trailer Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

Contents
A convenient reference to the
sections in this manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
A quick reference to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Important information about the
proper use and care of your vehicle's
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable information on how to
protect children with child restraints.
Instruments and Controls
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and
gauge, and how to use the controls
on the dashboard and steering
column.
Features
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, and other
convenience features.Before Driving
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
Driving
The proper way to start the engine,
shift the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you're
planning to tow a trailer.
Maintenance
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance
service. There is also a list of things
to check and instructions on how to
check them.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience, and
details how to handle them.
Technical Information
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Warranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual for detailed
information.
Index
Service Information Summary
A summary of the information you
need when you pull up to the fuel
pump.Overview of Contents209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.●Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).●Do not change the oil until the
multi-information display indicates
it is needed.●Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with
a pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent fuel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation45409/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

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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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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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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Important Precautions
Like all assistance systems, BSI has
limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may
result in a collision. Always look in
your mirrors, to either side of your
vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.The system should be turned off
when towing a trailer. Due to the
added mass and resulting changes in
radar coverage, the system cannot
operate as intended, and detection of
the trailer itself by the radar sensors
may cause the BSI alert indicators to
illuminate.Limitations
The BSI alert indicators may not
illuminate under the following
circumstances:
●The speed difference between
your vehicle and a vehicle
approaching from behind is
greater than 31 mph (50 km/h).●A vehicle is parked in a side lane.●The speed difference between
your vehicle and the vehicle you
are passing is greater than 6 mph
(10 km/h).●An object not detected by the
radar sensors approaches or
passes your vehicle.
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
515
Driving
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BSI may be adversely affected under
the following circumstances:●When objects such as guard rails,
poles, trees, etc., are detected.●When an object that doesn't reflect
radio waves well, such as a
motorcycle, is in the alert zone.●A vehicle is behind or approaching
your vehicle while on a curved
road.●When towing a trailer.●A vehicle is moving from a far lane
to the adjacent lane.●The system picks up external
electrical interference.●The rear bumper has been
deformed, or improperly repaired.
●The orientation of the sensors has
been changed.●Bad weather conditions, such as
heavy rain, snow and fog.The system is for your convenience.
Even if an object is within the alert
zone, the system may not detect it,
depending on its shape.
Always look in your mirrors, to either
side of your vehicle, and behind you
for other vehicles before changing
lanes.EXAMPLES
GUARD RAIL POLE OR TREE
MOTORCYCLE
ꭍ :
\b :BSI Alert indicator is on
BSI Alert indicator is off
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)51609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to tow
a trailer if you carefully observe the
load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
If your vehicle is equipped with the
blind spot information system (BSI),
do not use it when towing a trailer.
For more information see page 517.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 454).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
528 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive. Load Limit
Total Trailer WeightThe maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
transmission.
Towing a Trailer52209/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu

Tongue LoadThe weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should be approximately 10% of the
total trailer weight.
Too much tongue load reduces front-
tire traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the trailer
unstable and cause it to sway.To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and 40%
toward the rear, then re-adjust the
load as needed.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
－The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is 5,534 lbs (2,510 kg).
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) －The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed 2,921
lbs (1,325 kg) on the front axle, and
2,679 lbs (1,215 kg) on the rear axle.
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) －The maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle and
trailer is 6,593 lbs (2990 kg). Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that all loads
are within limits is to check them at a
public scale. For public scales in your
area, check your local phone book,
or contact your trailer dealer or
rental agency for assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manufacturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the first time you set up
a towing combination (a fully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
523
Driving
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