engine Acura ZDX 2012 Owners Manual

Engine Coolant CheckLook at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeAdding
Engine Coolant on page 548 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 541 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
Service Station Procedures
459
Before Driving
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Fuel Economy Factors
The following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines
are more efficient when warmed
up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the information
display (seeOwner's Maintenance
Checks on page 541). For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page 545).●Maintain proper tire inflation
－
An under-inflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or mud
on your vehicle's underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
461
Before Driving
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●Minimize the use of the air
conditioning system－The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more fuel. Use
the fresh-air ventilation when
possible.●Plan and combine trips －
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
fuel efficient than a cold one.
Calculating Fuel EconomyMeasuring TechniquesDirect calculation is the
recommended source of information
about your actual fuel economy.
Using frequency of fill-ups or taking
fuel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of fuel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
first several thousand miles
(kilometers).
Checking Your Fuel Economy1)Fill the fuel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks off.
2)Reset trip counter to zero.
3)Record the total gallons (liters) needed to refill.
4)Follow one of the simple calculations above.
Miles driven
100 Gallons of
fuel Miles per
Gallon
L per 100 km
Kilometers
Liter
Fuel Economy46209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive™(SH-AWD
®) system,
the vehicle stability assist (VSA
®),
aka electronic stability control (ESC)
system, active damper system (if
equipped), the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), the
collision mitigation braking system ™
(CMBS ™) (if equipped), the blind
spot information system (BSI) (if
equipped), and facts you need if you
are planning to tow a trailer or drive
off-high way. Driving Guidelines
......................
472
Preparing to Drive
......................
472
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access
System)
...........................
473
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
474
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
......
475
Check Starting System Message
.............................
476
Automatic Transmission
.............
477
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
...................................
482
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive ™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
487
Parking
.......................................
489
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...................................
490
Braking System
..........................
495
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
496
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
498Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
508
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
511
Integrated Dynamics System
(IDS)
.......................................
519
Towing a Trailer
..........................
522
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
528
Driving
471
Driving
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6. Check the adjustment of the insideand outside mirrors (see page
177).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 145).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 16).
10. When you start the engine, check the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages 63, 76 and 90). Starting the Engine
Your vehicle's starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START (III)
position, this feature keeps the
engine's starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. The starter
motor can run for up to 9 seconds
to guarantee starting when the
outside temperature is very low. If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position for more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs for up to 25
seconds until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds before trying
again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled. For
more information, see page 149.
CONTINUED
Preparing to Drive, Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)
473
Driving
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The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.Check Starting System Message
If there is a problem with the starting
system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK
STARTING SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display when
the ignition switch is turned to the
ON (II) position. You will also see
this message when the auto control
mode of the starting system has a
problem. If this message is on, the ignition
switch has to be held in the START
(III) position manually until the
engine starts. The ignition switch can
be held in that position up to 15
seconds.
Even though you may be able to start
the engine manually without the auto
control mode of the starting system,
have your dealer inspect your
vehicle.
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)47409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Your vehicle's starting system has an
auto control mode. When you have
your keyless access remote and push
the engine start/stop button while
depressing the brake pedal, this
feature keeps the engine's starter
motor running until the engine
starts.
Follow these instructions to start the
engine:1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal.
In either of the following cases, you
should insert the keyless access
remote into the keyless remote slot.
For more information, see pages 202
and 203.●The keyless access remote system
main switch is off.
●The keyless access remote battery
becomes weak or dead.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, push and release the engine
start/stop button. You do not need
to hold the engine start/stop
button to start the engine. The
starter motor can run for up to 9
seconds to guarantee starting
when the outside temperature is
very low.
If you hold the engine start/stop
button for more than 7 seconds,
the starter motor, depending on
the outside temperature, runs for
up to 25 seconds until the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds before trying
again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly
coded keyless access remote (or other
device) is used, the engine's fuel system
is disabled. For more information, see
page 149.The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
475
Driving
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Check Starting System MessageIf there is a problem with the starting
system, you will see a‘‘CHECK
STARTING SYSTEM ’’message on
the multi-information display with the
power mode ON.
You will also see this message when
the auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem. If this message is on, you should
press and hold the engine start/stop
button until the engine starts. The
engine start/stop button can be
pressed up to 15 seconds.
Even though you may be able to start
the engine manually without the auto
control mode of the starting system,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer.
Your vehicle has the engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch to select the power mode. For
more information, see page 194.
Emergency Engine Start
If you cannot start the engine using
the normal engine start procedure,
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Put the shift lever into Park.
3. Press the engine start/stop button
to turn on the ACCESSORY mode.
4. Press and hold the engine start/ stop button for about 15 seconds
while pressing the brake pedal.
Do not follow this procedure unless it
is a case of emergency. Even if you
can start the engine using this
method, the system may have a
malfunction. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible.Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)47609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Shift Lever Position IndicatorsThese indicators between the
tachometer and speedometer show
which position the shift lever is in.
Using a paddle shift mode, the gear
position indicator shows you the
selected gear number (see page
482).
The‘‘D ’’indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
flashes while driving (in any shift
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission. Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. ON mode is the equivalent of
ON (II). See page 196 for ignition
switch and power mode comparison.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on along with the
‘‘D ’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D ’’indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION ’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
91).
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission
477
Driving
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ShiftingTo shift from Park to any position,
press firmly on the brake pedal, and
press the release button on the front
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. VEHICLE OFF (LOCK)
mode is the equivalent of LOCK (0);
and ACCESSORY mode is the
equivalent of ACCESSORY (I). See
page 196 for ignition switch and
power mode comparison.
To shift from:
Do this:
PtoR Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever release
button.
RtoP
NtoR DtoS Press the shift lever release
button.
StoD
DtoN
NtoD RtoN Move the shift lever.
Park (P)
－This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
off or starting the engine. To shift out
of Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and press the release button on
the shift lever. Make sure your foot is
off the accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on
page 480.
Automatic Transmission47809/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu