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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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Usually the rumor mill heats up around June. Then there are bits and pieces floating around various trade publications and Internet sites. But a LOT of the rumors never come true. Heck, the larger 3.7/3.8 liter engine was rumored for the 2003 model and it never materialized. Xenon lights have been in the rumors since the vehicle was introduced but still no xenons.
Good luck.
Thanks,
Steve
Soon-to-have midnight blue/touring/nav/dvd + goodies
Steve, Host
- 2nd row seats are adjustable fore and aft to allow more room for 3rd row passengers.
- Access to 3rd row from either driver or passenger side in Pilot, only passenger side in MDX.
Am I accurate with these two items?
Thanks.
The '04 MDX has a number of items, including a moonroof, somewhat better leather quality, VSA, some more power in the engine, side curtain airbags, etc. And of course a higher sticker.
I wish Honda would stop trailing and just put side curtain airbags on the Pilot. Almost all significant mid-sized SUV's now have this feature available. I wouldn't buy another vehicle that lacks them, given how common the feature is.
Transpower
The VTM won't drop the torque bias below 50-50 (apparently Xdrive offers a wider range --effectively allowing the vehicle to be pure FWD or RWD) but unless you are on some pretty unusual surface/condition I don't think that is really needed. Further the additional demands that would be placed on dynamically shifting 100% of torque to non-primary driven wheels means that you must essentially build both ends of the drivetrain to work 100% -- that adds tremendously to the complexity, weight, and cost (which might also explain why BMWs cost more and are less reliable...)
If you want the BMW then just buy it!
Because of the poor reliability, poor storage capacity, and excessive cost of the BMW X5, I would not purchase one. I love my 2001 MDX; I'm just looking for ways to improve it. One way is to adopt a system like the xDrive, which can allocate torque to each wheel as needed. Another way is to utilize a continuously-variable transmission.
Transpower
tidester, host
Unfortunately, it's a common misconception. The MDX's AWD system works at all speeds.
The MDX's system engages AWD in one of three modes.
1) When you push the VTM-4 Lock button, the system is AWD in 1st, 2nd, and Reverse gears, at speeds up to 18 mph. As the vehicle approaches 18 mph the amount of torque going to the rears is progressively decreased until only the fronts are powered. This mode of VTM-4 is designed for "extrication," getting unstuck out of a difficult situation. It happens to lock the two rear wheels together so there is no power bleeding out between the two rear wheels.
2) When the MDX is accelerating, there is a mysterious algorithm that will provide power to the rears. The exact distribution, acceleration curves, etc. are not known. This is designed to provide extra traction when "launching," e.g. on a slick surface when there's more chance of slippage.
3) When the MDX is cruising, the front wheels get power. If slippage is detected, the VTM-4 system will send power to the rears. It can send different amounts to each individual rear wheel (they are not locked together in this mode). If there is slippage on the open front axle, VSA will pulse the brake on the slipping wheel to try to get traction to the other front wheel.
"When the MDX is accelerating, there is a mysterious algorithm that will provide power to the rears. The exact distribution, acceleration curves, etc. are not known."
Page 15-13 of the 2001 MDX Service Manual shows the torque curves of the VTM-4.
Transpower
Thanks!
Actually it's a straigt line (linear), not a curve: the greater the acceleration, the more the torque is sent to the rear (up to the limit).
I would imagine that the Service Manuals for newer MDX's would also show the "curves."
Transpower
Unfortunately, the charts are very generalized. They say that more torque goes to the rears as the vehicle accelerates. But there is no scale given on the actual rate of acceleration vs. the percentage. The relationship is shown as linear. But without any scale on either the X or Y axis, we don't even know if its truly a straight line or a curve!
There is a visual suggestion that the amount of torque sent to the rears is higher under acceleration than when VTM-4 engages based on rotational differences between the front and rear wheels. However, without any scales on either X or Y axis, it's impossible to be sure.
So, once again, the algorithm for distributing to the torque to the rears is unfortunately "mysterious" and not well-documented. For both VTM-4 engagement under acceleration and when slippage occurs, the exact distribution is not publicly documented, AFAIK.
