Greetings everyone! My friend has an 06 RDX AWD turbo with 160k on it and she is experiencing a slight notchy feel when taking turns at speed. She asked me to drive it and see what I thought (I am a fellow wrencher dating her friend), and honestly the issue wasn't too major but was noticeable. I saw the power steering fluid to be darker and likely having not been ever changed. That was my first recommendation, to change it out. The car felt really solid otherwise, no vibration, no strut noises, straight as an arrow alignment, no pulling when braking, a really nice solid car IMO. I was hoping to give her some ideas of what to have her family (shade tree mechanics with a garage-majal of a shop at home) to look further into.

I never messed with these cars, spent 5 min driving it, and thought I would poll the audience here. Nothing seemed obvious to me as standing out, but with mileage like it has there might be some front end wear/tear on CA bushings/axels/ball joints/etc.

Anyone with similar issues that might share some feedback, I'd gladly lend an ear to. Thanks in advance!

 

You are right in having the p/s fluid changed. Drive it a week and then change it again. Start with the easy stuff.

Get it up and inspect all the related stuff. Ck the steering rack.

 

I'm assuming it is a 07-09 RDX, there wasn't a 06 RDX? I change my P/S fluid at 100,000 miles on my RDX and TSX. The steering felt sooo much better after the change. I asked the Acura service mgr about P/S fluid change interval and he said it is suppose to be lifetime. We might have a different definition of lifetime because that is +200,000 miles for me while the service manager might be thinking 75,000-100,000 miles.

 

FWIW, my P/S pump started making a nasty little whine out of nowhere on Thanksgiving, and upon changing the fluid (actually a pretty easy DIY that I was forced to learn how to do), all was well. Good thing Wal-Mart was open... This was at 105k miles and was planning to do it with the next oil change anyway. Immediate improvement in steering feel as well, will plan to change it about every 50k from here on out. Stuff was DARK.

 

Likely it's an 07, not my car but I was pleasantly surprised when I test drove/looked the car over. The car has nice power and the intercooler location where it grabs cold air from the hood was reminiscent of a WRX and my old Turbo Coupe T-bird. I suggested to her to get it changed and we'll see if that cures it. I'll give feedback of how that affects the issue whenever she gets it done.

 

First year was 07, there was no 06.