Acura MDX (2018 year). Manual - part 30

470

uu

When Driving

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Precautions While Driving

Driving

Precautions While Driving

Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. 
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than you would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way that you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.

Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of cargo on the roof rack (Acura accessory).

Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or 
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.

If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location. 
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.

■

Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle

■

In Rain

■

Other Precautions

1

Precautions While Driving

NOTICE

Do not change the gear position while pressing the 
accelerator pedal. You could damage the 
transmission.

NOTICE

If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an 
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in 
the full left or right position for a while, the system 
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode, 
and limits its performance. The steering wheel 
becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the 
system cools down, the EPS system is restored. 
Repeated operation under these conditions can 
eventually damage the system.

If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while 
driving, the engine will shut down and all steering 
and brake power assist functions will stop, making it 
difficult to control the vehicle.

Do not change the gear position to 

(

N, as you will 

lose engine braking (and acceleration) performance.

During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, 
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so 
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.

Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). 
You should also follow this when the brake pads are 
replaced.

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471

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When Driving

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Automatic Transmission

Driving

Automatic Transmission

The engine runs at a higher idle speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.

Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the 
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress 
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.

■

Creeping

■

Kickdown

1

Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle

Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result 
in a crash or a rollover.

2 Important Handling Information P. 30
2 Precautions While Driving P. 470

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

Shifting

Change the gear position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift button positions

1

Shifting

To prevent malfunction and unintended 
engagement:

•

Do not spill any liquids on or around shift buttons.

•

Do not place or drop any objects on or around shift 
buttons.

•

Do not let passengers or children operate the shift 
buttons.

The beeper sounds and the message appears on the 
MID when you depress the accelerator pedal with the 
gear position in 

(

N.

Change the gear position to 

(

D or 

(

R with the brake 

pedal depressed.

When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures 
(−22°F/−30°C), there may be a short delay before the 
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you 
are in the correct gear before driving.

3

WARNING

The vehicle can roll away if left unattended 
without confirming that Park is engaged.

A vehicle that rolls away could cause a crash 
resulting in serious injury or death.

Always keep your foot on the brake pedal 
until you have confirmed that 

(

P

 is shown 

on the gear position Indicator.

Park
Used when parking, before turning off or 
starting the engine

Reverse
Used when reversing

Neutral
Transmission is not locked

Drive
Used for:

●

Normal driving (gears change between 1st 
and 9th automatically)

●

Temporarily driving in the sequential 
mode

Drive (S)
Used for:

●

Automatically changing gears between 1st 
and 7th (7th gear is used only at high 
speed)

●

Driving in the sequential mode

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When Driving

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Shifting

Continued

Driving

■

(

P (parking) button

The gear position changes to 

(

P when you 

press the 

(

P button while the vehicle is 

parked with the power mode in ON.
The indicators on the sides of the 

(

P button 

come on.

(

P Button

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Shifting

474

Driving

■

Shift Operation

1

Shift 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 off if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this happens, 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.

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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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

In freezing or sub-freezing conditions, the gear selection response may be slow.
Always depress the brake pedal before changing the gear position to 

(

P, and 

confirm that 

(

P is shown on the gear position indicator before releasing the brake.

■

When opening the driver’s door

If you open the driver’s door under the following conditions, the gear position 
automatically changes to 

(

P.

• The vehicle is in stationary with the engine running, or moving at 1 mph (2 km/h) 

or slower.

• The transmission is in other than 

(

P.

• You have unfastened the driver side seat belt.

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If you manually change the gear position from 

(

P with the brake pedal 

depressed, the gear position will automatically return to 

(

P once you release 

the brake pedal.

■

When turning off the power mode

If you turn the engine off while the vehicle is stationary, and the transmission is in 
other than 

(

P, the gear position automatically changes to 

(

P.

1

When opening the driver’s door

While the system is designed to automatically change 
the gear position to 

(

P under the described 

conditions, in the interest of safety you should always 
select 

(

P before opening the driver’s door.

Make sure to park the vehicle in a safe place.

2 When Stopped P. 545

If you want to drive the vehicle after the gear position 
has automatically changed to 

(

P under the described 

conditions, close the door, fasten the seat belt, 
depress the brake pedal, then change the gear 
position.

