trailer Acura MDX 2007 Owner's Manual

2007 Acura MDX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .3
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .61
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .167
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................315
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .329
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................373
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................417
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
............................................ .443
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canad a)................................................................459
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................463
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have
turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
Ifitcomesonandstaysonatany
other
time, or it does not come on
wh en you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
Take your vehicle to a dealer to have
it checked. Without VSA, your
vehicle still has normal driving ability,
but will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. For more
info rmation, see page .
This indicator may also come on if
there is a problem with the trailer
stability assist function (see page
). This
indicator has four functions.
It flashes when trailer stability
assist is activating (see page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM’’ message and a
‘‘CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST’’ message on the multi-
info rmation display (see page ).
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
For more information, see
page .
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicator does not
blink or blinks rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page ). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signals blink. All
turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash.
1.
2.
3.
4.
81
351
367 351
81351
398
367
Instrument Panel Indicators
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
perf ormance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
316
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µ·
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
Locate
the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,158
lbs ’’ on your vehicle’s placard. The
placard is driver’s doorjamb.
To
determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
The
maximum load for your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg). This figure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
1,158 lbs. The
resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capaci ty.
For example, the maximum load is
1,158 lbs and there will be five 150
lbs passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo is 408 lbs.
[1,158 750 (5 150) = 408 lbs.]
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories
cargo must not exceed the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR).
Bothareonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Determine
the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
we ight may not safe ly exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
356
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
325
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.
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the super handling-all wheel
drive (SH-AWD) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, active
damper system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-high way.........................
Driving Guidelines .330
........................
Preparing to Drive .330
.......................
Starting the Engine .332
Check Starting System .................................
Message .332
..............
Automatic Transmission . 333
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive ...................
(SH-AWD) System . 340
...........................................
Parking .342
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .343
.............................
Braking System .348
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 349
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .351
................
Active Damper System . 353
...........................
Towing a Trailer .355
..................
Trailer Stability Assist . 367
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 369
Driving
Driving
329
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µIf you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third, f ourth, and f if th gears
in stop-and-go driving.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD or
D, you can get the transmission to
automatically downshif t by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shif t down one,
two, or three gears, depending on
your speed. This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch. Set the parking brake.
1.
2.
3
3
3
Engine Speed Limiter Shift Lock Release
Drive (D )
Automatic Transmission
3
338
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VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turn ed it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malfunction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This
switch is under the driver’s side
vent. To turn the VSA system on and
off, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
With the VSA off, the trailer stability
assist function is also turned off (see
page ).
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.413
367 VSA and Tire Sizes
VSA Of f Switch
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
352
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If you see this warning indicator and
message, have your vehicle checked
at your dealer as soon as possible.
In this case, your vehicle still has the
norm al damper function, but it will
not have the active damper function. Your
vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you carefully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
trailer stability assist to help stabilize
the vehicle/trailer combination by
reducing the vehicle speed. For
more information, see page .
Be
sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces. 369
367
A ctive Damper System, Towing a Trailer
Towing a Trailer
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Driving
355
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
beforestartingtodrive.
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µ
µ
µ
The
weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentofthetotal
trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
for all other trailers. (See page
for limits for your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable and
cause it to sway.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,888 lbs (1,310 kg) on the front axle,
and 3,175 lbs (1,440 kg) on the rear
axle. The
maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo
and the tongue load is 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg).
The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
inyourvehicleandthetypeoftrailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and driven. The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 10,053 lbs
(4,560 kg) with the proper hitch. The
GCWR must be reduced 2 percent
f or every 1,000 f eet (305 meters) of
elevation.
358
358
Towing a Trailer
Tongue Load
T ot al T railer Weight
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Load Limit
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
356
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Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the fully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again from the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table.
Add
the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manufacturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions. To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next. Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg) Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan1½
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed. If the
dif f erence is:
13/32’’
11/16’’
31/32’’11/4’’
If the
dif f erence is:
1/2’’
27/32’’
1 5/32’’ 11/2’’
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
358
U.S. Sport Packages and Canadian Elite models
MDX and Technology Packages models
Towing a Trailer
To Estimate the Tongue Load
To Estimate the Total Trailer WeightEstimating Loads
Driving
357
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