2009 Acura MDX Owner's Manual - Page 384

Main Menu Table Of Contents Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ● The banks are sloped so you can drive out. The water is not flowing too fast. Deep rushing water can sweep you downstream. Even very shallow rushing water can wash the ground from under your tires and cause you to lose traction and possibly roll over. The banks and surface under the water provide good traction. The water may hide hazards such as rocks, holes, or mud. ● If the water is deeper than the wheel hubs, some additional service may be required. This service is not covered by your warranties. If You Get Stuck If you get stuck, carefully try to go in the direction (forward or reverse) that you think will get you unstuck. Do not spin the tires at high speeds. It will not help you get out and may cause damage to the transmission or SH-AWD system. If you are still unable to free yourself, your vehicle is equipped with front and rear tow hooks designed for this purpose. Use a nylon strap to attach the MDX to the recovery vehicle and carefully take out the slack in the strap. Once the strap is tight, the recovery vehicle should apply force. Remember that the recovery vehicle needs good traction to avoid becoming stuck, too. You should never use a jack to try to get unstuck. Your vehicle could easily slip off the jack and hurt you or someone else. Towing a Trailer Off-Road You may be able to safely tow a lightweight trailer (such as a motorcycle or small tent trailer) offroad if you follow these guidelines: ● ● Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45 kg). Stay on smooth, level dirt roads, and avoid driving in hilly terrain. Allow extra room for starting, stopping, and turning. Slow down if you encounter bumps or other obstacles. ● If you decide it is safe to drive through water, choose a suitable speed, and proceed without shifting, changing speeds, stopping, or shutting off the engine. After driving through water, test your brakes. If they got wet, gently ''pump'' them while driving slowly until they operate normally. ● ● 380 2009 MDX