2016 RDX excessive sway
#1
2016 RDX excessive sway
Just bought a low-miles used 2016 RDX for my wife. Didn't notice on the test drive, but on longer trips we've noticed something seems off with the suspension. Large bumps behave as I'd expect, but small bumps, even just pavement that looks smooth but must have some imperfections cause quite a bit of jostling and side-to-side sway. Is this just how the RDX drives? Or is there something wrong? Thanks for any input.
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netvandal (07-07-2016)
#3
mrgold35
Acura's can be a little sensitive (and noisy) depending on road conditions. I like the extra road feel when everything is within specs; but, it is tiring when something is off.
I purchased my MDX used from out of state. I've noticed a lot of drift and sway on the hwy that was way below what I was expecting with magnetic shocks and larger sway bars. I purchased new tires because the OEM were +70% worn and did an alignment and it was a night and day difference on the hwy. I had a lot of areas in the red and yellow on the Firestone alignment sheet before the alignment. It is now just the rear camber in the yellow now.
I would check the tires PSI because sometimes going up a few PSI can improve road feel depending on the types of tires. I would also do a rotation/cross rotation because if your alignment is off, there could be an usual wear pattern on the tread that could effect road feel. Might even think about new tires if they are close to borderline. I would do a road force balance with new tires to make sure the tire/rim combo is close to balanced on the rims for a smoother ride (that will use less balancing weights when you do need to do a regular balance later).
I purchased my MDX used from out of state. I've noticed a lot of drift and sway on the hwy that was way below what I was expecting with magnetic shocks and larger sway bars. I purchased new tires because the OEM were +70% worn and did an alignment and it was a night and day difference on the hwy. I had a lot of areas in the red and yellow on the Firestone alignment sheet before the alignment. It is now just the rear camber in the yellow now.
I would check the tires PSI because sometimes going up a few PSI can improve road feel depending on the types of tires. I would also do a rotation/cross rotation because if your alignment is off, there could be an usual wear pattern on the tread that could effect road feel. Might even think about new tires if they are close to borderline. I would do a road force balance with new tires to make sure the tire/rim combo is close to balanced on the rims for a smoother ride (that will use less balancing weights when you do need to do a regular balance later).
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netvandal (07-08-2016)
#4
Just bought a low-miles used 2016 RDX for my wife. Didn't notice on the test drive, but on longer trips we've noticed something seems off with the suspension. Large bumps behave as I'd expect, but small bumps, even just pavement that looks smooth but must have some imperfections cause quite a bit of jostling and side-to-side sway. Is this just how the RDX drives? Or is there something wrong? Thanks for any input.
#5
Intermediate
#7
Burning Brakes
Funny that this came up, as my experience with my '15 RDX matches exactly, and I was going to post what I observed...
Since moving from winter tires to summer tires (OEM) in March, I've been running my '15 RDX AWD Tech at 35 psi cold. This ends up getting the PSI (per the dash display) to as high as 40 psi once the tires get really warm. The result has been a decent ride, and predictable and stable handling over bumps and corners.
Yesterday I brought it into the dealer for an oil change - and nothing more. As part of the service, the dealer does a full vehicle check. All came back fine, and the tires were NOT rotated. On the drive home, I noticed the car felt really odd on corners and over bumps - almost like the wheel was loose or something. I got home and checked, and all the wheels were in the original positions and properly torqued (i.e. not touched by the dealer). I then got back in the car and put the display to the tire PSI screen, and noticed that the dealer had dropped each tire to 32 PSI cold (I did this check after the car sat for a few hours in the shade). I brought the PSI back up to 35 PSI cold all the way around, and the handling was back to normal (as observed before the oil change).
I haven't had a vehicle been this sensitive about PSI before - but it is what it is (at least with the factory tires). I'd definitely try bumping the PSI to 35 cold and see if that helps. It made a big difference in my case...
andy
Since moving from winter tires to summer tires (OEM) in March, I've been running my '15 RDX AWD Tech at 35 psi cold. This ends up getting the PSI (per the dash display) to as high as 40 psi once the tires get really warm. The result has been a decent ride, and predictable and stable handling over bumps and corners.
Yesterday I brought it into the dealer for an oil change - and nothing more. As part of the service, the dealer does a full vehicle check. All came back fine, and the tires were NOT rotated. On the drive home, I noticed the car felt really odd on corners and over bumps - almost like the wheel was loose or something. I got home and checked, and all the wheels were in the original positions and properly torqued (i.e. not touched by the dealer). I then got back in the car and put the display to the tire PSI screen, and noticed that the dealer had dropped each tire to 32 PSI cold (I did this check after the car sat for a few hours in the shade). I brought the PSI back up to 35 PSI cold all the way around, and the handling was back to normal (as observed before the oil change).
I haven't had a vehicle been this sensitive about PSI before - but it is what it is (at least with the factory tires). I'd definitely try bumping the PSI to 35 cold and see if that helps. It made a big difference in my case...
andy
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netvandal (07-08-2016)
Trending Topics
#9
Thanks everyone. Yeah, my cold PSI was low at about 32. I bumped them up to 35 and that did help. I also have an appointment with a local tire shop to get alignment checked on Saturday. If there's a problem, I'll make the 90 mile trek to the nearest dealer and hopefully have them fix under warranty.
