"FYI, the new forum software (Web Crossing) is used by CNN, NY Times, and a whole lot of other companies; it also won Cnet's builder award for best community software.
Additional features (such as the jump to a specific post feature) may be activated after we squish the intial bugs. The login/timeout bug, for example, is top priority."
How can the award winning and the best software be so buggy? I can't image what other community software would be like.
All software products have bugs in them. Well Engaged had a number of them, but most weren't visible to the participants, even though they affected them. One of them, for example, was that things could get corrupted if the number of posts in a topic exceeded 500+. This is why topics with around that number of posts are frozen and new sections started. Don't forget also, that the Townhall that you were used to was a product of years of tweaks and fixes. We've only been on Web Crossing for a couple of weeks.
Drew Edmunds.com Townhall co-host Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
I was trying to put on the rear splash guards, but I'd like to know, how did you get the lower screw on (the one where the rear tire really blocks access)? Any tips? Will there be any problems with just securing two of the three screws?
The upper screws (one for inside the tire well, one for the inside edge of the rear fender) are obviously easy. The lower one is a pain. First I realized I had to basically punch a hole through it (needle nose pliers seem to do the trick since it's basically plastic there). Then slip the little metal clips / screw retainers. But then the problem was getting the lower screw to align correctly, and then tighten it. Couldn't find the right screwdriver for the job (since there's only like 3 inches of clearance there!
Will have to buy the right, but was wondering if I could just stick with the two screws for now.
I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my MDX and upon delivery, I plan to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle taking into consideration, several of the points noted in post #645. I noticed however, that a "test drive" was not listed. I'm curious if most of you who've already taken delivery took your MDX out for a test drive or did you just sign the papers, look the car over and drive off. The long wait probably probably has a lot of buyers just happy to see their car arrive that they aren't being as thorough as they otherwise would. I figure the most likely the response will be "That's what the warranty is for."
I had the same problem, didn't have a 3" screwdriver and no leverage, so I had to jack up the car and take off the rear wheel. It was a breeze after that. I used the self tapping screw to created the hole first, then slid the clip over the hole and crimped it just a bit so that it would not move. I installed one of the top screws loosely then attached the lower one. This made it ease to line things up. Good Luck!
If it's a Touring Package -- then check the 6 CD unit's preset buttons are all functional.... This is a common problem, I've seen (read & heard) of over 10 units with non functioning preset buttons (I had my tuner assembly replaced).
Also check that both remotes work correctly and all doors are locked/unlocked -- I had a faulty remote which armed the alarm but didn't lock the driver's door.
Finally, check for scratches on the paintwork and any plastic parts (I have a scratch in the front grille area which is being replaced by the dealer).
Okay - finally - I did test drive the vehicle before I drove it off the lot.
Zonn: Heh heh, I think William wants to avoid dismantling his practically brand new MDX :-)
William: I wouldn't worry too much about it; 2 out of 3 sounds good. If you're really worried, you could wait until you have the proper screwdriver (which shouldn't be too tough to find). It's kind of funny that you're installing your rear mudflaps this weekend while I just removed my ML's recently to take off the rear bumper (to install the Parkpilot system). The process was a PITA, BTW, but I think the results are good. I also added a subtle chrome tip to the exhaust: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=137587&a=1130466
Drew Edmunds.com Townhall co-host Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
Thanks for the input. I was hoping to avoid having to remove the tires ;-) I guess for this weekend's trip I'll secure with the two top screws. That'll leave the bottom of the mudguard unattached. It doesn't seem like the bottom will flap around in normal driving. Indeed, one would think if it flapped it'd go away from the wheel.
Drew: Yep, the rear splash guards have been sitting in the garage waiting to be installed for quite a while now (human baby has precedent over steel baby). But since this is The Weekend We Take It Over The Mountain Passes it's time to put them in.
Oh, I'd definitely test-drive the MDX after it gets in. We got on the waiting list in May (before production) and it was ready for us October 6. When the salesperson called us up, we surprised her by saying we'd test-drive it first and then decide if we wanted it. But that got us a LONG test drive (rather than the 20 minute limits they impose with their demos).
Reasons for a test drive:
1) After all this, you might decide the vehicle doesn't "fit" you.
Congratulations on your new MDX! Unfortunately your post on your new vehicle is in the Sequoia forum, where I read it. Oh well!
On your questions on accessories. One way to save some money on the tow hitch/cooler combo is to buy them from somewhere like Hondacuraworld (no price listed on their web site but I'd imagine it's cheaper given their other good prices). Then get your dealer to quote you a labor-only rate for installation. You might feel a bit funny, but they're not one to turn down money.
The cargo tray has a relatively short lip, only about 1.5" to 2" so it's not very obtrusive. It has the same pattern that you find on the outside of the tailgate. When you have it on, you can't deploy the third-row seat, and you have to remove it if you do. It has cut-outs to not block the cargo hooks.
I put in the all-weather mats yesterday in preparation for a trip over the mountains. They seem pretty good, and the front ones have the proper slots to go onto the front floor hooks to keep them in place. Again, same pattern as the outside of the tailgate. They don't have the finer pattern that you see on some mats (to scrub your feet against), but the coarser pattern should be fine. I think it's a matter of taste, to some degree. Also, please note that they don't provide a rubber mat for the third-row seat.
Both of the above accessories have the obligatory Acura logo.
A good source of tough liners (with lips) and mats is www.weathertech.com, but I don't know if they have ones available for the MDX yet.
Tim at Hondacuraworld quoted me $432.90 for the hitch plus the two coolers (only sold as a package). But, shipping is not included, due to the weight.
