Acura Advance.

VTEC
Standard Feature

VTEC^®, which stands for Variable valve Timing and Electronic lift Control, is a little like having an on-demand racing camshaft in your engine to give you high rpm power without compromising low rpm torque.

• When engine speed reaches a designated rpm, the intake valves open deeper and longer to enhance airflow and allow the MDX to continue to build horsepower at levels where other engines may run out of steam.
• When used in tandem with the 2-stage Manifold System, the driver enjoys plenty of low-end power around town and reserve power on the open road.

Drive-by-Wire Throttle
Standard Feature

Derived from Acura’s racing program, the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system is a sophisticated electronic system that enables a smooth, powerful response with just the right throttle sensitivity in every driving situation.

• The system replaces the usual cables and linkages between the accelerator pedal and engine throttle.
• It factors in data, such as engine rpm, coolant temperature and road speed from various sensors before adjusting the throttle.
• The system communicates with the transmission to enable quick, seamless gear changes.

Battery Management System
Standard Feature

New for 2010, the MDX has a Power Management System that can help prevent the inconvenience of a dead or weak battery. The system will shut down accessories if it detects the battery may soon be too weak to start the engine.

Sequential SportShift Automatic
Standard Feature

The 2010 MDX harnesses the power of its V-6 with an all-new 6-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission that increases both performance and fuel economy.

• Specialized logic features such as Grade Logic and Shift Hold Control keep the transmission composed in situations that often trip up conventional transmissions.
• The steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters deliver quick precise shifts at your fingertips.
• A tap of the paddle shifter when “D” is selected brings a quick gear change before returning to automatic operation when the MDX has resumed a steady speed. This allows you to make manual gear changes when needed, such as for passing, without changing in and out of manual mode.
• For quicker acceleration, select “S,” and the transmission allows the engine to rev higher before shifting. Using a paddle shifter in “S” puts the transmission into full manual mode, where you have direct control of all shifting.
• The new Hill Start Assist eases starts on inclines. Sensing an uphill grade, the system holds brake pressure momentarily while your foot moves from the brake pedal to the throttle for a smooth, secure start.

Grade Logic & Shift Hold Control
Standard Feature

When the transmission is in automatic mode, two shift algorithms are programmed to step in during certain circumstances to avoid the gear hunting that’s common to conventional automatics.

• When encountering a steep uphill or downhill grade, Grade Logic Control will instruct the transmission to hold a lower gear for better climbing or increased downhill engine braking.
• When accelerating through a curve, Shift Hold Control will delay upshifting for as long as possible to avoid disrupting the chassis or power delivery until you have exited the curve.

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
Standard Feature

Though it has the same all-weather attributes of conventional all-wheel drive, Acura developed its revolutionary Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®) system to enhance high-performance dry-road handling. The result is enhanced high-performance cornering that simply can't be matched by front, rear, or conventional all-wheel-drive systems.

• The system continuously determines the optimal level of power distribution between the front and rear wheels, and also between the rear wheels.
• Power distribution is based on an analysis of wheel speed, steering angle, lateral G-force and yaw rate.
• The system reduces understeer and increases stability by turning the outside rear wheel slightly faster than the rest of the wheels, rotating the vehicle through the turn.

Power Distribution
Standard Feature

The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®) system uses sensors to read an array of vehicle and road conditions and uses this data to actively distribute power between the front and rear axles and among the rear wheels. By continuously distributing power to the wheels in greatest need, the MDX handles conditions with surprising poise and agility.

• Power distribution is based on an analysis of wheel speed, steering angle, lateral G-force and yaw rate.
• Torque among the rear wheels is distributed by a pair of electromagnetic clutches that can actively direct any combination of power between the two rear wheels in fractions of a second.
• When cruising in a straight line, up to 90% of the power is sent to the front wheels for better fuel economy.
• To accommodate shifting weight, up to 70% of the power can be transferred to the rear wheels during hard cornering—all of which can be directed to the outside wheel if needed.

Nurburgring Performance Testing
Standard Feature

Extensive testing on the Nürburgring Nördschleife circuit in Germany helped develop the ride and handling characteristics of the MDX that resulted in its luxury sports-sedan feeling.

• This renowned 13-mile course contains over 170 corners and is considered the toughest natural road course in the world.
• Many of the world’s leading high-performance production cars have their chassis honed on the “ring.”
• Though not a usual venue for SUV development, the objective of making the MDX a premier driver’s vehicle led Acura engineers to the Nürburgring, where a wide range of dynamic behaviors were evaluated and perfected.

