wheel Acura MDX 2012 Workshop Manual

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
●
Turn off the lights.
●
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.
●
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
●
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●
If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
●
If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
●
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.
●
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking454

If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
information display shows a‘‘CHECK
TPMS SYSTEM’’message, the VSA
system automatically turns on even
when the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF button
(see page 474). If this happens, you
cannot turn the VSA system off by
pressing the VSA OFF button again.
When you restart the vehicle with
the compact spare tire, the TPMS
system message will also be
displayed on the multi-information
display after several miles
(kilometers) driving.Changing a Tire with TPMS
If you have a flat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS and tire monitor
indicators will come on. Replace the
indicated flat tire with the compact
spare tire (see page 551).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. After several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to flash, then stays on again.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’message on the multi-
information display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
spare tire pressure to be sure it is
correct.This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-information
display will go off, after several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified
regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor. You must use
TPMS specific wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualified technician.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a flat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Have the flat tire repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
459
Driving

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.
Braking System
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, fuel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, confusing
drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
effectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your foot
off the accelerator and downshifting
to a lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Braking System460

Braking System Design
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Brake Wear Indicators
All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal for
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the wheels from
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal.Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
referred to as‘‘stomp and steer.’’You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may feel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
CONTINUED
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
461
Driving

ABS Indicator
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 88).
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page 564.If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page 564. If the brakes feel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.It only helps with steering
control during braking.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly,such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stopon loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)462

Because of the road condition
(curved, winding, etc.) or the state of
your vehicle (turning angle, lane
position, etc.), CMBS can sometimes
mistake a stationary object (light
pole, traffic sign, guard rail, etc.) as a
vehicle ahead of you and temporarily
operate. This is normal.Important Safety Reminder
The main purpose of the CMBS is to
reduce the severity of injuries caused
by an unavoidable collision. While
the CMBS may help to alert you and
minimize the severity of a collision, it
may not activate in every dangerous
situation.
Even with the CMBS, it is still your
responsibility to operate the brake
pedal and steering wheel
appropriately, according to the
driving conditions.
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.
YOUR VEHICLE
SIGN, POLE, etc.
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™)472

VSA and Tire Sizes
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 545).
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.Hill Start Assist
Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist feature to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling on steep
inclines as you move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator.
This feature starts operating a few
seconds after you are in any drive
gear position (when faced uphill) or
in reverse (when faced downhill).
This feature requires that the vehicle
has come to a complete stop before it
can work.
Hill start assist may not hold a
heavily loaded vehicle, such as when
your vehicle is connected to a trailer,
or prevent your vehicle from rolling
downhill on a very steep or slippery
slope.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
475
Driving

Use this illustration to identify each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
Safety ChainsAlways use safety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it becomes
unhitched. Leave enough slack to
allow the trailer to turn corners
easily, but do not let the chains drag
on the ground.Sway ControlThis device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.Trailer MirrorsMany states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don't, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
Spare TiresWhen towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a full-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page 545 for proper
tire size, page 551 for how to store a
full size wheel and tire, and page 551
for information on changing a flat
tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
before changing a flat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer's spare
tire.
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE) ELECTRIC BRAKE
(YELLOW)
GROUND
(BLACK)STOP
(LIGHT GREEN)
Towing a Trailer494

Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
of the steering
wheel, then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left.
Turn the wheel to the right to move
the trailer to the right.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires.
Retrieving a BoatIf the vehicle tires slip when
retrieving a boat from the water,
keep the transmission in the D
position and do not use the
sequential sport shift mode. This
prevents the transmission damage.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page 572.Trailer Stability Assist
Your vehicle is equipped with trailer
stability assist function. This function
works on the same sensors as the
vehicle stability assist (VSA) system.
This function helps to stabilize the
vehicle/trailer combination when the
trailer severely sways or oscillates.
For more information on the VSA
system, see page 473.
If the function detects vehicle/trailer
instability, it checks if the swaying is
caused by the trailer, and if the
trailer swaying or oscillation is
increasing.
The vehicle/trailer combination is
more affected by crosswinds,
buffeting, and improper tongue load.
These conditions can make the
trailer unstable, and cause it to sway.
Towing a Trailer, Trailer Stability Assist498

In this case, your vehicle still has the
VSA traction and stability
enhancement, but it will not have the
trailer stability assist function.
If there is a problem with the VSA
system, the system and trailer
stability assist shuts off. The VSA
system indicator also come on (see
page 473).
The ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator may also come on
along with the VSA system indicator.
If you see these warning indicators,
have your vehicle checked at your
dealer as soon as possible.If you turn off the VSA, the trailer
stability assist function also shuts off.
Press and hold the VSA off button
until you hear a beep (see page 474).
The VSA off indicator comes on as a
reminder. Press and hold the switch
again to turn the system on.
The function turns on every time you
start the engine along with the VSA,
even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information
Your vehicle has been designed
primarily for use on pavement. But
its higher ground clearance and
super handling-all wheel drive
(SH-AWD) system allow you to
occasionally travel on unpaved roads,
to campgrounds, picnic sites, and
similar locations. It is not designed
for trailblazing, mountain climbing,
or other challenging off-road
activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved
roads, you will find that it requires
somewhat different driving skills.
Your vehicle will also handle
somewhat differently than it does on
pavement. Be sure to pay extra
attention to the precautions and tips
in this section, and get acquainted
with your vehicle before leaving the
pavement.Trailer Stability Assist, Off-Highway Driving Guidelines500