Acura MDX 2014 Owner's Manual

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
330Driving
■Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen you change the shift lever from
(D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking transmission indicator indicates a
transmission problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer’s red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator

331
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 6th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential shift
mode.■When the shift lever is in
(D:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode momentarily, and the gear position
indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.
■When the shift lever is in
(S:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the M (sequential shift mode)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. If you do not operate the
paddle shifters while in 1st gear, the transmission automatically shifts up to 2nd
gear.
You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.
When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from
(S to
(D. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and gear position
indicator go off.■Sequential Shift Mode

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
332Driving
■Second gear lock mode
If you pull the
(+ paddle shifter while stopped or driving at 6 mph (10 km/h) or less,
the gear position will be locked in 2nd gear. This makes it easier to pull away on
slippery surfaces such as snow covered roads.
To cancel the 2nd gear lock mode, pull the
(- paddle shifter, or move the shift lever
from
(S to
(D.
■Sequential Shift Mode Operation
1Sequential Shift Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.
Recommended Shift Points
Use this table as a guideline for efficient fuel
economy and effective emission control.
The gear position indicator blinks when you cannot
shift up or down. It indicates that your vehicle speed
is not in its allowable gear shifting range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indicator is blinking.Shift Up Normal Acceleration1st to 2nd
15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th
40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 45 mph (72 km/h)
5th to 6th
50 mph (80 km/h)
Paddle Shifter (Shift down)
Downshifting when pulling
the
(- paddle shifter.
(Changes to a lower gear.)Upshifting when pulling
the
(+ paddle shifter.
(Changes to a higher gear.)
(-(+
Paddle Shifter (Shift up)

333
uuWhen DrivinguIntegrated Dynamics System (IDS)
Driving
Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)Modifies the dynamic character of the vehicle. There are three IDS modes to select
from: Comfort, Normal, and Sport.
Press the IDS button to select a mode. The mode you have selected appears on the
MID.
You can customize the IDS mode default setting using the MID.2Customized Features P. 104
Normal
Balanced driving
performance for most
driving situations.
Sport
Enhances vehicle response
feel through decreased
steering assist, heightened
throttle response, increased
SH-AWD
* torque bias, and
modified active sound
control. Comfort
Maximizes driver comfort
through increased steering
assist.
IDS Button
* Not available on all models

334
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Driving
Cruise ControlMaintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
3
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
■Shift positions for cruise control:
In (D or
(S
When to use
Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~How to use
CRUISE MAIN is on in
the instrument panel.Cruise control is ready to
use.
■Press the
CRUISE
button on
the steering wheel.

335
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Continued
Driving
Take your foot off the pedal and press the RES/+/SET/– switch down when you
reach the desired speed.
The moment you release the RES/+/SET/– switch, the set speed is fixed, and cruise
control begins. The CRUISE CONTROL indicator comes on.■To Set the Vehicle Speed
RES/+/SET/− Switch
On when cruise control begins
Press down and release
On

uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
336Driving
Increase or decrease the vehicle speed using the RES/+/SET/– switch on the steering
wheel.
•Each time you press the switch up or down, the vehicle speed is increased or
decreased by about 1 mph or 1 km/h accordingly.
•If you keep the switch pressed up or down, the vehicle speed increases or
decreases until you release it. This speed is then set.
To cancel cruise control, do any of the
following:
•Press the CANCEL button.
•Press the CRUISE button.
•Depress the brake pedal.
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator goes off.■To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
1To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
You can set the vehicle speed pressing the RES/+/
SET/– switch down on the steering wheel when
adjusting the speed with the accelerator and brake
pedals.
■To Cancel
To decrease speedTo increase speed
1To Cancel
Resuming the prior set speed:
After cruise control has been canceled, you can still
resume the prior set speed by pressing the RES/+/
SET/– switch up while driving at a speed of at least
25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
You cannot set or resume in the following situations:•When vehicle speed is less than 25 mph (40 km/h)•When the CRUISE button is turned off
At vehicle speeds of 22 mph (35 km/h) or less, cruise
control is canceled automatically.
CRUISE ButtonCANCEL Button

