Acura MDX 2012 Owner's Manual

As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Active Damper SystemIf equippedThe active damper system is always
on, constantly adjusting your
vehicle's dampers to the best settings
for current road conditions along
with vehicle speed and handling
inputs.The system uses electrically
controlled dampers to enhance
handling precision, vehicle
composure, tire to road adhesion and
rough road ride comfort isolation.
The system reacts to inputs from
various electronic sensors to give
exactly the right amount of
suspension damping to provide
optimal ride comfort and handling.
Blind Spot Information System (BSI), Active Damper System484

The system provides two selectable
modes.
Sport mode: The system prioritizes
handling response, vehicle body
control and tire-to-road adhesion to
allow for higher performance
handling.
Comfort mode: The system
prioritizes road isolation to allow for a
more comfortable ride.
Either mode can be used in any type
of operating conditions, but the mode
may change temporarily to suit a
change in road surface.
To switch between comfort and sport
mode, press and release the active
damper system button located on the
center console to choose the desired
mode.
When comfort mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button comes
on, and the message‘‘COMFORT’’
will appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
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Active Damper System
485
Driving

When sport mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button goes
off, and the message‘‘SPORT’’will
appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
Active Damper System
Indicator
If there is a problem with the active
damper system, the active damper
system shuts down and the active
damper system indicator on the
instrument panel comes on.
You will also see the‘‘CHECK ADS
SYSTEM’’message appear on the
multi-information display.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
normal damper function, but it will
not have the active damper function.
Active Damper System486

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 482.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 422).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelinessection on page
500 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 498.
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 490).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
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Towing a Trailer
487
Driving

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 490
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 490 to make
sure you do not exceed the limit for
your conditions.
Towing a Trailer488

To Estimate the Tongue Load1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure and record the distance
from 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 1ᨨ
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
489
Driving

Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
Number of
Occupants
ᤳ
Maximum Total Trailer Weight Maximum Tongue Load
ᤳᤳ
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
34,751 lbs (2,155 kg) 470 lbs (213 kg)
44,500 lbs (2,041 kg) 370 lbs (168 kg)
54,250 lbs (1,928 kg) 276 lbs (125 kg)
63,999 lbs (1,814 kg) 150 lbs (68 kg)
7 Towing is Not Recommended
ᤳ
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 487).
ᤳᤳ
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 Trailer490

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
491
Driving

6. Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
7. Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page 490.
8. Calculate the tongue load. Subtract
the weight in step 6 from the
weight in step 7.
Limit: See page 490.
Recommended: see page 487.
Range: 5-15% for boat trailers
8-15% for other trailersTowing 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 Trailer492

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
493
Driving