tow Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information an d specifications included in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to di scontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 21For Safe Driving P. 22 Seat Belts P. 27 Airbags P. 35
2Instrument Panel P. 67Indicators P. 68 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 87
2Controls P. 101Setting the Clock P. 102 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 103
Opening and Closing the Panoramic Glass Roof P. 126
Adjusting the Seats P. 143
2Features P. 167Audio System P. 168 Audio System Basic Operation P. 171
General Information on the Audio System P. 191
Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ® P. 197
2 Driving P. 209Before Driving P. 210 Towing a Trailer P. 215
Rearview Camera P. 262 Refueling P. 263 Fuel Economy P. 266
2Maintenance P. 269Before Performing Maintenance P. 270 Maintenance MinderTM P. 273
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 298
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 312
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 317Tools P. 318 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 319
Overheating P. 332 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 334
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 346
2 Information P. 349Specifications P. 350 Identification Numbers P. 351
Emissions Testing P. 354 Warranty Coverages P. 356

Contents
Child Safety P. 50Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 64 Safety Labels P. 65
Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 114 Security System P. 120 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 123
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 127 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 141
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 151 Climate Control System P. 163
Audio Error Messages P. 188 Audio Remote Controls P. 190
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver P. 195
When Driving P. 223 Braking P. 253 Parking Your Vehicle P. 261
Accessories and Modifications P. 267
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 277 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 291
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 300 Battery P. 309 Remote Transmitter Care P. 310
Cleaning P. 313
Engine Does Not Start P. 326 Jump Starting P. 329 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 331
Fuses P. 338 Emergency Towing P. 344
When You Cannot Open or Close the Tailgate P. 347
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 352 Reporting Safety Defects P. 353
Authorized Manuals P. 358 Client Service Information P. 359
Quick Reference GuideP. 2
Safe DrivingP. 21
Instrument PanelP. 67
ControlsP. 101
FeaturesP. 167
DrivingP. 209
MaintenanceP. 269
Handling the UnexpectedP. 317
InformationP. 349
IndexP. 361

9
Quick Reference Guide
Controls (P 101)
Turn Signals (P 131)
LeftRight
Turn Signal Control Lever
Lights (P 131)
Light Control Switches
High Beam
Low
Beam
Flashing
Wipers and Washers (P 134)
Wiper/Washer Control Lever Adjustment Ring: Long Delay
: Short Delay
MIST
OFF
INT : Low speed with intermittent
LO : Low speed wipe
HI : High speed wipe Pull toward
you to spray
washer
fluid.
*
Not available on all models

16
Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected (P 317)
Flat Tire (P 319)
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located under the cargo area.
Indicators Come On (P 334)
● Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Engine Won’t Start (P 326)
● If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P 343)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating (P 332)
● Park in a safe locati on. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P 344)
● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

40
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
■When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than modera te-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to -severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any si gnificant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags
and side curtain airbag s offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags
could provide little if any protection, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.
■When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in th e vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.
■When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

43
uuAirbags uSide Airbags
Continued
Safe Driving
■When a side airbag deploys wi th little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system se nses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle’s framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.
■When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle’s crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel uENGINE START/STOP Button*
130
Controls
The keyless access system main switch is in the
glove box. Switch the key less access system on
or off.
Turning off the keyless ac cess system cancels
all the system features.
To change the power mode, insert the keyless
access remote into the slot while the keyless
access system main switch is off.
■When inserting the remote into the slot
Push the keyless access re mote with the built-
in key side towards you into the slot until you
hear a click.
■When removing the remote from the
slot
Turn off the power mode before removing the
keyless access remote from the slot.
■Keyless Access System On and Off
Keyless Access Remote
System Main Switch
■Keyless Access Remote Slot1 Keyless Access Remote Slot
Use the slot if you cannot operate the keyless access
system, or the remote’s batte ry is weak. Inserting the
keyless access remote into the slot allows for the
ENGINE START/STOP button to operate.
To avoid damaging the slot , do not insert any other
objects into the slot or pu t a sticker on the keyless
access remote.
Keyless Access
Remote Slot

134
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel uWipers and Washers
Controls
Wipers and Washers
The windshield wipers and washers can be
used when the ignition switch is in ON
w*1.
■MIST
The wipers run at high speed until you release
the lever.
■Wiper switch (OFF, INT, LO, HI)
Change the wiper switch setting according to
the amount of rain.
■Adjusting the delay
Turn the adjustment ring to adjust the wiper
delay.
■Washer
Sprays while you pull the lever toward you.
When you release the le ver, the wipers make
one more sweep before stopping.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ignition switch.
1 Wipers and Washers
NOTICEDo not use the wipers when the windshield is dry.
The windshield will get scratched, or the rubber
blades will get damaged.
NOTICEIn cold weather, the bl ades may freeze to the
windshield, becoming stuck.
Operating the wipers in this condition may damage
the wipers. Use the defroster to warm the
windshield, then turn the wipers on.
If the vehicle speeds up while the wipers are
operating intermittently, the length of the wipe
interval shortens. When the vehicle starts moving, the
wipers make a single sweep.
When the vehicle speeds up, the wiper operation’s
shortest delay setting ( ) and the LO setting become
the same.
Turn the washers off if no washer fluid comes out.
The pump may get damaged.
Intermittent Time
Adjustment Ring
a MIST
c INT : Low speed with
intermittent
b OFF
d LO : Low speed wipe
e HI : High speed wipe Pull to
use
washer.
a
b
c
d
e
Long delay
Short delay

209
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, an d information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 210
Maximum Load Limit........................ 213
Towing a Trailer Towing Preparation ..... ..................... 215
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 218
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 219
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines General Information ......................... 220
Important Safety Prec autions............ 220
Avoiding Trouble ......... .................... 221
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 223
Precautions While Driving ................ 226
Automatic Transmission ................... 227
Shifting ............................................ 228
Cruise Control
*............................... 232
ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)*....... 235VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 243
SH-AWD ® (Super Handling-All Wheel
DriveTM) .......................................... 245
BSI (Blind Spot Information)*........... 246TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) .. 248IDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*... 252 Braking
Brake System ................................... 253
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 255
Brake Assist System ......................... 256
CMBS
TM (Collision Mitigation Braking
SystemTM)*..................................... 257
Parking Your Vehicle ........................ 261
Rearview Camera
*............................ 262
Refueling ........................................... 263
Fuel Economy .................................... 266
Accessories and Modifications ........ 267
* Not available on all models

Continued211
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, stopping distan ce, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 213
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in th e front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can inte rfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driv ing and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock a ll doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 111
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 143
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 145
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 141
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 140
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo ar ea or tow a trailer, have
the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified
technician.