towing Acura MDX 2011 Owner's Manual

Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two functions:
1. If it comes on while driving, it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low
on pressure.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 87).
Check the tire pressure monitor on
the multi-information display and
determine the cause (see page 450). If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
information display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinflated, call a professional
towing service. For more
information, see page 566.
2. If this indicator begins to flash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM ’’
message on the multi-information
display. The indicator continues to
flash for a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more information, see page
452.
A/T Temperature
Indicator
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission fluid. It should come on
for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is safe, shift
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 87).
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
Instrument Panel Indicators7010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

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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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information 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 (If
equipped), the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), the
collision mitigation braking system ™
(CMBS ™), the blind spot information
system (BSI) and facts you need if
you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive off-high way. Driving Guidelines
......................
434
Preparing to Drive
......................
435
Starting the Engine
.....................
436
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
437
Automatic Transmission
.............
437
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
441
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the D position (D-PaddleShift Mode)
.....................
441
Using the Paddle Shifters in the S position (Sequential
Shift Mode)
.....................
443
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive ™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
446
Parking
.......................................
448
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...................................
449
Braking System
..........................
454
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
455
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
457Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
467
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
470
Active Damper System
................
478
Towing a Trailer
..........................
481
Trailer Stability Assist
.................
492
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
494
Driving
433
Driving
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Important Precautions
Like all assistance systems, BSI has
limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may
result in a collision. Always look in
your mirrors, to either side of your
vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.The system should be turned off
when towing a trailer. Due to the
added mass and resulting changes in
radar coverage, the system cannot
operate as intended, and detection of
the trailer itself by the radar sensors
may cause the BSI alert indicators to
illuminate.Limitations
The BSI alert indicators may not
illuminate under the following
circumstances:
●
The speed difference between
your vehicle and a vehicle
approaching from behind is
greater than 31 mph (50 km/h).
●
A vehicle is parked in a side lane.
●
The speed difference between
your vehicle and the vehicle you
are passing is greater than 6 mph
(10 km/h).
●
An object not detected by the
radar sensors approaches or
passes your vehicle.
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)47410/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

BSI may be adversely affected under
the following circumstances:●
When objects such as guard rails,
poles, trees, etc., are detected.
●
When an object that doesn't reflect
radio waves well, such as a
motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
●
A vehicle is behind or approaching
your vehicle while on a curved
road.
●
When towing a trailer.
●
A vehicle is moving from a far lane
to the adjacent lane.
●
The system picks up external
electrical interference.
●
The rear bumper has been
deformed, or improperly repaired.
●
The orientation of the sensors has
been changed.
●
Bad weather conditions, such as
heavy rain, snow and fog.The system is for your convenience.
Even if an object is within the alert
zone, the system may not detect it,
depending on its shape.
Always look in your mirrors, to either
side of your vehicle, and behind you
for other vehicles before changing
lanes.EXAMPLES
MOTORCYCLEGUARD RAIL
POLE or TREE
● : BSI Alert indicator is on
○ : BSI Alert indicator is off
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
475
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

To Estimate the Tongue Load1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure and record the distancefrom the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4. Measure again from the ground to the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
5. Subtract the second measurement from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table.
On models without Active Damper
System
If the
difference is: Estimated
tongue load is:
13/32 ’’
11/16 ’’
31/32 ’’
1 1/4 ’’ 150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
On models with Active Damper System
If the
difference is: Estimated
tongue load is:
1/2 ’’
27/32 ’’
1 5/32 ’’
1 1/2 ’’ 150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If the difference is more than 1 ꀨ
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
483
Driving
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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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