warning Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Guide

The sensor on the negative terminal
monitors your vehicle's battery
condition.
If there is a problem with the sensor,
you will see a‘‘CHECK BATTERY
SENSOR’’ message on the multi-
information display. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer.
Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it off with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a cloth
or paper towel. Coat the terminals
with grease to help prevent further
corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician. WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle's
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative (－ ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt
you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio, you will
see ‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page
374).
CONTINUED
Checking the Battery
573
Maintenance
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights,and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. 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). See page 196 for
ignition switch and power mode
comparison.
JACK
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
579
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal
connections (see page 573). You
can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 587).
The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position or
on models with keyless access
system, press the engine start/stop
button to set START mode (see page
194), but the engine does not run.●Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page 70).
On models with keyless access system●Do you have your keyless access
system remote with you? The
vehicle will not start without the
remote within operating range.
The vehicle will not start without
the remote within operating range
and with the keyless access main
switch in the glove box turned on.●Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 475.●Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.●There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see
page 596). If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See
Emergency Towing on
page 602.
NOTE: If you are unable to stop the
engine normally while in the Park
position, see Emergency Engine
Stop on page 200.
If the Engine Won't Start58609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

The pointer of your vehicle's
temperature gauge should stay in the
midrange under most conditions. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason (hot day,
driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood.Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint, then
continue driving.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
589
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 458). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. 3. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 545).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
602).
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
591
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

The tires on your vehicle meet all U.
S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature
performance according to
Department of Transportation (DOT)
standards. The following explains
these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)61009/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
611
Technical Information
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Brightness Control,Instruments
............................
144
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
................
558, 559
Brake Lights
...........................
558
Daytime Running Lights
.........
556
Front Parking Lights
...............
555
Front Side Marker Lights
........
555
Rear Bulbs
..............................
558
Rear License Plate Lights
........
560
Specifications
..........................
609
Taillights
.................................
558
Turn Signal Lights
..........
555, 558
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
608
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
58
Cargo
.........................................
465
Cargo Area Light
........................
210
Cargo Hook
................................
469
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
465
Carrying Cargo
..........................
465
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
365 CD Error Messages
...................
311
CD Player
...........................
244, 300
Chains, Tires
..............................
572
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
579
Changing Oil How to
....................................
546
When to
..................................
533
Charging System Indicator
...........................
65, 592
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
472
Check Starting System Message
.................................
474
Childproof Door Locks
...............
153
Child Safety
..................................
39
Booster Seats
...........................
55
Child Seats
....................
44, 45, 47
Important Safety Reminders
.....
42
Infants
......................................
44
Larger Children
.......................
54
LATCH
.....................................
49
Risks with Airbags
...................
40
Small Children
.........................
45
Tethers
....................................
53
Warning Labels
........................
41
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
40 Child Seats
.............................
39, 47
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
49
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
53
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
562
Client Service Information
..........
622
Climate Control System
.............
220
Clock
..........................................
375
Coat Hook
..................................
216
Code, Audio System
...................
374
CO in the Exhaust
................
58, 616
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS ™)
...............
498
Compact Spare Tire
....................
578
Console Compartment
...............
213
Consumer Information
...............
622
Controls, Instruments and
............
61
Coolant Adding
....................................
548
Checking
................................
459
Proper Solution
.......................
548
Temperature Gauge
.................
77
Courtesy Lights
..........................
209
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
616
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
71
Cruise Control Operation
...........
379
IndexII09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Cruise Main Indicator
..................
71
Cup Holders
...............................
213
Customize Settings
......................
94
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 62
Daytime Running Lights
............
141
Dead Battery
..............................
587
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
624
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
143
Defrosting the Windows
............
225
Dimensions
................................
608
Dimming the Headlights
............
139
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
551
Engine Oil
...............................
458
Directional Signals
...............
68, 139
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
495
Disc Care
...................................
365
Disc Changer
.............................
244
Disc Changer Error
Messages
...............................
254
Disc Player
..........................
244, 300 Disc Player Error Messages
......
311
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
547
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
153
Locking and Unlocking
...........
151
Lockout Prevention
.................
152
Power Door Locks
..................
151
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
610
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
471
Economy
.................................
460
Driving Guidelines
.....................
472
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
180
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
482
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
562
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
460
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Indicator
...................................
74 Emergencies on the Road
..........
577
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
587
Brake System Indicator
.....
66, 594
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
579
Charging System Indicator
........................
65, 592
Checking the Fuses
................
596
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
578
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
143
Jump Starting
..........................
587
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
65, 591
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 593
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
602
Overheated Engine
.................
589
Towing
....................................
602
Emergency Brake
......................
176
Emergency Flashers
..................
143
Emergency Towing
....................
602
Emissions Controls
....................
616
Emissions Testing
......................
619
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

EngineAdding Engine Coolant
...........
548
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
77
If it Won't Start
........................
585
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
65, 593
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
533
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
65, 591
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
545
Overheating
............................
589
Specifications
..........................
609
Speed Limiter
..........................
480
Engine Coolant
..........................
548
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
454
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
616
Exhaust Fumes
............................
58
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
617
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
223 Features
.....................................
219
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
562
Oil
...........................................
546
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
143
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
579
Floor Mats
.................................
563
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
551
Brake
......................................
553
Location
..................................
543
Power Steering
........................
554
Windshield Washer
.................
550
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
369
Fog Lights
..................................
141
Four-way Flashers
......................
143
Front Airbags
.........................
10, 28
Front Seat
..................................
161
Adjusting
.................................
161
Front Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation
..............................
168
Fuel
............................................
454
Economy
.................................
460
Fill Door and Cap
....................
455
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
72 Octane Requirement
...............
454
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
602
Reserve Indicator
.....................
72
Tank, Filling the
......................
455
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
456
Fuel Economy
............................
460
Fuses, Checking the
..................
596
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
461
Gasoline
.....................................
454
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
72
Octane Requirement
...............
454
Tank, Refueling
.......................
455
Gas Station Procedures
..............
455
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
77
Fuel
..........................................
76
Speedometer
............................
76
Tachometer
..............................
76
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
...................................
523
IndexIV09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu