steering Acura MDX 2014 Workshop Manual

uuBluetooth® HandsFreeLink®uHFL Menus
292Features
■To make a call using a speed dial entry
1.Press the PHONE button.
2.Press the MENU button.
3.Rotate to select Speed Dial, then press
.
4.Rotate to select a number, then press
.
uDialing starts automatically.
1.Press the button.
2.Shift the left selector wheel left to select
Speed Dial.
3.Roll the left selector wheel to select a
number.
4.Push the left selector wheel or the
button.
uDialing starts automatically.
1To make a call using a speed dial entry
Move to select More Speed Dials to view another
paired phone’s speed dial list. You can make a call
from that list using the currently connected phone.
When a voice tag is stored, press the button to
call the number using the voice tag.
2Speed Dial P. 285
Any voice-tagged speed dial entry, phonebook name
or number can be dialed by voice from any screen.
Press the button and follow the prompts.
The speed dial displays the 20 speed dial entries.Steering switches
111AAA#### Mr.AAA
Mr.BBBOn MID
Steering switches

Continued
305
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Store or secure all items on board properly.
uCarrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 307
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
uThey can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
•Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
uAn object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
•If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
uThey may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
•Securely close and lock all doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 124
•Adjust your seating position properly.
uAdjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 161
2Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 164
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
uAdjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 157
2Adjusting the Mirrors P. 158
■Interior Checks
1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area or tow a trailer, have
the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified
technician.

311
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■To estimate the tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by measuring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1.Park the vehicle on level ground.
2.Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3.Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4.Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5.Subtract the second measurement from the first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.If the difference is
4WD models
2WD models
1 inches (2.5 cm)
150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm)
250 lbs (114 kg)
2 inches (5.1 cm)
350 lbs (159 kg)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm)
450 lbs (205 kg)
—
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)
500 lbs (227 kg)
—

317
uuTowing a TraileruTrailer Stability Assist
*
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
*
Helps to stabilize the vehicle and trailer when the trailer severely sways.■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscillation is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the brakes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights come on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1Trailer Stability Assist
*
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep the trailer from swaying.
When swayed too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may loose control of your
vehicle, causing the trailer to roll over or get
damaged.
2Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 318
Trailer towing sway is caused by:•Crosswinds•Improper towbar down load•Excessive Speed
The VSA® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation.
2VSA® Operation P. 358
* Not available on all models

Continued
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

327
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingUtility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
•Take corners at slower speeds than you would with a passenger vehicle.
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
•Do not modify your vehicle in any way that you would raise the center of gravity.
•Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle■In Rain■Other Precautions
1Precautions While DrivingNOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.NOTICEIf you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on
the full left or right position for a while, the system
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode,
and limits its performance. The steering wheel
becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the
system cools down, the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.

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

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.

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