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A strong suggestion - get on the horn w/ Acura customer service and get them working for you!
My dealer removed the hanger on his own - I just pointed out the hmmmm at highway speeds.
Good Luck.
Thank you very much for purchasing the [Honda/Acura] Navigation System Updated Disc version 2.11B. We apologize if you’ve experienced a problem using this disc. A special CD disc is being sent to you via US Mail at no charge that we believe will correct these issues.
The CD is to correct certain operational functions of the navigation program. It does not contain any additional map coverage or Points of Interest (POI) data. Please read the instructions that come with the disc, as this will explain in detail what software issues were addressed.
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Hopefully it is okay to buy a DVD upgrade now. My upgrade from last October does have a better database than my OE DVD, but is slow and has other problems. Fingers crossed the fix for the upgrade is better.
I test drove several cars over the weekend with nav systems. The one in the TL (had voice control for nav, climate, and radio) was much better than any other. Even the one my O2 MDX, with the problem prone October upgrade, was better than the rest.
The software fix is to correct problems with the Personal Address list feature and the Previous Destination feature, including incorrect side of the road issues with these features. The trip computer distance problem at refill is corrected also.
What is not fixed is the very slow database access, the excessively loud bong before the direction message, and the school icons always on problems.
I have not experienced any of the problems this software fix is supposed to correct.
Regards,
Madan
Anyone else hear of or have any similar problems or does this seem to simply be the "lemon" in a bunch of great SUVs?
Any ideas on how she can get a replacement vehicle?
Has anyone had the hanger replaced/removed and had this issue resolved?
Yesterday Dealer said that there is recall on 2004 models for this as well as for poor milage. The "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" light is now gone after they applied the 2 "updates" from Acura.
Nah, it's not because the gas tank is big. It's because Honda/Acura cheaped out on the gas tank design. There are lots of vehicles with gas tanks as big, and bigger, that don't have the infamous slosh.
I never notice it, but then again I'm not listening for it and usually have the stereo on. But a number of folks do get annoyed by it.
This problem has existed since the introduction of the Honda Odyssey, well before the MDX's debut. Plenty of sloshing tank complaints on the Odyssey forums for a long time. The MDX obviously inherits the Odyssey's problem. Since Honda/Acura hasn't fixed it, I doubt if it'll be fixed in the current MDX. Maybe the next-generation Odyssey will fix it, along with the next-generation MDX that will be based on it.
Acura needs to develop and authorize a permanent repair for this problem.
I don't know if this is your problem or not, but it is a known issue with the first 2 years of production.
Everything we are discussing here is happening with my mdx. The sloshing gas tank, the 2000 rpm hum/drone, the brake caliper noise, the low mileage etc. My brother has lexus v8 and it's mileage is better than mdx.
My increasing mpg, over nearly 22,000 miles, seems to indicate there is a very long break-in period for the engine with respect to mpg. Performance hasn't changed since I first checked at about 2000 miles, but mpg is up almost 20%.
The amount of freeway vs. local driving hasn't changed. Freeway speeds are 'with traffic' at 75 plus. The A/C is on all the time for at least 8 months of the year and probably 90% of the time during the other 4 months.
No mpg champ, but with so much weight to move, taken together with pushing a large frontal area through the air (the roof mounting bars don't help either) mpg is as expected, and not bad for this type of vehicle.
Next model year Toyota will have a hybrid RX400 and Highlander. Probably see mpg in the 20s around town and a little improvement on freeways too. Won't be cheap though.
Gasoline for my MDX is now almost $2.40 per gallon around here (SoCal). My current 18 mpg average isn't so good with these prices, but it isn't any worse than my PT Cruiser GT (which is driven much harder than the X).
ssyed: With respect to your post #386 the mpg isn't bad considering what other similar vehicles get. It has little to do with engine size or the number of cylinders. It is mostly the weight of the vehicle for local driving and mostly air drag at high speeds, though weight plays a role here too.
None of these "problems" bothers me with my '02. Everytime I get back from a family road trip I am so happy I bought one. To each his own I guess, but the mileage is consistent with advertising so there is no surprises here.