There is at least re-affirmation and clarification that when VTM-4 Lock is engaged, maximum torque is sent to the rears at speeds up to 6mph (when in Reverse, 1st, or 2nd gears), and then it drops until 18mph. And the charts don't even indicate 18mph on their scale, but this cutoff speed is pretty well-documented elsewhere.
But we could make some reasonable assumptions. Suppose it takes the MDX 7 seconds to reach 60 mph (88 ft/sec). Then the (maximum) acceleration would be 12.57 ft/sec^2. If 50% of the torque is transmitted to the rear when the acceleration is 12.57 ft/sec^2, then any acceleration less than this would result in proportionately less torque (linearly) transmitted to the rear. I realize that different model years will result in different percentages--this depends on how the VTM-4 is tuned.
By the way, a couple of months ago I passed the 60000 mile mark in my 2001 MDX. Guess how I celebrated? I got four new Michelin Cross-Terrains! (Yes, I did look at other tires but none of them compared overall to the Michelins.)
Transpower
Yes, we can speculate but it's still hard to say without more precise numbers. E.g. I would hope that you don't need to really floor it to get 50% to the rears. After all, the whole point of sending torque to the rears when accelerating is to help launch the vehicle in a sure-footed fashion, and not necessarily at a 0-60 sprint.
I wish Acura would just publish the numbers. But to be fair, other manufacturers rarely show this type of information too (e.g. Lexus).
We could easily speculate from the unclear charts that the 2001 doesn't send anywhere close to 50% of torque when slippage is detected during normal cruising. Definitely much less than some other vehicles, e.g. ones that have 25% of the torque on each wheel before slippage even occurs.
Wow, I'm surprised your Cross Terrains lasted to 60k! Mine will be replaced by about 45k. I've seen complaints from folks replacing them in the mid 30's or low 40's. Apparently the amount of tread you get with the tires that come with the vehicle (at least the 2001's) is less than what you get when you buy the replacements! (You may recall a long time ago we checked the treadwear numbers.)
Has your tire pressure been on the higher side?
And since we're on the subject of our older MDX's, how is your's holding up? I haven't had any serious issues with mine. I've had a few annoyances, and I had the relatively common EGR valve problem (check engine light comes on, sometimes with the VTM-4 problem light).
I'm more concerned about how the transmission will hold out up to 100k. Our 2001 transmissions (also in the 2002) seem to be "in the neighborhood" of the problematic Honda/Acura transmissions that they've acknowledged a higher rate of problems on. The transmission was replaced by a "more compact" model for the 2003's so the same potential issues won't affect newer MDX's.
I've had no maintenance problems whatsoever. A truck spewed a pebble at my windshield a couple of years ago--I had to replace the windshield and pay the insurance deductible. Otherwise, it's been smooth sailing (or driving).
Transpower
If you have a nav system. Start the car and Press OK on the disclaimer screen. Press and hold the keys in this order: Menu, Map/guide, and Cancel. Continue to hold all three for 5 seconds.
Press Trip Calibrate. You can now change the temperature reading offset.
Non-Nav:
1. Turn on display
2. Press CLOCK plus RESET together for 5 seconds. It will enter a calibration mode
3. The value which will be changed will blink. First the temp offest will blink, pressing TRIP will toggle to the Range Offset. Press TRIP again and you are out of the calibration mode.
4. There are two values which can be adjusted: a RANGE Offset and a TEMP offset. The MODE and A/C button will adjust down and up (- and +) respectively.
Good Luck
Can the movie that is playing in the RES be seen on the Nav with out any modifications? is this really true?
Help...
Thanks in advance.
So far I read some posts that suggest that they may fit depending on the car seats. I'm curious if there is anyone who currently has the set-up I am looking to achieve (two car seats, one rear facing in the middle).
I know there's no substitution for taking the seats to the dealer and trying it out but I figured I'd start here to get some info.
Thanks!!
However, our son is pretty rambunctious and we were worried about him chucking his sippy cup at his nearby sister, so we were hesitant about the configuration even though the middle seat is the safest spot.
