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Comments
I completely agree with the illuminated steering wheel buttons.
It's available on the TL for $10,000 less and not available on the MDX?
And yes, the seats are absolutely horrible. I came from a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and although I was not happy with Jeep's seat warmers scorching some parts while only luke warming others, I loved the seats themselves. I just took the MDX on a 2,500 mile road trip and was my backside barking when that trip came to an end. And what is up with the little white fibers that are always comeing out of the seats?
Why cant we have dual zone front climate control???
The wife is always cold, and I'm always too warm.
Anyway, I still like driving it around, and just like you... this is the wife's car. (as soon as I buy myself something new)
Was looking at the TL, but I'm having second thoughts.
I don't like rattles, surface dyed cement like leather seats and enormous torque steer.
I guess most people do though, Acura is selling tons of them.
Ravi
Could also be something as simple as a speed sensor in the transmission, also an inexpensive fix.
Mine is an '06, but they're pretty much the same vehicle.
When doing 50mph, I can shift down to 4th and then 3rd without feeling much of any change in the engine... the top gears are like you said, very tall. This helps the car get better fuel economy on the highway, but doesn't help a whole lot on slower roads.
The car does shift, but I find it mostly un-noticable... doesn't seem to bother me much and certainly wouldn't constitute a visit to the next to useless dealer.
I test drove an '06 MDX for 45 minutes and made my decision to buy after that.
The car I bought performs like the test model did, so I suppose I knew what I was getting into.
Yes, the MDX has some flaws, but I'm still happy with the purchase.
I understand your point but I thought you would find it interesting that the number you chose works out to a change of force in the direction of travel approximately equal to the weight of a mosquito for a 4,000 pound vehicle!
tidester, host
I checked all the fuses, they are fine. I removed the airduct in the rear seat area, and there is nothing there, I mean not much other than the 2 controls and a hole for the air to come out.
Any ideas on easy things I can check? Do I need to take the dash apart to get to anything else with this system?
I suppose it could be something simple like the rear supply hose coming off, but I'd bet that it's more like the rear supply fan no longer working.
I don't suggest taking the dash apart unless you know exactly what you are doing.
If it's not disassembled and reassembled in the correct manner, you'll end up with more creaks and rattles than a TL!
I think I need to find a manual so I can review all the plugs and connectors and fan-motor location before I bring it anywhere. My warranty just ended too, so before I spend a lot of money for someone to dig through the system, I would rather narrow down the problem.
Google it, and I'm sure you'll find docs on fan motor access.
There's a good chance that you can do it yourself, if you're comfortable with that sort of stuff... like replacing the cabin filters.
I havent done it on the new MDX yet, but the 00 Accord was a little project for sure.
If I end up taking the dashboard off...I may add an IPOD adapter into the stereo too. I assume that would be the best time to do it.
With the stereo at a normal listening volume, I can get out of the car and stand by the rear passenger corner and I hear the rear quarter panel vibrating.
If I turn the stereo up a bit, the panel actually thumps out and vibrates badly.
Do they all do this?
Is this another one of Acura's wonderful engineering decisions?
Can anyone tell me if theirs does this as well, or if I should be having it looked at during my next service visit?
Thanks!
At first, I couldn't hear it. I've since determined that it depends on what sort of music I'm playing.
My plan is to cut a gasket from either 1/8" cork or a soft foam and use that to eliminate the vibration. Haven't gotten around to that, just yet. For me, it's not that significant an issue.
Get out of the MDX and walk around to the rear passenger corner of the car.
Depending on the volume and the amount of bass in the music, the outside quarter-panel will vibrate.... badly.
I plan on complaining about it at my next service visit.
If Acura won't fix this, I'll have to have it done somewhere else.
I don't crank my music and become a gheto blaster on wheels, but I do enjoy my music to encompass me with volume and clarity. What I dont want is the panels of the exterior vibrating badly at the same time.
I do hear little vibrations inside the car but I was already aware of Acura's problems in this department.
They make sound and vibration dampening materials for just this application. My opinion is that Acura should have tested this, found the issue, and installed without us having to do it ourselves.
And as for the storage holder... mine is completely empty.
This is exactly as your's was... strictly vibration from the sub.
Thanks for the info, and I'm still curious if others are finding this issue as well.
Previously it was no problem sir...now they tell me Acura has no loaner car service.
I think that is a self-referential statement!
tidester, host
Some folks get TL and/or MDX loaners. My dealership (Acura of Bellevue) has TSX loaners (though I saw an MDX loaners the other day). They've given me a loaner even for small services, so long as I reserved in advance. But I've heard of other dealerships that use various criteria -- major repairs only, or services taking more than a couple of hours, and/or only if you bought the vehicle from them.
Dealerships can change their loaner policy at any time. Barrier Saab (part of the Barrier chain around Seattle, which has a LOT of customer service issues and I'd advise staying away from) offered Saab loaners when I leased. But then they switched to Enterprise and I ended up in a stripped Chevy Cobalt after waiting to be driven to the Enterprise station.
Though it's rare to hear about a dealership refusing a loaner on major service if you bought it from them and have scheduled in advance. I have heard about a dealership refusing to give a loaner on a major service when the customer didn't purchase from them.