337
uuWhen DrivinguAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
Continued
Driving
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
Helps maintain a constant vehicle speed and a set following distance behind a
vehicle detected ahead of yours and, if the detected vehicle comes to a stop,
decelerates and stops your vehicle, without you having to keep your foot on the
brake or the accelerator.
1Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
Important Safety ReminderAs with any system, there are limits to ACC with LSF.
Inappropriate use of ACC with LSF can result in a serious
accident. Use the brake pedal whenever necessary, and always
keep a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles.The radar sensor for ACC with LSF is shared with the
collision mitigation braking system
TM (CMBS
TM).
2Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM
(CMBS
TM)* P. 3713
WARNING
Improper use of ACC with LSF can lead
to a crash.
Use ACC with LSF only when driving on
expressways or freeways and in good
weather conditions.
3
WARNING
Exiting a vehicle that has been stopped
while the ACC with LSF system is
operating can result in the vehicle
moving without operator control.
A vehicle that moves without operator
control can cause a crash, resulting in
serious injury or death.
■Vehicle speed for ACC with LSF: A vehicle is
detected ahead within ACC with LSF range –
ACC with LSF operates at any vehicle speed.
No vehicle is detected within ACC with LSF
range – ACC with LSF operates at the speed of
25 mph (40km/h) or above.■Shift positions for ACC with LSF: In
(D or
(S.The radar sensor is in the front grille.
■Press the MAIN button on
the steering wheel.ACC (green) is on in the
instrument panel.
ACC with LSF is ready to
use. When to use
How to use* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
338Driving
When driving at 25 mph (40 km/h) or above: Take your foot off the pedal and
press down the RES/+/SET/– switch when you reach the desired speed. The moment
you release the switch, the set speed is fixed, and ACC with LSF begins.
When driving at slower than 25 mph (40 km/h): You can set the vehicle speed
only when there is a vehicle detected ahead of you. If the vehicle is moving and the
brake pedal is not depressed, pressing the switch fixes the set speed to 25 mph (40
km/h) regardless of current vehicle speed. If the vehicle is stationary, you can set the
vehicle speed even with the brake pedal depressed.
When ACC with LSF starts operating, the
vehicle icon, distance bars and set speed
appear on the MID. ■To Set the Vehicle Speed
1Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
When the MAIN button is pressed, ACC with LSF and
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) are both turned on
or off.
Do not use ACC with LSF under these conditions:•In poor visibility (e.g., bad weather, such as rain,
fog, and snow).•When you must slow down and speed up
repeatedly.•On winding roads.•When you enter a toll gate, interchange, service
area, parking area, etc. In these areas, there is no
vehicle ahead of you, but ACC with LSF would still
try to accelerate to your set speed.•On a slippery road (for example a road covered
with ice or snow).•When a spare tire
* is installed.
•When going down a steep hill where the engine
braking does not work sufficiently.
When not using ACC with LSF: Turn off adaptive
cruise by pressing the MAIN button. This also will
turn off the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).
1To Set the Vehicle Speed
You can switch the displayed set speed
measurements on the MID between mph and km/h.
2Customizable Features P. 107
On when ACC
with LSF begins
Press down and release
RES/+/SET/− Switch
Set Vehicle Speed Set Vehicle Distance
* Not available on all models

Continued
339
uuWhen DrivinguAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
Driving
■There is a vehicle ahead
ACC with LSF monitors if a vehicle ahead of you enters the ACC with LSF range. If it
does, the ACC with LSF system maintains or decelerates your vehicle’s set speed in
order to keep the vehicle’s set following distance from the vehicle ahead.2To Set or Change Following Distance P. 342
When a vehicle whose speed is slower than
your set speed comes in front of you, your
vehicle starts to slow down.
■When in Operation
1When in Operation
If the vehicle ahead of you slows down abruptly, or if
another vehicle cuts in front of you, the beeper
sounds and a message appears on the multi-
information display to alert you.
Depress the brake pedal, and keep an appropriate
distance from the vehicle ahead.
Even if the distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead is short, ACC with LSF may start
accelerating your vehicle under the following
circumstances:•The vehicle ahead of you is going at almost the
same speed as, or faster than, your vehicle.•A vehicle that cuts in front of you is going faster
than your vehicle, gradually increasing the distance
between the vehicles.
If you do not want to hear a beep when the system
detects a vehicle, or when the vehicle goes out of the
ACC with LSF range, you can change the pre-running
detect car beep setting.
2Customizable Features P. 107
Beep
ACC with LSF Range: 394 ft. (120 m)
A vehicle icon appears on the MID