Acura MDX HYBRID (2020 year). Manual in english - page 29

465

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

Continued

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.

You may occasionally find that it takes longer than 
usual for the vehicle to start moving when you select 

(

R

, release the brake pedal, and/or depress the 

accelerator pedal. This may occur when the High 
Voltage battery level is extremely low, and does not 
indicate a vehicle malfunction.

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 power system

Reverse

Used when reversing

Neutral

Transmission is not locked

Drive

Used for:

●

Normal driving (gears change between 1st 
and 7th automatically)

●

Temporarily driving in the sequential 
mode

Drive (S)

Used for:

●

Automatically changing gears between 1st 
and 6th (6th gear is used only at high 
speed)

●

Driving in the sequential mode

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

466

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.

1

Shifting

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.

(

P

 Button

Continued

467

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

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

.

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

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

468

Driving

■

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 power mode in ON, 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.

u

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 power system 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. 535

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 power system 
and lock the doors.

Continued

469

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

■

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N

 position [car wash mode]

With the 

READY

 indicator on:

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.

u

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 

POWER

 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 MID.

u

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.

u

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

•

POWER SYSTEM

 indicator

•

12-Volt battery charging system indicator

•

The 

Charging System Problem

 message on the 

MID.

470

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

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

(

P

 or 

(

N

The 

READY

 indicator is not on.

A gear position other than 

(

P

 

or 

(

N

(

P

 or 

(

N

Make sure that the 

READY

 indicator 

comes on.

Continued

471

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

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 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

1

Sequential Mode

The vehicle is engine operated when SPORT+ mode is 
on.

D/S

D/S

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

472

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.

The transmission is in 

(

S

 and SPORT+ mode, to 

prioritize the engine performance 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)

473

uu

When Driving

u

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

Driving

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

Alerts pedestrians when a vehicle is propelled solely by electricity, approaching at 
speeds around 12 mph (20 km/h) or less.

474

uu

When Driving

u

Integrated Dynamics System

Driving

Integrated Dynamics System

Modifies the dynamic character of the vehicle. There are four modes to select from: 

Comfort

, 

Normal

, 

Sport

, and 

Sport+

.

Press the 

Dynamic Mode

 button to select a mode. The mode you have selected appears on the MID.

You can customize the mode default setting using the MID.

2

Customized Features

 P. 131, 362

When you restart the power system with 

Sport+

 mode, the mode is changed to 

Sport

 automatically.

Normal

Balanced driving performance for most driving situations.

Sport

Enhances vehicle response feel through decreased steering 

assist, increased SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD

®

 torque bias, 

modified Active Sound Control, and a more firm Active 

Damper setting.

Comfort

Maximizes driver comfort through increased steering assist 

and a softer Active Damper setting.

Dynamic Mode

 

Button

SPORT+

 Mode 

Indicator 

Sport+

Adds to 

Sport

 to allow for increased performance by locking 

out EV mode, enhancing throttle response, and changing 

the shift map.

475

uu

When Driving

u

Front Sensor Camera

Continued

Driving

Front Sensor Camera

The camera, used in systems such as LKAS, RDM, ACC with Low Speed Follow, 
CMBS

TM

, and auto high-beam, is designed to detect an object that triggers any of 

the systems to operate its functions.

This camera is located behind the rearview 
mirror.

To help reduce the likelihood that high interior 
temperatures will cause the camera’s sensing 
system to shut off, when parking, find a shady 
area or face the front of the vehicle away from 
the sun. If you use a reflective sun shade, do 
not allow it to cover the camera housing. 
Covering the camera can concentrate heat on 
it.

■

Camera Location and Handling Tips

1

Front Sensor Camera

Never apply a film or attach any objects to the 
windshield, the hood, or the front grille that could 
obstruct the camera’s field of vision and cause the 
system to operate abnormally.
Scratches, nicks, and other damage to the windshield 
within the camera’s field of vision can cause the 
system to operate abnormally. If this occurs, we 
recommend that you replace the windshield with a 
genuine Acura replacement windshield. Making even 
minor repairs within the camera’s field of vision or 
installing an aftermarket replacement windshield 
may also cause the system to operate abnormally.
After replacing the windshield, have a dealer 
recalibrate the camera. Proper calibration of the 
camera is necessary for the system to operate 
properly.

Do not place an object on the top of the instrument 
panel. It may reflect onto the windshield and prevent 
the system from detecting lane lines properly.