Our new GG MDX with touring/navi arrived in Phoenix, AZ at Bell Acura on Friday morning, Dec. 22! I lucked into a seat on United (and, even luckier, the plane departed and arrived on time) and flew down that evening, took delivery, and began the long drive back to San Francisco. We put down our deposit the day before Thanksgiving, having been frustrated by the high prices/long waits (MSRP+$2K+4mo., or MSRP+8mo.) in the Bay area. First prediction was January delivery, which moved up by degrees until Dec. 22. I dealt with Debra Riffel, the Internet Manager, at Bell, and pretty much the entire transaction was done via email.
Vehicle is everything that people have already described. Ride is very quiet (except for some wind noise at high speed). I was impressed at the relatively low road noise from the tires. Bose stereo is pretty good (but not great; not as good as on a Ranger Rover we had once). I felt the driver's seat was quite comfortable for the 750 mile drive (but not quite as good as the seats on the Range Rover, which were magnificent). (I'm 6' 3", 200 pounds). I found the tracking/handling at high speeds to be just a touch on the vague side (compared to our Subaru, which tracks on the highway like it's on rails; the Ranger Rover wandered). I was impressed by the fuel economy (18.6 out of the dealer's lot in Phoenix, then 21.2 on I10 cutting up I15 and over to I5 through Mohave and Bakersfield, and finally 20.0 running at 80mph into the wind up I5 and over to 101 to home). Several long grades through 4000 ft passes on this route. The trip computer MPG was always within .5 of the MPG I computed. The Subaru would have gotten about 22.5 on this route at those speeds. The Range Rover would have gotten maybe 18.
Now, the MDX vastly outshines the Range Rover and the Subaru in styling, use of space, overall handling, convenience, and interior noise. The Range Rover was elegant but hopelessly impractical (the dealership service manager becomes an intimate member of your family), and the Subaru is eminently practical and reliable, but lacks style and class and interior space. The MDX combines elegance with tremendous practicality.
Oh - I really like the navi system. We rode into SF last night, and let the computer show us the way. It didn't go the way I would have gone (I may have something to learn here), but it handled all the fine points and little details of the roads and ramps perfectly.
On Friday evening, our GG/Touring MDX was delivered. Hubby's being a stinker and after one drive last night to look at lights, it's tucked in with a big red bow awaiting Christmas morning. Now it's time to explore options.
Bike rack: My dealer is sticking to the tow package/hitch thingie. So our options are to get the roof carrier which might be too much for me to handle alone, or to get an aftermarket hitch installed from which to hang a rack. Is the latter possible?
Cargo area: I have an oversize dog kennel for our Giant Schnauzer. When I use it, I let down the second row seat. That said, I need some cargo floor covering, but I don't want an item with a lip. Would either the cargo tray or the cargo mat fit the bill?
Mats: Love the black interior. That said, we play hard. And most of this South Carolina red clay sticks to shoes like mud. Anyone ordered all weather mats?
p.s. GOD I HATE THIS NEW SOFTWARE! In addition to the the problem posting messages, I find it incredibly hard to read!!!
I put the trusty Turtle wax yesterday on my GG MDX. Wow it shows a lot of more of the luxurious green tone than before! Funny that Turtle wax did not give any green tone to my light blue Camry and denim blue Sienna.
Question: I discovered that MDX has two big areas that are covered by plastic, the front and the rear bumper areas. Do those plastic areas need to be waxed?
I have 700 miles on my AS touring I/ nab. So far I find the vehicle fulfill my expectations. I have read in this forum that the outside hemp gauge can be re calibrated from inside "the cockpit". It said to hold both the reset and select buttons on the odometer for ten seconds. It did not work for me. My gauge seems to read about 5 degrees above actual air hemp even when driving over 30 MPH. Yes; the hemp here in Chicano has been hovering between zero and twenty for the past month. So it seems likely that the temp "near or at" the car may be higher than expected. Can anyone lend some information? Can the gauge be recalibrated and if so how? thanks from this lurker.
Also I wanted to ask if any one has experienced the vibration "rattle" in the rear plastic molding around the subwoofer. When I play my favorite rock with bass in flat/middle position, some tunes really seem to get a strong vibration in the rear corner. I removed the protective shield and the speaker seems to be in solid. The vibration/rattle seems to originate in the molding. It can be diminished if you turn the bass down 3-4 clicks, but the who wants to do that? Just wondering if this is a "normal" situation or one to be checked out. Thanks again.
Thanks wmquan for the heads up! I'm hoping this is posted to the correct area.
Any idea of the difference between the cargo mat and the cargo tray anyone?
I've already bookmarked hondaacuraworld. We're considering the burlwood shift knob (is this the one that goes best with black interior?), cargo net, wood meter panel and some sorta cargo mat/tray thingie. All this and I can't even sit in it yet!
Yikes, did I type that jibberish? Sorry for the mis-spelled on my spell checked posting. Hope you can make out the actual language. Hemp gauge...sounds interesting!
Yes, I have experienced the rattling sound coming out of the subwoofer with certain songs from the FM radio or CD. I plan to take to the dealer for a check up when I bring in to get my full size spare and rear deflector.
I think the 4 screws should be okay. Just be careful when backing up..i.e. don't back into a snowbank or a high curb since the mudflaps may catch and rip off since the bottom screws are not installed yet.
Enjoy the drive over the passes! Hopefully you won't have too much traffic to contend with. :-) Drew Edmunds.com Townhall co-host Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
Thanks. Trip over the passes this afternoon was done in rather good time, despite driving quite cautiously (amazing how cautious you become with a baby in the vehicle). Snoqualmie Pass was mostly wet and slushy, and some compact snow and ice on top. Blewitt Pass was a mix of compacted snow, ice, and slush. Since these passes in winter were the primary reason we got the MDX, it was a relief to see no issues going over.
