Hi everyone, recently I bought a 2017 RDX with ~130000mil on it. I noticed that it does not switches gears smoothly especially a few first ones. The ATF was quite dark and I did drain-and-fill 3 times, it helped but it is still not as smooth as it was on my old vehicles.
Is it how it is supposed to be (a normal behavior for RDX transmissions)?

 

There is a software update available, may have to pay at dealer to get. Do you have repair history showing previous fluid changes?

 

I see only one record of atf being replaced at 53000.
Where can I read about that software update? Does it fit my 2017 RDX?

 

Go to the "Sticky Threads" section of this forum under the Technical Service bulletins tab and read the PDFs 17-017 and 17-018. You will need to take the car to the dealer to have the software upgrade done or let them tell you whether it has been done. You will probably have to pay for this at the mileage you are at. The labor time assigned to the software update is 0.2 hours so this should not be that expensive. The bulletin also talks about doing a transmission fluid flush which my dealer did not do and I think there are some risks associated with a "flush" vs a drain and fill which I'm not sure I understand. My dealer only did a single drain and fill. Most people on this forum do the drain and fill. If your fluid is in that bad of shape as you described, you may need to do a 3X3 drain and fill to get rid of most of the old fluid.

There is also a transmission fluid cartridge filter located in the lines going to the transmission cooler that should be changed even thought it is not ever described as a maintenance item in any Honda/Acura maintenance schedules. I changed mine at 100k miles. It is a bitch to get to as I had to remove the battery and battery support plate. The bolts for this plate are hard to get to. There is a Youtube video that shows how to get to this through left front fender well which looks easier. I recommend using an OEM filter (~30-40$) as there is a bypass function internal to this filter that I wouldn't bet the cheaper aftermarket filters (Rockauto) have. If you don't like wrenching and the cussing that goes along with getting to this filter, I'd let the dealer do it. But I do recommend you change it if it's never been done at your mileage.

 

As I mentioned in my first message, I have done 3X3 drain and fill already, it helped but a little bit, it did not fix the issue completely.

I just read it, it says
"A software update is available to maintain the transmission fluid temperature within the desirable range under all driving conditions and eliminate the potential for this judder."
So, it's designed to prevent the issue in the future after replacing the ATF. That means if I have new ATF but the issue is still there, software update won't help me or it does something else besides "maintaining the transmission fluid temperature within the desirable range"?
Anyway, I scheduled an appointment in Acura dealership. Lets see what they say.

[/QUOTE]But I do recommend you change it if it's never been done at your mileage.[/QUOTE]
Will do it but first I need to get my issue fixed.

 

I would also suggest disconnecting the battery for 15-30 minutes so your transmission can re-learn your driving. It will also help.

 

ChatGPT says that disconnecting the battery won't reset the transmission:
"The RDX uses the PCM/TCM to store adaptive shift data in non-volatile memory, meaning it is not erased by battery loss.""To do a real transmission adaptation reset, you typically need: Honda/Acura HDS diagnostic tool or A capable scanner that supports TCM reset / clutch pressure adaptive reset"

 

Might want to try this easy D.I.Y. reset:

 

Here is the end of story, I brought the acura to a dealership and asked them to update the transmission firmware, I also told them that I've done 3 x ATF drain and fill and there was no need to do it again. When they checked the vehicle after, they said it shifted normally as it should.

 

Just an FYI...myself and others with bad Honda / Acura transmission behavior have had success with switching to MaxLife Full Synthetic ATF and VCM deactivation.