Front Sensor 

Camera

uu

When Driving

u

Front Sensor Camera

476

Driving

1

Front Sensor Camera

If the 

Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot 

Operate: Camera Temperature Too High

 message 

appears:

•

Use the climate control system to cool down the 
interior and, if necessary, also use defroster mode 
with the airflow directed towards the camera.

•

Start driving the vehicle to lower the windshield 
temperature, which cools down the area around 
the camera.

If the 

Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot 

Operate: Clean Front Windshield

 message 

appears:

•

Park your vehicle in a safe place, and clean the 
windshield. If the message does not disappear after 
you have cleaned the windshield and driven for a 
while, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

477

uu

When Driving

u

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow

Continued

Driving

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed 
Follow

Helps maintain a constant vehicle speed and a set following-interval behind a vehicle 
detected ahead of yours and, if the detected vehicle comes to a stop, can decelerate 
and stop your vehicle, without you having to keep your foot on the brake or the 
accelerator.
When ACC with Low Speed Follow slows your vehicle by applying the brakes, your 
vehicle’s brake lights will illuminate.

1

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow

Important Reminder

As with any system, there are limits to ACC with Low 
Speed Follow. Use the brake pedal whenever 
necessary, and always keep a safe interval between 
your vehicle and other vehicles.

Be careful not to severely impact the radar sensor 
cover.

3

WARNING

Improper use of ACC with Low Speed 
Follow can lead to a crash.

Use ACC with Low Speed Follow only when 
driving on expressways or freeways and in 
good weather conditions.

3

WARNING

ACC with Low Speed Follow has limited 
braking capability and may not stop your 
vehicle in time to avoid a collision with a 
vehicle that quickly stops in front of you.

Always be prepared to apply the brake 
pedal if the conditions require.

When to use

■

Vehicle speed for ACC with Low Speed Follow: 

A vehicle is detected ahead 

within ACC with Low Speed Follow range

 – ACC with Low Speed Follow 

operates at speeds up to 90 mph (145 km/h).

No vehicle is detected within ACC with Low Speed Follow range

 – ACC with 

Low Speed Follow operates at the speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or above.

■

Gear position for ACC with Low Speed Follow: In 

(

D

 or 

(

S

.

The radar sensor is 

behind the emblem.

The camera is 

located behind the 

rearview mirror.

uu

When Driving

u

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow

478

Driving

■

How to activate the system

1

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow

When the 

MAIN

 button is pressed, both ACC with 

Low Speed Follow and the Lane Keeping Assist 
System (LKAS) are either turned on or off.

ACC with Low Speed Follow may not work properly 
under certain conditions.

2

ACC with Low Speed Follow Conditions 
and Limitations

 P. 484

When not using ACC with Low Speed Follow: Turn 
off adaptive cruise by pressing the 

MAIN

 button. This 

also will turn off the Lane Keeping Assist System 
(LKAS).

Do not use ACC with Low Speed Follow under the 
following conditions:

•

On roads with heavy traffic or while driving in 
continuous stop and go traffic.

•

On roads with sharp turns.

•

On roads with steep downhill sections, as the set 
vehicle speed can be exceeded by coasting. In such 
cases, ACC with Low Speed Follow will not apply 
the brakes to maintain the set speed.

•

On roads with toll collection facilities or other 
objects between lanes of traffic, or in parking 
areas, or facilities with drive through access.

■

Press the 

MAIN

 button on 

the steering wheel.

ACC

 (green) is on in the 

instrument panel.
ACC with Low Speed 

Follow is ready to use.

How to use

479

uu

When Driving

u

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow

Continued

Driving

When driving at about 25 mph (40 km/h) or above: 

Take your foot off the 

pedal and press down the 

RES/+

/

SET/–

 switch when you reach the desired speed. 

The moment you release the switch, the set speed is fixed, and ACC with Low Speed 
Follow begins.

When driving at slower than about 25 mph (40 km/h): 

If the vehicle is moving 

and the brake pedal is not depressed, pressing the switch fixes the set speed to 
about 25 mph (40 km/h) regardless of current vehicle speed. If your vehicle is 
stationary, you can set the vehicle speed even with the brake pedal depressed.

■

To Set the Vehicle Speed

On when ACC with Low 

Speed Follow begins

Press down and release

RES/+

/

SET/−

 Switch

480

uu

When Driving

u

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow

Driving

When ACC with Low Speed Follow starts 
operating, the vehicle icon, interval bars and 
set speed appear on the MID.

Set Vehicle Speed

Set Vehicle Interval