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1. Remove the glove box.
a. remove the stops on each side
b. disconnect the damper on the right side
c. take out the bolts under the front
2. Cut the plastic cross brace in the glove box opening near the ends of the opening. Throw away the cross brace. The plastic cross brace sort of covers the glove box frame in step three. It is in the lower part of the glove box opening.
3. Remove glove box frame.
4. Remove and replace the filter.
5. Put everything back, except the cross brace.
It may sound like a lot, but really isn't. Takes about 15 to 30 minutes the first time.
The removal instructions in post 52 are from experience on my 02 MDX and on my neighbor's Odyssey (which has what appears to be the identical setup for the pollen filter). The instructions are essentially what the 02 MDX service manual says.
If you do steps 1a and 1b in post 52 you can see where the filter is located when you open the glove box door all the way.
My Jag and PT Cruiser pollen filters also require(d) removal of items before one could change the filter. The MDX is the only one that a part is discarded after the first time. There appears to be no loss in stiffness with the plastic cross brace removed.
My neighbor and I each saved about 2/3 of the cost of having the dealer(s) do the replacement. In addition, we saved a lot of time by not having to take the vehicles to the dealer. For me, the time savings alone is enough.
Can order on line at https://ecominet2.alpine-usa.com/pls/admn/ha.header?p_make=Acura or call 888-549-3798.
My dealer gave me the phone number and I called it first. While waiting for a person to become available the message said the DVD could be ordered at acuanavi.com, which turned out to be the above link.
I picked a large database item, KFC, and it took about 15 seconds before displaying the list of over 4800 KFC locations. It did not have the nearest one to where I was at the time (it has been there for about a year).
Spoke with Alpine and was told they do not have any customer service for factory nav systems. They referred me to Acura. Acura essentially said that is the way it is and there is nothing that can be done. Acura added that the dealer may have a way to make the original DVD work again.
Just spoke with the local dealer and was told I am the second person to call today that wants to switch back to the original DVD. The dealer is waiting for tech support to call back - the dealer doesn't know how to do it. Neither did the second dealer I called.
The upgrade was just released on Monday. This doesn't sound good.
Advice: Save your money and wait for Alpine/Acura to fix the problems with the upgrade.
Thx
How much did the update cost?
Did you buy from the dealer or a third party vendor?
Did you do it yourself?
Does the DvD load everything into memory somehow, or is the disc required to be left inthe system/permanently installed?
Can the update be re-sold (think eBay) to someone else to use, instead of paying full price for it and beign stuck with it?
BTW, I am sorry to hear about the update problems with your systems, and hope they correct the issues/return your system to the original software.
Dan
Your 2004 will come with the latest version of the database and the current operating software.
The update cost is $185 plus shipping and in some cases sales tax. You cannot get the updates from the dealer. Alpine makes the update and they have setup an Acura/Honda update web site and call-in service. This may change in the future.
The update is very easy to install and took about one minute or so. Just press the eject button on the nav unit under the passenger front seat and slide in the new DVD while either the engine is running or the key on. The update self installs, but does require driving on a street in the database for a short distance before the update is ready to be used (less than half a block for me).
The DVD stays in the nav unit. Some information is loaded into the unit's memory, but the database is on the DVD.
The upgrade can be returned to Acura for a refund - as soon as Acura/Alpine figures out how to do that. Problem is that once the this upgrade DVD is used, the old DVD will not work. There is supposed to be a procedure the dealer can do to allow one to go back to the DVD that came with the car, but neither Acura dealer around here knows how to do it.
When we bought our 2002 MDX I recall being told that one could expect an update to be available sometime around October every year. While there has be at least one very minor update that added a few small cities I have the impression this is the first major update since Acura started offering DVD based nav systems (1999 model year I believe).
The update does have a larger database than what came with my 2002, but it appears to be more than a year old. Still, it is more complete and more up to date than my OE DVD.
The larger database does seem to slow my nav system, but I doubt it will on 2003 or 2004 models.
I can live with the slowness - it isn't that bad, and I can put up with the often misplaced and unwanted permanent school icons on the 1/8 and 1/20 mile screens (the two I use 99% of the time). I can even live with the wrong voice directions (happened twice so far). The new softer voice is okay too, but the 'bong' that preceeds the voice directions is very loud now. It is annoying and worse, distracting.
In almost two years I never had to adjust the sound level. Now I have to change the sound level with car speed. If the 'bong' is set to an okay level I can't hear the voice directions when at freeway speeds. Never a problem before.