Only possible thing we noticed was on a wet, slushy, compacted snow/ice road (not on the pass) at 50 mph. Drove over a fairly slick area while going straight and the vehicle did a momentary sideways slide (more like a drift), but it didn't go very far and it never felt like loss of control, and everything was right in an instant. Maybe ESP and full-time 4WD could have helped here?
On the other hand, the vehicle did great on the passes. Blewitt is always the biggest concern, as it's one lane each direction with only a few areas with passing lanes, and it's not cleared much (unlike Snoqualmie). Sure enough, got trapped behind a Ford Taurus doing only 40mph, right at the start, far from a passing lane. I was then surprised that my wife passed him on a straightaway, cutting across the snow/ice/slush median into the oncoming lane. She felt confident enough and we felt the vehicle slice through the mess in the middle (normally everyone drives in the grooves).
She did another pass later on; the median was significantly worse, you could feel the crud under the vehicle. Again, no problems. BTW, wife drives the vehicle over the pass, daddy sits in back with baby to keep him quiet. I could be macho, but I grew up riding the subway in NYC and got my license well into adulthood, while wife was driving in the ugly Eastern Washington winters as soon as she was old enough for a permit. She (and her dad) can handle the passes really well.
FWIW, her parents are complaining about their Odyssey's traction in the snow, even though they added studded snow tires (supposedly good ones). Some sliding around, and hard to get up their sloped driveway when it's covered (their '90 Integra with studded snow tires does it fine, but then again, it's a lot lighter -- I was just surprised that their Odyssey couldn't just pull itself up).
Hey, looks like I get the first X-mas day posting. William: I forget. Which tires do you have? I can't remember whether you got the Base or Touring. If you got the Cross-Terrains, it sounds like it is indeed an excellent all-season tire. Glad the MDX did so well for you. Could you elaborate a bit more on how well the Odyssey handles in snow? A friend is thinking about getting one and thinks FWD is enough (though after I told him about my encounter w/ a sleet-covered hill in my ML and my brother's Camry, he's wondering now). BTW, I had a 1988 Integra. The 1990 was Acura's first real full design of the Integra. C&D and other mags complained it was more refined and not as fun (read: you don't feel the road as much and visibility isn't as good) as the original; they apparently don't think it's important to test on anything like Boston's potholed streets. :-) Sorry for the off-topic stuff.
Our MDX has the Michelin Cross Terrains. The pass conditions we drove over were only middling-bad; we've seen it FAR worse. But I also figure that what we didn't have in snow volume was made up for in the (to me) uglier combo of having compacted snow and ice, with slush on top.
On the Honda Odyssey (off-topic, I know);
Okay, I may have cast the Odyssey's performance in snow too negatively. I grilled my in-laws on it further, and they have NOT experienced sliding around in "normal" snow driving conditions. The Odyssey is equipped with studded snow tires they bought from Les Schwab (major regional chain). Unfortunately I don't know who makes these particular tires for Les Schwab (I know some of their tires are Coopers but I don't think Cooper makes all their tires).
They drove from East Wenatchee, WA to Richland, WA (hundred miles or so) in heavy snow and had no problems.
Their main complaint is that they had trouble getting it up their sloped, icy driveway; it kept sliding. They claim that they hadn't had the problem with their old Integra with older, studded snow tires. However, I think the Integra had the old-fashioned studs -- the ones that are now illegal because of the damage they cause, even though they were very effective.
I guess when it comes to winter performance, there's a whole gamut of surfaces where "your mileage will vary." Deep, powdered snow is one thing. Ice is certainly another. Then there's the compacted, non-virgin snow stuff that can be a real mess.
Install Rear Splash Guard (wmquan), Without removing the wheels, I use a 'Z' shape like screw driver that has 4" straight body which forms 90 degree angles with each of the 1" top and bottom portions. First, remove the 2 upper screws that were already on the car. Punch a small hole (ex: sharp nail or screw) through the plastic for the lower 3rd hole , put the metal clip on, then put the splash guard on, use the special screw driver to work on the lower one first. The upper ones are straightforward. One of the upper outside one may cause some problem for the screw to catch the thread. You just need to put a little pressure.
Check List (abohed), "Test drive your car before you paid". Good point, we first took care the invoice, sign all the paper (including the lemon law acknowledgment), get the temp. license, check the car, brought some install yourself accessories, spent a good amount of time go over each functions on the car with the salesman (he was very patient) then drove off. I figure if there was a problem, they are right there and my salesman has been honest with me who will take care of the problem if any.
(railr), Yes it was meant for generic MDX check list. We brought the base MDX and after less than 4 days, My wife and I wished we have the navigation model since we already got lost once on the road. (I was the driver and never got the chance to put the map in the car) I am now on the market to look for a portable navigation system. So we can use it on other cars too.
Park on 2 spaces (thirdsuv), I recently saw a silver MDX parked on a NYC paid parking lot on 2 spaces. I thought it was pretty funny knowing it was a concern of many people about the wide body MDX and no door protection. To prolong that first dent, I prefer to drop my wife off the grocery store and wait out in the car or park the car far away (of course on single space). Someone in this forum recently shared that he witnessed his first dent while he was in the parked car. So it doesn't matter how you parked your car. The reality is- a matter of time to get that first door dent.
MDX on the road In the past 3 weeks, I was able to see more MDX on the road. I saw 3 beige MDX and 3 silver MDX in the NY, NJ areas. Haven't seen any dark color MDX beauty. Yesterday, while on the road there was a Lexus and a Infinity infront of me driving very slowly. I can't help it but to voliate the brake in period to pass them and speed away.
