2022 ACURA MDX Owners Manual

432
Driving
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information
Your vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement, however, its higher
ground clearance allows you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads. It is not
designed for trail-blazing, or other challenging off-highway activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved roads, you will find that it requires somewhat
different driving skills and that your vehicle will handle somewhat differently than it
does on pavement. Pay attention to the precautions and tips in this section, and get
acquainted with your vehicle before leaving the pavement.
Important Safety Precautions
To avoid loss of control or rollover, be sure to follow all precautions and
recommendations:
• Be sure to store cargo properly and do not exceed your cargo load limits.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 419
•Whenever you drive, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
• Keep your speed low, and never go faster than the conditions allow.
• It’s up to you to continually assess the situation and drive within the limits.
1Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover.
2 Important Handling Information P. 34
2 Precautions While Driving P. 440
Spinning the tires can al so damage the SH-AWD ®
system.
3WARNING
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off-
pavement can cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers could be
seriously injured or killed.
• Follow all instructions and guidelines in
this owner’s manual.
• Keep your speed low, and don’t drive
faster than conditions permit.
AWD models
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433
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 completed. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, and check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limi ts (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your ve hicle 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. Goin g 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 thro ugh deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and di fferential, 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 tow hook is provided for this purpose.
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434
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
u The parking brake and brake system
indicator (red) comes on for 30 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.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 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. 663
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.Electric Parking Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
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Continued435
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1Starting 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. 157
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
436
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 an d 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 green LED to blink. Th is indicates that
the all the doors and the tailgate are locked.
■Remote Engine Start*1 Remote Engine Start*
The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote e ngine start, check your
local laws.
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.
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
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Continued437
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*
The engine may not start by the remote engine start
if:
•You have disabled a remo te engine start setting
using the audio/information screen. 2Customized Features P. 345
•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.
•The 12-volt battery temp is too low or the 12-volt
battery charge is too low.
•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
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
438
Driving
1Remote Engine Start*
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. 2Heated Steering Wheel
* P. 226
2 Front Seat Heaters and Ventilation*
P. 227
* Not available on all models
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439
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal, then press the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. Keeping your right foot on the br ake pedal, put the transmission into
(D. Select
(R when reversing.
3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal.
u Make sure the parking brake and brake system indicator (red) goes off.
2 Parking Brake P. 551
■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.
Put the transmission into
(D or (S when facing uphill, or (R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
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.
■Starting to Drive
■Stopping the Engine
1Starting 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.
The engine stops when th e transmission is taken out
of
( P before the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed. Follow step 1 when starting to drive.
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
1Hill 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.
1 Stopping the Engine
The power mode will automatically turn to VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) about 20 minu tes after the following
conditions have been met:
•A door has been opened, such as when leaving the
vehicle.
•The transmission is in ( P.•The driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
* Not available on all models
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