2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual - Page 380

Main Menu Table Of Contents Trailer Stability Assist Your vehicle is equipped with trailer stability assist function. This function works on the same sensors as the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system. This function helps to stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination when the trailer severely sways or oscillates. For more information on the VSA system, see page 359. If the function detects vehicle/trailer instability, it checks if the swaying is caused by the trailer, and if the trailer swaying or oscillation is increasing. The vehicle/trailer combination is more affected by crosswinds, buffeting, and improper tongue load. These conditions can make the trailer unstable, and cause it to sway. Under these conditions, trailer stability assist begins to stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by reducing the vehicle speed. The control unit sends signals to selectively apply the brakes and regulate the engine output. The brake lights of your vehicle will be turned on automatically by the system even if you do not keep the pressure on the brake pedal. When the brakes are applied, the trailer's brake lights come on along with the vehicle brake lights. When the trailer stability assist activates, you will see the VSA activation indicator blink. There may also be some noise from the VSA hydraulic system. Trailer stability assist cannot prevent a loss of control. Always reduce the vehicle speed and steer firmly. Do not brake suddenly or make quick steering motion. It could cause the trailer to jackknife or turn over and the system becomes ineffective. Trailer stability assist cannot prevent swaying that can occur in crosswinds and in normal and emergency driving maneuvers. It helps only to stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination in these conditions, after the oscillation becomes severe. Trailer stability assist will also be ineffective while driving at high speed or towing a trailer with a high center of gravity. Always obey the recommended speed limits for towing a trailer, see page 374. 376 2009 MDX