I received my 17 digit VIN# about a week ago from my dealer in SE PA. and then called Acura customer service in CA. this morning to check the status. I was informed my vehicle left the plant on Dec. 13th with no ETA. Apparently the vehicles are shipped by train to the US where they are checked by Customs. They are then turned over to a transport service for delivery. I hope my wait since ordering on Oct 7th will be over later this week. Anyone else have a similar experience? At least I missed the 1 week plant shutdown.
i have a base mdx without the navigation. i've been driving a lot at night lately. i've noticed that the bluish background color is sometimes quite bright and other times it is very dim to the point where it is hard to read it. i didn't touch the brightness or adjusted any of the lights. has anyone else experienced this. don't know if i should get it checked out.
Has anyone with a rear air deflector noticed if it is effective at keeping dirt off the rear hatch? Namely, do you end up with the hatch area cleaner than the rest of the vehicle, or at least equivalent?
Just came back from a roundtrip over two mountain passes and that's always a mess. Need to get to a touchless car wash badly. The hatch area is especially messy, a heavy layer of dirt, worse than the rest of the vehicle. A properly-designed air deflector might help keep that off, and I was curious if the Acura OEM one does the trick.
Thanks for the info on rear splash guard installation; I'll get the right screwdriver.
kkuet:
I forgot if the trip computer display does any auto-dimming based on ambient light or headlights being on; the manual should explain this. However, ever since we dimmed the trip computer's display, we're quite happy with it, and haven't noticed it being too bright on some occasions but not on others. At least not excessively so.
Going from exit 42 off I-80 (central PA), down I-476S, to I-276E, my MDX obtained 25.7 MPG. (So saith the Trip Computer. Gasoline: Amoco 93. Speed: 65-71 MPH. Transmission: mostly D5, some D4. Tire pressure: 34.5 PSI (warm). Distance: 95 miles). Previous to this trip, I had obtained 16 MPG, 17 MPG, and then 18.4 MPG as averages per fill-up, for suburban/urban driving. After coming back to Philly and mostly driving on Route 1, I found that the current MPG dropped to 24 MPG. Now that my MDX has 1500 miles on it, it is thoroughly broken-in and so is riding and handling very well. While at first the gas mileage seemed a bit low, now it seems to be quite reasonable.
The gold flecks you see is what makes it a "metallic" color. It's intentional and gives the paint sparkle. Quite nice, don't you think?
The nav screen should stay the same. You should note that the screen dims when you turn on the headlights or parking lights. Bright white turns grey, etc. Maybe that's when you notice it get dark? I actually wish the brightness controls were easier to adjust. Some days (like when it rains or snows) you want to turn on your headlights during the day, but when you do, the nav screen goes into night mode, making it hard to see. But to adjust the brightness, you have to go to the menu, etc., and then the next time you drive it at night, it's too bright. I don't know why they didn't just put a knob or thumbwheel on the dash to control the nav screen brightness. I could say the same thing about a fan speed adjustment. I guess they want you to leave the fan on auto, but I find it too breezy and noisy. When you leave it on manual at the lowest setting, there's generally plenty of air for my taste, and very quiet, too.
My rear window deflector should come in soon. Once it is installed (by the dealer), I will post my experience. There have been a few snow storms here in Denver since the arrival of my MDX. The back window definitely gets very dirty quickly.
I used to snicker at the new minivan features that have a power rear hatch (with pinch-protection). Now looking at all the gunk on the back, I can definitely see how it can be useful.
Trick to close the MDX's hatch without getting your hands really dirty is to grab the interior handle at the bottom, and sort of throw it down, releasing your hand as the handle passes level (you can't help but let go since the exterior of the hatch gets in the way at that point).
Opening isn't too bad, as the handle is pretty well recessed and the struts do most of the work.
BTW, you should have seen how packed the rear of our MDX was (behind the second row). Two 30 gallon bins packed with presents, three large presents that wouldn't fit into the bins, several shopping bags, a big suitcase, two smaller suitcases, a duffel bag, baby bathtub, and a few other items. I was able to Tetris-pack them without significantly blocking visibility. Definitely couldn't have done it with the RX.
William: I use this trick w/ my ML: pull down w/ right hand on the inside hand hold until the door is nearly down, then put left fist on license plate and push shut. I normally only get my left knuckles dirty. I don't remember how the MDX's hatch is set up, but it might work for you, too. Glad you're putting the MDX's cargo capacity to good use. I still consider the MDX the first real competition for the ML for folks that believe in the Utility of an SUV :-)
Hi We own a base MDX having decided thåt the Nav system was too pricy. But, we might change our mind in the future. Does anyone know if Acura is considering making this a dealer installed accessory - or can it only be a factory installed option. thanks
Acura/Honda has offered the nav system for a few years now, on a variety of vehicles. On all of those vehicles, the nav is a factory-only option, and not a dealer-installed option. So I doubt if the MDX can have it added on later.
However, all isn't lost. If you change your mind later you can always get an add-on system (e.g. Alpine) from a car audio dealer. Some of those systems, while perhaps not as fully integrated, may be cheaper and/or work better than the MDX's built-in system, and may be removed if you ever trade-in or sell your vehicle.
William's method works well for me and I don't get any of my hands dirty. The trick is to pull it down quickly enough though. Since the Parkpilot wire is now running through a 1/4-1/2" section of the stripping, a firmer tug is needed to close the tailgate. BTW, MB sells a lower lip that atteches under the lower edge of the license plate that helps you to close the tailgate/trunk lid w/o getting your hands too dirty.
