I had my '02 MDX in the shop b/c it took several seconds to crank...the shop said that according to Acura, the normal crank time is up to 10 seconds....I told them this is ludicrous and that can't be right...but they said they doublechecked and that it is fine. (I have a 72 Buick that does't take 10 seconds to crank). It only happens intermittently and usually if it is damp outside. Anyone else hear anything like this?
10 second to start a new car is definitely not normal, In fact, I wouldn't crank any car for 10 seconds straight. This happens to me once a while too, try taking the key out and re-inserting it and it should start right up. Good Luck
My 02 takes 2 seconds or less to start. Under some high temperature conditions it has taken a couple of seconds longer. The only time I have had a car take longer is when the gasoline vapor pressure was such that the gasoline essentially boiled in the fuel lines near the engine and cool gasoline had to be pumped from the tank before the car would start.
I've had two cars that did this on hot days and two other that would start but run poorly for a few seconds after starting under similar hot conditions. It usually happened in winter when the day was unusually warm, though it did happen on 100 degree days during the summer too.
I can understand that the time that Acura considers okay would seem long, but the ten seconds or so gives the cool fuel enough time to get to and through the injection pump.
I noticed a very distinct resonating/pulsing sensation at 2k rpm on my new MDX after only a day or so. It is VERY annoying at freeway speeds 68-75 mph. I drove another '04, and it has the same problem. Dealer say its the design of the car and they can't do anything... but to try Acura. 1st call to Acura they denied also, said it's the dealer's problem. I believe it is due to changing the exhaust system from '03 to '04. Acura redesigned the exhaust system in order to increase power by 5 hp. I definitely agree that this is a huge flaw, for any auto, but especially the MDX, given the price.
Just curious. Does resonating happen in any gear or just 5th gear?
My 02 resonates at high freeway speeds (76-85).
All Navi update update: There appears to be new logic in routing. Did better today with the update DVD than the last time I drove to the same location. Much more logical directions. However, we did notice what seemed to be missing chunks of screen data during one ten mile stretch. The right side of the screen was gray. A message flashed on the screen several times that correctly identified what the missing area was, but nothing appeared on the screen.
In one short stretch, no less than 12 school icons were showing on the 1/8 mile screen at the same time. Hard to believe there were 12 schools in such a small area.
The database searches for street names, when entering an address, sometimes makes us think the unit has failed. Today, we had almost a 20 second pause after entering the last letter of a street name before the system would allow a number to be added.
We also noticed today that sometimes the blue line that shows the route isn't on any street, but parallels the street. Not a negative, just looks wrong.
Another nice positive is the reduced number of voice directions when on a freeway that one will be staying on for many miles. Used to tell us to "stay on X freeway" every time we approached and then again when we came to another freeway or major freeway like road. Now the unit stays silent until a change is needed.
This noise/hum is minimal at Gear 1st, picks up more on 2nd/ 3rd and 4th, loudest at 5th. I have seen earlier post now that this has happened on all years make from 01-04...So just can't be exhaust. I wish I could have paid more attention before buying this, atleast I could have avoided this hassle now....
The hum could be tire wear? Is your '02 a touring or base? Do you rotate your tires every 5K or so? I have an '02 which doesn't hum at any speed or RPM.
Regarding starting, it is interesting it is mentioned because I had a very similar problem this weekend. I found 2 things out.
First of all, with the wipers on, it seemed to crank a lot, so much so I stopped gave it a second and then cranked it again to start? Without them on it seemed much better. Second, in cold weather, putting the key in the "on" position for a few seconds prior to cranking is supposed to prime the injectors (or so I have read on the web regarding a lot of different car types). Doing this should also minimize cranking.
In the case of my new '04 (duplicated when I took another '04 with 15 miles on its odometer for a ride with the salesman), the rpm is the controlling factor, so it does resonate/pulsate in all gears... it is at highway speeds, on a flat road when at 2000 rpm in 5th gear, that it becomes unbearable. The dealer claims not to have noticed it before '04 model. I should note that everyone at the dealer noticed the sound after I took them for a ride, but all claimed that they had not heard it before me ???). A further thought is that it is perhaps inherent in the low rpm of the basic engine design, which was then exacerbated by the '04 change in exhaust design. My first contact with Acura customer service in Torrance, California was a joke, and I have asked for a call from a manager. It's very difficult to believe that no one at Honda/Acura Engineering/Sound Engineering took the model out for a ride before shipping it to the USA about 6 weeks ago.
My 2002 has resonated between 2100 and 2300 rpm in 5th gear since new. Noticed it within a week. Tire rotation does not alter the resonance. There is no resonance in any other gear. Acura and the dealer have no idea what is causing the noise
I've found that calling Acura is frustrating too. It seems they don't call back when they say they will and the people that answer the phone give me the impression they are doing a clerical job of acting as a human answering machine and dispensing canned responses.
