engine Acura MDX HYBRID 2020 Service Manual

uuWhen Driving uTurning on the Power
462
Driving
1. Depress the brake pedal and press the POWER button simultaneously.
2. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, check that the READY indicator is on,
then press the button. Select
(R when reversing.
3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal.
u Make sure the electric parking brake indicator goes off.
2 Parking Brake P. 518
2 If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks along with the Warning Message
P. 646
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your fo ot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Change the gear position to
(D or (S when facing uphill, or (R when facing
downhill, then release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive1 Starting to Drive
The power system is turned off when the gear
position is ch anged from
(P before the POWER
button is pressed. Follow step 1 when starting to
drive.
You can also release the parking brake by pulling the
electric parking brake sw itch while depressing the
brake pedal.
When facing downhill, you can start your vehicle
more smoothly by manually releasing it with the
electric parking brake switch than by releasing it with
the accelerator pedal.
As a hybrid vehicle, the sounds and vibrations from
the engine may be absent even though the vehicle is
ready for driving. It also makes you fail to recognize
that you can start.
Make sure to check if the READY indicator is on
before you start to drive.
When the power system was started using the keyless
access remoteWhen the power system was started using the keyless access remote
When the power system was started in any case
D/S
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippe ry slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
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Continued467
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■Shift Operation1Shift Operation
NOTICE
When you change (D to (R and vice versa, come to
a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift button before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.
Use the gear position indicator and the shift button
indicator to check the gear position before selecting
a shift button.
If the indicator of the currently selected gear position,
or all the gear position indicators are blinking
simultaneously, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
When the engine speed is increased while the
transmission is in
( N, (P or (R, the fuel supply may
be cut off even without the engine speed entering
the tachometer’s red zone.
The beeper sounds once when you change to
( R.
2 Customized Features P. 131, 362
Gear Position Indicator
Tachometer’s red zone
Press the (P button.
Pull back the ( R button.
Press the
( N button.
Press the button.
D/S
Shift Button
Indicator M
(sequential mode)
Indicator
Sequential Mode Gear
Selection Indicator
Press the button twice.
If the gear position is in
( D,
press the button again.
D/S
D/S
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Continued471
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 7th gears without releasing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential mode.
■When the transmi ssion is in (D:
The vehicle will go into th e sequential mode momentarily , and the sequential mode
gear selection indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential mode will automatically
switch off, and the sequential mode gear selection indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds or push the button to return to
normal drive.
■When the transmi ssion is in (S
The vehicle will go into th e sequential mode, and the M (sequential mode) indicator
and sequential mode gear selection indicator will come on.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engi ne speed reaches near the tachometer’s
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up to the next gear.
You can cancel this mode by holding the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds or push
the button. When the se quential mode is canceled, the sequential mode
indicator and sequential mode gear selection indicator will turn off.
■Sequential Mode1 Sequential Mode
The vehicle is engine opera ted when SPORT+ mode is
on.
D/S
D/S
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
472
Driving
■Sequential Mode Operation1Sequential Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.
If the sequential mode gear selection indicator blinks
when you try to shift up or down, this means your
vehicle speed is not in its allowable gear range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indi cator is blinking.
The transmission is in
( S and SPORT+ mode, to
prioritize the engine perf ormance enhancement, the
transmission may not allow for shifting up while the
engine speed is low.
Downshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter.
(Changes to a lower gear)Upshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter.
(Changes to a higher gear)
Paddle Shifter
(Shift down) Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)
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506
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine and motor output and selectively applying the
brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine and motor do not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic system . You will also see
the indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stab ility Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System
Indicator
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507
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
Your vehicle will have normal braking and
cornering ability, but tra ction control function
will be less effective.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press
the (VSA ® OFF) button until you hear a
beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you turn the
power system on, even if you turned it off the
last time you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the button is pressed, the traction control
function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. 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 VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after turning the power
system on or while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
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508
uuWhen Driving uAgile Handling Assist
Driving
Agile Handling Assist
Lightly brakes each of the front and rear wheels, as needed, when you turn the
steering wheel, and helps support the vehi cle’s stability and performance during
cornering.1 Agile Handling Assist
The agile handling assist ca nnot enhance stability in
all driving situations. You still need to drive and
corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions and
always leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, the agil e handling assist does not
activate.
You may hear a sound coming from the engine
compartment while the agile handling assist is
activated. This is normal.
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509
uuWhen Driving uSPORT HYBRID Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ®)
Driving
SPORT HYBRID Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM
(SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ®)
The system controls and transfers varying amounts of motor and/or engine torque
to each wheel in accordance with the driving conditions.
SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ® helps to enhance driving stability, and lets you handle
situations like slippery surf aces, such as snow, sand, mud, and steep hills, better
than when driving with standard two wheel drive. However, the system does not
help to enhance braking. Be cautious about the following:
• It is still your responsibility to drive sa fely when you steer, accelerate, and apply
brakes.
• Leave a sufficient margin when braking on slippery surfaces.
1SPORT HYBRID Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SPORT
HYBRID SH-AWD ®)
Do not drive through deep water.
The SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ® system may not
function properly if tire type and size are mixed.
Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and
the air pressures as specified. 2 Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 597
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518
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. When the
parking brake is applied, you can manually or automatically release it.
■To apply
The electric parking brake can be applied any
time the vehicle has battery, no matter which
position the power mode is in.
Press the electric parking brake switch gently
and securely. u The electric parking brake indicator
comes on.
■Parking Brake1Brake System
When you depress the brak e pedal, you may hear a
whirring sound from the engine compartment. This is
because the brake system is in operation, and it is
normal.
1 Parking Brake
You may hear the electric parking brake system
motor operating from the re ar wheel area when you
apply or release the parki ng brake. This is normal.
The brake pedal may slightly move due to the electric
parking brake system opera tion when you apply or
release the parking br ake. This is normal.
You cannot apply or release the parking brake if the
12-volt battery goes dead. 2 Jump Starting P. 638
If you press and hold the electric parking brake
switch while driving, the brakes on all four
wheels are applied by the VSA ® system until the
vehicle comes to a stop. The electric parking
brake then applies, and the switch should be
released.Electric Parking
Brake Switch
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524
uuBraking uAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, an d helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distri bution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pe dal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”
■ABS operation
You may hear an operating noise when the ABS is working. Depress the brake pedal
and keep holding the pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press
on the brake pedal very hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the
ABS activate immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
ABS may activate when you depress the brake pedal when driving on:
• Wet or snow covered roads.
• Roads paved with stone.
• Roads with uneven surfaces, such as potholes, cracks, manholes, etc.
When the vehicle speed goes unde r 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
NOTICE
The ABS may not function correctly if you use a tire of
the wrong size or type.
If the ABS indicator comes on while driving, there
may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking will not be affected, there is a
possibility that the ABS wi ll not be operating. Have
your vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS is not designed for the purpose of reducing
the time or distance it takes for a vehicle to stop: It is
designed to limit brake lo ckup which can lead to
skidding and loss of steering control.
In the following cases, yo ur vehicle may need more
distance to stop than a vehicle without the ABS:
•You are driving on rough or uneven road surfaces,
such as gravel or snow.
•The tires are equipped with tire chains.
The following may be observed with the ABS system:
•Motor sounds coming from the engine
compartment when the brakes are applied, or
when system checks are being performed after the
power system has been turned on and while the
vehicle accelerates.
•Brake pedal and/or the vehicle body vibration when
ABS activates.
These vibrations and sou nds are normal to ABS
systems and are no cause for concern.
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