132 || 133
DRIVINGDRIVING
Shifting
Change your vehicle’s gears to begin driving.
n
Electronic Gear Selector
Park (P):
Used when parking or starting the power system.
Reverse (R): Used for reversing.
Neutral (N): Used to disengage the transmission from the
engine and motor.
Drive (D/M): Toggles between Drive and Manual modes.
Drive is for automatic gear selection. Manual is for the driver
to shift gears sequentially.
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
When you change from D/M to R or vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed. Do not press the accelerator. Otherwise, you may damage the
transmission.
NOTICE n
Sequential Shift Mode
Use the paddle shifters to change gears
without removing your hands from the steering
wheel.
(-) Paddle shifter:
Pull to shift down to
a lower gear. (+) Paddle shifter:
Pull to shift up to a
higher gear.
Gear position indicator
138 || 139
DRIVINGDRIVING
4. Press the accelerator to the floor.
5.
When Launch Mode Ready appears in the Driver
Information Interface, r
elease the brake all at once.
To cancel Launch Mode, take your foot off the accelerator.
Using this system on public roads that are used by other vehicles and pedestrians
can result in a collision involving serious injury or death.
WARNING
Braking
Slow down or stop your vehicle, and keep it from moving when parked.
n
Foot Brake
Press the
brake pedal to slow down or stop your vehicle
from moving.
There are times you may hear brake squeal. This is a
characteristic of the high-performance braking system and is
not a malfunction.
Brake pedal
n Brake Assist System
During hard or emer
gency 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.
n
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
During har
d or emergency braking, the system rapidly pumps the brakes to prevent wheel
lockup and help you maintain steering control. Do not pump the brake pedal, and continue
to firmly hold it down.
The ABS may not function correctly if you use an incorrect tire type and size.
NOTICE
142 || 143
DRIVINGDRIVING
Using 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 use 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 Park (P) and applying the
parking brake.
WARNING
Cruise Control
Maintain a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the accelerator pedal.
Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a constant speed with
little acceleration or deceleration.
CRUISE MAIN is on in
the instrument panel .
Cruise control is ready to
use.
Press the CRUISE button on
the steering wheel.
Improper use of cruise control can lead to a crash.
Use cruise control only when traveling on open highways in good weather.
WARNING
150 || 151
DRIVINGDRIVING
High-Performance Driving
Your Acura NSX is designed, built and equipped with systems and features to provide you with
exceptional driving performance, including the ability to engage in high-performance driving.
However, due to the risks to both you and other road users, including the risk of injury or death
from a high-speed loss of control or crash, if you engage in high-performance driving, Acura
recommends you only do so where conditions are controlled, such as at a track or other closed-
course venue. When driving on public roads you should always obey the posted speed limits
and other traffic laws, reduce speed as needed for traffic and environmental conditions, and
not engage in driving behaviors (including, for instance, use of Launch Control) that may create
heightened risks for yourself and any other road users who may be present (even if you are
unaware of them).
The NSX warranty does not cover any damage or failure resulting from high-performance
driving, competitive driving of any sort whatsoever, or use on a track or similar-type venue. See
warranty book for details.
NOTICE
NSX Track Mode (see page 136), Launch Control (see page 137) and other systems are
designed for increased performance, both in terms of acceleration and handling, up to near-
performance-limit conditions. They are most appropriately used on closed courses and they
should not be used on public roads. Use of these systems may delay the intervention of vehicle
safety systems designed to minimize the risk of a loss of traction or steering control, and can
cause the NSX to handle differently than you might expect or would experience under normal
driving conditions. Use of these systems will not make up for a lack of appropriate driver experience and skill, and
will not allow the driver to overcome risks created by:
•
A lack of proper v
ehicle maintenance
•
Less than ideal road conditions and/or unfamiliarity with
the driving environment
•
Other traffic or road users
High-performance
driving requires special skills, knowledge and experience, as the safety
risks are greatly increased when the NSX is operated at its upper performance abilities. As
a responsible NSX driver, you should not drive above your skill limits or training, even if the
NSX’s performance levels would otherwise allow you to do so. If you intend to engage in high-
performance driving, Acura strongly recommends that:
•
You first obtain appr
opriate, professional training
•
Wear the appropriate
driving clothing and gear (e.g., helmet, gloves and driving shoes)
•
Be fully rested and alert (fr
ee of drugs or alcohol)
•
Turn off any devices or systems that
may distract you from the driving task
High-performance driving in general, and the use of Track Mode and Launch Control in
particular, puts very high loads on the NSX and its components, and results in greater wear and
tear on the vehicle. Because of these high loads, if your NSX is not in top condition or if certain
components, such as the brakes or tires, have undue wear, those components could experience
a loss of performance, or fail, when subjected to the additional loads. Therefore, Acura highly
recommends that you undertake more proactive and frequent maintenance than that required
under normal use and have your vehicle inspected at an authorized Acura NSX dealer (and all
necessary repairs or adjustments made) before you engage in any high-performance driving.