Active Damper System
Advance Package

The available Active Damper System can adjust suspension stiffness changes in a split second, to both smooth the ride and sharpen handling, according to driving conditions. This allows the MDX to remain soft and comfortable during highway cruising, yet firm when the road requires high-performance handling.

• The dampers—also known as shock absorbers—are filled with a fluid that significantly thickens in the presence of a magnetic field. The stronger the field, the stiffer the damper.
• Each damper can adjust from soft to race car-stiff in as little as 5 milliseconds.
• A button on the console allows drivers to manually select their preference for a “Comfort” or “Sport” ride.
• The Active Damper System is always on whenever the ignition is engaged.
• Response rate and tuning precision has been improved for 2010 to better control body movement in the Comfort mode and increase damping in high speed corners when in the Sport mode.

Suspension Systems
Standard Feature

The front strut and rear multi-link suspensions are designed to accommodate the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®) system’s unique lateral and forward forces and provide the best balance of handling precision, road isolation, and bump-recovery damping.

• The MacPherson strut front suspension features forged-aluminum lower control arms to reduce unsprung weight.
• The whole front system is mounted to a subframe which “floats” on rubber mounts to provide road and engine isolation.
• The front suspension uses newly developed fluid-filled bushings to provide superior ride isolation and chassis vibration control.
• Anti-dive properties were modified to further improve impact harshness and ride comfort.
• The rear features squeeze-cast aluminum uprights (or “knuckles”) to reduce unsprung weight for improved response, while trailing-arm mounts are positioned to reduce suspension squat during acceleration.
• During testing, the suspension’s coil springs, dampers and anti-roll bars received extensive tuning to achieve an ideal combination of superior ride and exceptional handling.
• To further improve steering response, the rear system has been mounted on a separate steel subframe.

Steering System
Standard Feature

Because steering is a key aspect of the driver-vehicle relationship, Acura engineers spent considerable time raising the quality of the rack-and-pinion steering feedback.

• The torque-sensing power-assist system varies the level of effort at varying speeds so that steering is firm at high speeds, yet easy and precise in the parking lot.
• The steering system has been finessed to relay the subtle steering feedback that drivers look for when negotiating curves and other steering maneuvers.

Body Structure
Standard Feature

A rigid body structure is essential for a smooth ride, precise handling and a quiet cabin. The MDX achieves a high level of rigidity—particularly for an SUV—by using strong, lightweight and more costly high-tensile steel in the body structure. Key areas include:

• Roof arches
• Floor crossmembers
• Front rails
• Side body
• Tailgate opening, which is particularly vulnerable to flex
• Pounds were also reduced by using aluminum in areas where less weight is required and the strength of steel is not imperative, such as the hood and instrument panel.

Braking System
Standard Feature

The brake system is engineered to provide best-in-class braking capability in dry, wet and icy conditions. It is also tuned to provide the precise modulation necessary for the utmost confidence during spirited driving. The disc brakes are the largest ever provided on a production Acura.

• The ventilated front discs measure 13 inches in diameter and are gripped by dual-piston, cast-iron calipers.
• The solid rear discs are 13.2 inches with single-piston, cast-iron calipers.
• To satisfy the enthusiast driver, the brake pedal feel is firm with short brake pedal travel.
• The anti-lock braking system (ABS) pulses the brake pressure to a wheel if it detects potential lockup.
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) uses the ABS sensors to determine the proportion of brake force to each wheel for increased performance and stability.
• These and other systems, such as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®) and Brake Assist, are further detailed in the Safety and Security section.

Smooth & Quiet Ride
Standard Feature

Acura first reduced noise vibration and harshness by attacking vibration in the body during the engineering phase, rather than adding sound-insulating materials to the body later.

• The rear suspension mounts are attached directly to the body for greater rigidity and reduced vibration.
• The front and rear subframes are stiffer, which allow for softer mounting bushings and a further reduction in noise and vibration.
• To diminish the “drumming” noises inherent in SUVs, insulating materials were used in critical areas, including those on the front bulkhead, the floor, side body, doors and roof.
• A unique carpet and padding system further reduces noise intrusion.

Off-Road
Standard Feature

The off-road abilities of the MDX benefit from the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®) system, which includes Hill Logic, a feature that diverts power to the rear wheels when a steep incline is detected.

• The traction-control component of the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®) system contributes to helping the MDX meet typical off-road challenges without the need for low-range gears or 4WD “lock” mode.
• Generously steep approach and departure angles and components located underneath the vehicle are tucked away to avoid damage in light off-highway driving.
• The MDX is designed to travel through nearly 19 inches of standing water.