2018 Acura MDX tow

460
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. 461
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. 517
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461
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly servic ed and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 452
•When towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with a pump
octane number of 91 or higher is recommended.
u Towing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or
steep uphill.
• Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tra iler so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Turn off Auto Idle Stop sy stem using Auto Idle Stop OFF button. The trailer
weight can affect your vehicle’s brake effectiveness if Auto Idle Stop is activated
on a hill while towing a trailer.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits fo r vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
Models with Auto Idle Stop
1Towing Speeds and Gears
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
At higher speeds, the trai ler may sway or affect
vehicle handling.
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462
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
• Change the gear position to
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
If the vehicle tires slip when retrieving a boat from the water, keep the transmission
in
(D and do not use the sequential shift mode in (S. This prevents damage to the
transmission.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 666
■Turning and Braking
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat
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uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limit s (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all cond itions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck , carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.
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uuWhen Driving uFront Sensor Camera
488
Driving
1Front Sensor Camera
If the Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot
Operate: Camera Temperature Too High message
appears:
•Use the climate control system to cool down the
interior and, if necessary, also use defroster mode
with the airflow directed towards the camera.
•Start driving the vehicle to lower the windshield
temperature, which cool s down the area around
the camera.
If the Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot
Operate: Clean Front Windshield message
appears:
•Park your vehicle in a sa fe place, and clean the
windshield. If the message does not disappear after
you have cleaned the winds hield and driven for a
while, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
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Continued511
uuWhen Driving uLane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Driving
The system can be used when th e following conditions are met.
• The lane in which you are driving has detectable lane markers on both sides, and
your vehicle is in the center of the lane.
• The vehicle speed is between about 45 and 90 mph (72 and 145 km/h).
• You are driving on a straight or slightly curved road.
• The turn signals are off.
• The brake pedal is not depressed.
• The wipers are not in continuous operation.
■How to activate the system
1.Press the MAIN button.
u The LKAS is on in the MID.
The system is ready to use.
2. Press the LKAS button.
u Lane outlines appear on the MID.
The system is activated.
■When the System can be Used1Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
If the vehicle drifts toward ei ther left or right lane line
due to the system applying torque, turn off the LKAS
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
MAIN Button
LKAS Button
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Continued521
uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information (BSI) System*
Driving
■When the system detects a vehicle
BSI Alert Indicator: Located near the outside
rearview mirror on both sides.
Comes on when:
•A vehicle enters the alert zone from behind
to overtake you with a speed difference of
no more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.
• You pass a vehicle with a speed difference
of no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Blinks and the beeper sounds when:
You move the turn signal lever in the direction
of the detected vehicle. The beeper sounds
three times.1 Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*
The system is for your convenience only. Even if an
object is within the alert zone, the following
situations may occur.
•The BSI alert indicator may not come on due to
obstruction (splashes, et c.) even without the Blind
Spot Info Not Available MID appearing.
•The BSI alert indicator may come on even with the
message appearing.
You can turn off the audible alert, or all the BSI alert
using the information screen or MID.
2 Customized Features P. 126, 358
Turn the system off when towing a trailer.
The system may not work properly for the following
reasons:
•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.
•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI al ert indicators to come
on.
The system does not operate when in
( R.
Comes On
Blinks
* Not available on all models
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uuParking Your Vehicle uCross Traffic Monitor*
552
Driving
The system activates when:
• The power mode is in ON.
• The Cross Traffic Monitor is turned on.
2 Cross Traffic Monitor On and Off P. 555
•The transmission is in (R.
• Your vehicle is moving at 3 mph (5 km/h) or
lower.
When a vehicle is detected approaching from a rear corner, Cross Traffic Monitor
alerts you with a buzzer and a displayed warning.
The system will not detect a vehicle that approaches from directly behind your
vehicle, nor will it provide alerts about a detected vehicle when it moves directly
behind your vehicle.
The system does not detect or provide aler ts for a vehicle that is moving away from
your vehicle, and it may not detect or ale rt for pedestrians, bicycles, or stationary
objects.
■How the System Works1 Cross Traffic Monitor*
Cross Traffic Monitor may not detect or may delay
alerting an approaching vehi cle, or may alert without
an approaching vehicle under the following
conditions:
•An obstacle, such as a nother vehicle and a wall,
near your vehicle’s rear bumper, is blocking the
radar sensor’s scope.
•Your vehicle is moving at the speed of about 3 mph
(5 km/h) or higher.
•A vehicle is approaching at the speed other than
between about 6 mph (10 km/h) and 16 mph (25
km/h).
•The system picks up external interference such as
other radar sensors from an other vehicle or strong
radio wave transmitted fr om a facility nearby.
•Either corner of the rear bumper is covered with
snow, ice, mud or dirt.
•When there is bad weather.
•Your vehicle is on an incline.
•Your vehicle is tilt ed due to a heavy load in the rear.•Your vehicle is reversing towards a wall, a pole, a
vehicle, and so on.
•The rear bumper or the sensors have been
improperly repaired or the rear bumper has been
deformed. Have your vehi cle checked by a dealer.
For proper operation, always keep the rear bumper
corner area clean.
Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with labels
or stickers of any kind.
Radar sensors:
Underneath the rear bumper
corners
* Not available on all models
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