2018 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

464
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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465Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
u The electric parking brake indicator
comes on for 15 seconds when you press
the electric parking brake switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
The engine will crank until it starts.1 Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
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.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater and transmission clutch
actuator heater will impr ove starting and warming of
the engine. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the batte ry in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 647
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 30 seconds
before trying again.
Electric Parking Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
466
Driving
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1. Put the transmission into
(P.
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button with your foot on the brake pedal.
■Stopping the Engine1Starting the Engine
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly c oded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled. 2 Immobilizer System P. 163
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Continued467
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
You can remotely start the engine usin g the two-way keyless access remote from
extended distances.
■To start the engine
The engine runs for up to 10 minu tes without you starting the vehicle.
To extend the run time for another 10 mi nutes during the first run, press the
button, then press an d hold the button.
u The amber LED blinks, then the green LED comes back on if a 10-minute
extension request was transmitted successfully.
After pressing the (lock) button, wait for the green LED to blink. This indicates that
the all the doors and the tailgate are locked.
■Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback*1 Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback*
WARNING: Carbon monoxide gas is toxic and can
rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly enclosed
areas.
Breathing it can cause unc onsciousness and even kill
you.
Never use the remote engine starter with the vehicle
parked in a garage or other areas with limited
ventilation.
Remote Engine Start run timer extension
The engine runs for anot her 10 minutes from the
time of extension request. Th e max engine run time is
20 minutes, if the extensi on request is made after 10
minutes of first engine run.
If there are buildings an d obstacles between your
vehicle and the remote, th e range will be reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical
interference.
The engine may not start by the remote engine start
if:
•You have disabled a remo te engine start setting
using the multi-information display (MID).
•The power mode is not in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).•The transmission is in a position other than ( P.
•The hood is open, or any door or the tailgate is
unlocked.
•You have already used the remote twice to start
the engine.
Press the button, then
press and hold the button.
Amber LED: Blinks when any button is pressed.
Continues to blink
during a vehicle
self check until the
engine starts. Go within the range,
and try again.
Green LED: Comes on while
the engine is running. Red LED: Blinks when the
remote is out of the keyless
access system range.
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
468
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*
•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 heaters and heated steering wheel are
activated*.
2 Heated Steering Wheel* P. 216
2 Front Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
* P. 217, 218
* Not available on all models
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469
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1. Depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button
simultaneously.
2. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, press the
(D button. Select (R when
reversing.
3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal.
u Make sure the electric parkin g brake indicator goes off.
2Parking Brake P. 528
2 If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks along with the Warning Message
P. 657
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Change the gear position to
(D or (S when facing uphill, or (R when facing
downhill, then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive1 Starting to Drive
The engine stops when the gear position is changed
from
( P before the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.
You can also release the parking brake by pulling the
electric parking brake sw itch while depressing the
brake pedal.
When facing downhill, you can start your vehicle
more smoothly by manually releasing it with the
electric parking brake switch than by releasing it with
the accelerator pedal.
When the engine was started using the two-way keyless
access remote*When the engine was started using the two-way keyless access remote*
When the engine was started in any case
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippe ry slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
Hill start assist will operate even when VSA ® is
switched off.
* Not available on all models
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470
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 or
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 while
driving, the engine will shut down and all steering
and brake power assist functi ons 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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471
uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic Transmission
The engine runs at a higher id le speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator peda l while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unex pectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especi ally on slippery roads and curves.
■Creeping
■Kickdown
1Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information P. 30
2 Precautions While Driving P. 470
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