I remember someone buying from an MB dealer in New York. He claimed that he had them put into writing that he would, during ownership of the vehicle, get MB loaners from them for all dealer visits (that was their policy at the time; he just wanted to make sure it didn't change). I'm not sure how enforceable the document was, though.
That's pretty weak customer service. Please do others a favor and name the dealership. You can also use your customer survey to let them know what you think about that poor policy.
When I went in for my first oil change, the car had 4,200 miles on it due to a long road trip (They didn't want to change the oil early)
I asked the Service guy why the MDX doesn't have a service reminder light to remind me when oil changes are due.
He said
"It does, but it only turns on every other time"
Is that not the most retarded answer in the world?
Does anyone know where we can get them pre-cut to fit the MDX screen???
That sort of stuff gets me miffed. Though I do have a somewhat amusing story on the subject.
I usually go through an independent for minor service stuff. They've been very good to Mrs. Varmint and I. When asked about oil change intervals, the mechanic replied, "Every 4-5K miles is fine."
However, I've noticed that the sticker they put in the windshield would have me come back after 3,000 miles.
When asked about that, he explained that in the past they did put 5K on the sticker. But customers complained, saying that everybody knows it should be 3K miles.
Can't win.
I'll ask the same exact question again and we'll see if I get the same stupid answer, or if he's able to come up with a whole new amusing excuse.
Pro..Far less road noise compared with my '02 MDX,much smoother ride too.Result?Much more comfortable to drive.Better brakes,usable left foot rest,Nav system outstanding,XM radio and CD player very good.Instrument panel backlighting is just great
Cons..Over boosted,much too sensitive steering.An accident waiting to happen.
New trip computer display is unusable while moving.The large,bright trip display in my '02 MDX helped me monitor and control fuel milage.
No decent clock.The tiny,dim time display on the radio is also unusable.
Overall the '06 model is much improved over my '02.Haven't used the hands free system yet.
Dispite the Cons the new MDX is far better than much of the compettion.
Ray
During the first week, I would have agreed with the sensitive steering and acceleration, but I'm completely used to it now, and now I love it... you'll get used to that.
As for the stereo, I'm not at all impressed with the Bose system. The Infinity in my Jeep Grand Cherokee was far and beyond this system.
I completely agree with the clock.
Instead, I hit the hands free and say "What time is it?"
She comes right back with the correct time.
Looking down at the stereo until the tiny poorly lit time appears would just be a cause of an accident.
Congrats on the new MDX!
Maybe I just got a service guy on a bad shift the other day?
The woman told me that the rear AC issue is a common problem, it is usually a small resistor in the wiring to the control unit. This is something I probably could have fixed myself for only the price of the part. Well...I will see once I get it back today and they tell me what was broken.
I agree with previous post - some functionality - clock or trip computer hard to use.
But put all this behind - I loved my MDX. We travel all over South CA, we move our daughter in and out from collage, etc, etc. etc. Great car, yes - it's had his own problem - but what car doesn't? Go to Volvo, Lexus, BMW, Infinity forums - all of them had posts regarding problems with their cars.
And if I had a Time machine and roll time back - I will by MDX again. Ok, this time I will get with Bluetooth.
At 5900 to 6100 Miles
"Blinks for 10 seconds when the ignition switch is turned ON"
At 7400 to 7600 Miles
"Comes on and stays on while the ignition switch is ON."
The manual states that normal conditions allow for an oil (but not oil filter) change every 7500 miles. Normal conditions would require an oil filter change at 15000 miles (Not changing the filter at each oil change may be the real stupidity).
The manual states that severe conditions require an oil change every 3750 miles.
For those owners like us who don't really use the oil change idiot light and change the oil and filter sometime after 3000 miles......the light only comes on every other change.
How to Reset: (the Maintenance Required Indicator)
(with the ignition switch off)"Push the select switch and the reset switch at the same time, (then) turn the ignition switch ON, and hold them more than 10 seconds."
..........atleast that's how it works on the 01's
And in just about every Honda out there today.
having exactly the same problem with my 2003 MDX. I've had it in the shop now 3 times. First time they clearly just stuck a thermometer next to it when it was working and told me it was fine. Second time it was actually blowing hot when I brought it in. They replaced an A/C control unit, telling me they often failed. Third time they can't replicate and therefore they say diagnose the problem. Did you ever find a solution to this? Has anyone else had the same problem?
Thanks!!
Lee
PS- the issue with the torque converter seems to be an ongoing problem with MDXes...
The windshield cracked the other day while driving to work... caught a small rock.
I am unable to see any distortion in my windshield... and I'm pretty fussy about these things too.
I have a new windshield on order from Acura and is being installed next week, I'll let you know if it's distorted.
As for wind noise, this isn't when the car is moving?
This happened to my Jeep Grand Cherokee when I had the windshield replaced.
They had to reseal the windshield again, and that took care of the noise.
If it's a whirring noise when the fan is on, they screwed something up in your dash.
They need to fix this.
Don't settle, it's a brand new car and you paid for it! :mad:
My vents are very quiet with the fan on.... your's should be as well.
My test drive model was also quiet.
The only time I would consider it loud is when the fans are on high, but no louder than any other car I've owned.
Good Luck