Multi Acura MDX 2011 Owner's Manual

You will also see a‘‘CHECK VSA
SYSTEM ’’message on the multi-
information display if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
information display shows a ‘‘CHECK
TPMS SYSTEM ’’message with the
indicator flashing (see page 452), the
VSA system automatically turns on
even if the VSA system is turned off
by pressing the VSA OFF switch. If
this case, you cannot turn the VSA
system off by pressing the VSA OFF
switch again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. VSA Off Switch
This switch is under the driver's side
vent. To turn the VSA system on and
off, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
When VSA is off, the VSA off
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the switch again. It
turns the system back on. With the
VSA off, the trailer stability assist
function is also turned off (see page
492).VSA is turned on every time you start
the engine, even if you turned it off
the last time you drove the vehicle.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched off. When the VSA system
is off, the traction control system is
also off. You should only attempt to
free your vehicle with the VSA off if
you are not able to free it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately after freeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
46810/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

BSI INDICATORMULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
BSI ALERT INDICATOR LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE
BSI OFF BUTTON
U.S. model is shown
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)47210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

BSI OFF ButtonTo turn the system off, press the BSI
OFF button when the ignition switch
is in the ON (II) position. The BSI
indicator on the instrument panel
glows amber, indicating that the
system is turned off. The multi-
information display indicates that the
system is off.To turn the system on again, press
the same button. The BSI indicator
on the instrument panel turns off.
The multi-information display
indicates that the system is on.
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, the system will
be in the previously selected ON or
OFF setting.Blind Spot Information System (BSI)47610/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

BSI Status Displays
SystemStatus Multi-information
display message BSI Indicator Description
ON －
When you push the BSI OFF button, a BSI ON or OFF message is displayed on the multi-information
display for about 5 seconds.
The BSI indicator will remain on while the system is off.
A chime sounds to indicate that the system has been turned ON or OFF.
OFF
ON/OFF
ꭧ
If while driving, mud, snow, or ice accumulates in the vicinity of sensor:●
The system may shut down
●
The BSI indicator illuminates, a message is displayed on the multi-information display, and a chime
sounds.
The BSI indicator will turn off and the system will return to normal once the obstacle is removed, and
you begin to drive.
Always keep the area around the radar sensors clean. BSI may not operate properly if the sensors are
obstructed.
The BSI alert indicator:
●
May come on when a vehicle enters one of the alert zones, even if this message is displayed.
●
May not come on due to obstruction (splashes, etc.), even if this message is not displayed.
ꭧ : System status may remain on even when the BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE message is
displayed.
OFF If the system is faulty, the BSI indicator illuminates and a message is displayed on the multi-
information display.
Have your vehicle inspected by your Acura dealer.
CONTINUED
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
477
Driving
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The system provides two selectable
modes.
Sport mode: The system prioritizes
handling response, vehicle body
control and tire-to-road adhesion to
allow for higher performance
handling.
Comfort mode: The system
prioritizes road isolation to allow for a
more comfortable ride.
Either mode can be used in any type
of operating conditions, but the mode
may change temporarily to suit a
change in road surface.
To switch between comfort and sport
mode, press and release the active
damper system button located on the
center console to choose the desired
mode.
When comfort mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button comes
on, and the message‘‘COMFORT ’’
will appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
CONTINUED
Active Damper System
479
Driving
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When sport mode is selected, the
green indicator in the button goes
off, and the message‘‘SPORT ’’will
appear on the multi-information
display for five seconds.
Active Damper System
Indicator
If there is a problem with the active
damper system, the active damper
system shuts down and the active
damper system indicator on the
instrument panel comes on.
You will also see the ‘‘CHECK ADS
SYSTEM ’’message appear on the
multi-information display. If you see this warning indicator and
message, have your vehicle checked
at your dealer as soon as possible.
In this case, your vehicle still has the
normal damper function, but it will
not have the active damper function.
Active Damper System48010/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See‘‘
Driving on
Hills
’’ for additional gear information.
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.
g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling. If the automatic transmission fluid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specified limit, the A/T
temperature indicator comes on (see
page 70). You will also see a
‘‘A/T
TEMP HIGH ’’message on the multi-
information display.
Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
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.
Driving on HillsWhen 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 road
to let the engine cool.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing on the accelerator, as
this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to S
position, or use the paddle shifters to
lower gear (3 or 2) in the S position.
When towing a trailer, do not ‘‘ride ’’
the brakes, and remember, it takes
longer to slow down and stop when
towing a trailer.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
491
Driving
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Under these conditions, trailer
stability assist begins to stabilize the
vehicle/trailer combination by
reducing the vehicle speed. The
control unit sends signals to
selectively apply the brakes and
regulate the engine output. The
brake lights of your vehicle will be
turned on automatically by the
system even if you do not keep the
pressure on the brake pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
trailer's brake lights come on along
with the vehicle brake lights.
When the trailer stability assist
activates, you will see the VSA
system indicator blink. There may
also be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system.Trailer stability assist cannot prevent
a loss of control. Always reduce the
vehicle speed and steer firmly. Do
not brake suddenly or make quick
steering motion. It could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over and
the system becomes ineffective.
Trailer stability assist cannot prevent
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. It helps only to
stabilize the vehicle/trailer
combination in these conditions,
after the oscillation becomes severe.
Trailer stability assist will also be
ineffective while driving at high
speed or towing a trailer with a high
center of gravity.
Always obey the recommended
speed limits for towing a trailer, see
page 491.Trailer Stability Assist Failure
The control unit monitors the VSA
circuitry and the braking system. If
there is a problem with the brake
lighting system, the trailer stability
assist function shuts down and the
‘‘
CHECK TRAILER STABILITY
ASSIST ’’message appears on the
multi-information display.
If you see this message, have your
vehicle checked at your dealer as
soon as possible.
CONTINUED
Trailer Stability Assist
493
Driving
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page 589 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are
‘‘certified’’to EPA
standards. Maintenance Safety
.....................
500
Maintenance Minder
TM
...............
501
Fluid Locations
...........................
509
Engine Compartment Cover
........
510
Adding Engine Oil
......................
511
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
.......................................
512
Engine Coolant
...........................
514
Windshield Washers
...................
516
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
517
Brake Fluid
.................................
519
Power Steering Fluid
..................
520
Timing Belt
.................................
520
Lights
..........................................
521
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
528
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
528
Floor Mats
..................................
529
Wiper Blades
..............................
530
Tires
...........................................
534
Checking the Battery
..................
541
Vehicle Storage
...........................
542
Maintenance
499
Maintenance
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One of the most convenient and
important features of the multi-
information display on your vehicle is
the Maintenance Minder™.
Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life.
The system also displays the code for
other scheduled maintenance items
needing service. Engine Oil Life
To see the remaining engine oil life
displayed on the multi-information
display as a percentage, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
Make sure the display shows blank,
SH-AWD and tire pressure, and then
press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly until the
engine oil life appears (see page 77).
The remaining engine oil life is
displayed according to the table shown
below.
Calculated Engine
Oil Life (%) Displayed
Engine Oil Life (%)
100% －91% 100%
90% －81% 90%
80% －71% 80%
70% －61% 70%
60% －51% 60%
50% －41% 50%
40% －31% 40%
30% －21% 30%
20% －16% 20%
15% －11% 15%
10% －6% 10%
5% －1% 5%
0% 0%
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
TM501
Maintenance
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