Acura MDX 2014 Owner's Manual

360
uuWhen DrivinguAgile Handling Assist System
Driving
Agile Handling Assist SystemLightly brakes each of the front and rear wheels, as needed, when you turn the
steering wheel, and helps support the vehicle’s stability and performance during
cornering.
1Agile Handling Assist System
The agile handling assist system cannot enhance
stability in all driving situations. You still need to drive
and corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions
and always leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When the VSA® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, the agile handling assist system does
not activate.
You may hear a sound coming from the engine
compartment while the system is activated. This is
normal.

361
uuWhen DrivinguBlind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
Continued
Driving
Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
Is designed to detect vehicles in specified alert zones adjacent to your vehicle,
particularly in harder to see areas commonly known as “blind spots.”
When the system detects vehicles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes, the
appropriate indicator comes on for a few seconds, providing assistance when you
change lanes.■How the system works
1Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
Important Safety Reminder
Like all assistance systems, BSI has limitations. Over
reliance on BSI may result in a collision.
The system is for your convenience only. Even if an
object is within the alert zone, the following
situations may occur.•The BSI alert indicator may not come on due to
obstruction (splashes, etc.) even without the Blind
Spot Not Available MID appearing.•The BSI alert indicator may come on even with the
message appearing.
The BSI alert indicator may not come on under the
following conditions:•A vehicle does not stay in the alert zone for more
than two seconds.•A vehicle is parked in a side lane.•The speed difference between your vehicle and the
vehicle you are passing is greater than 6 mph (10
km/h).•An object not detected by the radar sensors
approaches or passes your vehicle.
3
WARNING
Failure to visually confirm that it is safe to
change lanes before doing so may result in
a crash and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on the blind spot
information system when changing lanes.
Always look in your mirrors, to either side
of your vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.
●The shift lever is in
(D.
●Your vehicle speed is
between 20 mph (32 km/h)
and 100 mph (160 km/h)
Alert zone range
A: Approx. 1.6 ft. (0.5 m)
B: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m)
C: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m)Radar Sensors:
underneath the
rear bumper
cornersAlert Zone
A
B
C
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguBlind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
362Driving
■When the system detects a vehicle
1Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
*
You can change the setting for BSI.
2Customizable Features P. 107
Turn the system off when towing a trailer.
The system may not work properly for the following
reasons:•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI alert indicators to come on.
BSI may be adversely affected when:•Objects (guard rails, poles, trees, etc,.) are
detected.•An object that does not reflect radio waves well,
such as a motorcycle, is in the alert zone.•Driving on a curved road.•A vehicle is moving from a far lane to the adjacent
lane.•The system picks up external electrical interference.•The rear bumper or the sensors have been improperly
repaired or the rear bumper has been deformed.•The orientation of the sensors has been changed.•In bad weather (Heavy rain, snow, and fog).
For proper BSI use:•Always keep the rear bumper corner area clean.•Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with
labels or stickers of any kind. •Take your vehicle to a dealer if you need the rear
bumper corner area or the radar sensors to be repaired,
or the rear bumper corner area is strongly impacted.
■Comes on when●A vehicle enters the alert zone from behind
to overtake you with a speed difference of
no more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.●You pass a vehicle with a speed difference
of no more than 12 mph (20 km/h). BSI Alert Indicator: Located near the outside
rearview mirror on both sides.■Blinks and the beeper sounds when
You move the turn signal lever in the direction
of the detected vehicle. The beeper sounds
three times.Comes On
Blinks
* Not available on all models

363
uuWhen DrivinguSuper Handling-All Wheel Drive
TM (SH-AWD®)
*
Continued
Driving
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive
TM (SH-AWD®)
*
The system controls and transfers varying amounts of engine torque to each wheel
in accordance with the driving conditions.
SH-AWD® helps to enhance driving stability, and lets you handle situations like
slippery surfaces, such as snow, sand, mud, and steep hills, better than when driving
with two wheel drive. However, the system does not help to enhance braking. Be
precautious about the following:
•It is still your responsibility to drive safely when you steer, accelerate, and apply
brakes.
•Leave a sufficient margin when braking on slippery surfaces.Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are
driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes
significantly low, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on and a message appears on
the MID.
1Super Handling-All Wheel Drive
TM (SH-AWD®)
*
NOTICEAvoid continuously driving in sand or mud where a
wheel is likely to spin out, and do not drive once the
SH-AWD® indicator starts blinking. Driving
continuously under such conditions can damage the
system’s torque distribution unit.
Do not drive through deep water.
The SH-AWD® system may not function properly if
tire type and size are mixed.
Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and
the air pressures as specified.
2Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 4231Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come
on.
2If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 468
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:•Warm weather can become under-inflated in
colder weather.•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
364Driving
To select the tire pressure monitor, set the power
mode to ON, and roll the multi-function
steering-wheel controls until you see the tire
pressure screen.The pressure for each tire is displayed in psi
(U.S.) or kPa (Canada).
Tire Pressures Low is displayed when a tire
has significantly low pressure. The specific tire
is displayed on the screen.
■Tire Pressure Monitor
1Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed on the MID can be slightly
different from the actual pressure as measured by a
gauge. If there is a significant difference between the
two values, or if the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator
and the message on the MID do not go off after you
have inflated the tire to the specified pressure, have
the system checked by a dealer.
Tire Pressure Monitor Problem may appear if you
drive with the compact spare tire, or there is a
problem with the TPMS.

365
uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Continued
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal ExplanationEach tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.

366
uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.

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Continued
Driving
BrakingBrake SystemUse the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.
To apply:
Depress the parking brake pedal down with
your foot.
To release:
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2.Depress the parking brake.■Parking Brake
1Parking BrakeNOTICERelease the parking brake fully before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parking brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and Release
Parking Brake appears on the MID.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.

uuBrakinguBrake System
368Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The 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.2Brake Assist System P. 370
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 369■Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

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.