If you leave the vehicle, turn off the engine and lock 
the doors.

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When Driving

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Shifting

476

Driving

■

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N position [car wash mode]

With the engine running:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Select 

(

N, then release the button to display 

(

N (Neutral) hold mode on the MID.

3. Press and hold 

(

N again for two seconds.

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This puts the vehicle in car wash mode which must be used when your vehicle 
is pulled through a conveyor type automatic car wash where you or an 
attendant do not remain in the vehicle.

If the ENGINE STOP/START button is pressed 
after car wash mode has been activated, the 
power mode will change to ACCESSORY and 
a message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.

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The gear position remains in 

(

N with the 

power mode in ACCESSORY for 15 
minutes, then, it automatically changes 
to 

(

P and the power mode changes to 

OFF.

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Manually changing to 

(

P cancels 

ACCESSORY mode. The 

(

P indicator 

comes on and the power mode changes 
to OFF. You must always shift to 

(

P 

when car wash mode is no longer 
needed.

1

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N position [car wash 

mode]

The transmission may not stay in 

(

N position while 

the following indicators are on or when the message 
below appears:

•

Malfunction indicator lamp

•

Transmission system indicator

•

Charging system indicator

•

The Charging System Problem message on the 
MID.

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When Driving

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Shifting

Continued

Driving

■

Restriction on selecting a gear position

You cannot select a gear position under certain circumstances that may lead to a crash.

When the 
transmission is in:

1. Under the circumstances 
of that:

2. You cannot select:

3. The gear position 
remains in/changes to:

How to change the 
gear position

(

P

The brake pedal is not 
depressed.

Other gear position

(

P

Release the accelerator 
pedal and depress the 
brake pedal.

The accelerator pedal is 
depressed.

(

N

The vehicle is moving at low 
speed without the brake pedal 
depressed.

(

N

The vehicle is moving at low 
speed with the accelerator 
pedal depressed.

(

N

, (

D

 or (

S

The vehicle is moving forward.

(

R

Stop your vehicle in a 
safe place, depress the 
brake pedal, and select 
the appropriate gear 
position.

(

R

 or (

N

The vehicle is moving backward.

(

D, 

(

S

(

R

, (

N

, (

D

 or (

S

The vehicle is moving.

(

P

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Shifting

Driving

Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 9th gears without releasing your 
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential mode.

■

When the transmission is in 

(

D:

The vehicle will go into the 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 transmission is in 

(

S

The vehicle will go into the sequential mode, and the M (sequential mode) indicator 
and sequential mode gear selection indicator will come on.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engine 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 sequential mode is canceled, the sequential mode 

indicator and sequential mode gear selection indicator will turn off.

■

Sequential Mode

D/S

D/S

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Shifting

Driving

■

Sequential Mode Operation

1

Sequential 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 indicator is blinking.

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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Auto Idle Stop

*

Driving

Auto Idle Stop

*

To help maximize fuel economy, the engine automatically stops when the vehicle 
comes to a stop, depending on environmental and vehicle operating conditions. The 
indicator (green) comes on.

The engine then restarts once the vehicle is 
about to move again, or depending on 
environmental and vehicle conditions, and the 
indicator (green) goes off.

2 The Engine Automatically Restarts When: 

P. 484

A message associated with Auto Idle Stop 
appears on the MID.

2 Indicators P. 92
2 Customized Features P. 130

If the driver’s door is opened while the 
indicator (green) comes on, a buzzer sounds 
to notify you that the Auto Idle Stop function 
is in operation.

1

Auto Idle Stop

*

The 12-volt battery installed in this vehicle is 
specifically designed for a model with Auto Idle Stop. 
Using a 12-volt battery other than this specified type 
may shorten the battery life, and prevent Auto Idle 
Stop from activating. If you need to replace the 
battery, make sure to select the specified type. Ask a 
dealer for more details.

Auto Idle Stop 
Indicator (Green)

* Not available on all models

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When Driving

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Auto Idle Stop

*

Driving

To turn the Auto Idle Stop system off, press 
this button. The Auto Idle Stop system stops.

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Auto Idle Stop system will stop and the 
indicator (amber) in meter will come on.

