trailer Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Manual

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized Acura dealer f or
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 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
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.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
Quick Start Guide.
Use of a gasoline with a pump octane
less than 86 can lead to engine
damage.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
186

·µ
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
1,158 lbs (525 kg).
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if there will be f ive
150 lbs (70 kg) occupants in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
408 lbs (175 kg).
5 150 lbs (70 kg) = 750 lbs
(350 kg)
1,158 lbs (525 kg) 750 lbs (350 kg)
= 408 lbs (175 kg) Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4
[408 lbs (175 kg) in this example].
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle. Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,158
lbs (525 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s
placard (on the driver’s doorjamb).
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit: The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load f rom your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.6.
Carrying Cargo
Load Limits
194
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.

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4System, the VSA
system, Tire Pressure Monitoring
System, and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer. ........................
Driving Guidelines .198
........................
Preparing to Drive .198
.......................
Starting the Engine .199
..............
Automatic Transmission . 200
Variable Torque Management ..............................
4WD System .204
..............................
VTM-4 Lock .204
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .205
...........................................
Parking .207
.............................
Braking System .208
...........................
Anti-lock Brakes .209
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .211
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 213
...........................
Towing a Trailer .214
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .222
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 223
Driving
Driving
197

µµ µThese positions
are similar to D , except when you
select the D position, only the f irst
f our gears are selected. When you
select D , only the f irst three gears
are selected. D can also keep the
transmission f rom cycling between
f ourth and f if th gears in stop-and-go
driving, and D can keep the
transmission f rom cycling between
third and f ourth gears. This position locks
thetransmissioninsecondgear.It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use Second gear: For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow. With the lever in this
position, the transmission locks in
First gear.
If you shif t into First position when
the vehicle speed is above 31 mph
(50 km/h), the transmission shif ts
into Second gear f irst to avoid
sudden engine braking.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Use D to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D
gives you more power and increased
engine braking.
When driving downhill with a
trailer. To help reduce wheel spin.
5
4
3 4
3
3 3
Automatic Transmission
Drive(D,D) Second(2)First(1)
Engine Speed L imiter43
202

Your vehicle has been designed to
primarily carry passengers and their
cargo. You can also use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read theon page
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The maximum weight of the trailer
andeverythinginoronitdependson
the number of occupants in your
vehicleandthetypeof trailerbeing
towed (see page ).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance.The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See page
f or limits f or your towing
situation). 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.
223
215215
Driving Of f -
Highway Guidelines section
Towing Weight Limits
Load Limit
T ot al T railer Weight Tongue Load
Driving
213
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
beforestartingtodrive.

µµ The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo and the tongue
load is 5,787 lbs (2,630 kg). Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page that
you do not exceed the limit f or your
conditions.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch. Connect the f ully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again f rom the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table.
If the
dif f erence is:
1½’’
2¼’’ 3’’
3¾’’
If thedifferenceismorethan3¾’’
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed. Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
are 2,888 lbs (1,310 kg) on the f ront
axle, and 2,992 lbs (1,360 kg) on the
rear axle.
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer is
9,584 lbs (4,470 kg) with the proper
hitch and f luid coolers. (See page f or inf ormation about f luid
coolers.)
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. 1.
2.3.
4.
5.
215
217
Towing a Trailer
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) Estimating Loads
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
To Estimate the Tongue Load
214

Î
Î
ÎNumber of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
Max. T railer Weight Max. T ongue Load
T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
Max. T railer Weight Max. T ongue Load
T owing is Not Recommended
Towing Weight Limits
Driving
215
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4500 lbs (2045 kg)
4000 lbs (1820 kg) 1700 lbs (770 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
410 lbs (185 kg)
310 lbs (140 kg)
215 lbs (100 kg)
90 lbs (40 kg)
3500 lbs (1590 kg)
3500 lbs (1590 kg)
3000 lbs (1365 kg) 2000 lbs (910 kg)
1000 lbs (455 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
410 lbs (185 kg)
310 lbs (140 kg)
215 lbs (100 kg)
90 lbs (40 kg)
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (70 kg) and each has 1 5lbs(7
kg) of luggage in the cargo area.
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits: BOAT TRAILERS
OTHER TYPES OF TRAILERS

To accurately check your loads at
the public scale, the vehicle and
trailer should be f ully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2 % f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation.
Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
Check the f ront gross axle weight.
Limit: 2882 lbs (1307 kg)
If you cannot weight on the rear
axle directly, you can calculate the
rear gross axle weight by
subtracting the weight in Step 1
from the weight in Step 2. Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit: 5,798 lbs (2,630 kg)
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads
216

Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer of f ers a trailer package
that includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a heavy-duty
transmission f luid cooler.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, f ederal, province,
and local regulations.We strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install an Acura
hitch and use the required f luid
coolers. Using non-Acura equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your dealer.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance.
Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in Step 5 f rom
the
weight in step 6.
Limit: See page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers
8-15% f or other trailers
6.
7.
215
215
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Weight Distributing Hitch
Driving
217

Acura requires that any trailer with a
total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
See your brake manuf acturer f or
more inf ormation on installing
electric brakes.Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page f or proper
tire size, page f or how to store a
full size wheel and tire, and page
f or inf ormation on changing a
flat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire. 255
267
263
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes Saf ety Chains
Sway Cont rolTrailer Mirrors Spare Tires
218