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Another idea is to try a local Honda place, they may be able to diagnose the problem for you and then you can request the warranty repair from Acura.
If you feel like it is a real problem, find a recommended local mechanic, get an oil change (i.e. give them some cash for their trouble) and ask them to tell you what they think.
My selling dealer's service is between bad and lousy. Anything out of the ordinary seems to be beyond their ability to repair. Even ordinary stuff seems to be a challenge. However, I have found that Acura customer service does try to help if you can get the dealer to contact them.
I have no faith that my selling dealer can properly repair my MDX. I've already been to a different dealer that appears to have a better service department and will try them the next time I need warranty service.
Any response is appreciated.
Check your balance/fader settings, maybe that is contributing to the problem?
great, drove a little bit, over 70 mph on high
way without any noise.
i read great reviews about mdx. so far everything else is good except gear change happens above 3000rpm if i need to drive normal. is this the norm with all the acura cars? acceleration is not so great. has anyone else felt the same with your mdx?
Acceleration is good in the '02.
In my case engine speed is 2100 to 2300 rpm in 5th gear at freeway speeds around here. On most inclines the torque converter unlocks and rpm jumps as much as 500 rpm, but it is not felt or heard in the car. The steeper hills result in an actual downshift to fourth which is felt and heard as the rpm goes to 3000 or more.
The gear ratios are about the same on the 03 and the 03 weighs a little more than the 02. Engine torque at low rpm is essentially the same for the new engine. From time to time, especially on hills, I would expect the new transmission will behave about the same as the one in my 02.
The tall overdrive gear ratios on the MDX do not make for peppy fifth (or even fourth) gear acceleration. Mine will go to the car's governed maximum speed in third gear, so even third could be shorter for better passing performance. Peppy performance, at freeway speeds, requires aggressive gas pedal use. High speed two lane road passing takes lots of space and planning.
Acceleration performance of my 02 is actually better around town than I expected and about as expected on freeways.
Thanks
I'll take the car into a different dealer's shop in a few weeks and see if they can get rid of the brake noise. Unfortunately, the next nearest dealer is operated by the by the same people as my selling dealer.
At what mileage did the clunk noise started to occur?
But the springs on the cargo cover makes spring tension noise, the gas slouches when I stop to fast.
bjjb
Around town on my MDX I am getting over 16, but it took a while to get there. Try doing a manual calculation per tank vs. off the computer.
Sbcooke is correct that mpg gets better with some miles on the car, but don't expect much improvement. Mine still gives 13-15 around town and 20-23 on trips, about what I expected.
The average mpg for 3000 miles increments, done manually - not using the trip computer, has been 15.7, 16.4, 16.5, and 18.0. The last 3000 miles had more highway driving than normal. Since then, the next 1500 miles shows an average back in the 16 range. My last tank was 13.2 for all local stop and go driving.
Side note: My MDX gets about the same mpg as my PT GT, so by comparison the MDX does quite well for its size.
If you think it is out of the ordinary, ask them to reproduce it in another MDX. I know it is impossible when you take it to a dealer that says "its normal".
Another approach would be to take it to another dealer and say...it makes this noise...normal or not, I want it to stop making it...be more specific rather than "please check this out".
I called Honda a year ago when my son expressed concern about his 2001 Civic making this noise.
Well, we were told this is a result of the brake calipers shifting when you go from reverse to drive and that we should not worry.
Sure enough, after having my 2003 MDX for a couple months now, it makes the same noise.
I can't say I like it, but it is normal, and all Honda's do it.
Hope this helps and that makes two people who have gotten rid of their Town & Country's for an MDX. I can't say I hated mine or my last one, or my last one before that, but I just needed a change and a car that didn't rattle so much.
I will say though that I miss the white gauges, the chrome wheels, the duel zone air conditioning, and the auto-dimming outside driver's mirror. Also, the automatic headlights were more sensitive in my T&C Limited than they are in my MDX.
Another thing is the suspension...at my 7500 mile service they re-torqued some of the suspension bolts, that reduced some minor noises I noticed in similar situations (i.e. backing out of the driveway first thing in the morning).
Took quite a while to be able to ignore the noises. Certainly not what I expected, but at least the car in general has been reliable, comfortable, and versatile.
