I live in the north east and when I start the car up, there is a rattling noise at start up, reversing and accelerating from 0-40 mph. Does the 1st generation RDX have a heat shield right below the gear shifter, similar to the Honda CRV? My friend's CRV this past summer we had to cut off the heatshield because the rattle was extremely annoying.

 

most cars have heat shields.

take a look underneath the car

 

I don't think that just removing the heat shield is the best fix......

 

Sounds like the heat shield and it just takes a couple of minutes to bend it back the way it belongs. I think there's a post with pics in the DIY forum.

 

Yes, it does. Well known issue. Parts #3 and 4

OEM Acura RDX 2008 EXHAUST PIPE - MUFFLER parts

 

I would try to remove it but currently in the northeast it's snowy and cold as hell. No way to do it now. But thank you for the diagram.

 

With current temperature outside right now (Montreal) its just impossible. You need to lift it to check, but be prepared to have it replaced. Dont just remove it, its a second cat heat shield.

 

Why would you take it off (instead of finding a fix)? Acura put it there for a reason.......

 

I believe the reason that it is there is, so that for example if there is high grass directly beneath the undercarriage it would not get burned. Which is why when my friend's CRV started to exhibit the rattling symptoms, we sawed it off. But my friend's heat shield was extremely bad, like the ice, road salt corroded it from every being able to be screwed together again. Now no more rattling noises. I'm not gonna pay an Acura tech $90 to remove it or worse charge me for removal and replacement.

 

I think we're talking about different parts. I'm referring to what the diagram call the "heat baffles".

I couldn't figure out why you'd remove something that protects the car to the exhaust heat .