trailer Acura ZDX 2012 User Guide

Towing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets federal, state, province, and
local regulations.HitchAny hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Safety ChainsAlways use safety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it becomes
unhitched. Leave enough slack to
allow the trailer to turn corners
easily, but do not let the chains drag
on the ground.
Trailer LightsTrailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Towing a Trailer52409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area. Refer
to the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle
’s electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don ’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation. Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits.●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
＋
B TAILLIGHT AND
AUXILIARY LIGHTS
(YELLOW) RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(GREEN) LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(BLUE)
＋ B TURN/STOP
(WHITE)
STOP LIGHT SIGNAL
(LIGHT GREEN) TAILLIGHT
SIGNAL
(PINK)
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
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Driving
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●The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.●Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.●You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium fuel. Premium fuel
provides improved performance.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See
‘‘
Driving on
Hills
’’ in the next column for
additional gear information. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or affect
vehicle handling.
Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance for
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
Towing a Trailer52609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Driving on HillsWhen climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the H (Hot) mark, turn the A/C off,
reduce speed and, if necessary, pull
to the side of the road to let the
engine cool.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shift down to S
position, or use the paddle shifters to
the lower gear (3 and 2) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not‘‘ride ’’the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing on the accelerator, as
this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
of the steering
wheel, then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left.
Turn the wheel to the right to move
the trailer to the right.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires. Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page 602.
Towing a Trailer
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SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
1
B
●Replace engine oil
1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW ’’does not appear more than
12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every
year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page
539.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-
information display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are
noisy. Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under －20°F, －
29°C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000
km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
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Power Steering FluidCheck the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The fluid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering fluid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Acura Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering fluid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Acura PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Turning the steering wheel to full left or
right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Timing Belt
The timing belt should be replaced at
the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicle in any of the following
conditions:
●In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).●In very low temperatures
(under
－20°F, －29°C).●Frequently tow a trailer.
LOWER LEVEL UPPER LEVEL
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Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
Low/High Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
The low/high beam headlight bulbs
are a type of high voltage discharge
tube. High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed (or the vehicle
is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
on models with keyless access
system). Because of this, you should
not attempt to examine or change a
low/high beam headlight bulb
yourself. If a low/high beam
headlight bulb fails, take the vehicle
to your dealer to have it replaced.Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the front bulkhead cover
and engine compartment covers
(see page 544).
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket.
5. Push the new bulb straight intothe socket until it bottoms.
6. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
7. Turn on the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/PARKING LIGHT
SOCKETBULB
SIDE MARKER LIGHT
SOCKET BULB
CONTINUED
Lights
555
Maintenance
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Replacing Front Fog Light Bulbs
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit.
Oil, perspiration, or a scratch on the
glass can cause the bulb to overheat
and shatter.
The fog lights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or other qualified technician.
1. Remove the two holding clips witha flat-tip screwdriver.
2. Pull down the under cover from the bumper carefully.
3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
4. Remove the bulb from the fog light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
5. Install the new bulb into the hole and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
HOLDING CLIPS
UNDER COVER
BULB
CONNECTOR
CONTINUED
Lights
557
Maintenance
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PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 120 A BATTERY 40 A Passenger's Side Fuse Box STD
2 － Not Used
－ Not Used
30 A Headlight Washer
40 A Passenger's Side Fuse Box Option
30 A Right e-pretensioner
30 A Left e-pretensioner 3 50 A IG Main
40 A Sub Fan Motor－ Not Used
60 A Driver's Fuse Box STD
40 A Main Fan Motor
30 A Driver's Light Main
30 A Wiper Motor － Not Used
4 40 A Heater Motor
5 30 A Passenger's Light Main
6 － Not Used
7 － Not Used
8 40 A Rear Defroster
9 7.5 A Trailer Turn/Stop Lights
10 15 A Stop & Horn
11 7.5 A Trailer Small Lights
12 30 A ADS
13 15 A IG Coil
14 15 A FI Sub
15 10 A Back Up
16 7.5 A Interior Light
17 15 A FI Main
18 15 A DBW
19 15 A Woofer
20 7.5 A MG Clutch
21 7.5 A Radiator Fan Timer
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected 1 40 A VSA Motor
2 20 A VSA FSR
3 － Not Used
4 － Not Used
5 30 A SH-AWD
6 40 A Power Tailgate Motor
7 20 A Tilt Steering Wheel
8 20 A Telescopic Steering Wheel
9 15 A Hazard
10 7.5 A Headlight Hi/Lo Solenoid
11 7.5 A Power Management System
12 7.5 A Smart Accessory
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
599
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Opening the Fuel Fill Door
ManuallyIf there is a problem with the power
door lock system and you cannot
unlock the driver's door, use the
release lever behind the left side
cover in the cargo area.
To open the fuel fill door, pull the
release lever rearward.Emergency Towing
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The only way you can safely tow
your vehicle is with flat-bed
equipment.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inform
them a flat-bed is required.
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the all-
wheel-drive system. Your vehicle should
be transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer.
LID
RELEASE LEVER
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually, Emergency Towing60209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu