trailer Acura MDX 2015 User Guide

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315
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a variety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Acura equipment
whenever possible.■
Towing Equipment and Accessories
1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer make r for proper installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and braking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.
Trailer packages and products:•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit•Trailer hitch kit (jumper harness included) 2Trailer brakes P. 316•Automatic transmission cooler kit
2Automatic transmission cooler P. 318
Are available at a dealer.

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
316Driving
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brakes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
1Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.
Electric Brake
(Light Green) (20A)
Ground
(Brown) Brake
(Green)
Stop
(Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:

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317
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local traile r sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer install a Acura wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.
1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connector is located behind the
left side panel in the cargo area.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Acura trailer
lighting harness and converter, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
+B Trailer Charge
+B Trailer Hazard Light +B Trailer Hazard Light +B Trailer Back Light
Back Light +B ELEC Brake
Right Turn Signal
Stop Light
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
+B Trailer Small IG2 HAC
Left Turn Signal

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Hitches
Read the trailer manufacturer’s instructions, and select the appropriate draw bar for
the height of the trailer you will be towing.■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please consult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handling, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer tends to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.■Automatic transmission cooler
Install an additional ATF (automatic transmission fluid) cooler to help prevent the
transmission from overheating, and damaging. You can get the additional ATF
cooler at a dealer.An additional ATF cooler is required to keep the transmission from overheating when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). You can get the additional ATF cooler at a dealer.■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and territories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.4WD models

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uuTowing a Trailer uTrailer 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.
1 Trailer Stability Assist
*
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trai ler 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. 2 Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 320
Trailer towing sway is caused by:•Crosswinds•Improper towbar down load•Excessive Speed
The VSA ® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation.
2 VSA ® Operation P. 362
* Not available on all models

320
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer• Have the trailer properly serviced an d keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2 Towing Load Limits P. 311
•When towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with a pump
octane number of 91 or higher is recommended.
u Towing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or
steep uphill.
• Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D
position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■
Towing Speeds and Gears
■
Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.1Towing Speeds and Gears
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
At higher speeds, the trailer ma y sway or affect
vehicle handling.

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(S
position if the transmission shifts frequently.
If the vehicle tires slip when retrieving a boat from the water, keep the transmission
in
(D
and do not use the sequential shift mode in
(S
. This prevents damage to the
transmission.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.2 Emergency Towing P. 480■
Driving in Hilly Terrain
■
Retrieving a Boat

uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
348Driving
■Automatic cancellation
The beeper sounds and a message appears on the MID when ACC with LSF is
automatically canceled. Any of these conditions may cause the ACC with LSF to
automatically cancel:
• Your vehicle speed slows to about 22 mph (35 km/h) or below when a detected
vehicle goes out of the ACC with LSF range.
• Bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)
• When the radar sensor in the front grille gets dirty.
• The vehicle ahead of you cannot be detected.
• An abnormal tire condition is detected, or the tires are skidding.
• Driving on a mountainous road, or driving off road for extended periods.
• Abrupt steering wheel movement.
• When the ABS, VSA ® or CMBS
TM is activated.
• When the VSA ® indicator comes on.
• When the vehicle is stopped on a very steep slope.
• When you manually apply the parking brake.
• When the detected vehicle within the ACC with LSF range is too close to your
vehicle.
• The driver’s seat belt is unfastened when the vehicle is stationary.
• The vehicle stops for more than 10 minutes.
• The engine is turned off.
• When trailer stability assist is activated.
2 Trailer Stability Assist
* P. 319
The ACC with LSF automatic cancellation can be also triggered by the following
causes.
1Automatic cancellation
Even though ACC with LSF has been automatically
canceled, you can still resume the prior set speed.
Wait until the condition that caused ACC with LSF to
cancel improves, then press the RES/+/SET/– switch
down.
* Not available on all models

353
uuWhen Driving uForward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Driving
FCW may not activate or may not detect a vehicle in front of your vehicle, and may
activate even when you are aware of a vehicle ahead of you, or when there is no
vehicle ahead, under the following conditions.■
FCW Limitations
Condition
●The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you is too short.●A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and it brakes suddenly.●A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.●When either your vehicle or the vehicle ahead of you accelerates rapidly.●The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle, a small vehicle, or a unique vehicle such as a tractor.●When you drive off-road or on a mountain road, or curved and winding road for an extended period that makes it difficult for th e sensor/camera to
properly detect a vehicle in front of you.●When there are pe destrians or animals in front of your vehicle.●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When streetlights are perceived as the taillight of a vehicle in front of yours.●When driving at night, the vehicle ahead of you is running with either taillight bulb burned out.●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.

356
uuWhen Driving uLane Departure Warning (LDW)
*
Driving
LDW may not activate or may not recognize lanes, and may activate even when
keeping in the middle of a lane, under the following conditions.■
LDW Limitations
Condition
●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.●When you drive on a wet road surface following another vehicle.u
The camera may perceive the tire tracks in the water as lane lines.
●When there is snow or wheel tracks on the side of the road.●When the road has many repaired area or an erased lane line.●When the vehicle is running over painted signs or crosswalk markings.●When you drive in a lane with worn-out lane markings.