However, I have had much better service by e-mail or having my dealer make the first contact. Today I received an e-mail response to my e-mail comments about the navi update DVD. The response had a case ID number and a request I call them. I did call and was told I should receive a call back from them in a few days. They had no answer for how one switches back to the OE navi DVD once the update has been installed. I called the local dealer and he is still waiting (ten days now) for a response from Acura tech support too.
As with the 2004 noise, one must wonder if anyone at Acura looked at the update DVD before it was released. There are improvements, but there are also obvious bugs that should have been caught before release.
Received a call from Acura this afternoon about the navi update DVD. According to the person that called from Acura there are problems with the update and shipments stopped on 11/22. They now expect a revised (fixed) update DVD to be available in early January. Those of us that received the update during the one week they were shipped should automatically receive a new DVD in January.
I was interested to see what is the average mileage others folks are getting in the city and on the highway. Is premium gas mandatory for the MDX engine?
Don't know about the 04, but premium is recommended, not required in my 02. Ran okay on less octane the few times premium was not available.
One doesn't save much using lower octane fuel. Not taking into account the probable slightly lower mpg and slightly less performance from not using premium, the savings would be between half and one cent per mile.
What others get in the way of mpg may be very different than what you might get. Under near ideal conditions I've seen EPA numbers, but usually get about 3 less. The on board trip computer on my MDX is not accurate with respect to mpg. It is usually 5% to 10% more than actual mpg. I've had a trip computer in five cars and none have been accurate with respect to mpg. All calculate(d) better mpg than actual.
Today I went to the service dept at dealer to pick my MDX after the could not figure out the cause of the humming noise. Incidentally I met their GM and test drove his '04 MDX. Guess what ..! The Hum noise was there in his car also though it was not much in my case. Then, I took appointment at another Acura dealer and drove one of their demo's and that too had as much noise as I have. Now this even confuses me even further as may have said that they don't hear "anything" at all. I may not have paid this detail when I test drove it for the first time cause in the city drive you can not keep it around 2000 rpm and this noise gets ignored. This is at the loudest when cruising at highway around 68-75 mph, otherwise its super quiet.
Can this forum members come forward with responses if they hear No noise / minimal / or considerable noise in their 04s. In the normal drive you might have to push gas paddle little slow to keep it at 2000 rpms, but try to run in on 2000-2100 rpms on highway on G5. The regional Rep for Acura is coming over at dealership on coming fridat (De c 12)and I'll be taking my car to her for a ride. If we have more views here that will help a lot Otherwise Acura is selling this by saying " this is Normal design". A 40k+ car designed to make noise under certain conditions but only for few ...Doesn't sound fair.
I'm adding the following to the "04 resonance/pulsing" problem. Acura (corporate from Torrance, CA) customer service "manager" called me back after first call unsatisfactory... same story, they hadn't heard anything about it(????)... after I requested it, he said he would inform Acura engineering. I asked him whether he had driven the MDX, and his response was telling: "Why should I do that?" I could hear Mr. Honda rolling over in his grave! The unfortunate part is that this is a superior vehicle in almost every way... so it is extra disappointing to get the corporate pr line... on a significant anomaly. In the alternative, if the anomaly had been pointed out by the sales person at the onset, especially combined with some sort of explanation/analysis by Acura, it might have made a big difference in my response. I wonder if Japan would have the same response if properly informed by the US subsidiary handling US complaints? I totally agree that a test drive, especially with the sales person riding along, is unlikely to reveal this problem. When I purchased a BMW two years ago, the sales person tossed me the keys and said take as long as you like to test it (by myself).
thebooj, why do you feel a test drive would not reveal the noise? Even with a sales person along I always take the vehicle on roads I normally use and at speeds I normally drive. Some get a little upset when I deviate from their preset route, but I'm doing the driving and I give them a choice of continuing the test drive there will be no sale.
None of the Acura dealers gave me the keys for an MDX, but one did allow a 34 mile test drive with a sales person tagging along. Another said take it anywhere, but the sales person was along for the ride. Infinity did the same. The Jag, Pontiac, Caddy, Toyota, and Chrysler dealers just gave me keys and the sales person did not come on the test drive.
If the noise happens at the normal speeds one drives at one should be able to hear the problem during a test drive.
I have been reading these posts with great interest as we have ordered a '04 Touring with Navi to be delivered at the end of January. HELP - what should I do? I tend to be very picky about cars and would expect the '04 to be as quiet as the '03 we test drove several times. For those of you with the problem, would you not buy the vehicle if you could do it over again? Should I look for a remaining '03? [I really wanted the side air curtain, better sound proofing (ha ha), tire pressure monitor, etc]. Or - should I consider another vehicle? My second choice would be the Lexus GX - a lot more money than I really want to spend. Would greatly appreciate any and all advice.
