Here is from Acura MDX owner's manual:
"If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle."


isn't that dangerous? what is the use to allow turning off engine while driving?

 

Remember those run-away Toyotas...due to gas pedal being stuck due to floor mats? Of course, shifting into NEUTRAL would have helped those Toyota victims....

 

It's probably more of a warning and legal obligation similar to "Warning, contents may be hot" on the side of your morning coffee.

 

thanks.

try to access the risk of accidently stop engine during driving before I buy MDX. how to change power mode in MDX during driving? I couldn't find it in MDX owner's manual.

I find below in Toyota Highlander's owner's manual:
"If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. "

also from some threads/web, i see couple of losing control/accelaration/steering/braking complaints, just wondering if accidently push start button or some sort of electrical failure from this function increases the driver's risk.

 

p.459 for 2014 MDX:

Emergency Engine Stop
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be used to stop the engine due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must stop the engine, do either of the
following operations:
• Press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for about two seconds.
• Firmly press the ENGINE START/STOP button two times.
• The steering wheel will not lock. The power mode changes to VEHICLE OFF with
the shift lever in (P, and to ACCESSORY with the shift lever in any position other
than (P.
• Because turning off the engine also disables the power assist the engine provides
to the steering and braking systems, it will require significantly more physical
effort and time to steer and slow the vehicle. Downshift gears and use both feet
on the brake pedal, if necessary, to slow the vehicle and stop immediately in a
safe place.

NOTICE
Do not press the button while driving unless it is
absolutely necessary for the engine to be switched
off.

 

This is not new.

That is no different than turning off the ignition key while driving, with all other conventional ignition key start vehicles.

 

yep, all emergency purposes

 

Yup. Different method but same thing.

 

for conventional ignition key start vehicles, do you have to depress brake pedal when shift is in "D" to turn off engine? thanks.

 

For 2015 MDX see page 111 of 2015 Owners Guide.

 

I am thinking another issue with keyless system.

in conventional key system, once turning off engine in "D" mode, owner still has to change to shift "P" to remove the key. so it is not likely car stay in "D" mode after owner left.

but in keyless system, owner will have chance to walk away with remote while engine shut off in shift "D" mode. this is not safe and car might still roll forward.

 

No. The driver can turn the ignition key to shut down the engine in "D" without touching the brake pedal.

 

^^^ Agreed

 

thanks. I test it and it works.

for keyless system concern, i find a safety research study article, and will open up a new thread to discuss.