WRT the hatch problem, it doesn't just affect SUVs, but minivans, station wagons, hatch backs, etc. Something to do with the way the air flows off the roof. Saab enginerds recognised this and did something about it for the 9-5 wagon. Their solution apparently not only reduces the dirt and aerodynamic drag, but increases downforce as well.
Drew Edmunds.com Townhall co-host Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
Drew: My Integra's hatchback was pretty clean once I got it up to speed... I saw the ML handle accessory, but figured it'd get as dirty as the hatch which would defeat the purpose :-)
Put deposit down in June, received mid Sept. Now 2500 miles and still haven't read the owners manual. Why no power lumbar- and a weak manual one at that? Also Acura should have automatic lights rather than the switch. My Bravadas had these as standard equip. Anyway great vehicle....have yet to have any seats other than drivers/pass. in their upright position- using it like a pickup truck (shame). Going to open the back of the driver" seat and place 1/4" rubber behind pivot cam to increase lumber push. Also when brand new, sent all rotors out for crossdrilling and silver cadmium plating ($240.00 total)- beautiful and stops on a dime.
Apologies for the generalisation...When I said hatchback, I meant hatchbacks like the Civics, Focuses (Foci? ), etc with tail ends that terminated similar to SUVs/minivans.
Interesting comments are the comparisons to the MDX:
"newcomer Acura MDX is stealthily filching our affections"
"If you have the wherewithal to afford it, we wouldn't deem you crazy for buying the Infiniti, if only to avoid slumming it at the service center with lowly Sentra owners. But it's off to the Riverview Convalescent with your loony butt if you don't test drive the new Acura MDX as well, with its amazing commodiousness, third-row seats and a price that maxxes out at just under $40,000."
Hello I am considering many different suv's. I have narrowed it down to either a 2001 land rover discoveryt series II or an acura MDX. we really like tem both, but are leaning tords the discovery. Any comments? We like the extra seating, and the more luxurious feel of the Acura, but werent sure if it could handle snow well? also any one have any idea what folks are paying for the mdx?
You might want to get a copy of Dec 2000 Car and Driver magazine as they tested both, as well as X5 3.0i, QX4, RX300, ML320 and Montero Ltd.
Car and Driver gave Land Rover Disco the lowest in all categories except the off-road capability and features and amenities. Disco received the lowest scores in engine, driveline, onroad handling, driver comfort, fit and finish, value, styling and fun to drive. It received the lowest overall rating among seven SUVs.
I normally use the remote to lock and unlock my MDX. Today I tried to unlock it with the key after it has been locked with the remote. What a surprise! It caused the alarm to go off with the horn and flashing lights!
The MDX manual did not say anything about that you cannot lock the car with the remote and then unlock with the key. I found if the MDX is locked with the key, the security system is not set so it can be opened with the key without sounding the alarm. But if the MDX is locked with the driver side lock button or the remote, the security is enabled and it cannot be unlock with the key alone without causing the alarm to go off.
Can the current MDX owners try using the key to unlock your MDX and post your experiences?
Is offroading a priority? The Disco II is certainly a better offroader than the MDX.
As far as driving in snow goes, quite a few folks here have been driving their MDX through snow without problems. Though I'd imagine that the Disco II would be able to handle some extreme situations better.
Is safety a priority? The QX4 (and the Pathfinder) have not done well in the IIHS crash tests. The Disco II does a bit better, but not tops. Supposedly the MDX will earn the next notch, which is the highest score (it's based on the Odyssey, which has earned the highest score, and there's probably no reason to doubt Acura that they'll achieve the score they expect).
Is reliability a priority? The Disco II hasn't done well, while the QX4 has excellent, proven reliability. The MDX is a first-year vehicle so its reliability may only be average at first, but it's highly likely to be better than the Disco II's.
A major downside to the MDX will be availability. Waiting lists, especially in major urban centers, are long. As such, it's highly unlikely you'd be able to buy it for under MSRP, and some dealers are asking for premiums and/or forcing overpriced accessories. I'd imagine you can negotiate a good deal on a QX4; I'm not familiar with dealing with Land Rover.
Comments
Additional features (such as the jump to a specific post feature) may be activated after we squish the intial bugs. The login/timeout bug, for example, is top priority."
How can the award winning and the best software be so buggy? I can't image what other community software would be like.
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
The upper screws (one for inside the tire well, one for the inside edge of the rear fender) are obviously easy. The lower one is a pain. First I realized I had to basically punch a hole through it (needle nose pliers seem to do the trick since it's basically plastic there). Then slip the little metal clips / screw retainers. But then the problem was getting the lower screw to align correctly, and then tighten it. Couldn't find the right screwdriver for the job (since there's only like 3 inches of clearance there!
Will have to buy the right, but was wondering if I could just stick with the two screws for now.
abohed
Also check that both remotes work correctly and all doors are locked/unlocked -- I had a faulty remote which armed the alarm but didn't lock the driver's door.
Finally, check for scratches on the paintwork and any plastic parts (I have a scratch in the front grille area which is being replaced by the dealer).
Okay - finally - I did test drive the vehicle before I drove it off the lot.
Good luck.
Rail
William: I wouldn't worry too much about it; 2 out of 3 sounds good. If you're really worried, you could wait until you have the proper screwdriver (which shouldn't be too tough to find). It's kind of funny that you're installing your rear mudflaps this weekend while I just removed my ML's recently to take off the rear bumper (to install the Parkpilot system). The process was a PITA, BTW, but I think the results are good. I also added a subtle chrome tip to the exhaust: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=137587&a=1130466
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
Drew: Yep, the rear splash guards have been sitting in the garage waiting to be installed for quite a while now (human baby has precedent over steel baby). But since this is The Weekend We Take It Over The Mountain Passes it's time to put them in.