This is an inquiry to message #204. Do you still hear the hum noise after replacing the resonator on Dec. 4th for your MDX? Could any one share their story in successfully eliminating the hum noise after dealing with Acura? harsmdx Nov 26, 2003 5:19pm
I have had problems starting my 2003 MDX from the first day I picked it up in Feb. They blamed it on the key and it's "chip" not working correctly. So they changed the whole unit and gave me new keys. That was in April...
Everything was fine until it started getting cold again, and since October, I have had the problem all over again.
Now the dealer is blaming it on the Oxygenated Gas that is used during the colder months. They also told me that unless they can duplicate the problem while it is hooked up to their computer, they can't fix anything 'cuz they don't know what's wrong.
I go in for another trial service next week...I hope they can find out what's wrong then...I'll let you know what excuses they give this time.
If it was Oxy Gas most of us would be having starting problems.
What kind of starting problem are you having? Have to crank a long time? Stalls after starting? Starts, but runs poorly for a short while? Happens when cold, but not when warm? etc.
You need a mechanic, a person with experience and knowledge to diagnose rather than techs that replace what the computer tells them to replace.
Another trick that helps me in cold weather is to leave the key in the "on" position for a couple of seconds prior to turning it over. That supposedly primes the fuel injectors?
I agree with fndlyfmrflyr...more details...Do you park on a hill? Have you tried changing the battery? $65 at Sears may fix everything.
After consulting tech line in CA, service dept tried replacing Air intake / exhuast system, that did not help. Tomorrow regional Rep from Acura is coming over at delaership and we'll ride it togather so that she knows how sick it could be to hear that noise after spending 40k+. Acura is claiming to be "Part of Design", I wonder what a nutcracker Engg&QA dept Acura has that would term "FLAW" to be design. How Stupid one could be to design a Luxury car to make a noise
But not enough owners have come forward to press on this problem. Some are living with it some learning to how cope with it. But it makes me Sick when I cruise at 68-72 mph, even worse when radio is off. So far biggest blunder I have commited to have baught a new car without waiting for couple of months to watch for potential problems....
I bought my 04 TOUR/NAV/RES MDX in Oct. It was built Oct. 2nd and has Michellan tires on it. I have tested the car out as indicated to try to replicate the humming that others are hearing. I do not hear anything and I am very sensative to car noises. I was able to hear my rear differential going bad in my Durango when my husband and the car shop heard nothing. My MDX is very quite except for the break noises/clunks on occasion.
Today I test drove three MDXs with the Acura Rep at the dealership. Because of traffic, its was very hard to keep it around 2000-2100 rpms at low speed but it could still be heard. Its very dominant when the car is at low speed and hitting that rpm range (small incline makes it even worse). The problem exists in all we test drove BUT varies in severity of noise. Only Base MDX had very "marginal" noise. The Rep agreed to this and will check the difference between base and touring. Provided the feedback ( from Service dept/Acura) she thinks its normal but agrees that the noise varies and loudest in my so far. She is gonna check with the Design Engineer and he should be here at the dealership in couple of weeks and will test ride with me.
Turn off radio in yours, try it at low speeds ( at an incline if possible) and try to hear carefully. You can't miss it , it will be different from the regular thrust.
Tonight I heard the noise from my 2 week old MDX/touring. It's hard to keep the 2k rpm and 70 mile speed during daily driving in the Seattle area because of the bad traffic in the raining winter. So I did the test this evening. The noise really bothers me. Hope to see Acura's fix soon. Thanks Hajits for bringing the info on the board. Please keep us informed.
My MDX also has the brake noise/clunks problem. Does Acura have fix for the brake? I will ask my dealer to check both problems when I go there for license plates.
For 3 months now I have been pouring over new cars to replace my truck, and it seems that the MDX is not the only one with this type of problem. I was also considering the Nissan Armada, and many people that have purchased it are also complaining about a resonance. Similar rpm or so. Exhaust? Tires? Hard to say..Just when I think I've found the next truck I want, something like this comes up. Hope I hear it on my test drive today!!
Thanks for sharing the views, we need more of those to make our point against Acura. I agree it can be very easily ignored unless you hit those rpms( Again, at slow speed loudest). Take out yours and test it carefully with the above conditions and post more reviews. I also asked about brake clunk, Again "Its normal", claims service dept. And this is because of ABS and %$^@&*^..piece of crap.....
