Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the wheels from
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.You should never pump the brake pedal.Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
referred to as‘‘stomp and steer. ’’You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may feel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
ABS Indicator
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display (see page 90).
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page 594.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)49609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page 594. If the brakes feel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
It only helps with steering
control during braking.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions. ABS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
497
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

OverviewIf equippedThe collision mitigation braking
system™(CMBS ™) can assist you
when there is a possibility of your
vehicle hitting the vehicle in front of
you. It is designed to reduce the
speed of your vehicle before an
unavoidable collision occurs and, if
possible, to alert you to a potential
collision while there is time to
prevent it. Here is a brief description
of what the CMBS can do:●When your speed is above 10 mph
(16 km/h), the CMBS radar
sensor in the front grille can sense
a vehicle ahead of you. When your
vehicle gets too close to the
vehicle ahead of you, the system
may activate a warning beep,
causing automatic application of
the brakes, and causing the e-
pretensioners to tighten the front
seat belts (see page 24).
●The CMBS does not activate if the
speed difference between the two
vehicles is less than 10 mph (16
km/h). CMBS may also not
activate if you turn the steering
wheel to avoid the collision.
When the CMBS activates, the brake
lights also come on.
The CMBS consists of a radar sensor
in the front grille, a brake actuator in
the engine compartment, an
indicator on the instrument panel,
seat belt e-pretensioners on the front
seats, and an on/off switch under the
driver's side vent.RADAR SENSOR
BRAKE
ACTUATOR SEAT BELT
e-PRETENSIONERS
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )49809/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Radar SensorThe radar sensor cover is located
under the Acura emblem in the front
grille. If the radar sensor cover is
covered with mud, dirt, dead leaves,
wet snow, etc., or if you put a sticker
on it, the CMBS will automatically
shut off, and the CMBS indicator on
the instrument panel will come on.
You will also see a‘‘CHECK CMBS
RADAR SENSOR ’’message on the
multi-information display for about
5 seconds.
Always keep the radar sensor cover
clean. If it gets dirty, clean it with
water or a mild detergent. Never use
chemical solvents or polishing
powder.
There are three bolts on the sides of
the radar sensor. Do not tamper with
these bolts, or you may cause the
system to malfunction. If either of these parts receives a
strong impact, to turn off the system,
press and hold the CMBS off switch
until you hear a beep, and have your
vehicle checked by a dealer. If the
front grille ever needs to be repaired,
consult a dealer first.
If the radar sensor cover or the radar
sensor ever needs to be removed,
take your vehicle to a dealer.
When the CMBS is on, the radar sensor
constantly scans for vehicles ahead of
you. This means that driving on a road
with a few or no vehicles could cause a
CHECK CMBS RADAR SENSOR
message to appear on the multi-
information display. This is normal and
not a cause for concern.
RADAR SENSOR COVER
BOLTS
(Do not tamper)
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )
499
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

The radar sensor may not always
scan as intended. Here are two
examples:●Your vehicle is tilted because of a
heavy load in the rear or from
modifications to the suspension.
Do not overload your vehicle (see
Carrying Cargoon page 465), and
do not make any modifications to
the suspension (see Accessories
and Modifications on page 463).●The tires are not correctly
maintained. Always make sure the
tire pressures are correct (see
page 568), and that the tires are
the correct size and in good
condition (see Tires on page 567). Collision Alarm
If the system senses a likely collision
with a vehicle or object ahead of you,
it alerts you with an audible and a
visual alarm.
The audible alarm is a constant
beeping sound; the visual alert is an
amber colored BRAKE message that
flashes on the multi-information
display. If these alarms come on,
take the appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the brakes,
change lanes, etc.).
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )50009/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Distance between vehicles
CMBS
The radar sensor detects a vehicle E-pretensionerAudio & Visual
WARNINGS Braking
operation
Stage one There is a risk of a
collision with the
vehicle ahead, or the
distance between the
vehicles has dropped
below a certain level.
—
A beep sounds
and
‘‘BRAKE ’’
flashes on the
multi-
information
display.
—
Stage two The distance between
the two vehicles
continues to diminish.Retracts the driver's
seat belt gently a few
times, providing a
physical warning.
Lightly
applied
Stage three
ꭧ
The CMBS determines
that a collision is
unavoidable. Forcefully tightens
driver and front
passenger seat belts.
Forcefullyapplied
ꭧ : Depending on the circumstances, CMBS may not go through all of the alert stages before initiating the last stage.
YOUR
VEHICLE VEHICLE
AHEAD
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEAD
YOUR
VEHICLEVEHICLE
AHEAD
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System
™(CMBS™ )
501
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