Although, I asked Acura and they said it could have been the metal roadside assistance thing touching the key, which messes up the immobalizer or something and then the car doesn't recognize the key.
The brake click on the other hand happens in ALL Honda's including my MDX and son's Civic. I've been told it's the brake calipers shifting from reverse to drive.
Overall, I'm very happy about this car. It now has 7000 miles and not ONE rattle! Try that Chrysler Town & Country....
It’s funny that when I make a sharp turn into garage onramp slowly I could actually hear 2 or 3 “clunks/clicks" as each wheel does its thing.
I get the same mpg going 65-75, but I notice that under-inflated tires can make the mpg down by 1 or 2. After 15,000 miles; City = 14-16mpg, Highway = 21-23mpg.
MDX is fairly heavy SUV. Eventhough there is plenty of hp to get it going, but go easy on the gas, and let go the gas early if you want to make a stop, it seems to coast ¼ mile without slowing down.
The wind noise bothers me now and then when there is strong “cross-wind”, Oh well it’s a truck. I think because MDX does a fairly good job of isolating “engine/transmission” and “tires” noises, therefore we all pretty much irritated by remaining noise source - wind noise.
I wonder if MDX could reshape the foldaway mirror, it may minimize the wind noise. What do you think?
As turn out that a “dried tree leaf” got suck into the blower and causing the wobbling sound. If this had been an out of warranty service call, it’s a 1 to 1 ½ hours labor charge ($80-$120) expense.
So keep that air vent grill mesh clear of debris. The “5-speed” blower does the job too well.
Have also experienced very loud noise with strong cross and head winds. Almost sounds like a train whistle at times. This happens when the wind is so strong the car cannot maintain freeways speeds and stay in 5th gear. For some reason when this situation occurs the trip computer can't figure out remaining range and will show zero range with 5 gallons left in the tank. Maybe it has something to do with the transmission automatically holding fourth gear for many miles at 65-70 mph. Trip computer shows instant mpg of about 8 under these conditions.
Note to Dave210: My 02 MDX had three rattles, with one that comes and goes. My 03 Chrysler has none. Guess it just depends on the individual vehicle.
It seems that some of you live in quite adverse climates. Winds strong enough to downshift? i live on west coast of Florida, and even on tall bridges on windy days there is not THAT much noise. And I'm talking about a 2001 model, they have the worst sound insulation job for the cost. Last year on summer vacation, we were going down I-75 at about 80 and I cant even barely hear my headphones, full blast. (Vacation in North Carolina mountains btw, beautiful area and mdx takes the curvy roads better than any minivan!)I think the tires are noisier than necessary, different ones might help. (Current tires are Touring package Michelins that came with car, these things have great treadlife at 2 years, 2 summer road trips.)
The transmission issues are interesting. Maybe the towing package helps by keeping it cool? Ours has towing package and we dont get any noises. Also never noticed the break "clunk."
The windshield washer motor was replaced when we noticed that the rear washer just kinda leaked and dribbled down the back when washer was activated. Front nozzles always worked great!
The AC system, well appreciated here in Florida, cools better than any other car Ive ever been in. According to specs(BTU rating), the AC system can cool faster than my propane grill can heat up. One problem- there is a intermittent whining noise that apparently is some valves operating in the AC system. The noise appears related to when the compressor switches on/off.
There are a few squeaks heard over bumps, originating from the rear seat interior area, that really irritate my mom, since she is main user of the car.
Some things I saw here...The remote door lock button locks with one press, if you press it again it activates the alarm system, that is why it beeps the second time. The MDX is really not heavy compared to other SUVs in its class, consider the Volvo XC90 weighs almost 4800 lbs(Road & Track, December 2002, p.95) Also from that R&T issue was a comparison test of SUVs, where the Acura MDX was best acceleration in snow (note that they tested a 2002 model, 2003 could only be better!) Well id better stop rambling on or you will all fall asleep!
Has anyone else experienced a similiar problem,and what resulted from your dealings with the dealer?
At least one of them had a heck of a time getting Acura to address his issues to his satisfaction. It was bad enough that he demanded a new MDX. Eventually he got one. It helps to make sure you contact your Acura regional representative (call up the 800 number to find out who it is), in writing.
Good luck.