It seems that owners of most of the luxury SUVs are complaining about noise from the rear differential, (Aviator, MRX, SRX, etc). One dealer said that's just the way it is for AWD SUVs. That wasn't the answer I was hoping for. ("We're working on it" would have been better.) My question is... which models are worse than others? It's hard to tell from test drives as most don't have a problem until after some time. Has anyone tried to compare this?
It seems that owners of most of the luxury SUVs are complaining about noise from the rear differential, (Aviator, MRX, SRX, etc). One dealer said that's just the way it is for AWD SUVs. That wasn't the answer I was hoping for. ("We're working on it" would have been better.) My question is... which models are worse than others? It's hard to tell from test drives as most don't have a problem until after some time. Has anyone tried to compare this?
Gibo, Where did u gather your information about humming noise on luxury suvs. If it is a fact then why does it happens at certain conditions. I just came back after driving mine mdx for 100 miles. Again one word would describe it "Nightmare" at those rpms. It would constitute 30-40% on my driving in that range. I noticed one more thing that when the car was going "downhill" at ~2k rpms it was relatively quiet, but routine drive /incline u can not ignore it. As the noise varies in all, there could be bunch of luck guys out there which have it at minimal level and are ignoring this. I had the same feeling when I drove a Base mdx yesterday. You have to drive the loudest ones to get the feeling.
I test drove 2 MDX's at two different Dealers and both have the resonating noise at 2000 RPM. The sales person also noticed the noise. It was more obvious on one then the other. Both were the base model. Some people posting comments over this subject are probably confused over the type of noise they are hearing. Tire noise and differential noise are distinct from a Resonating type of noise.
IMO there is a design flaw with the new dual exhaust. There is a definite peak resonance of the exhaust sound at 2000rpm. No matter what the driving conditions are, if you maintain engine speed at 2000rpm you will notice the resonance.
Some have asked why does it only occur at 2000rpm? If you remember your high school Physics class, everything that makes noise has what is called a "resonance frequency". As an example, if you fill a glass with water and tap the top of the glass with a spoon, there is a specific level of water that will create the most noise.
It no different from the muscle cars of the 70's with their tuned exhaust. They gave off a loud low frequency resonance/hum at only specific engine speeds.
Acura promotes the MDX as a performance SUV, thus preformance exhaust system. So if you don't mind the louder resonance sound of the exhaust, go for it!
I really like the MDX you get a lot of features for the price, I'm probably going to hold off until they figure out how to 'tame' the resonating exhaust problem and add Xenon headlights with LED tailights, hopefully to their 05 model (potential model change year!).
I made a point of getting it on the highway, and believe I heard it. It was more like a low rumble and occured at 2000 rpm, going about70-72. From what I can tell, it is an ehjaust noise, but induced by me pressing the gas slightly to accelerate or hold a speed. It can be made louder by travelling on ighway, and going up slight hill which makes truck resist a bit. Does this noise sound right to those that have also heard it? Doesnt bother me. If this is all I can find wrong with this truck I'll be happy. In the middle of negootiating a deal. Hope to have it nailed by tomorrow night. At this point, if I get the deal I am trying to get, I'll have 2K off msrp....stay tuned.
I think its high time that the MDX owners start getting on dealership/Acura's nerves (excluding those who are not bothered by this noise) rather than start living with it. Its early part of the production and more words gets out in the market, This will hurt the sale and Acura will have go back to the drawing board and comeup with a solution...
Do you really think Honda/Acura would care? They sell all they can make. The brake noise problem has been there since day one four years ago. Even my 02 has a resonating noise at freeway speeds, and they have know for at least two years. Even with these, the MDX is still, in my opinion, the best of what is available. On top of this, a redesign isn't far off, so these problems will probably be replaced by others.
If yours is so bad that you feel it qualifies as a lemon ask for a repurchase or replacement. While mine (an 02) has its own problems, none are enough to call it a lemon. If you keep the car try driving at a different speed, like 69 or 73. You'd probably not notice the noise around here because the freeway speeds are 75 and above. In my case, when I am driving between 2100 and 2300 rpm in 5th (a 10 mph spread) I turn up the radio so the resonating noise isn't noticed as much. The brakes still sound like two shots from a rifle, but it is usually only once a day. The dash and door rattles are just additional racket that add to the symphony of noises. In short, a luxury car it is not, but it is comfortable and the utility unmatched by others in this size range.
I test drove my '02 today trying to find the "hum". It drives like a dream. No extra noise that I can notice. I had to work very hard to keep the RPMs in that range. Maybe, and I repeat maybe I heard a tiny bit of noise? It was more like the car was in too high a gear at too low of an RPM so the exhaust sort of had a flat note to it? Maybe it is the new transmission shifting pattern causing it in the '04? I had to work hard to get it to that point, it seems to shift between 2000 and 2200 RPM. Though with very little gas holding that gear it seemed like if there was anything that would be it. If that is what it is a software upgrade would fix it?
