■To stop the engine
Press and hold the button
for one second.
Go within the range,
and try again.
Amber LED: Blinks when any
button is pressed. Red LED:
●Comes on for one second to let you
know that the engine has stopped.
●Blinks when the remote is out of
the keyless access system range.
The engine will not stop.
1
Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback*
•You have already used the remote twice to start
the engine.
•Another registered keyless access remote is in the
vehicle.
•There is any antenna failure.•Door is unlocked with the built-in key.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The engine coolant temper ature is extremely high.•The telematics unit malfunctions.
•The security system alarm is not set.
Before starting the engine, make sure to check the
door lock status using the remote. When you press
the button, wait for the green LED to blink. If
the red LED turns on, the doors and tailgate did not
lock, and the engine does not start.
While the engine is running, the vehicle will
automatically preconditi on inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
•The air conditioning is acti vated in recirculation
mode.
•The seat ventilation is activated*.
When it is cold outside:
•The defroster is activated at a moderately warm
temperature.
•The rear defogger and door mirror heaters are
activated.
•The seat and heated steering wheel are activated*.
2 Heated Steering Wheel* P. 210
2 Front Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
* P. 211, 212
* Not available on all models
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372
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 that you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of cargo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause elec trical 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 change the gear position 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 system
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode,
and limits its performa nce. 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 or VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake pow er assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not change the gear position to
( N, as you will
lose engine braking (and acceleration) 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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380
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 9th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmiss ion will switch to the sequential mode.
■When the transmission is in (D:
The vehicle will go into the sequential mo de momentarily, and the sequential mode
gear selection indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant sp eed, the sequential mode will automatically
switch off, and the sequential mode gear selection indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds or push (D button to return to normal
drive.
■When the transmission is in (S
The vehicle will go into th e sequential mode, and the M (sequential mode) indicator
and sequential mode gear selection indicator will come on.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engi ne speed reaches near the tachometer’s
red zone, the transmission automatica lly shifts up to the next gear.
You can cancel this mode by holding the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds or push
(D button. When the sequential mode is canceled, the sequential mode indicator
and sequential mode gear selection indicator go off.
■Sequential Mode
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384
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop*
Driving
■Auto idle stop m ay not activate when:
• The vehicle is stopped by braking suddenly.
• The steering wheel is operated.
• The fan speed is high.
• Altitude is high.
• The vehicle is repeated ly accelerated and dece lerated at a low speed.
• The climate control system is in use, and there is a significant difference between
the set temperature and the actual interior temperature.
• Humidity in the interior is high.
• The rear fan is set to maximum speed.
u Auto Idle Stop may not ac tivate under other conditions when the rear climate
control system is in use.
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Continued385
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop*
Driving
• The brake pedal is released (without the automatic brake hold system activated).
• The accelerator pedal is depressed (with the automatic brake hold system
activated).
2 Automatic Brake Hold P. 432
■The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed*1 when:
• The Auto Idle Stop OFF button is pressed.
• When a steering wheel is operated.
• The gear position is change to
(R or (S, or when it is change from (N to (D.
• The pressure on the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while
stopped on an incline.
• The pressure on the brake pedal is repeat edly applied and released slightly during
a stop.
• The battery charge becomes low.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed.
• The driver’s seat belt is unlatched.
• is ON (indicator on).
• The climate control system is in use, and the difference between the set
temperature and actual interior temperature becomes significant.
• The climate control system is being used to dehumidify the interior.
• The vehicle ahead of you starts again when your vehicle stops automatically with
ACC with LSF.
■The Engine Automatically Restarts When:1 The Engine Automatically Restarts When:
•If you are using an elec tronic device during Auto
Idle Stop, the device may temporarily be turned off
when the engine restarts.
1 The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed*1 when:
*1: With the automatic brake hold system activated,
you can release the brake pe dal during Auto Idle Stop
is in operation.
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387
uuWhen Driving uIntegrated Dynamics System
Driving
Integrated Dynamics System
Modifies the dynamic characte r of the vehicle. There are three modes to select from:
Comfort, Normal, and Sport.
Press the Dynamic Mode button to select a mode. The mode you have selected
appears on the MID.
You can customize the mode default setting using the MID.
2 Customized Features P. 123
Normal
Balanced driving
performance for most
driving situations.
Sport
Enhances vehicle response
feel through decreased
steering assist, heightened
throttle response, increased
SH-AWD
* torque bias, and
modified active sound
control. Comfort
Maximizes driver comfort
through increased steering
assist.
Dynamic Mode
Button
* Not available on all models
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