stop start Acura MDX 2014 Owner's Guide

303
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 304
Maximum Load Limit........................ 307
Towing a Trailer................................ 309
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines..... 320
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 322
Precautions While Driving................. 327
Automatic Transmission ................... 328
Shifting ............................................ 329
Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)..... 333
Cruise Control ................................. 334
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low
Speed Follow (LSF)
*......................... 337Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*.. 346
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
*..... 350
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*.. 353
VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 358Agile Handling Assist System............ 360
Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*... 361
Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SH-
AWD®)
*......................................... 363
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ... 363Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 365
Braking
Brake System ................................... 367Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 369
Brake Assist System ......................... 370
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBS
TM)*..................................... 371
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 377
Parking Sensor System
*................... 378
Multi-View Rear Camera*................ 382
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 383
How to Refuel ................................. 384
Fuel Economy.................................... 385
Accessories and Modifications........ 386
* Not available on all models

321
uuOff-Highway Driving GuidelinesuAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble•Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been completed. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, and check the tire pressures.
•Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
•Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
•Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
•Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all conditions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
•Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large puddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
•If You Get Stuck, carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.

322Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in
(P.
3.Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
The engine will crank until it starts.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate control
system, and rear defogger in order to reduce battery drain.If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the battery in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 458
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
Brake Pedal

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323
uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
Driving
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1.Shift to
(P.
2.Press the ENGINE START/STOP button with your foot on the brake pedal.
■Stopping the Engine
1Starting the Engine
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly coded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled.
2Immobilizer System P. 135

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325
uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
Driving
■To stop the engine
Press and hold the button
for one second.
Go within the range,
and try again.
Amber LED: Blinks when any
button is pressed.Red LED:
●Comes on for one second to let you
know that the engine has stopped.●Blinks when the remote is out of
the keyless access system range.
The engine will not stop.
1Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback
*
•The engine oil pressure is low.•The engine coolant temperature is extremely high.•The telematics unit malfunctions.•The security system alarm is not set.
Before starting the engine, make sure to check the
door lock status using the remote. When you press
the button, wait for the green LED to blink. If
the red LED turns on, the doors and tailgate did not
lock, and the engine does not start.
While the engine is running, the vehicle will
automatically precondition inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:•The air conditioning is activated in recirculation
mode.•The seat ventilation is activated
*.
When it is cold outside:
•The defroster is activated at a moderately warm
temperature.•The rear defogger and door mirror heaters are
activated.•The seat and heated steering wheel are activated
*.
2Heated Steering Wheel
* P. 181
2Front Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
* P. 182, 183
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
326Driving
1.Depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button
simultaneously.
2.Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2Parking Brake P. 367
3.Put the shift lever in
(D. Select
(R when reversing.
4.Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Move the shift lever to
(D or
(S when facing uphill, or
(R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive
1Starting to Drive
The engine stops when the shift lever is moved out of (P before the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.When the engine was started using the two-way keyless
access remote
*
When the engine was started using the two-way keyless access remote
*
When the engine was started in any case
1Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
340Driving
■There is no vehicle ahead
When driving at 22 mph (35 km/h) or above:
Your vehicle maintains the set speed without
having to keep your foot on the brake or
accelerator pedal.
If there previously was a vehicle detected
ahead that kept your vehicle from travelling at
the set speed, ACC with LSF accelerates your
vehicle to the set speed, and then maintains it.
When driving under 22 mph (35 km/h) and no
vehicle is detected ahead: ACC with LSF
automatically cancels. The beeper sounds once.
■When you depress the accelerator pedal
You can temporarily increase the vehicle speed. In this case, there is no audible or
visual alert even if a vehicle is in the ACC with LSF range.
ACC with LSF stays on unless you cancel it. Once you release the accelerator pedal,
the system resumes the set speed.■A vehicle ahead is within ACC range and stops
Your vehicle also stops, automatically. The
Stopped message appears on the multi-
information display.
When the vehicle ahead of you starts again,
the vehicle icon on the MID blinks. If you press
the RES/+/SET/– switch up or down, or
depress the accelerator pedal, ACC with LSF
operates again within the prior set speed.A vehicle icon with dotted-line
contour appears on the MID
1When in Operation
Limitations
Use the brake pedal to maintain a safe distance with
other vehicles in the following cases. ACC with LSF
may not work properly when:•A vehicle ahead of you is parked when your vehicle
is moving.•Motorcycles or other small vehicles are ahead of
you.•A vehicle cuts in front of you at a short distance.
ACC with LSF may momentarily apply brakes or
sound a beep if there is a vehicle, or even a building,
next to you if:•You make a sudden turn or drive on a narrow road.•You abruptly move the steering wheel.•You are in an unusual position within your lane.
When your vehicle stops automatically because a
vehicle detected ahead of you has stopped, the
distance between the two vehicles will vary based on
the ACC with LSF distance setting, as follows:
Short: 11.5 ft (3.5 m)
Middle: 14.1 ft (4.3 m)
Long, Extra Long: 16.4 ft (5.0 m)
2To Set or Change Following Distance P. 342

Continued
355
uuWhen DrivinguLane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
*
Driving
3.Keep your vehicle near the center of the
lane while driving.
uThe dotted outer lines change to solid
ones once the system starts operating
after detecting the left and right lane
markings.
To cancel the LKAS:
Press the MAIN or LKAS button.
The LKAS is turned off every time you stop the
engine, even if you turned it on the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■To cancel
1When the System can be Used
The LKAS temporarily deactivates when it fails to
detect lane lines. When the system detects the lines
again, it comes back on automatically.1To cancel
Pressing the MAIN button also turns ACC with LSF
on and off.
MAIN ButtonLKAS Button

359
uuWhen DrivinguVSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA® OFF)
button until you hear a beep.
VSA® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA® On and Off
1VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Without VSA®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA® system is off, trailer stability assist is
also off.
2Trailer Stability Assist
* P. 317
When the VSA® system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only attempt to free
your vehicle with the VSA® off if you are not able to
free it when the VSA® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA® and traction control
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on or
blinks, the VSA® system turns on automatically. In
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing
the button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA® OFF Indicator
* Not available on all models

369
uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
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 you.
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.”■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. 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.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.■ABS
1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.