On my 02 the noise only happens in 5th gear. Set the cruise control at 80 (about 2200 rpm). The noise is not loud, more of a background low hum that fades in and out. Can't hear it in any other gear. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, if the road is coarse, or the radio on, or there is conversation in the car, or there is enough head/cross wind to make more than normal wind noise it is hard to hear the hum noise.
I'm glad yours doesn't have the noise. Apparently something is just a touch out of kilter on mine, though the dealer and I heard it on two others we tested a couple of years ago. Like some that have posted up topic it appears that the volume of the noise varies from car to car, with mine being on the louder end. I probably would not have noticed it if the noise was very slightly less.
No longer a big deal (the dash rattles bother me more). The car runs too well to let Acura or the dealer play a swap the part guessing game trying to figure out how to stop the hum noise.
While I was at the dealer yesterday I asked about the brake clunking when you change direction. The service manager of course had no idea what I was talking about. I gave him the keys and said, "roll the window down and drive if forwards and back". After recognizing it he brought the head Acura tech over who said "Oh yeah, the fixed that in the '04 with larger caliper springs. It isn't a safety issue and there is no fix available". So they just confirmed all the information I have seen on the web regarding it.
Does yours "hum" or have engine/exhaust noise? Maybe I have the same noise but don't think of it as abnormal? Of course my car makes noises at different speeds, and it I get it in too high a gear with too low RPMs and get it to stay in that position while I slowly creep up the mph, there is a low exhaust noise. I notice mine at 35/40 MPH up and down shifts quickly and if I punch it at that speed the exhaust makes a "good" sound, the exhaust is more audible at this speed. Maybe the solution is to put less noise reduction in the newer models then the hum wouldn't be audible due to the wind noise?
They would not have cared before, as nobody had taken it seriously and have started living with it after buying their idea of "Normal Design". We are not buying hand made burgers that some maybe rare and some medium rare. If it happens it would happen on all at same intensity. All are made at same assembly line , same material same set of standards. Then how is it that few are worse than others. I have contacted couple of "Auto Experts" and hopefully they will bring it in their reviews, if it doesn't sound normal their reviews will make some difference. When it is flashed across the magazines then people will take a note of this.
Its matter of personal priorities, I have used this forum for quite some time now and nobody has brought to the forum before. Had I known this before hand I would never had bought this, I hate Vans but would still have preferred Toyota Sienna over this. I'm waiting for the Design Engg. from Acura to check mine later this year or early next year. I'd like to keep it clean and simple with them and ask for replacement (as mine is loudest so far). Otherwise, I would do everything possible until words are heard.
Say, If you want to sell your car tomorrow and the buyer notices this noise, do you think he is gonna buy the idea of normal design if your makes loudest noise than others. It may get worse over period of time , no body knows.......That's why more reported problem better for consumers that they have a fix.........
I did post on this and other forums about problems with my MDX. Contacted Acura a number of times too. Judging from people I know many just accept that a car is the way it is. For noises that I (and probably you too) find objectionable others do not find them to be a problem.
The resonating hum in mine bothers me, but not the other drivers in my family. I've had others in the car say "what noise?" and then say they can hardly hear it when I point it out. The rattle in my driver's door doesn't bother me. Maybe it is because I know what is causing the rattle. I just haven't pulled off the door panel to fix it. The rattle behind the glove box door bothered me so much I fixed it right away. I didn't notice the rattles in the center dash area until someone else pointed them out. Conversely, the snapping from the middle row seat made the car almost undriveable to me. My dealer was terrible on rattles, but not much worse than on other service. It took a couple of hours, but I fixed the middle row seat problem.
I agree with you that if enough people complain Honda will fix the problem. The problem is that few are willing to complain loud enough or long enough. IF the noise you hear is exhaust related I'm surprised your dealer hasn't sent the car to an exhaust specialist. Before they became Ford, my Mazda and Volvo dealers sent my cars to independent shops at no cost to me for fixes the dealer couldn't make while the car was under warranty. The (after Ford) Jaguar people did the same thing.
I also agree with you that IF a prospective buyer finds the noise objectionable there will probably be no sale or a sale at a significantly lower price. In my state that significant loss of value is enough to qualify the car as a lemon and therefore qualify for repurchase or replacement. The problem with many lemon laws is that the word 'significant' is subjective and manufacturers tend to be on the opposite end compared to buyers.