In addition to any required maintenance, there are certain NSX specific items and protocols that
you should pay special attention to before, during and after engaging in any high-performance
156 || 157
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTEDHANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Learn about what to do in critical or emergency situations.
Keyless Access Remote Battery Strength
If the battery life in your keyless access remote is weak, a
message appears in the driver information interface with
information on how to start the engine.
Touch the back of the keyless access remote to the ENGINE
START/STOP button while the indicator is flashing.
With the brake pedal pressed, press the ENGINE START/STOP
button within 10 seconds.
Emergency Power System Off
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be used to turn off the power system due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must turn off the power system, choose one of
the following operations:
Press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for two seconds,
OR
Firmly press the ENGINE START/STOP button three times.
Turning off the engine disables the power assist to the steering and braking systems. Thus,
it will require significantly more physical effort and time to steer and slow the vehicle.
Downshift gears and use both feet on the brake pedal, if necessary, to slow the vehicle and stop
immediately in a safe place.
Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the gear position automatically changes to (P) and
the power mode changes to VEHICLE OFF.
Do not press the button while driving unless it is absolutely necessary for the engine to be
switched off.
NOTICE
162 || 163
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTEDHANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Emergency Towing
This vehicle requires flat bed towing. Call a professional towing service if you need to tow
your vehicle. The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are
not designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing such as towing behind a motorhome or other motor vehicle can damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are driving.
If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes significantly low, the low
tire pressure indicator comes on and a message appears on the
multi-information display. Roll the right selector wheel on the
steering wheel to view the tire pressure monitor.
n What to Do
Stop your
vehicle in a safe place. Check the tire pressure and adjust the pressure to the
specified level. The specified tire pressure is on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Driving on an extremely underinflated tire can cause it to overheat. An overheated tire can
fail. Always inflate your tires to the specified pressure.
NOTICE
176 || 177
MAINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or failing to correct a problem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations according to
the schedules in this guide.
WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can cause
you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this guide.
WARNING
Maintenance Minder™
When maintenance is due, the system message indicator comes on and the Maintenance
Minder appears on the multi-information display every time you turn the vehicle on. Press the
Info (p/q) buttons on the steering wheel to change displays.
See page 179 to check the indicated maintenance service(s).
Maintenance Service Items
Remaining Engine Oil Life
Righ t Selector Whee l
178 || 179
MAINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
Independent of the Maintenance Minder information:
•
Replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
•
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
•
Adjust the val
ves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
•
Inspect the fuel injection systems every 3
years.
•
Inspect tire condition every 3,
100 miles (5,000 km).
For U.S. models: Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control devices and systems may
be done by any automotive repair establishment or individuals using parts that are certified to EPA
standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on the maintenance main items
marked with # will not void your emissions warranties. However, all maintenance services should be performed
in accordance with the intervals indicated by the multi-information display.
n Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the displ\
ay is reset,
CODE
change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
A Maintenance Main Items
B
Inspect exhaust system#
Inspect fuel lines and connections#
Inspect direct injection + port injection fuel system
Replace engine oi
l*1
Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check expiration date for temporary tire repair
kit bottle
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Inspect suspension components
Inspect driveshaft boots
Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)
Inspect all uid levels and condition of uids
#