1st service
Suzuka Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,490
Likes: 609
CorrectionsAt 4 years and 72k miles, I've found the RDX to be the most trouble-free vehicle I've ever had and the easiest to perform DIY maintenance on.
For long service, your turbo needs both high quality oil and coolant. To protect your turbo:
1. Change your oil on schedule and use HTO-06 synthetic. Keep it topped up between changes, if needed.
2. Get some Honda Long Life Coolant Type 2 and keep the overflow tank between the Min and Max lines. (Important because after shutdown coolant is circulated through the turbo by convection.)
Only if temp is high
Other Fluids:
1. Change your transmission fluid every 40k miles. Use ATF-Z1. Check it once a month.
New fluid, see; https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/new-honda-atf-rear-diff-fluid-792655/
2. Change your other fluids per the MID^. You can also check Power Steering and Brake Reserviors very easily because they are both translucent with Min and Max lines.
There is nothing unique or intensive about RDX maintenance. For the DIYer, it is rather easy and pleasant.
If you don't DIY, you may find that a good independant Honda shop can keep your RDX checked and serviced for much less expense than a dealer. (..and give better advice too. It's clear this Service Advisor was establishing an early expectation of higher cost. The "private talk" was to avoid a public scene if the customer objects. It's all about managed expectations.)
For long service, your turbo needs both high quality oil and coolant. To protect your turbo:
1. Change your oil on schedule and use HTO-06 synthetic. Keep it topped up between changes, if needed.
2. Get some Honda Long Life Coolant Type 2 and keep the overflow tank between the Min and Max lines. (Important because after shutdown coolant is circulated through the turbo by convection.)
Only if temp is high
Other Fluids:
1. Change your transmission fluid every 40k miles. Use ATF-Z1. Check it once a month.
New fluid, see; https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/new-honda-atf-rear-diff-fluid-792655/
2. Change your other fluids per the MID^. You can also check Power Steering and Brake Reserviors very easily because they are both translucent with Min and Max lines.
There is nothing unique or intensive about RDX maintenance. For the DIYer, it is rather easy and pleasant.
If you don't DIY, you may find that a good independant Honda shop can keep your RDX checked and serviced for much less expense than a dealer. (..and give better advice too. It's clear this Service Advisor was establishing an early expectation of higher cost. The "private talk" was to avoid a public scene if the customer objects. It's all about managed expectations.)
Cruisin'
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,926
Likes: 853
From: NJ
maybe it included some checks ? thats insane. I just did my own oil because it was not easy to make an appointment with my dealer, took me 40min in my garage. I bought $30 5.25qt from autozone with Mobil1 oil filter, and also got $10 rebate 
cant beat that
cant beat that
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
Great deal. How did you get $10 rebate?
Cruisin'
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
That's the crazy pricing in Canada. Also the RDX premium. I saw the price list for oil changes, $65 Reg Acura's, $89 MDX, $109 RDX + fees and stuff makes it $135. Somebody else pointed out $175 for a full A1 service in Toronto. What is the base price of the RDX in the US anyways, it was $41,500 CDN when I got mine last yr.
As for tire rotation, I just change to Winters with rims in Nov and back to the stock in May. So I only have 1 tire off at a time.
As for tire rotation, I just change to Winters with rims in Nov and back to the stock in May. So I only have 1 tire off at a time.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,670
Likes: 377
From: Orion Spur, Milky Way
Originally Posted by XLR8R
2. Get some Honda Long Life Coolant Type 2 and keep the overflow tank between the Min and Max lines. (Important because after shutdown coolant is circulated through the turbo by convection.)
Originally Posted by Mr Marco
Only if temp is high
Directly from honda.com is this description of the RDX turbo cooling:
Water passages in the aluminum exhaust manifold help keep the temperature within the exhaust system at optimum levels for both the turbocharger and catalytic converter. When the engine is shut off, coolant continues to circulate within the turbo housing due to thermal convection, helping prevent long-term heat-related damage to the turbocharger bearings.
This description clearly applies across the operating temperature range of the coolant -- controlled at a median 93 celcius by the thermostat.
Trolling Canuckistan
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,453
Likes: 811
From: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114
BMW's service intrervals are based on the fact that BMW pays for the service for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles not on what is best for the car. If that lack of service causes issues in the 50K plus range, they could care less, they are no longer footing the bill.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Northern NY
If I remember correctly, the owners manual saysthe MID will count the number of miles driven at 0% oil life that the dealer can check . . . Not sure if it has ever been used against anyone.
2010 SH AWD RDX
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: SOCAL
Yup, at 15% oil life remaining, it'll pop a reminder on the MID each time you start the car saying, "Service Due Soon". It will also tell you which service code is due. Most likely the "A1" service will be first which is an oil change and tire rotation. At 5% oil life it will change the MID to "Service Due Now".
If I remember correctly, the owners manual saysthe MID will count the number of miles driven at 0% oil life that the dealer can check . . . Not sure if it has ever been used against anyone.
If I remember correctly, the owners manual saysthe MID will count the number of miles driven at 0% oil life that the dealer can check . . . Not sure if it has ever been used against anyone.
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