2020 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

464
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking 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 altit udes 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 de fogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. Cons ult a dealer for details.
If exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can smell
exhaust gas inside the vehi cle, 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. 650
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Electric Parking Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
ENGINE START
STOP
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 464 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

Continued465
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
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.
■Stopping the Engine1Starting the Engine
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.
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. 162
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 465 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
466
Driving
You can remotely start the engine using 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 minutes during the first run, press the
button, then press and hold the button.
u The amber LED blinks, then the green LED comes back on if a 10-minute
extension request was tra nsmitted successfully.
After pressing the button, wait for the gr een 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*
The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote e ngine start, check your
local laws.
Remote Engine Start run timer extension
The engine runs for anot her 10 minutes from the
time of extension request. The max engine run time is
20 minutes, if the extensi on request is made after 10
minutes of first engine run.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide ga s is toxic and can
rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly
enclosed areas.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Never use the remote engine starter with
the vehicle parked in a garage or other
areas with limited ventilation.
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
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 466 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

Continued467
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
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*
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.
•Another registered keyless access remote is in the
vehicle.
•There is any antenna failure.
•The 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.
* Not available on all models
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 467 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
468
Driving
1Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback*
While the engine is running, the vehicle will
automatically preconditi on inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
•The climate control system is activated 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
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 468 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

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 br ake pedal, press the 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. 529
2 If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks along with the Warning Message
P. 661
■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 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 keyless access
remote*When the engine was started using the keyless access remote*
When the engine was started in any case
D/S
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
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 469 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

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 electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restor ed. 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.
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 470 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分

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 lo wer gear, unexpectedly increa sing 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
20 ACURA MDX-31TZ56600.book 471 ページ ２０１９年４月２４日　水曜日　午後５時４４分