Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 830 lbs (380 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit －
(1) Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs. ’’on your
vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs. (4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs.
(1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
Carrying Cargo46609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (830 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)Cargo Weight
(530 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(230 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
Max Load (830 lbs)
Max Load (830 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)Cargo Weight
(80 lbs)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
467
Before Driving
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Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.●Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
underneath and interfere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver's ability to operate the
pedals.
Also, keep all cargo below the
bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interfere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.●Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
●Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.●If you fold down the rear seats, tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.●If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page 58.●The cargo area is fitted with loop
carpet, similar to home loop
carpet. If a loop is damaged or pulled,
repair it by carefully trimming with
scissors to prevent further
snagging.
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Optional Separation Net
The separation net can be used to
hold back soft, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy items
should be tied down, as the net may
not prevent them from being thrown
about the vehicle in a crash or a
sudden stop.
Optional Cargo Cover
The cargo cover can be used to cover
the cargo area behind the rear seats.
When the rear seats are folded down,
the cargo cover can be extended over
the larger area. Do not install the
cover over the larger area if the rear
seats are not folded down.Cargo Hooks
To secure cargo, use the four floor
hooks in the cargo area. Make sure
all stored items are secured before
driving.The cargo area carpets are loop-type
construction. If snags occur from
sharp or rough objects, do not pull
the loose threads to remove them.
Cut all loose threads with a scissors
to prevent carpet runs.
CARGO
HOOKS
Carrying Cargo
469
Before Driving
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47009/10/28 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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Driving Guidelines
Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
the ground, it has a high center of
gravity that can cause it to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:●Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.●Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
●Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.●Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof.See page 528 for off-highway drivingguidelines.
Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
5. Check the seat adjustment (see page 161).
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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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