The Auto Idle Stop system is turned on every 
time you start the engine, even if you turned it 
off the last time you drove the vehicle.

■

Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF

1

Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF

Pressing the Auto Idle Stop OFF button restarts the 
engine during the Auto Idle Stop activated.

Auto Idle Stop System 
Indicator (Amber)

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Auto Idle Stop

*

482

Driving

The vehicle stops with the gear position in 

(

D and the brake pedal depressed.

■

Auto Idle Stop does not activate when:

• The driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
• The engine coolant temperature is low or high.
• The transmission fluid temperature is low or high.
• The vehicle comes to a stop again before the vehicle speed reaches 3 mph (5 

km/h) after the engine starts.

• Stopped on a steep incline.
• The transmission is in a position other than 

(

D.

• The Auto Idle Stop OFF button is pressed.
• The engine is started with the hood open.

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Turn off the engine. Close the hood before you restart the engine to activate 
Auto Idle Stop.

• The battery charge is low.
• The internal temperature of the battery is 14°F (−10°C). or less.
• The climate control system is in use, and the outside temperature is below −4°F 

(−20°C) or over 104°F (40°C).

• The climate control system temperature is set to the Hi or Lo.
•

 is ON (indicator on).

• When the rear fan is set to maximum speed.

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Auto Idle Stop may not activate under other conditions when the rear climate 
control system is in use.

■

Auto Idle Stop Activates When:

1

Auto Idle Stop Activates When:

When ACC with LSF is in operation, the vehicle stops 
without depressing the brake pedal and Auto Idle 
Stop may activate.

Do not open the hood while the Auto Idle Stop 
function is activated. If the hood is opened, the 
engine will not restart automatically.

In this case, restart the engine with the ENGINE 
START/STOP button.

2 Starting the Engine P. 465

Pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button changes 
the power mode to ACCESSORY even while Auto Idle 
Stop is in operation. Once in ACCESSORY, the engine 
no longer restarts automatically. Follow the standard 
procedure to start the engine.

2 Starting the Engine P. 465

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Auto Idle Stop

*

Continued

Driving

■

Auto Idle Stop may not activate when:

• The vehicle is stopped by braking suddenly.
• The steering wheel is operated.
• The fan speed is high.
• Altitude is high.
• The vehicle is repeatedly accelerated and decelerated at a low speed.
• The climate control system is in use, and there is a significant difference between 

the set temperature and the actual interior temperature.

• Humidity in the interior is high.
• The rear fan is set to maximum speed.

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Auto Idle Stop may not activate under other conditions when the rear climate 
control system is in use.

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Auto Idle Stop

*

484

Driving

• The brake pedal is released (without the automatic brake hold system activated).
• The accelerator pedal is depressed (with the automatic brake hold system 

activated).

2 Automatic Brake Hold P. 532

■

The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed

*1

 when:

• The Auto Idle Stop OFF button is pressed.
• The steering wheel is operated.
• The transmission is change to 

(

R or 

(

S, or when it is change from 

(

N to 

(

D.

• The pressure on the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while 

stopped on an incline.

• The pressure on the brake pedal is repeatedly applied and released slightly during 

a stop.

• The battery charge becomes low.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed.
• The driver’s seat belt is unlatched.
•

 is ON (indicator on).

• The climate control system is in use, and the difference between the set 

temperature and actual interior temperature becomes significant.

• The climate control system is being used to dehumidify the interior.
• The vehicle ahead of you starts again when your vehicle stops automatically with 

ACC with LSF.

■

The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

1

The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

•

If you are using an electronic device during Auto 
Idle Stop, the device may temporarily be turned off 
when the engine restarts.

1

The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed

*1

 when:

*1: With the automatic brake hold system activated, 
you can release the brake pedal during Auto Idle Stop 
is in operation.

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When Driving

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Auto Idle Stop

*

Driving

■

The engine restarts even if the automatic brake hold system is activated 
when:

• The automatic brake hold system is canceled and the electric parking brake is 

applied automatically.
The automatic brake hold system has a problem.

Briefly keeps the brake applied after releasing the brake pedal to restart the engine. 
This can keep your vehicle from unexpectedly moving while on an incline.

■

Starting Assist Brake Function

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