CMBS OFF ButtonTo turn the CMBS off, press the
CMBS OFF button under the driver's
side vent for about 1 second. When
you do this, a beeper sounds, a
CMBS indicator on the instrument
panel comes on, and a CMBS OFF
message appears on the multi-
information display. To turn the
system back on, press the button
again for about 1 second.When you select the ON mode by
operating the engine start/stop
button (see page 194), the CMBS is
turned on if it was on previously.
Automatic Shut Off
Any of the conditions below can
cause the CMBS to shut off. When
the system shuts off, the CMBS
indicator in the instrument panel
comes on, and a CHECK CMBS
SYSTEM message appears on the
multi-information display for about 5
seconds.
●An abnormal tire condition is
detected (wrong tire size, flat tire,
etc.).●Extended off-road or mountainous
driving.●Driving your vehicle with the
parking brake applied.●Driving your vehicle in bad
weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).●A dirty radar sensor cover on the
front grille.
The CMBS will automatically recover
when these conditions are improved.
CMBS OFF BUTTON
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS™ )50209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

CMBS IndicatorThis indicator comes on for several
seconds when you select the ON
mode by operating the engine start/
stop button (see page 194). It also
comes on and stays on when you
turn the CMBS off by pressing the
CMBS OFF button.
To turn the CMBS back on, make
sure the vehicle is stopped and the
power mode is set to ON, then press
the CMBS OFF switch for about 1
second.The CMBS indicator normally comes
on under these conditions:
●When you manually turn off the
system.●When the system shuts off
automatically.●When you drive in bad weather
(rain, snow, fog, etc.).●If anything covers the radar sensor
cover (dirt, mud, dry leaves, wet
snow, etc.).●When the VSA system indicator
comes on (see page 508).
●When you select the ON mode by
operating the engine start/stop
button, the CMBS indicator should
come on for a few seconds, then
go off. If the indicator comes on at
any other time and a CHECK
CMBS SYSTEM message appears
on the multi-information display,
there is a problem with the CMBS.
You can still drive your vehicle,
but CMBS will not be operating.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer.
CMBS
INDICATOR
U.S. model is shown.
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System ™(CMBS™ )
503
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Limitations
The CMBS may not activate under
some conditions. Here are a few
examples:●The distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead of you is too
short.●A vehicle cuts in front of you at a
slow speed.
●A vehicle cuts in front of you and
brakes suddenly.●When you accelerate rapidly and
approach the vehicle ahead of you
at high speed.●Immediately after you drive off.
●Driving in heavy, stop-and-go
traffic.●The vehicle ahead of you is a
motorcycle or other small vehicle.
YOUR VEHICLE
YOUR VEHICLE
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™ )50409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

●A vehicle suddenly crosses in front
of you.
The CMBS is not designed to detect
pedestrians.
Even with little or no chance of a
collision, the CMBS may activate
under these conditions:●When you change lanes quickly,
then overtake the vehicle ahead of
you.
●When you approach or pass a
vehicle ahead of you that is turning
left or right in an intersection.
YOUR VEHICLE
YOUR VEHICLE
CONTINUED
Collision Mitigation Braking System™(CMBS™ )
505
Driving
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu