Ecom Acura MDX 2017 Owner's Guide

354
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
• Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
• Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Each occupant has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessori es reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 560
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupants4WD models with ATF cooler4WD models
without ATF cooler2WD models
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
34,750 lbs (2,155 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
44,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
54,250 lbs (1,928 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)
64,000 lbs (1,814 kg)2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
7Towing not recommended
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355
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5 – 15% of the total trailer
weight
Other trailers: 10 – 15% of total trailer weight
To n gue LoadTongue Load
Number of
occupants4WD models with or without ATF cooler2WD models
2500 lbs (227 kg)350 lbs (159 kg)
3475 lbs (215 kg)325 lbs (147 kg)
4380 lbs (172 kg)300 lbs (136 kg)
5290 lbs (132 kg)260 lbs (118 kg)
6165 lbs (75 kg)140 lbs (63 kg)
7Towing not recommended
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356
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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 meas uring 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 th e 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 is4WD models2WD 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)—
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
358
Driving
Towing generally requires a variety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recomme nd that you purchase Acura equipment
whenever possible.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1 Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your trai ler maker for prope r installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and br aking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit
•Trailer hitch kit (jum per harness included)
2 Trailer brakes P. 359
Are available at a dealer.
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Continued359
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■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 bra kes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure th ey are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your ve hicle’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 left
side instrument panel.
Electric Brake
(Light Green) (20A)
Ground
(Brown) Brake
(Green)
Stop
(Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
360
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer instal l a Acura wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.
■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.
1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or 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 converte r, 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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362
uuTowing a Trailer uTrailer Stability Assist
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
Helps to stabilize the vehicle and tra iler when the trailer severely sways.
■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstab le while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscill ation is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the brak es 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 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 lose control of your vehicle,
causing the trailer to roll over or get damaged. 2 Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 363
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. 418
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363
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly servic ed and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 354
•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 tra iler 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 traile r tires, including the spare.
• Turn off Auto Idle Stop sy stem using Auto Idle Stop OFF button. The trailer
weight can affect your vehicle’s brake effectiveness if Auto Idle Stop is activated
on a hill while towing a trailer.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits fo r vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
Models with Auto Idle Stop
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 trai ler may sway or affect
vehicle handling.
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365
Driving
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information
Your vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement, however, its higher
ground clearance allows you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads. It is not
designed for trail-blazing, or othe r challenging off-road activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved roads, you will find that it requires somewhat
different driving skills and that your vehicl e will handle somewhat differently than it
does on pavement. Pay attention to the precau tions and tips in this section, and get
acquainted with your vehicle before leaving the pavement.
Important Safety Precautions
To avoid loss of control or rollover, be sure to follow all precautions and
recommendations:
• Be sure to store cargo properly and do not exceed your cargo load limits.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 351
•Whenever you drive, make su re you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
• Keep your speed low, and never go faster than the conditions allow.
• It’s up to you to continually assess the situation and drive within the limits.
1Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Failure to operate your vehi cle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information P. 30
2 Precautions While Driving P. 372
Spinning the tires can al so damage the SH-AWD ®
system.
3WARNING
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off
pavement can cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers could be
seriously injured or killed.
• Follow all instructions and guidelines in
this owner’s manual.
• Keep your speed low, and don’t drive
faster than conditions permit.
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372
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility 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 yo u 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.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of cargo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause elec trical 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
1 Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not change the gear position while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in
the full left or right position for a while, the system
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode,
and limits its performa nce. 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 pow er assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not change the gear position to
( 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.
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