All I wanted was an up to date database for roads and points of interest. Alpine made a number of other chnages that, for me, makes the nav unit less desireable. I suspect most people will not find the update objectionable
Next time I think about nav for a car I will look into buying direct from Alpine or just using a laptop based system. Alpine's DVD for their own systems includes Southern Cananda while the Alpine one for Acura does not.
Thanks.
Acura called me last week about the update. I was told update shipping had stopped and that a new fixed update DVD will be automatically sent to those that have already received the update. This is planned for sometime in early January. When questioned about going back to the OE DVD I was left with the impression they are working on that too.
Hopefully the 'fix' will have some QA testing. Not holding my breath about the early January time frame.
Experiences, alternatives?
Today's car finishes are very good and none of the Teflons/polishes/waxes/coatings last for more than a few months anyway. Any leather/vynl cleaner/protection product for the seats etc will do as well as the expensive product the dealer wants to sell. For less than $10 you can do it yourself in less than 30 minutes with a spray bottle you can buy at any auto parts store. I do my interior about twice a year and just finished the spray bottle I bought two years ago. Worried about carpet and floor mats? A can of Scotch Guard works as well and costs little. Time to spray is under 10 minutes.
One thing that may be worth the cost, depending on driving conditions, is a clear bra. This is a clear plastic coating that covers the front and prevents chips (not a bad idea for the rear bumper too). This is expensive, but effective for years.
I find my 02 MDX is not chip prone and therefore have no need for the front clear bra, but wish I had done the rear bumper top rear edge.
Also, the honda ATF fluid is red, like it is supposed to be, however I noticed that the transmission fluid in the truck is more brownish? I have seen burnt transmission fluid before and it isn't that kind of brownish, more like clear brown, maybe synthetic oil brown. Any ideas? Do they put an additive in the fluid from the factory that might make the color look like that?
A burnt odor and/or deterioration of shift quality is an indicator of a transmission and/or fluid problem.
Same procedure as an Odyssey BTW.
Once the cross brace is removed the filter is a snap to replace.
My dealer uses Agip synthetic (of course at much higher cost than the regular oil change). Is Agip good? Anyone has any experience with it? Thanks much!
"Mobil 1 with SuperSyn 0W20 is engineered specifically for Ford, Honda and any other vehicle where a 0W-20 or 5W-20 engine oil is recommended."
The 0W should be available in stores.
BTW, I've been using Mobil-1 since the mid 1970's and have switched from conventional oil no later than the first scheduled oil change in every new car except my oil burners.
Also, notice the sheetmetals get dents easily, any solutions?
Opinions?
Finally, you can do it yourself. It if fairly easy to change the VTM and oil the main maintenance items.
You will not void your warranty as long as you have documentation that the service was done in a timely manner (even if you do it yourself).
My current Acura dealer thinks a lot of his service (high prices), but does give a free loaner and has matched a lower price for service in the past.
There are lots of good tire choices out there and it is probably the most common car upgrade going. Check out what the X5 and ML has on them? What type of driving do you want? For all around I think the cross terrains are probably one of the best on the market. Though for Arizona roads for example, you might want a z rated tire?
If you wanted to take the MDX to camping sites/beach driving etc you could consider getting tires on a 16" rim...the 17" low profile is a drawback in offroad (even light) situations.
Don't feel stuck with either of the stock choices, although the michelins are quite good in my opinion.
Tests on my MDX show premium (vs. regular) gives about 8% better mpg and tests using a stop watch show the car accelerates significantly faster with premium too. Around here the difference in cost is just over 8 percent. If gas prices continue to increase the cost difference will become less than 8%.
My tests were done over 1500 miles for each grade of fuel. The road and driving conditions were similar throughout and involved local and freeway driving (including some long drives). Actual fuel used was used for mpg calculations, not the inaccurate trip computer.
The car drove fine on regular and did not feel different than when premium is used.
The service dept also tell me that I will need a 15K service that going to cost me around $300. Is this worth it or should I do this myself?
Thanks!
$300 isn't bad, check a honda dealer for maybe better pricing. Also itemize, some things you don't need? Check wiper blades, tire pressure, etc. Maybe give them a list and get a price? You probably should follow the extreme schedule since you don't drive it a lot, so you will need a vtm change at 15K...you could wait until 22K, but I wouldn't wait until 30k since you don't drive it so much.
Thanks,
Ralph
The 15K service is an oil and filter along with a tire rotation. The rest are 'inspect' items that can easily be a DIY look-see. I agree that one should check Honda dealers' prices for the service.
Because the MDX is high off the ground it is very easy to change oil and VTM-4 fluid without a lift or jack (about 30 minutes or so to do both if you have a small hand pump for the VTM-4 fluid (about $10 at the dealer))