brakes Acura MDX 2014 Owner's Manual

19Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The power mode does not
change from VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK) to ACCESSORY.
Why?
●The steering wheel may be locked.●Move the steering wheel left and right
after pressing the ENGINE START/STOP
button.
The power mode does not
change from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK). Why?
The shift lever should be moved to
(P.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.

90
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display (MID) Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Message
Condition
Explanation
●Flashes when the system senses a likely collision with a
vehicle in front of you.
●Take the appropriate means to prevent a collision (apply
the brakes, change lanes, etc.)
2Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM (CMBS
TM)*
P. 371
2Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
* P. 346
2Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed
Follow (LSF)
* P. 337
●Appears when your vehicle is too close to the traffic
lane lines. The beeper sounds.
●Take appropriate action to keep your vehicle within the
lane lines.
2Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
* P. 350
●Appears if there is a problem with the e-pretensioner
system
*.
●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
* Not available on all models

Continued
313
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a variety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Acura equipment
whenever possible.■Towing Equipment and Accessories
1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer maker for proper installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and braking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.
Trailer packages and products:•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit•Trailer hitch kit (jumper harness included)
2Trailer brakes P. 314•Automatic transmission cooler kit
2Automatic transmission cooler P. 316
Are available at a dealer.

uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
314Driving
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brakes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
1Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.
Electric Brake
(Light Green) (20A)
Ground
(Brown)Brake
(Green)
Stop
(Violet) Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:

317
uuTowing a TraileruTrailer Stability Assist
*
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
*
Helps to stabilize the vehicle and trailer when the trailer severely sways.■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscillation is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the brakes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights come on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1Trailer Stability Assist
*
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep the trailer from swaying.
When swayed too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may loose control of your
vehicle, causing the trailer to roll over or get
damaged.
2Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 318
Trailer towing sway is caused by:•Crosswinds•Improper towbar down load•Excessive Speed
The VSA® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation.
2VSA® Operation P. 358
* Not available on all models

318
uuTowing a TraileruDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer•Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
•Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 309
•When towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with a pump
octane number of 91 or higher is recommended.
uTowing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or
steep uphill.
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
•Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
•Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
•Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
•Drive slower than normal.
•Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
•Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
•Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
•Allow more time and distance for braking.
•Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer■Towing Speeds and Gears■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.1Towing Speeds and Gears
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.

uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
326Driving
1.Depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button
simultaneously.
2.Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2Parking Brake P. 367
3.Put the shift lever in
(D. Select
(R when reversing.
4.Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Move the shift lever to
(D or
(S when facing uphill, or
(R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive
1Starting to Drive
The engine stops when the shift lever is moved out of (P before the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.When the engine was started using the two-way keyless
access remote
*
When the engine was started using the two-way keyless access remote
*
When the engine was started in any case
1Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
*
340Driving
■There is no vehicle ahead
When driving at 22 mph (35 km/h) or above:
Your vehicle maintains the set speed without
having to keep your foot on the brake or
accelerator pedal.
If there previously was a vehicle detected
ahead that kept your vehicle from travelling at
the set speed, ACC with LSF accelerates your
vehicle to the set speed, and then maintains it.
When driving under 22 mph (35 km/h) and no
vehicle is detected ahead: ACC with LSF
automatically cancels. The beeper sounds once.
■When you depress the accelerator pedal
You can temporarily increase the vehicle speed. In this case, there is no audible or
visual alert even if a vehicle is in the ACC with LSF range.
ACC with LSF stays on unless you cancel it. Once you release the accelerator pedal,
the system resumes the set speed.■A vehicle ahead is within ACC range and stops
Your vehicle also stops, automatically. The
Stopped message appears on the multi-
information display.
When the vehicle ahead of you starts again,
the vehicle icon on the MID blinks. If you press
the RES/+/SET/– switch up or down, or
depress the accelerator pedal, ACC with LSF
operates again within the prior set speed.A vehicle icon with dotted-line
contour appears on the MID
1When in Operation
Limitations
Use the brake pedal to maintain a safe distance with
other vehicles in the following cases. ACC with LSF
may not work properly when:•A vehicle ahead of you is parked when your vehicle
is moving.•Motorcycles or other small vehicles are ahead of
you.•A vehicle cuts in front of you at a short distance.
ACC with LSF may momentarily apply brakes or
sound a beep if there is a vehicle, or even a building,
next to you if:•You make a sudden turn or drive on a narrow road.•You abruptly move the steering wheel.•You are in an unusual position within your lane.
When your vehicle stops automatically because a
vehicle detected ahead of you has stopped, the
distance between the two vehicles will vary based on
the ACC with LSF distance setting, as follows:
Short: 11.5 ft (3.5 m)
Middle: 14.1 ft (4.3 m)
Long, Extra Long: 16.4 ft (5.0 m)
2To Set or Change Following Distance P. 342

346
uuWhen DrivinguForward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Driving
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Alerts you when it detects the possibility of your vehicle colliding with the vehicle in
front of yours.
If the system determines a collision is possible, it gives both visual and audible alerts.
uTake appropriate action to prevent a collision (apply the brakes, change lanes,
etc.).■How the system works
The system may give warnings of potential collisions when your vehicle speed is
above 10 mph (15 km/h).
1Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Important Safety Reminder
FCW cannot detect all objects ahead and may not
detect a given object; accuracy of the system will vary
based on weather, speed and other factors. FCW
does not include a braking function. It is always your
responsibility to safely operate the vehicle and avoid
collisions.
You can change the Forward Collision Warning
Distance setting or turn the system on and off.
2Customizable Features P. 107
The camera is shared with Lane Departure Warning
(LDW).
2LDW Camera P. 351
LONG
NORMAL
SHORT
Your Vehicle Vehicle Ahead You can set Long, Normal or Short for when warnings start:
* Not available on all models

349
uuWhen DrivinguForward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Driving
FCW may not activate or may not detect a vehicle in front of your vehicle, and may
activate even when you are aware of a vehicle ahead of you, or when there is no
vehicle ahead, under the following conditions.■FCW Limitations
Condition
●The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you is too short.●A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and it brakes suddenly.●A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.●When either your vehicle or the vehicle ahead of you accelerates rapidly.●The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle, a small vehicle, or a unique vehicle such as a tractor.●When you drive off-road or on a mountain road, or curved and winding road for an extended period that makes it difficult for the sensor/camera to
properly detect a vehicle in front of you.●When there are pedestrians or animals in front of your vehicle.●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When streetlights are perceived as the taillight of a vehicle in front of yours.●When driving at night, the vehicle ahead of you is running with either taillight bulb burned out.●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.