I'm just waiting for the Design Engg from Acura to look at mine and then 'll decide the course of action from there. I'm extremelly disappointed to see many owners have accpted it as "Fate". How can u digest a flaw after spending $44K, I guess people dont have much options either and that makes Honda's life easier...But there is still hope
My MDX is awesome...There is some normal exhaust noise at different speed/rpm points, but it doesn't hum. I cannot say whether your issue is a problem or not. I also understand how a rattle, exhaust noise or hum can be unbearable.
However it seems that there are a lot of us that don't have that problem, don't notice it and enjoy the car. It's a shame you cannot, but don't lump the rest of us into one category.
Expect some "hum" is worse than others, from an engineering and physics standpoint. I also expect only minor build variances, such that what we're most likely left with is the subjective. That, or someone left his lunch in your pipes. Drove my two-week old MDX w/these posts in mind and found my MDX'x version of the "hum". Not much to write about. Resonance and exhaust tone, yes...but the darned thing didn't even register on my aggravation meter, which these days is fairly sensitive. I'd prefer something more akin to the new Pontiac GTO rumble (first time I've ever gone to the pontiac.com...just to listen to that beautiful sound). But my wife tends toward the more subdued. Those odd pipes out the backside of the MDX have to sound like something, so "it is what it is" is fine by me. I'll report back if I feel differently after about 12 straight hours of it next week. In the meantime, should you talk Acura in to sending us all a free large pizza and movie coupon for our troubles, that'd be way cool.
Like the name. I like the noise my dual exhaust modified 427 Chevy used to make. The exhaust combined with the open air cleaner (unsilenced) was music to my ears. My MDX, under the right conditions, makes a sound like the props are out of sync on an airplane. Without hearing the noise I don't expect people to understand that the sound I hear is a noise that just seems like it doesn't belong. Fortunately, the prevailing traffic speed is usually just below or just above the 76-85 mph speed range of the noise.
Comments
Good Luck
I've had two cars that did this on hot days and two other that would start but run poorly for a few seconds after starting under similar hot conditions. It usually happened in winter when the day was unusually warm, though it did happen on 100 degree days during the summer too.
I can understand that the time that Acura considers okay would seem long, but the ten seconds or so gives the cool fuel enough time to get to and through the injection pump.
My 02 resonates at high freeway speeds (76-85).
All
Navi update update: There appears to be new logic in routing. Did better today with the update DVD than the last time I drove to the same location. Much more logical directions. However, we did notice what seemed to be missing chunks of screen data during one ten mile stretch. The right side of the screen was gray. A message flashed on the screen several times that correctly identified what the missing area was, but nothing appeared on the screen.
In one short stretch, no less than 12 school icons were showing on the 1/8 mile screen at the same time. Hard to believe there were 12 schools in such a small area.
The database searches for street names, when entering an address, sometimes makes us think the unit has failed. Today, we had almost a 20 second pause after entering the last letter of a street name before the system would allow a number to be added.
We also noticed today that sometimes the blue line that shows the route isn't on any street, but parallels the street. Not a negative, just looks wrong.
Another nice positive is the reduced number of voice directions when on a freeway that one will be staying on for many miles. Used to tell us to "stay on X freeway" every time we approached and then again when we came to another freeway or major freeway like road. Now the unit stays silent until a change is needed.
Thanks
I have seen earlier post now that this has happened on all years make from 01-04...So just can't be exhaust. I wish I could have paid more attention before buying this, atleast I could have avoided this hassle now....
Regarding starting, it is interesting it is mentioned because I had a very similar problem this weekend. I found 2 things out.
First of all, with the wipers on, it seemed to crank a lot, so much so I stopped gave it a second and then cranked it again to start? Without them on it seemed much better. Second, in cold weather, putting the key in the "on" position for a few seconds prior to cranking is supposed to prime the injectors (or so I have read on the web regarding a lot of different car types). Doing this should also minimize cranking.
I've found that calling Acura is frustrating too. It seems they don't call back when they say they will and the people that answer the phone give me the impression they are doing a clerical job of acting as a human answering machine and dispensing canned responses.
However, I have had much better service by e-mail or having my dealer make the first contact. Today I received an e-mail response to my e-mail comments about the navi update DVD. The response had a case ID number and a request I call them. I did call and was told I should receive a call back from them in a few days. They had no answer for how one switches back to the OE navi DVD once the update has been installed. I called the local dealer and he is still waiting (ten days now) for a response from Acura tech support too.
As with the 2004 noise, one must wonder if anyone at Acura looked at the update DVD before it was released. There are improvements, but there are also obvious bugs that should have been caught before release.
One doesn't save much using lower octane fuel. Not taking into account the probable slightly lower mpg and slightly less performance from not using premium, the savings would be between half and one cent per mile.
