light Acura MDX 2017 Manual PDF

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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367Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
u The electric parking brake indicator
comes on for 15 seconds when you press
the electric parking brake switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
u Make sure the transmission is in
(P.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
The engine will crank until it starts.
1 Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate control
system, and rear defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater and transmission clutch
actuator heater will impr ove starting and warming of
the engine. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the batte ry in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 535
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 30 seconds
before trying again.
Brake Pedal
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
376
Driving
■Shift Operation1Shift Operation
NOTICE
When you change (D to (R and visa versa, depress
the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, then
select the intended gear position while maintaining
brake pressure.
Use the gear position indicator and the shift button
indicator to check the gear position before selecting
a shift button.
If the indicator of the curren tly selected gear position,
or all the gear position indicators are blinking
simultaneously, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
When the engine speed is increased while the
transmission is in
( N, (P or (R, the fuel supply may
be cut off even without the engine speed entering
the tachometer’s red zone.
The beeper sounds once when you change to
( R.
Gear Position Indicator
Tachometer’s red zone
Press the (P button.
Pull back the (R button.
Press the
( N button.
Press the
( D button.
Shift Button
Indicator M
(sequential mode)
Indicator
Sequential Mode Gear
Selection Indicator
Press the ( D button twice.
If the gear position in
( D,
press ( D button again.
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381
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■Sequential Mode Operation1Sequential 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 effectiv e emission control.
If the sequential mode gear selection indicator blinks
when you try to shift up or down, this means your
vehicle speed is not in its allowable gear range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indi cator is blinking.
Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 47 mph (76 km/h)
5th to 6th52 mph (84 km/h)
6th to 7th 57 mph (92 km/h)
7th to 8th62 mph (100 km/h)
8th to 9th 67 mph (108 km/h)
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 down) Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)
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Continued385
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop*
Driving
• The brake pedal is released (without the automatic brake hold system activated).
• The accelerator pedal is depressed (with the automatic brake hold system
activated).
2 Automatic Brake Hold P. 432
■The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed*1 when:
• The Auto Idle Stop OFF button is pressed.
• When a steering wheel is operated.
• The gear position is change to
(R or (S, or when it is change from (N to (D.
• The pressure on the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while
stopped on an incline.
• The pressure on the brake pedal is repeat edly applied and released slightly during
a stop.
• The battery charge becomes low.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed.
• The driver’s seat belt is unlatched.
• is ON (indicator on).
• The climate control system is in use, and the difference between the set
temperature and actual interior temperature becomes significant.
• The climate control system is being used to dehumidify the interior.
• The vehicle ahead of you starts again when your vehicle stops automatically with
ACC with LSF.
■The Engine Automatically Restarts When:1 The Engine Automatically Restarts When:
•If you are using an elec tronic device during Auto
Idle Stop, the device may temporarily be turned off
when the engine restarts.
1 The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed*1 when:
*1: With the automatic brake hold system activated,
you can release the brake pe dal during Auto Idle Stop
is in operation.
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390
uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
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 slows to a stop,
decelerates and stops your vehicle, withou t you having to keep your foot on the
brake or the accelerator.
When ACC with LSF slows your vehicle by applying the brakes, your vehicle’s brake
lights will illuminate.
1 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
Important Reminder
As with any system, there are limits to ACC with LSF.
Use the brake pedal whenever necessary, and always
keep a safe distance betw een your vehicle and other
vehicles.
3WARNING
Improper use of ACC wi th LSF can lead to a
crash.
Use ACC with LSF only when driving on
expressways or freeways and in good
weather conditions.
3WARNING
ACC with LSF has limite d braking capability
and may not stop your vehicle in time to
avoid a collision with a vehicle that quickly
stops in front of you.
Always be prepared to apply the brake
pedal if the conditions require.
When to use
■Vehicle speed for ACC with LSF: A vehicle is detected ahead within ACC with
LSF range – ACC with LSF operates at speeds up to 90 mph (145 km/h).
No vehicle is detected within ACC with LSF range – ACC with LSF operates at
the speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or above.
■Gear position for ACC with LSF: In ( D or (S. The radar sensor is in
the front grille.
The camera is
located behind the
rearview mirror.
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uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
394
Driving
■There is no vehicle ahead
Your vehicle maintains the set speed without
having to keep your foot on the brake or
accelerator pedal.
If there previously was a vehicle detected
ahead that kept your vehicle from traveling at
the set speed, ACC with LSF accelerates your
vehicle to the set speed, and then maintains it.
While stationary and no vehicle is detected,
ACC with LSF automatically cancels and a
beeper sounds.
■When you depress the accelerator pedal
You can temporarily increase th e vehicle speed. In this case, there is no audible or
visual alert even if a vehicle is in the ACC with LSF range.
ACC with LSF stays on unless you cancel it. Once you release the accelerator pedal,
the system resumes the set speed.
There are times when the vehicle speed will decrease when the accelerator pedal is
lightly applied.
A vehicle icon with dotted-line
contour appears on the MID.
1 When in Operation
Limitations
You may need to use the brake to maintain a safe
distance when using ACC with LSF. Additionally,
ACC with LSF may not work properly under certain
conditions.
2 ACC with LSF Conditions and Limitations
P. 396
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