Thanks for the post, fndlyfmrflyr, that gives me some hope that things will get better over time - but rest assured, one the the key reasons we bought the X was gas mileage . . . If the car's gonna get 17 mpg, I could've bought a loaded Eddie Bauer Explorer (w/RES and NAV) and gotten the same mileage, and saved about $5-7K!!!
I drive between 22-25K/yr, so economy does figure in . . . that's why I can't lease, and usually keep my (well maintained) cars for 150K miles or so. And at $300 - $400 more per year to operate the Ford (assume 17 mpg in the Ford, and 20 mpg in the Acura), that's an over 10 yr payback on sickerprice! (BTW - that comparison assumes driving both cars on regular gas- run the Acura on premium and the add'l exp for the ford drops even more).
don't get me wrong - love my X - just expected more from the economy end.
My next vehicle will probably be a hybrid. Doesn't use the gasoline engine during near gridlock conditions common around here. Rather have an oil burner, but there are none available in SoCal.
Since last night and now, I averaged 17.1 mpg. Do yourself a favor and check it out next time you reset your trip computer. Watch that number, it will change constantly. The more you move your car at a consistent speed, the better mpg you'll get. In the end, it makes sense that if you have the engine running but the car is not moving, your mpg will decrease.
I'm taking my X for a highway spin this weekend. I'm confident that I will get at least what the manufacture has suggested.
Don't think the sloshing can be fixed. But the as far as fixing the humming, I will do the following.
I think the humming is caused by the vibration that the exhaust system is sending to the frame as a result of being attached to the frame too tight. There are a few hangers underneath the X. Some people have suggested removing the front bolted metal hanger. Some have suggested removing the middle rubber hanger.
Doing either one would eliminate the noise. By removing either one, it releases the tension of the exhaust system being attached to the frame, which in turn, reduce the vibration that is being sent to the body of the car. But people have worried that removing one hanger would cause the exhaust system to sag in the long run.
One person has suggested cutting a little bit of the rubber of the middle hanger to make the hanger more flexible. This way the system is still sufficiently supported.
People have also express concerns that modifying anything will void the warranty. I suggest that you buy a generic piece of rubber at an Auto Parts. I bought one for $12.
Here is what I will do this weekend.
1. Remove the middle rubber hanger (located right under the X where the exhaust pipe is. There is only one there. It's adjacent to the rear door).
2. Save that just in case Acura has a better fix so that you can put it back on before you go to the dealer.
3. The rubber piece is 2 inches wide, by 4 inches long, by ~1 inch thick. I will carve the piece that I bought about half way down on each side of the thickness. So in the end, the thickness should be brought down to ~.5 - .75 inch (from 1 inch). I will only carve the portion where the piece already have holes, which is about 1.25 inch, not the entire 4 inches long.
4. Put that back onto the X. It should still provide enough support (better than removing it), more flexible, and the humming should be gone.
I'm afraid it isn't unusual for the MDX's Cross Terrains to wear out at 36k. I've seen reports of replacement in the low 30's to the 40's, with some owners going beyond that on their OEM tires. Obviously it'll vary based on your driving conditions.
The Cross Terrains the MDX ships with (at least the ones I got) have a lower treadwear rating than the Cross Terrains you buy as replacement tires. Probably a cost-cutting measure.
Based on using spec tire pressures it appears that 50k will be about what I can expect.
I have negotiated tire prices over the phone at goodyear, firestone and local shops...they all have probably $40 headroom on tires...when you consider they charge you $20 each to mount/balance + $6 valve stem charges.
I would get armed with both your warranty and internet pricing and then call around first. Find someone who is willing to talk turkey then actually go in person. My tactic was to tell them that I would order the tires and have them shipped to them, they could then install them... (cheaper base price + no salestax on tires + slightly higher install since I bought them elsewhere) came out to about $80 savings on 4 tires...I told them that if they could match that price out-the-door for me I would buy the tires though them...which still allowed them to get something on the tire markup.
I sort of think you are right both should be replaced...however you also run the risk that they are working on another part of your car and mess that part up if they were to change both?
Did you try calling another dealership/service department and get their opinion? Some places are not as tight lipped about "hypothetical" questions.