What others get in the way of mpg may be very different than what you might get. Under near ideal conditions I've seen EPA numbers, but usually get about 3 less. The on board trip computer on my MDX is not accurate with respect to mpg. It is usually 5% to 10% more than actual mpg. I've had a trip computer in five cars and none have been accurate with respect to mpg. All calculate(d) better mpg than actual.
Can this forum members come forward with responses if they hear No noise / minimal / or considerable noise in their 04s. In the normal drive you might have to push gas paddle little slow to keep it at 2000 rpms, but try to run in on 2000-2100 rpms on highway on G5. The regional Rep for Acura is coming over at dealership on coming fridat (De c 12)and I'll be taking my car to her for a ride. If we have more views here that will help a lot Otherwise Acura is selling this by saying " this is Normal design". A 40k+ car designed to make noise under certain conditions but only for few ...Doesn't sound fair.
Thanks
HS
None of the Acura dealers gave me the keys for an MDX, but one did allow a 34 mile test drive with a sales person tagging along. Another said take it anywhere, but the sales person was along for the ride. Infinity did the same. The Jag, Pontiac, Caddy, Toyota, and Chrysler dealers just gave me keys and the sales person did not come on the test drive.
If the noise happens at the normal speeds one drives at one should be able to hear the problem during a test drive.
HELP - what should I do? I tend to be very picky about cars and would expect the '04 to be as quiet as the '03 we test drove several times.
For those of you with the problem, would you not buy the vehicle if you could do it over again? Should I look for a remaining '03? [I really wanted the side air curtain, better sound proofing (ha ha), tire pressure monitor, etc]. Or - should I consider another vehicle? My second choice would be the Lexus GX - a lot more money than I really want to spend. Would greatly appreciate any and all advice.
Do you still hear the hum noise after replacing the resonator on Dec. 4th for your MDX?
Could any one share their story in successfully eliminating the hum noise after dealing with Acura?
harsmdx Nov 26, 2003 5:19pm
Everything was fine until it started getting cold again, and since October, I have had the problem all over again.
Now the dealer is blaming it on the Oxygenated Gas that is used during the colder months. They also told me that unless they can duplicate the problem while it is hooked up to their computer, they can't fix anything 'cuz they don't know what's wrong.
I go in for another trial service next week...I hope they can find out what's wrong then...I'll let you know what excuses they give this time.
Until then...happy 10-second starting...whatever!
What kind of starting problem are you having? Have to crank a long time? Stalls after starting? Starts, but runs poorly for a short while? Happens when cold, but not when warm? etc.
You need a mechanic, a person with experience and knowledge to diagnose rather than techs that replace what the computer tells them to replace.
I agree with fndlyfmrflyr...more details...Do you park on a hill? Have you tried changing the battery? $65 at Sears may fix everything.
Acura is claiming to be "Part of Design", I wonder what a nutcracker Engg&QA dept Acura has that would term "FLAW" to be design. How Stupid one could be to design a Luxury car to make a noise
But not enough owners have come forward to press on this problem. Some are living with it some learning to how cope with it. But it makes me Sick when I cruise at 68-72 mph, even worse when radio is off. So far biggest blunder I have commited to have baught a new car without waiting for couple of months to watch for potential problems....
Turn off radio in yours, try it at low speeds ( at an incline if possible) and try to hear carefully. You can't miss it , it will be different from the regular thrust.
HS
Thanks for following up on the problem. Yes, now I hear the humming noise at around 2000 rpm as well. Hope acura does something to fix the problem.
Thanks Hajits for bringing the info on the board. Please keep us informed.
My MDX also has the brake noise/clunks problem. Does Acura have fix for the brake?
I will ask my dealer to check both problems when I go there for license plates.
I also asked about brake clunk, Again "Its normal", claims service dept. And this is because of ABS and %$^@&*^..piece of crap.....
HS
My question is... which models are worse than others? It's hard to tell from test drives as most don't have a problem until after some time. Has anyone tried to compare this?
Why bother to fix it.
My guess this is by design, no easy fix.
My question is... which models are worse than others? It's hard to tell from test drives as most don't have a problem until after some time. Has anyone tried to compare this?
Where did u gather your information about humming noise on luxury suvs. If it is a fact then why does it happens at certain conditions. I just came back after driving mine mdx for 100 miles. Again one word would describe it "Nightmare" at those rpms. It would constitute 30-40% on my driving in that range. I noticed one more thing that when the car was going "downhill" at ~2k rpms it was relatively quiet, but routine drive /incline u can not ignore it.
As the noise varies in all, there could be bunch of luck guys out there which have it at minimal level and are ignoring this. I had the same feeling when I drove a Base mdx yesterday. You have to drive the loudest ones to get the feeling.
