lights Acura MDX 2020 Workshop Manual

446
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on th e windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheel s, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressure, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 602
•Make sure there are no people or ob jects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert the key if the water
freezes in the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you’ve parked y our vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has
performed maintenance on your vehicle.
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Continued447
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, sto pping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 449
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They 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.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can in terfere 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.
u They may interfere with driv ing and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock al l doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 151
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 191
2 Adjusting the Front and Second Row Outer Head Restraint Positions P. 198
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 187
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 188
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. Howeve r, 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.
Your vehicle is equipped with the automatic
headlight adjusting system that automatically adjusts
the vertical angle of the low beam headlights.
Models with automatic headlight adjusting system
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Continued457
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 trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer inst all 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 cons ult 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 H
AC
Left Turn Signal
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459
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 unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscilla tion is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the br akes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights co me 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. 460
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. 518
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460
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly serviced 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. 452
•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 traile r tires, including the spare.
• Turn off the Auto Idle Stop syst em using the Auto Idle Stop OFF button. The
trailer weight can affect your vehicle’s br ake effectiveness if Auto Idle Stop is
activated on a hill while towing a trailer.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for 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.
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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464
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking 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.
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 altit udes 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 de fogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. Cons ult a dealer for details.
If exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can smell
exhaust gas inside the vehi cle, 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. 650
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Electric Parking Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
ENGINE START
STOP
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489
uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
Continued
Driving
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed
Follow
Helps maintain a constant vehicle speed a nd a set following-interval behind a vehicle
detected ahead of yours and, if the detect ed vehicle comes to a stop, can decelerate
and stop your ve hicle, without yo u having to keep your foot on the brake or the
accelerator.
When ACC with Low Speed Follow slows your vehicle by applying the brakes, your
vehicle’s brake lights will illuminate.
1 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
Important Reminder
As with any system, there are limits to ACC with Low
Speed Follow. Use the brake pedal whenever
necessary, and always keep a safe interval between
your vehicle and other vehicles.
Be careful not to severely impact the radar sensor
cover.
3WARNING
Improper use of ACC with Low Speed
Follow can lead to a crash.
Use ACC with Low Spee d Follow only when
driving on expressways or freeways and in
good weather conditions.
3WARNING
ACC with Low Speed Follow has limited
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 wi th Low Speed Follow: A vehicle is detected ahead
within ACC with Low Speed Follow range – ACC with Low Speed Follow
operates at speeds up to 90 mph (145 km/h).
No vehicle is detected within ACC with Low Speed Follow range – ACC with
Low Speed Follow operates at the speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or above.
■Gear position for ACC wi th Low Speed Follow: In (D or (S.
The radar sensor is
behind the emblem.
The camera is
located behind the
rearview mirror.
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Continued493
uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
Driving
■There is a vehicle ahead
ACC with Low Speed Follow monitors if a vehicle ahead of you enters the ACC with
Low Speed Follow range. If a vehicle is de tected doing so, the ACC with Low Speed
Follow system maintains or decelerates your vehicle’s set speed in order to keep the
vehicle’s set following-interval from the vehicle ahead.
2 To Set or Change Following-interval P. 499
When a vehicle whose speed is slower than
your set speed is detected in front of you, your
vehicle starts to slow down.
■When in Operation1 When in Operation
If the vehicle detected ahead of you slows down
abruptly, or if a nother vehicle is de tected cutting in
front of you, the beep er sounds and a message
appears on the MID, and the head-up warning lights
*
come on.
Depress the brake pedal, and keep an appropriate
interval from the vehicle ahead.
Even if the interval betw een your vehicle and the
vehicle detected ahead is short, ACC with Low Speed
Follow may start accelerati ng your vehicle under the
following circumstances:
•The vehicle ahead of you is going at almost the
same speed as, or faster than, your vehicle.
•A vehicle that cuts in front of you is going faster
than your vehicle, gradua lly increasing the interval
between the vehicles.
Beep
Head-up Warning
Lights
*
ACC with Low Speed Follow Range: 394 ft. (120 m)
A vehicle icon appears
on the MID.
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
496
Driving
The system may automatically shut off and the ACC indicator will come on under
certain conditions. Some examples of th ese conditions are listed below. Other
conditions may reduce some of the ACC functions.
2 Front Sensor Camera P. 487
■Environmental conditions
Driving in bad weather (r ain, fog, snow, etc.).
■Roadway conditions
Driving on a snowy or wet roadway (obscure d lane marking, vehicle tracks, reflected
lights, road spray, high contrast).
■Vehicle conditions
• The outside of the windshie ld is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.
• An abnormal tire or wheel condition (Wrong sized, varied size or construction,
improperly inflated, compact spare tire
*, etc.).
• The camera temperature gets too high.
• The parking brake is applied.
• When the front grille is dirty.
• The vehicle is tilted due to a heav y load or suspension modifications.
• When tire chains are installed.
■ACC with Low Speed Follow Conditions and Limitations1ACC with Low Speed Follow Conditions and Limitations
The radar sensor for ACC with Low Speed Follow is
shared with the Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM).
2 Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM
(CMBSTM) P. 537
You can read about handling information for the
camera equipped with this system. 2 Front Sensor Camera P. 487
Always keep the radar sensor cover clean.
Never use chemical solvents or polishing powder for
cleaning the sensor cover. Clean it with water or a
mild detergent.
Do not put a sticker on the radar sensor cover or
replace the radar sensor cover.
* Not available on all models
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509
uuWhen Driving uRoad Departure Mitigation (RDM) System
Driving
■Roadway conditions
• Driving on a snowy or wet roadway (obs cured lane marking, vehicle tracks,
reflected lights, road spray, high contrast).
• Driving on a road with temporary lane markings.
• Faint, multiple, or varied lane markings are visible on the roadway due to road
repairs or old lane markings.
• The roadway has merging, split, or crossing lines (e.g., such as at an intersection
or crosswalk).
• The lane markings are extremel y narrow, wide, or changing.
• The vehicle in front of you is driving near the lane lines.
• The road is hilly or the vehicle is approaching the crest of a hill.
• Driving on rough or unpaved roads, or over bumpy surfaces.
• When objects on the road (curb, guard rail, pylons, etc.) are recognized as white
lines (or yellow lines).
• Driving on roads with double lines.
■Vehicle conditions
• Headlight lenses are dirty or the h eadlights are not properly adjusted.
• The outside of the windshield is streaked or blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet
snow, etc.
• The inside of the windshield is fogged.
• The camera temperature gets too high.
• An abnormal tire or wheel condition (wro ng sized, varied size or construction,
improperly inflated, compact spare tire
*, etc.).
• The vehicle is tilted due to a heavy load or suspension modifications.
• When tire chains are installed.
• The vehicle is towing a trailer.
* Not available on all models
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