#11
Funny that this came up, as my experience with my '15 RDX matches exactly, and I was going to post what I observed...
Since moving from winter tires to summer tires (OEM) in March, I've been running my '15 RDX AWD Tech at 35 psi cold. This ends up getting the PSI (per the dash display) to as high as 40 psi once the tires get really warm. The result has been a decent ride, and predictable and stable handling over bumps and corners.
Yesterday I brought it into the dealer for an oil change - and nothing more. As part of the service, the dealer does a full vehicle check. All came back fine, and the tires were NOT rotated. On the drive home, I noticed the car felt really odd on corners and over bumps - almost like the wheel was loose or something. I got home and checked, and all the wheels were in the original positions and properly torqued (i.e. not touched by the dealer). I then got back in the car and put the display to the tire PSI screen, and noticed that the dealer had dropped each tire to 32 PSI cold (I did this check after the car sat for a few hours in the shade). I brought the PSI back up to 35 PSI cold all the way around, and the handling was back to normal (as observed before the oil change).
I haven't had a vehicle been this sensitive about PSI before - but it is what it is (at least with the factory tires). I'd definitely try bumping the PSI to 35 cold and see if that helps. It made a big difference in my case...
andy
Since moving from winter tires to summer tires (OEM) in March, I've been running my '15 RDX AWD Tech at 35 psi cold. This ends up getting the PSI (per the dash display) to as high as 40 psi once the tires get really warm. The result has been a decent ride, and predictable and stable handling over bumps and corners.
Yesterday I brought it into the dealer for an oil change - and nothing more. As part of the service, the dealer does a full vehicle check. All came back fine, and the tires were NOT rotated. On the drive home, I noticed the car felt really odd on corners and over bumps - almost like the wheel was loose or something. I got home and checked, and all the wheels were in the original positions and properly torqued (i.e. not touched by the dealer). I then got back in the car and put the display to the tire PSI screen, and noticed that the dealer had dropped each tire to 32 PSI cold (I did this check after the car sat for a few hours in the shade). I brought the PSI back up to 35 PSI cold all the way around, and the handling was back to normal (as observed before the oil change).
I haven't had a vehicle been this sensitive about PSI before - but it is what it is (at least with the factory tires). I'd definitely try bumping the PSI to 35 cold and see if that helps. It made a big difference in my case...
andy
#12
The door cold PSI calls for 35 front, 33 rear. That's what I use. Works fine. Do others pay attention to this? I asusme Acura sets these recommended tempts for a reason. I notice though once the psi's increase when driving that the front tires always increase more than the rear.
#13
The door cold PSI calls for 35 front, 33 rear. That's what I use. Works fine. Do others pay attention to this? I asusme Acura sets these recommended tempts for a reason. I notice though once the psi's increase when driving that the front tires always increase more than the rear.
#14
RDX10. Makes sense. More weight on front tires requires more pressure, thus the 35/33 Acura recommendation (similar to higher pressure needed when carrying a full load of passengers). But I'd think most cars have more weight in front. I wonder why most of them recommend the same pressure for both front and rear?
#15
OK, had the alignment checked today. Front right toe was out of spec, so had the alignment done. Between that and upping the tire pressure to spec, it's helped the side-to-side sway on smooth roads quite a bit. Suspension is still tuned a bit harsher than our old car, but I think that's just to give more road feel and better performance. We'll get use to it.
Here' the before and after number:
Left Front Before -> After:
Camber -0.15 -> -0.18
Caster 2.78 -> 2.78
Toe 0.03 -> 0.00
Right Front Before -> After:
Camber -0.21 -> -0.17
Caster 2.51 -> 2.51
Toe -0.16 -> 0.00
Left Rear Before -> After:
Camber -1.29 -> -1.35
Toe 0.09 -> 0.07
Right Rear Before -> After:
Camber -1.34 -> -1.31
Toe 0.15 -> 0.08
Thanks everyone for the advice!
Here' the before and after number:
Left Front Before -> After:
Camber -0.15 -> -0.18
Caster 2.78 -> 2.78
Toe 0.03 -> 0.00
Right Front Before -> After:
Camber -0.21 -> -0.17
Caster 2.51 -> 2.51
Toe -0.16 -> 0.00
Left Rear Before -> After:
Camber -1.29 -> -1.35
Toe 0.09 -> 0.07
Right Rear Before -> After:
Camber -1.34 -> -1.31
Toe 0.15 -> 0.08
Thanks everyone for the advice!
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justnspace (07-09-2016)
#16
#17
RDX10. Makes sense. More weight on front tires requires more pressure, thus the 35/33 Acura recommendation (similar to higher pressure needed when carrying a full load of passengers). But I'd think most cars have more weight in front. I wonder why most of them recommend the same pressure for both front and rear?
I think they call for equal pressure all around (which is usually on the low side) because engineers found that pressure to be the best combination of ride, handling, and wear on the tires as mentioned by ceb above.
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