Reasons for a test drive:
1) After all this, you might decide the vehicle doesn't "fit" you.
2) You might notice a problem or two.
On your questions on accessories. One way to save some money on the tow hitch/cooler combo is to buy them from somewhere like Hondacuraworld (no price listed on their web site but I'd imagine it's cheaper given their other good prices). Then get your dealer to quote you a labor-only rate for installation. You might feel a bit funny, but they're not one to turn down money.
Hondacuraworld:
http://hometown.aol.com/hondacuraworld/myhomepage/business.html
The cargo tray has a relatively short lip, only about 1.5" to 2" so it's not very obtrusive. It has the same pattern that you find on the outside of the tailgate. When you have it on, you can't deploy the third-row seat, and you have to remove it if you do. It has cut-outs to not block the cargo hooks.
I put in the all-weather mats yesterday in preparation for a trip over the mountains. They seem pretty good, and the front ones have the proper slots to go onto the front floor hooks to keep them in place. Again, same pattern as the outside of the tailgate. They don't have the finer pattern that you see on some mats (to scrub your feet against), but the coarser pattern should be fine. I think it's a matter of taste, to some degree. Also, please note that they don't provide a rubber mat for the third-row seat.
Both of the above accessories have the obligatory Acura logo.
A good source of tough liners (with lips) and mats is www.weathertech.com, but I don't know if they have ones available for the MDX yet.
Our new GG MDX with touring/navi arrived in Phoenix, AZ at Bell Acura on Friday morning, Dec. 22! I lucked into a seat on United (and, even luckier, the plane departed and arrived on time) and flew down that evening, took delivery, and began the long drive back to San Francisco. We put down our deposit the day before Thanksgiving, having been frustrated by the high prices/long waits (MSRP+$2K+4mo., or MSRP+8mo.) in the Bay area. First prediction was January delivery, which moved up by degrees until Dec. 22. I dealt with Debra Riffel, the Internet Manager, at Bell, and pretty much the entire transaction was done via email.
Vehicle is everything that people have already described. Ride is very quiet (except for some wind noise at high speed). I was impressed at the relatively low road noise from the tires. Bose stereo is pretty good (but not great; not as good as on a Ranger Rover we had once). I felt the driver's seat was quite comfortable for the 750 mile drive (but not quite as good as the seats on the Range Rover, which were magnificent). (I'm 6' 3", 200 pounds). I found the tracking/handling at high speeds to be just a touch on the vague side (compared to our Subaru, which tracks on the highway like it's on rails; the Ranger Rover wandered). I was impressed by the fuel economy (18.6 out of the dealer's lot in Phoenix, then 21.2 on I10 cutting up I15 and over to I5 through Mohave and Bakersfield, and finally 20.0 running at 80mph into the wind up I5 and over to 101 to home). Several long grades through 4000 ft passes on this route. The trip computer MPG was always within .5 of the MPG I computed. The Subaru would have gotten about 22.5 on this route at those speeds. The Range Rover would have gotten maybe 18.
Now, the MDX vastly outshines the Range Rover and the Subaru in styling, use of space, overall handling, convenience, and interior noise. The Range Rover was elegant but hopelessly impractical (the dealership service manager becomes an intimate member of your family), and the Subaru is eminently practical and reliable, but lacks style and class and interior space. The MDX combines elegance with tremendous practicality.
Oh - I really like the navi system. We rode into SF last night, and let the computer show us the way. It didn't go the way I would have gone (I may have something to learn here), but it handled all the fine points and little details of the roads and ramps perfectly.
On Friday evening, our GG/Touring MDX was delivered. Hubby's being a stinker and after one drive last night to look at lights, it's tucked in with a big red bow awaiting Christmas morning. Now it's time to explore options.
Bike rack: My dealer is sticking to the tow package/hitch thingie. So our options are to get the roof carrier which might be too much for me to handle alone, or to get an aftermarket hitch installed from which to hang a rack. Is the latter possible?
Cargo area: I have an oversize dog kennel for our Giant Schnauzer. When I use it, I let down the second row seat. That said, I need some cargo floor covering, but I don't want an item with a lip. Would either the cargo tray or the cargo mat fit the bill?
Mats: Love the black interior. That said, we play hard. And most of this South Carolina red clay sticks to shoes like mud. Anyone ordered all weather mats?
p.s.
GOD I HATE THIS NEW SOFTWARE! In addition to the the problem posting messages, I find it incredibly hard to read!!!
Question:
I discovered that MDX has two big areas that are covered by plastic, the front and the rear bumper areas. Do those plastic areas need to be waxed?
Can the gauge be recalibrated and if so how?
thanks from this lurker.
Also I wanted to ask if any one has experienced the vibration "rattle" in the rear plastic molding around the subwoofer.
When I play my favorite rock with bass in flat/middle position, some tunes really seem to get a strong vibration in the rear corner. I removed the protective shield and the speaker seems to be in solid. The vibration/rattle seems to originate in the molding. It can be diminished if you turn the bass down 3-4 clicks, but the who wants to do that? Just wondering if this is a "normal" situation or one to be checked out.
Thanks again.
Any idea of the difference between the cargo mat and the cargo tray anyone?
I've already bookmarked hondaacuraworld. We're considering the burlwood shift knob (is this the one that goes best with black interior?), cargo net, wood meter panel and some sorta cargo mat/tray thingie. All this and I can't even sit in it yet!
Hemp gauge...sounds interesting!
You can also delete and repost it after 30 minutes.
