2018 Acura MDX towing

Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manu al (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information and specifications in cluded in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 27
For Safe Driving P. 28 Seat Belts P. 33 Airbags P. 41
2Instrument Panel P. 77
Indicators P. 78 Gauges and Multi-Information Display (MID) P. 119
2Controls P. 137
Clock P. 138 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 139
Opening and Closing the Moonroof P. 168
Adjusting the Seats P. 192
2 Features P. 231
Audio System P. 232 Audio System Basic Operation P. 239
Rear Entertainment System (RES)* P. 335 Customized Features P. 358
Compass* P. 443
2 Driving P. 445
Before Driving P. 446 Towing a Trailer P. 452
Parking Your Vehicle P. 545Multi-View Rear Camera* P. 556
Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions P. 571
2 Maintenance P. 573
Before Performing Maintenance P. 574 Maintenance MinderTM P. 577
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 598
Remote Control and Wireless Headphone Care
* P. 615
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 625
Tools P. 626 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 627
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 653 Fuses P. 658
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 668 Refueling P. 669
2Information P. 671
Specifications P. 672 Identification Numbers P. 674
Emissions Testing P. 678 Warranty Coverages P. 680
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Contents
Child Safety P. 56Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 74Safety Labels P. 75
Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 155 Security System P. 163 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 166
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 169 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 189
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience It ems P. 206 Climate Control System P. 219
Audio Error Messages P. 308General Information on the Audio System P. 316
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver P. 390 Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® P. 393 AcuraLink ®* P. 435
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 463 When Driving P. 465 Braking P. 528
Surround View Camera System* P. 558 Refueling P. 568
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 581 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 593
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 602 Battery P. 611 Remote Transmitter Care P. 613
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 617 Cleaning P. 618Accessories and Modifications P. 623
Engine Does Not Start P. 646 Jump Starting P. 649Overheating P. 651
Emergency Towing P. 666 When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 667
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 675 Reporting Safety Defects P. 677
Authorized Manuals P. 682 Client Service Information P. 683
Quick Reference GuideP. 4
Safe DrivingP. 27
Instrument PanelP. 77
ControlsP. 137
FeaturesP. 231
DrivingP. 445
MaintenanceP. 573
Handling the UnexpectedP. 625
InformationP. 671
IndexP. 687
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Quick Reference Guide
23
Handling the Unexpected (P625)
Flat Tire (P627)
● Park in a safe location and repair the flat
tire using the tire repair kit.
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located under the cargo area.
Indicators Come On (P653)
● Identify the indica tor and consult the
owner’s manual.
Vehicles with tire repair kit
Vehicles with compact spare tire
Engine Won’t Start (P646)
● If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P658)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating (P651)
● Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P666)
● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.
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84
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Transmission
System Indicator
●The indicated current gear
selection blinks if there is a
problem with the transmission
system.●Avoid sudden start and acceleration, and stop
in a safe place immediately.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●All the gear positions may light
for several seconds, and go off.●When all the gear positions light, immediately
stop your vehicle in a safe place.
●Indicators go off if there is no problem.
However, even if they go off, take your vehicle
to a dealer for inspection.
●The indicated current gear
selection or all the gear positions
blink if there is a problem with
the transmission system, and the
vehicle no longer moves.●Immediately stop in a safe place.
2Emergency Towing P. 666●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●The indicated current gear
selection or all the gear positions
blink if you cannot select
(P due
to the transmission system
failure.
●The engine can be activated as a temporary
measure.
2 If the Transmission System Indicator
Blinks along with the Warning Message
P. 657
●Set the parking brake when parking.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
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445
Driving
This chapter discusses driving and refueling.
Before Driving................................... 446
Towing a Trailer ................................ 452
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ..... 463
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 465
Automatic Transmission ................... 471
Shifting ............................................ 472
Auto Idle Stop
*................................ 480
Integrated Dynamics System............. 486
Front Sensor Camera ....................... 487
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low
Speed Follow (LSF) ............................. 489
Road Departure Mi tigation (RDM)
System ........................................ 504
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) .. 509Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ............. 517
Agile Handling Assist ....................... 519
Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*.... 520
Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SH-
AWD® )*......................................... 523
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
with Tire Fill Assist .......................... 524
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation ......... 526
Braking Brake System ................................... 528
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 534 Brake Assist System ......................... 535
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM) ....................................... 536
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 545
Parking Sensor System
*................... 547
Cross Traffic Monitor*..................... 551
Multi-View Rear Camera*................ 556
Surround View Camera System*..... 558
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 568
How to Refuel ................................. 569
Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions .... 571
* Not available on all models
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449
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,173 lbs (532 kg).
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,005 lbs (456 kg).
See the Tire and Loading Informatio n label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weig ht of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement “The comb ined 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 driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
1Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 672
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 672
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
Models with bench seat
Models with captain seat
Label Example
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450
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(4) The resulting figure 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 av ailable 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 we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
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452
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
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 cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessori es reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 672
3WARNING
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.
Total Load
Number of
occupantsAWD models with ATF coolerAWD models
without ATF cooler2WD models
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
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