Hs
IMO there is a design flaw with the new dual exhaust. There is a definite peak resonance of the exhaust sound at 2000rpm. No matter what the driving conditions are, if you maintain engine speed at 2000rpm you will notice the resonance.
Some have asked why does it only occur at 2000rpm? If you remember your high school Physics class, everything that makes noise has what is called a "resonance frequency". As an example, if you fill a glass with water and tap the top of the glass with a spoon, there is a specific level of water that will create the most noise.
It no different from the muscle cars of the 70's with their tuned exhaust. They gave off a loud low frequency resonance/hum at only specific engine speeds.
Acura promotes the MDX as a performance SUV, thus preformance exhaust system. So if you don't mind the louder resonance sound of the exhaust, go for it!
I really like the MDX you get a lot of features for the price, I'm probably going to hold off until they figure out how to 'tame' the resonating exhaust problem and add Xenon headlights with LED tailights, hopefully to their 05 model (potential model change year!).
I made a point of getting it on the highway, and believe I heard it. It was more like a low rumble and occured at 2000 rpm, going about70-72. From what I can tell, it is an ehjaust noise, but induced by me pressing the gas slightly to accelerate or hold a speed. It can be made louder by travelling on ighway, and going up slight hill which makes truck resist a bit. Does this noise sound right to those that have also heard it? Doesnt bother me. If this is all I can find wrong with this truck I'll be happy. In the middle of negootiating a deal. Hope to have it nailed by tomorrow night. At this point, if I get the deal I am trying to get, I'll have 2K off msrp....stay tuned.
HS
If yours is so bad that you feel it qualifies as a lemon ask for a repurchase or replacement. While mine (an 02) has its own problems, none are enough to call it a lemon. If you keep the car try driving at a different speed, like 69 or 73. You'd probably not notice the noise around here because the freeway speeds are 75 and above. In my case, when I am driving between 2100 and 2300 rpm in 5th (a 10 mph spread) I turn up the radio so the resonating noise isn't noticed as much. The brakes still sound like two shots from a rifle, but it is usually only once a day. The dash and door rattles are just additional racket that add to the symphony of noises. In short, a luxury car it is not, but it is comfortable and the utility unmatched by others in this size range.
I'm glad yours doesn't have the noise. Apparently something is just a touch out of kilter on mine, though the dealer and I heard it on two others we tested a couple of years ago. Like some that have posted up topic it appears that the volume of the noise varies from car to car, with mine being on the louder end. I probably would not have noticed it if the noise was very slightly less.
No longer a big deal (the dash rattles bother me more). The car runs too well to let Acura or the dealer play a swap the part guessing game trying to figure out how to stop the hum noise.
Its matter of personal priorities, I have used this forum for quite some time now and nobody has brought to the forum before. Had I known this before hand I would never had bought this, I hate Vans but would still have preferred Toyota Sienna over this. I'm waiting for the Design Engg. from Acura to check mine later this year or early next year. I'd like to keep it clean and simple with them and ask for replacement (as mine is loudest so far). Otherwise, I would do everything possible until words are heard.
Say, If you want to sell your car tomorrow and the buyer notices this noise, do you think he is gonna buy the idea of normal design if your makes loudest noise than others. It may get worse over period of time , no body knows.......That's why more reported problem better for consumers that they have a fix.........
The resonating hum in mine bothers me, but not the other drivers in my family. I've had others in the car say "what noise?" and then say they can hardly hear it when I point it out. The rattle in my driver's door doesn't bother me. Maybe it is because I know what is causing the rattle. I just haven't pulled off the door panel to fix it. The rattle behind the glove box door bothered me so much I fixed it right away. I didn't notice the rattles in the center dash area until someone else pointed them out. Conversely, the snapping from the middle row seat made the car almost undriveable to me. My dealer was terrible on rattles, but not much worse than on other service. It took a couple of hours, but I fixed the middle row seat problem.
I agree with you that if enough people complain Honda will fix the problem. The problem is that few are willing to complain loud enough or long enough. IF the noise you hear is exhaust related I'm surprised your dealer hasn't sent the car to an exhaust specialist. Before they became Ford, my Mazda and Volvo dealers sent my cars to independent shops at no cost to me for fixes the dealer couldn't make while the car was under warranty. The (after Ford) Jaguar people did the same thing.
I also agree with you that IF a prospective buyer finds the noise objectionable there will probably be no sale or a sale at a significantly lower price. In my state that significant loss of value is enough to qualify the car as a lemon and therefore qualify for repurchase or replacement. The problem with many lemon laws is that the word 'significant' is subjective and manufacturers tend to be on the opposite end compared to buyers.
However it seems that there are a lot of us that don't have that problem, don't notice it and enjoy the car. It's a shame you cannot, but don't lump the rest of us into one category.