I use the spell checker but I use the browser back button to return to the previous page and post. Never use the
Enjoy the drive over the passes! Hopefully you won't have too much traffic to contend with. :-)
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
Only possible thing we noticed was on a wet, slushy, compacted snow/ice road (not on the pass) at 50 mph. Drove over a fairly slick area while going straight and the vehicle did a momentary sideways slide (more like a drift), but it didn't go very far and it never felt like loss of control, and everything was right in an instant. Maybe ESP and full-time 4WD could have helped here?
On the other hand, the vehicle did great on the passes. Blewitt is always the biggest concern, as it's one lane each direction with only a few areas with passing lanes, and it's not cleared much (unlike Snoqualmie). Sure enough, got trapped behind a Ford Taurus doing only 40mph, right at the start, far from a passing lane. I was then surprised that my wife passed him on a straightaway, cutting across the snow/ice/slush median into the oncoming lane. She felt confident enough and we felt the vehicle slice through the mess in the middle (normally everyone drives in the grooves).
She did another pass later on; the median was significantly worse, you could feel the crud under the vehicle. Again, no problems. BTW, wife drives the vehicle over the pass, daddy sits in back with baby to keep him quiet. I could be macho, but I grew up riding the subway in NYC and got my license well into adulthood, while wife was driving in the ugly Eastern Washington winters as soon as she was old enough for a permit. She (and her dad) can handle the passes really well.
FWIW, her parents are complaining about their Odyssey's traction in the snow, even though they added studded snow tires (supposedly good ones). Some sliding around, and hard to get up their sloped driveway when it's covered (their '90 Integra with studded snow tires does it fine, but then again, it's a lot lighter -- I was just surprised that their Odyssey couldn't just pull itself up).
William:
I forget. Which tires do you have? I can't remember whether you got the Base or Touring. If you got the Cross-Terrains, it sounds like it is indeed an excellent all-season tire.
Glad the MDX did so well for you. Could you elaborate a bit more on how well the Odyssey handles in snow? A friend is thinking about getting one and thinks FWD is enough (though after I told him about my encounter w/ a sleet-covered hill in my ML and my brother's Camry, he's wondering now).
BTW, I had a 1988 Integra. The 1990 was Acura's first real full design of the Integra. C&D and other mags complained it was more refined and not as fun (read: you don't feel the road as much and visibility isn't as good) as the original; they apparently don't think it's important to test on anything like Boston's potholed streets. :-)
Sorry for the off-topic stuff.
Our MDX has the Michelin Cross Terrains. The pass conditions we drove over were only middling-bad; we've seen it FAR worse. But I also figure that what we didn't have in snow volume was made up for in the (to me) uglier combo of having compacted snow and ice, with slush on top.
On the Honda Odyssey (off-topic, I know);
Okay, I may have cast the Odyssey's performance in snow too negatively. I grilled my in-laws on it further, and they have NOT experienced sliding around in "normal" snow driving conditions. The Odyssey is equipped with studded snow tires they bought from Les Schwab (major regional chain). Unfortunately I don't know who makes these particular tires for Les Schwab (I know some of their tires are Coopers but I don't think Cooper makes all their tires).
They drove from East Wenatchee, WA to Richland, WA (hundred miles or so) in heavy snow and had no problems.
Their main complaint is that they had trouble getting it up their sloped, icy driveway; it kept sliding. They claim that they hadn't had the problem with their old Integra with older, studded snow tires. However, I think the Integra had the old-fashioned studs -- the ones that are now illegal because of the damage they cause, even though they were very effective.
I guess when it comes to winter performance, there's a whole gamut of surfaces where "your mileage will vary." Deep, powdered snow is one thing. Ice is certainly another. Then there's the compacted, non-virgin snow stuff that can be a real mess.
Check List (abohed), "Test drive your car before you paid". Good point, we first took care the invoice, sign all the paper (including the lemon law acknowledgment), get the temp. license, check the car, brought some install yourself accessories, spent a good amount of time go over each functions on the car with the salesman (he was very patient) then drove off. I figure if there was a problem, they are right there and my salesman has been honest with me who will take care of the problem if any.
(railr), Yes it was meant for generic MDX check list. We brought the base MDX and after less than 4 days, My wife and I wished we have the navigation model since we already got lost once on the road. (I was the driver and never got the chance to put the map in the car) I am now on the market to look for a portable navigation system. So we can use it on other cars too.
Park on 2 spaces (thirdsuv), I recently saw a silver MDX parked on a NYC paid parking lot on 2 spaces. I thought it was pretty funny knowing it was a concern of many people about the wide body MDX and no door protection. To prolong that first dent, I prefer to drop my wife off the grocery store and wait out in the car or park the car far away (of course on single space). Someone in this forum recently shared that he witnessed his first dent while he was in the parked car. So it doesn't matter how you parked your car. The reality is- a matter of time to get that first door dent.
MDX on the road In the past 3 weeks, I was able to see more MDX on the road. I saw 3 beige MDX and 3 silver MDX in the NY, NJ areas. Haven't seen any dark color MDX beauty. Yesterday, while on the road there was a Lexus and a Infinity infront of me driving very slowly. I can't help it but to voliate the brake in period to pass them and speed away.
ACURAMDX.ORG
General discussions
MDX driver's side ergonomics
Thanks,
JDB13
i have a base mdx without the navigation. i've been driving a lot at night lately. i've noticed that the bluish background color is sometimes quite bright and other times it is very dim to the point where it is hard to read it. i didn't touch the brightness or adjusted any of the lights. has anyone else experienced this. don't know if i should get it checked out.
