Towing weight Acura MDX 2011 Owner's Manual

Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 1,150 lbs (525 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
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.
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit －
(1) Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined 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. (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 available
cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs.
(1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
429
Before Driving
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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.
If your vehicle is equipped with the
blind spot information system (BSI),
do not use it when towing a trailer.
For more information see page 476.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 418).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
494 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces. 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 492.
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.
Load Limit
Total Trailer WeightThe maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page 484).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
481
Driving
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Tongue LoadThe weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should be 5 to 15 percent of the total
trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
for all other trailers. (See page 484
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.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo and the
tongue load is 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg).
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) －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.
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) －The maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle and
trailer is 10,053 lbs (4,560 kg) with
the proper hitch. The GCWR must be
reduced 2 percent for every 1,000
feet (305 meters) of elevation. Estimating Loads
The best way to confirm that all 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.
To help ensure a safe 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.
To Estimate the Total Trailer WeightAdd the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manufacturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page 484 to make
sure you do not exceed the limit for
your conditions.
Towing a Trailer48210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
Number of
Occupants
ꭧ
Maximum Total Trailer Weight Maximum Tongue Load
ꭧꭧ
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
3 4,751 lbs (2,155 kg) 470 lbs (213 kg)
4 4,500 lbs (2,041 kg) 370 lbs (168 kg)
5 4,250 lbs (1,928 kg) 276 lbs (125 kg)
6 3,999 lbs (1,814 kg) 150 lbs (68 kg)
7 Towing is Not Recommended
ꭧ
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs
(68 kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the
maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page 481).
ꭧꭧ
Recommended tongue load should be 5－15% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 －15% of the total trailer weight for
all other trailers.
Towing a Trailer48410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Checking Loads
To accurately check your loads at the
public scale, the vehicle and trailer
should be fully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.1. Check the front gross axle weight.Limit: 2,888 lbs (1,310 kg)
2. Check the gross vehicle weight.Limit: 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg)
3. Check the rear gross axle weight. Limit: 3,175 lbs (1,440 kg)
4. If you cannot weigh the rear axle directly, you can calculate the rear
gross axle weight by subtracting
the weight in step 1 from the
weight in step 2.
Limit: 3,064 lbs (1,390 kg)
5. Check the gross combined weight.Limit: 10,053 lbs (4,560 kg)
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2% for every 1,000 feet
(305 meters) of elevation.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
485
Driving
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6. Check the weight of the hitchedtrailer. Write this number down.
7. Check the weight of the unhitchedtrailer. Limit: See page 484.
8. Calculate the tongue load. Subtract the weight in step 6 from the
weight in step 7.
Limit: See page 484.
Recommended: see page 481.
Range: 5-15% for boat trailers 8-15% for other trailers Towing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer offers a trailer package
that includes a hitch, a ball mount,
and a wiring harness.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, federal, province,
and local regulations.
Towing a Trailer48610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

HitchWe strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install a class 3
hitch. Using non-Acura equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
Read the trailer manufacturer's
instructions, and select the
appropriate draw bar for the height of
the trailer you will be towing.Weight Distributing HitchA weight distributing hitch is not
recommended for use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
performance.
Trailer BrakesAcura recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure
they are electronically actuated. Do
not attempt to tap into your vehicle's
hydraulic system. No matter how
successful it may seem, any attempt
to attach trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic system will lower
braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.A 4-pin gray connector is available as
an option at your dealer. This
connector has all of the circuits
required to install most electric
trailer brake controllers. A jumper
harness to adapt your electric trailer
brake controller to the vehicle is
included with the optional Acura
Genuine trailer hitch kit. To obtain a
connector and a trailer hitch kit, see
your dealer.
Have a qualified mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
following the trailer brake controller
manufacturer's instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes for you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
487
Driving
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Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:●
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
●
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
●
All weights and loads are within
limits.
●
The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.
●
All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
●
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inflated.
●
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing a Trailer49010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may be
required. This service is not covered
by your warranties.
If You Get Stuck
If you get stuck, carefully try to go in
the direction (forward or reverse)
that you think will get you unstuck.
Do not spin the tires at high speeds.
It will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
SH-AWD system.
If you are still unable to free yourself,
your vehicle is equipped with front
and rear tow hooks designed for this
purpose.
Use a nylon strap to attach the MDX
to the recovery vehicle and carefully
take out the slack in the strap. Once
the strap is tight, the recovery
vehicle should apply force.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip off the jack and hurt you or
someone else.
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
You may be able to safely tow a
lightweight trailer (such as a
motorcycle or small tent trailer) off-
road if you follow these guidelines:
●
Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45
kg).
●
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
●
Allow extra room for starting,
stopping, and turning.
●
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles.
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
497
Driving
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System(TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
578
Temperature Gauge
.....................
76
Temperature, Inside Sensor
.......
189
Temperature, Outside
..................
80
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
23
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
53
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
305
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
582
Tilt/Telescopic Steering
Wheel
.....................................
133
Timing Belt
................................
520
Tire Chains
................................
540
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
545
Tire Information
.........................
576
Tire Labeling
..............................
576
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
.......................
449, 578
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
........................
70, 449
Tire Pressure Monitor
.......
81, 450
Tires
..........................................
534
Air Pressure
............................
535
Checking Wear
.......................
536 Compact Spare
........................
544
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
574
Inflation
...................................
534
Inspection
...............................
536
Labeling
..................................
576
Maintenance
...........................
538
Pressure Monitoring System
...
449
Replacing
................................
538
Rotating
..................................
538
Snow
.......................................
540
Specifications
..........................
573
Tire Chains
.............................
540
Tools, Tire Changing
.................
545
Towing A Trailer
..................................
481
Emergency Wrecker
...............
566
Equipment and Accessories
....
486
Trailer Loading
.......................
482
Trailer Towing Tips
.................
490
Weight Limit
...........................
481
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
..............................
449
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
578
Trailer Stability Assist
................
492 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level
..............
517
Fluid Selection
........................
517
Identification Number
.............
570
Shifting the Automatic
.............
438
Treadwear
..................................
536
Trip Computer
.............................
83
Trip Meter
...................................
79
Turn Signals
.................................
69
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the
..........................................
543
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
....
574
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
418
USB Flash Memory Device Error Messages
...............................
294
Used Oil, How to Dispose of
......
513
Using the Paddle Shifters in the D position (D-Paddle ShiftMode)
.................................
441
Using the Paddle Shifters in the S
position (Sequential ShiftMode)
.................................
443
CONTINUED
Index
XI
INDEX
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