Acura MDX 2007 Owner's Manual

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the fully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again from 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.
Add
the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manufacturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions. 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. Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
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.
Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg) Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan1½
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed. If the
dif f erence is:
13/32’’
11/16’’
31/32’’11/4’’
If the
dif f erence is:
1/2’’
27/32’’
1 5/32’’ 11/2’’
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
358
U.S. Sport Packages and Canadian Elite models
MDX and Technology Packages models
Towing a Trailer
To Estimate the Tongue Load
To Estimate the Total Trailer WeightEstimating Loads
Driving
357
——y
y
()-yy

Î
µµ
Î
ÎÎ
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7 Towing is Not Recommended Max.
Tongue Load
Max. Trailer Weight
Towing a Trailer
358
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
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 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum trailer
weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 15% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 356
500 lbs (227 kg)
470 lbs (213 kg)
370 lbs (168 kg)
275 lbs (125 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)
4,750 lbs (2,155 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,041 kg)
4,250 lbs (1,928 kg)
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
——y
y
()-yy

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.Check the rear gross axle weight.
Limit: 3,175 lbs (1,440 kg)
If you cannot weigh 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.Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2 % f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation.
Check the f ront gross axle weight.
Limit: 2,888 lbs (1,310 kg) Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit: 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg)
Check the gross combined weight.
Limit: 10,053 lbs (4,560 kg)
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
Limit: 3,064 lbs (1,390 kg)
CONT INUED
Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
Driving
359
——y
y
()-yy

Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemen tal equipmen t. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer offers a trailer package
th at includes a hitch, a ball mount,
and a wiring harness.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, federal, province,
and local regulations.
Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 f rom
the weight in step 7.
Limit: See page .
Recommended: see page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers
8-15% f or other trailers
Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
7.
8.
6.
358
358 356
Towing a Trailer
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
360
——y
y
()-yy

CONT INUED
A 4-pin gray connector is available as
an option at your dealer. This
connector has all of the circuits
required to install most electric
trailer brake controllers. A jumper
harness to adapt your electric trailer
brake controller to the vehicle is
included with the optional Genuine
Acura trailer hitch kit. To obtain a
connector and a trailer hitch kit, see
your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes f or you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.
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 electronically 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.
Seeyourtrailermanufacturerfor
more inf ormation on installing
electric brakes.
We strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install a class 3
hitch. Using non-Acura equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
Read the trailer manufacturer’s
instructions, and select the
appropriate draw bar f or the height
of the trailer you will be towing.
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.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Hitch
Weight Distributing Hitch
Driving
361
——y
y
()-yy

When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a full-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page for 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.
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. 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. 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.
Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
413
424
419
Towing a Trailer
Spare Tires
Trailer Mirrors
Sway Cont rol
Saf et y Chains
362
GROUND
(BLACK) BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(YELLOW)
STOP
(LIGHT GREEN)
——y
y
()-yy

µ
´
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check trailer
light requirements f or the areas
where you plan to tow, and use only
equipment designed f or your vehicle. If you use a non-Acura trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
cangetthematingconnectorand
pins that mate with the connector in
your vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. You can get this
optional connector f rom your dealer. Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring information.
We recommend that you have your
dealer install an Acura wiring
harness and converter. This harness
has been designed f or your vehicle.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Lights
Driving
363
BACK-UPLIGHT ( )
TAILLIGHTS ELECTRIC BRAKE
ACCESSORY OPTION
TRAILER HAZARD
LIGHT
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL BRAKE
DIAGNOSTIC
TRAILER BACK-UP LIGHT
B CHARGE
LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
ILLUMINATION
LIGHTS
——y
y
()-yy

Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inflated.
When
preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following: The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The
vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive. The
added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicl e’s handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
mane uvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
below.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ). 316
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Break-In Period
364
——y

y
()-yy

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
CONTINUED
If the autom atic transmission fluid
temperature increases and exceeds
the speci fied limit, the A/T
temperature indicator comes on (see
page ). You will also see a ‘‘A/T
TEMP HIGH’’ message on the multi-
information display.
Make turnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance for
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
When
driving uphill and downhill,
use the Sequential SportShift mode
to provide the proper engine power
and engine braking on each gear.
Select fourth, third, second, or first
gear; dep ending on the vehicle
speeds and road condition. Do not
use fifth gear. The recommended
speed range for each gear position is
showninthetable.
Gear position
1
2
3
4 Speed
range
019mph
(0 30 km/h)
19 31 mph
(30 50 km/h)
31 41 mph
(50 65 km/h)
over 41 mph
(over 65 km/h)
Drive
slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use D position when towing a trailer
on level roads. D is the proper shif t
lever position to use when towing a
trailer in hilly terrain. (See ‘‘ ’’onthenextpagefor
additional gear information.)
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer (e.
g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling. 68
3
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
on Hills
Driving
365
——y
y
()-yy

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
ro ad to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shifts frequently
while going up a hill, shift to D3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes. Al
ways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the left. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all norm al precau tions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires. If
the vehicles tires slip when
retr ieving a boat from the water,
keep D position and do not use the
sequential sport shif t mode. This
prevents the transmission damage.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
433
3
bottom
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking Ret rieving a Boat
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer. Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
366
——y
y
()-y
y