Just came back from a roundtrip over two mountain passes and that's always a mess. Need to get to a touchless car wash badly. The hatch area is especially messy, a heavy layer of dirt, worse than the rest of the vehicle. A properly-designed air deflector might help keep that off, and I was curious if the Acura OEM one does the trick.
Thanks for the info on rear splash guard installation; I'll get the right screwdriver.
kkuet:
I forgot if the trip computer display does any auto-dimming based on ambient light or headlights being on; the manual should explain this. However, ever since we dimmed the trip computer's display, we're quite happy with it, and haven't noticed it being too bright on some occasions but not on others. At least not excessively so.
Transpower
The nav screen should stay the same. You should note that the screen dims when you turn on the headlights or parking lights. Bright white turns grey, etc. Maybe that's when you notice it get dark? I actually wish the brightness controls were easier to adjust. Some days (like when it rains or snows) you want to turn on your headlights during the day, but when you do, the nav screen goes into night mode, making it hard to see. But to adjust the brightness, you have to go to the menu, etc., and then the next time you drive it at night, it's too bright. I don't know why they didn't just put a knob or thumbwheel on the dash to control the nav screen brightness. I could say the same thing about a fan speed adjustment. I guess they want you to leave the fan on auto, but I find it too breezy and noisy. When you leave it on manual at the lowest setting, there's generally plenty of air for my taste, and very quiet, too.
Sounds like this problem is endemic to SUVs...my ML has the same problem and the solution is supposed to be the same :-P
Trick to close the MDX's hatch without getting your hands really dirty is to grab the interior handle at the bottom, and sort of throw it down, releasing your hand as the handle passes level (you can't help but let go since the exterior of the hatch gets in the way at that point).
Opening isn't too bad, as the handle is pretty well recessed and the struts do most of the work.
BTW, you should have seen how packed the rear of our MDX was (behind the second row). Two 30 gallon bins packed with presents, three large presents that wouldn't fit into the bins, several shopping bags, a big suitcase, two smaller suitcases, a duffel bag, baby bathtub, and a few other items. I was able to Tetris-pack them without significantly blocking visibility. Definitely couldn't have done it with the RX.
I use this trick w/ my ML: pull down w/ right hand on the inside hand hold until the door is nearly down, then put left fist on license plate and push shut. I normally only get my left knuckles dirty. I don't remember how the MDX's hatch is set up, but it might work for you, too.
Glad you're putting the MDX's cargo capacity to good use. I still consider the MDX the first real competition for the ML for folks that believe in the Utility of an SUV :-)
We own a base MDX having decided thåt the Nav system was too pricy. But, we might change our mind in the future. Does anyone know if Acura is considering making this a dealer installed accessory - or can it only be a factory installed option.
thanks
However, all isn't lost. If you change your mind later you can always get an add-on system (e.g. Alpine) from a car audio dealer. Some of those systems, while perhaps not as fully integrated, may be cheaper and/or work better than the MDX's built-in system, and may be removed if you ever trade-in or sell your vehicle.
WRT the hatch problem, it doesn't just affect SUVs, but minivans, station wagons, hatch backs, etc. Something to do with the way the air flows off the roof. Saab enginerds recognised this and did something about it for the 9-5 wagon. Their solution apparently not only reduces the dirt and aerodynamic drag, but increases downforce as well.
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
My Integra's hatchback was pretty clean once I got it up to speed...
I saw the ML handle accessory, but figured it'd get as dirty as the hatch which would defeat the purpose :-)
http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/kim/qx4/01.infiniti.qx4.sp.html
Interesting comments are the comparisons to the MDX:
"newcomer Acura MDX is stealthily filching our affections"
"If you have the wherewithal to afford it, we wouldn't deem you crazy for buying the Infiniti, if only to avoid slumming it at the service center with lowly Sentra owners. But it's off to the Riverview Convalescent with your loony butt if you don't test drive the new Acura MDX as well, with its amazing commodiousness, third-row seats and a price that maxxes out at just under $40,000."
Car and Driver gave Land Rover Disco the lowest in all categories except the off-road capability and features and amenities. Disco received the lowest scores in engine, driveline, onroad handling, driver comfort, fit and finish, value, styling and fun to drive. It received the lowest overall rating among seven SUVs.
The MDX manual did not say anything about that you cannot lock the car with the remote and then unlock with the key. I found if the MDX is locked with the key, the security system is not set so it can be opened with the key without sounding the alarm. But if the MDX is locked with the driver side lock button or the remote, the security is enabled and it cannot be unlock with the key alone without causing the alarm to go off.
Can the current MDX owners try using the key to unlock your MDX and post your experiences?
Is offroading a priority? The Disco II is certainly a better offroader than the MDX.
As far as driving in snow goes, quite a few folks here have been driving their MDX through snow without problems. Though I'd imagine that the Disco II would be able to handle some extreme situations better.
Is safety a priority? The QX4 (and the Pathfinder) have not done well in the IIHS crash tests. The Disco II does a bit better, but not tops. Supposedly the MDX will earn the next notch, which is the highest score (it's based on the Odyssey, which has earned the highest score, and there's probably no reason to doubt Acura that they'll achieve the score they expect).
Is reliability a priority? The Disco II hasn't done well, while the QX4 has excellent, proven reliability. The MDX is a first-year vehicle so its reliability may only be average at first, but it's highly likely to be better than the Disco II's.
A major downside to the MDX will be availability. Waiting lists, especially in major urban centers, are long. As such, it's highly unlikely you'd be able to buy it for under MSRP, and some dealers are asking for premiums and/or forcing overpriced accessories. I'd imagine you can negotiate a good deal on a QX4; I'm not familiar with dealing with Land Rover.