Then we moved to a Britax Husky, which is a massive seat (no good for airlines, forward-facing only), and that leaves no room for a seat in the middle.
Oh well, I'm off to research car seat safety and see what I come up with.. if you folks have any good links please email them to me.. I don't want to hijack the MDX board with car seat talk
Child Seats That Fit
Steve, Host
The second dealer read off the dates they are scheduled to receive information and parts. Essentially, the dealers will start receiving what they need on April 21, with letters starting to go out to customers on April 29.
They said they have pulled 01s and 02s from their used car inventory until they can be inspected and repaired.
I have a long distance, high speed, probably high temperature (maybe 100 degrees outside) trip coming up in a coupe of weeks. Hope the transmission holds.
I have had my 2002 MDX in the shop twice to make them check for transmission issues, as I swear it has the telltale signs, but maybe I am just paranoid. Clunks BIGTIME when getting put into reverse on a slight incline, and shows slight hesitation when being put into drive from reverse, but otherwise it is fine. I am at 44,000 miles. Dealer says it is fine. I had them document the issues just in case.
All in all, I still love the MDX, loved the Odyssey, did not have any issues with the new Odyssey transmission afterwards either. I would still buy another one.
Does anyone know, are there specific serial numbers or dates of manufacture involved? Kind of thought they fixed all this in the earlier models, I guess not.
My neighbor is on transmission number four for his Odyssey. All paid for by Honda as was the rental cars.
My 02 MDX has similar characteristics as you mentioned in your post, plus a resonance in fifth gear only between 2100 and 2300 rpm. I hope the fix for the reason for the recall eliminates the resonance.
Maybe it is because designs are changing more rapidly or maybe for other reasons, but when Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes all have major problems one can question if their reliability and quality reputations are still valid.
While reliability reputation did not play a part in our MDX purchase decision I am disappointed that Honda apparently knew of transmission problems a long time before they did anything about it. I'm glad they are now taking care of things. How well a manufacturer responds to problems will now be part of my purchase criteria.
I have 5-6 firends and associates with Acura TL's, no fewer than 3 of which have had transmission replacements, one is now on his second replacement in 45,000 miles.
The probelm is that there isn't a "fix" for these faulty transmissions as I understand it. It is an inherent engineering design flaw and, to add insult to injury, Acura was replacing TL transmissions with the same exact unit and simply giving a 7 year 100k mile warranty. For someone like me who is happily driving a 9.5 year old Maxima with 152,000 miles, the "fix" that Acura has offered our friends is totally unacceptable. Why Honda/Acura hasn't gone back to the engineering drawing board and redesinged a 5-speed automatic that works is beyond me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Honda fan. I have an S2000 that I am planning on trading in 2 weeks for a 2004 TL. But both are 6-speed manuals. I will not buy a Pilot or MDX until the 2005 model and even then, only if I am convinced that they have fixed the problem at its root with a totally redesigned automatic transmission. Or, if Acura prefers, I would love to see the MDX offered in a 6-speed manual, like the BMW X5 3.0i.
P.S. It appears that the recall of 600,000 vehilces involves Honda "checking" the transmission for possible problems and replacing those that appear affected with - you guessed it - a new identical flawed design transmission.
Apparently Honda did see a potential problem with the transmissions and has been using a redesigned one in the MDX starting with the 2003 model. I would feel a lot better if Honda fixes my transmission and also extends the warranty like they have on the other transmission problems.
In addition to the neighbor on his fourth Odyssey transmission, I have friend on her second one for her low miles TL Type-S.
It's quite conceivable that the 2005 MDX will have xenon projectors, possibly even bi-xenon ones. Only time will tell, as there is no official word and there won't be until September.
1. Is it worth getting the updated nav dvd? My MDX is from the original 2001 line and it's served me well so far (I live in So Cal). I understand the system operates a lot slower with the latest version.
2. From the beginning, my gas refill "history" clears itself every so often, seemingly at random. At least, I haven't ID'd a pattern to it yet. I asked my dealer about it and they couldn't figure it out (of course, it's not a glitch I can recreate at will). Not a big deal, but an annoyance that I'd like to solve for the sake of just knowing.