Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Manual

249
uuWhen Driving uTPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Driving
If any tire has low pressure, LOW TIRE
PRESSURE is displayed on the multi-
information display. Check the pressure of
each tire by pressing the / button.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE is displayed when a
tire has significantly low pressure. The specific
tire is displayed on the screen.
34

250
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPM S) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal Explanation
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a diffe rent size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pr essure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire fail ure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.

251
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is no t a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driv er’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if u nder-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of th e TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equi pped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the syst em detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction te lltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tire s and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.

252
uuWhen Driving uIDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*
Driving
IDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*
Constantly controls your vehicle’s damper s and power steering assist according to
current road conditions, vehicle speed, and steering operation.
You can choose between two modes, sport mode and comfort mode, according to
your driving taste.
Turn the switch to select from the two driving
modes:
SPORT - The system prioritizes handling
response for higher handling performance.
COMFORT - The system prioritizes driving
comfort according to the road surface.
■IDS mode switching
1 IDS (Integrated Dynamics System)*
IDS (Integrated Dynamics System) controls the
dampers and power steering assist, using the
following two main systems:
•Active Damper System - Electronically controls the
dampers to enhance riding comfort, handling
precision, and tire to road adhesion.
•ECPS (Electronically C ontrolled Power Steering)
System - Changes the amount of steering assist to
enhance steering operation.
* Not available on all models

253Continued
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.
To apply:
Push the pedal down with your foot.
To release:
Push the pedal again.
■Parking Brake1 Parking Brake
NOTICERelease the parking brake fully before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parking brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE appears on the multi-information
display.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.
To prevent the parking brake from freezing when the
outside temperature is extremely cold, do not apply
it, but do the following:
Put the shift lever in
( P, then use a block or other
wheel chock to stop the wheels from turning.
Parking Brake Pedal

uuBraking uBrake System
254
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pe dal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you re tain steering control when braking very
hard.
2 Brake Assist System P. 256
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 255
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driv ing through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicl e checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

255
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
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) sy stem, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distri bution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump th e brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”
■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. 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.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is no t affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the ti me or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:
•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.
•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartmen t while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

256
uuBraking uBrake Assist System
Driving
Brake Assist System
Designed to assist the driver by generating greater braking force when you depress
the brake pedal hard du ring emergency braking.
■Brake assist system operation
Press the brake pedal firmly for more powerful braking.
When brake assist operates, the pedal may wiggle slightly and an operating noise
may be heard. This is normal. Keep holding the brake pedal firmly down.

257
uuBraking uCMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Continued
Driving
CMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Can assist you when there is a possibility of your vehicle colliding with the vehicle in
front of yours. The CMBSTM is designed to alert you, then reduce your vehicle speed
when a possible collision is likely unavoidable to help minimize collision severity.
■How the system works
■When the system activates
1 CMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Important Safety Reminder
The CMBSTM is designed to reduce the severity of an
unavoidable collision. It do es not prevent collision nor
stop the vehicle automatically. It is still your
responsibility to operate th e brake pedal and steering
wheel appropriately according to the driving
conditions.
The CMBS
TM may not activate or may not detect a
vehicle in front of your vehicle under the following
conditions:
•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.
•When you accelerate ra pidly and approach the
vehicle ahead of you at high speed.
•The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle or other
small vehicle.
•A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.•When you drive on a curved or winding road that
makes it difficult for the se nsor to properly detect a
vehicle in front of you.
•When there are pedestrians or animals in front of
your vehicle.
A radar sensor starts to detect if there is a vehicle in front of you when your vehicle
speed is above 10 mph (15 km/h).
The radar sensor is under the
emblem in the front grille.
The CMBS
TM activates when the speed difference betw een the two vehicles
becomes more than 10 mph (15 km/h ) with a chance of a collision.
A visual alert or a combination of a visual
alert and an audible alert for a possible
collision.
Beep
u
Take appropriate means to
prevent a collision (apply the
brakes, change lanes, etc.)
* Not available on all models

258
uuBraking uCMBSTM (Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM)*
Driving
The system has three alert stages for a possible collis ion. However, depending on the circumstances, CMBSTM may not go through all of
the stages before init iating the last stage.
■Collision Alert Stages
Distance between vehicles
CMBSTM
The radar sensor
detects a vehicleE-pretensionerAudio & Visual WARNINGSBraking
Stage one
There is a risk of
a collision with
the vehicle
ahead of you.
—
BRAKE flashes
on the multi-
information
display.
—
A beep sounds
and BRAKE
flashes on the
multi-
information
display.
Stage two
The risk of a
collision has
increased, time
to respond is
reduced.
Retracts the driver’s seat belt
gently a few times, providing
a physical warning.
Lightly
applied
Stage three
The CMBSTM
determines that
a collision is
unavoidable.
Forcefully tightens driver and
front passenger seat belts.
Forcefully applied
Your
Vehicle Vehicle
Ahead
Your
VehicleVehicle
Ahead
Your
VehicleVehicle
Ahead