Acura MDX 2012 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.
Carrying Cargo434

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (1,150 lbs)
(525 kg)Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg)Cargo Weight
(850 lbs)
(389 kg)
Cargo Weight
(550 lbs)
(253 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(68 kg x 4 = 272 kg) Max Load (1,150 lbs)
(525 kg)
Max Load (1,150 lbs)
(525 kg)Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
(68 kg x 5 = 340 kg)Cargo Weight
(400 lbs)
(185 kg)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
435
Before Driving

Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
●
Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
Also, keep all cargo below the
bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
●
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
●
Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
●
If you fold down the second or
third row seats, tie down items that
could be thrown about the vehicle
during a crash or sudden stop.
●
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility ofcarbon monoxide
poisoning,follow the instructions
on page 61.
●
If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
Carrying Cargo436

Optional Separation Net
The separation net can be used to
hold back soft, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy items
should be tied down, as the net may
not prevent them from being thrown
about the vehicle in a crash or a
sudden stop.
Optional Cargo Cover
The cargo cover can be used to cover
the cargo area behind the third row
seats. When the third row seats are
folded down, the cargo cover can be
extended over the larger area. Do not
install the cover over the larger area
if the third row seats are not folded
down.Cargo Hooks
The four hooks on the side panels
can be used to install a net for
securing items. Each hook is
designed to hold up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
of weight.
Your vehicle also has a grocery hook
on each side panel in the cargo area.
They are designed to hold light
items. Heavy objects may damage
the hook. Make sure any items put
on each hook weigh less than 6.5 lbs
(3 kg).
CARGO
HOOKS
GROCERY HOOKS
Carrying Cargo
437
Before Driving

438

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
......................
440
Preparing to Drive
......................
441
Starting the Engine
.....................
442
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
443
Automatic Transmission
.............
443
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
................................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the D position (D-Paddle
Shift Mode)
.....................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the S position (Sequential
Shift Mode)
.....................
449
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
452
Parking
.......................................
454
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
455
Braking System
..........................
460
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
461
Collision Mitigation Braking
System™(CMBS™)
...............
463Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
473
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
476
Active Damper System
................
484
Towing a Trailer
..........................
487
Trailer Stability Assist
.................
498
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
500
Driving
439
Driving

Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
the ground, it has a high center of
gravity that can cause it to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
●
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
●
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
●
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
●
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof.Your vehicle is equipped with a super
handling-all wheel drive (SH-AWD)
system. When the system senses a
loss of one or more wheel traction, it
automatically transfers some power
to the other wheels. This gives you
better traction and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
braking that you would in a two-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page 500 for off-highway driving
guidelines.
Driving Guidelines440

You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully
closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 149).6. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors (see page
165).
7. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page 134).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate
are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 16).10. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 67, 78 and 87).
Preparing to Drive
441
Driving

Your vehicle's starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START (III)
position, this feature keeps the
engine's starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. Depending on
the outside temperature, the
starter motor runs for about 6 to 9
seconds until the engine starts.
If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position for more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs for about 10 to
25 seconds until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds before trying
again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled. For
more information, see page 138.
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
Starting the Engine442

Check Starting System MessageIf there is a problem with the starting
system, you will see a‘‘CHECK
STARTING SYSTEM’’message on
the multi-information display when
the ignition switch is turned to the
ON (II) position. You will also see
this message when the auto control
mode of the starting system has a
problem.If this message is on, the ignition
switch has to be held in the START
(III) position manually until the
engine starts. The ignition switch can
be held in that position up to 15
seconds.
Even though you may be able to start
the engine manually without the auto
control mode of the starting system,
have your dealer inspect your
vehicle.Shift Lever Position Indicators
These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shift
lever is in.
The‘‘D’’indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
flashes while driving (in any shift
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission.
CONTINUED
Starting the Engine, Automatic Transmission
443
Driving