I am getting close to pulling the trigger on a 2013 RDX AWD. I was surprised to noticed a bit of rough idle while at stop lights. I found this during another test ride as well. Is this a common thing? Does it go away? The dealer tried to do an idle reset via a service procedure... did not go away.

thanks in advance.

 

There is no rough idle on mine, neither in neutral or at stop signs!

Must be a problem with your tester. May be ask to test drive another one?

 

Thank you. I tried two cars. Wonder if it has to do with vcm pairing down to three cylinders?

 

it seems to be a common thing. I felt it during the test drive and the new one I picked up. I did mention it to the sales guy at the time and he looked kind of surprised. Here is the thread with more info on it:

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-problems-fixes-409/rough-idle-without-ac-870208/

 

It has nothing to do with VCM if you're talking about idle, since VCM doesn't kick in until the vehicle is underway.

I have to say the idle on mine is the smoothest I've had since my Lexus LS460. It's almost like the engine isn't running. I'm wondering if the cars you drove weren't properly prepped, since the idle learning procedure has to be done right to adjust the vehicle to its locale.

 

the idle learn doesnt help. there is a known problem amongst forum owners but dealers ignore the issue.

 

Interesting... do I am not nuts. Wonder if this is fixable?

 

Well both cars came from the same dealership, one with 13k and the other brand new. It is a possibility which I can run by the service manager next time I take it in.
I did notice it vibrates even at higher idle while engine is cold though.

 

I have no problems like that with mine either...at least not yet anyway.

 

Mine is smooth as silk. 7500' elevation but I don't think that has any bearing on the idle.

 

I guess the answer is for the OP to insist on driving any of them before signing to make sure he gets one with a smooth idle. I still think it's a dealer issue,though, because I've yet to be in one that idled rough.

 

I drove two cars and both had it. The sales person also noted it. The RDX is really at the perfect price point as i've been considering a load Outback.... Rx-350 and Audi Allroad. My guess is the VCM is causing the rough idle.

 

Don't buy an Outback, I had one for 7 months and absolutely hated it. I replaced it with my 2013 RDX. I never looked at the RX-350. I find Lexus cars look and drive blandly. I loved the Allroad but equiped the same as my RDX with Tech Pkg it was $6500 more and I couldn't see a way to justify that. I've also owned two Audi's in the Boston area before and 4 different dealers sucked so I was not keen to face that again.

 

thanks! did you look at the 3.6 outback? What were your issuea? I loved my MDX. I hope the VCM is durable... is the rough idle driving you nuts? I wonder if acura can solve it? BTW, thank you for being so kind to me. I live i Silicon Valley. FYI

 

I drove both the 2.5 4 cylinder and 3.6 6 cylinder models. I didn't find the 3.6 had that good performance and the MPG rating was not good. Only 20Mpg combined. I ended up going with a fully loaded 2.5 Limited which was MSRP of $33K. I paid $29.5K. I do mostly highway driving for my commute to work and the car never felt planted or solid on the highway. Apparently via the Subaru forum this is a common feeling and the way the car is. For me it seemed so bad that I took it back to the dealer. They redid the allignment and wheel balancing and it was slightly better but much worse than any other vehicle I've ever owned.

The Nav sucked, the voice command for stereo and Nav never ever worked for me. It never recognised a single command I gave it. I've never had that issue with my RDX. 2 months in, rattles developed on the passenger side front door and in the dash. I figured if its already rattling then what is it going to be like in 3 years. The mirror also needed to be replaced, it simply fell off one day. Also, I found the allignment of the rear hatch was terrible. One would close it three or four times before the latch would close. After checking it out I realised the allignment of the hatch latch and the vehcle latch was off. I took it to the dealer and they fixed it. How that passed inspection I don't know and the build quality was crap.

The only thing this car excelled in? Snow. We had two big snow storms here in MA and it was a tank in the snow. Nothing could stop it. I was driving home from work and cars were sliding all over the place doing 30Mph, I was doing 55Mpg and it just went like I was driving on a dry road. It was awesome.

Based on my experiences with this Subaru I'd never buy another one. I have experienced the rough feel of the VCM but honestly, it is really trivial. I'm averaging 25Mpg on my work commute which is the same I was getting in my Subaru yet this is a big V6 engine versus the 4 cylinder Subaru engine. I really like the RDX and I'm very pleased with my purchase. So far (knocking on wood) it has been flawless and I'm just about to hit 6K miles.

 

My wife's 2014 has developed a rough idle at 13000 mi. I will send it in and see what they say. BTW I drive a used 2012 rx 350 and the rdx isn't even in the same ballpark as far as creature comforts, fit and finish and ride.

 

I don't have any issues with rough idle. In fact it has the smoothest idle of any cars I've owned before.
We did cross shop the Outback to RDX before purchase.
One problem with the Outback is the reversing camera. The screen is small and looks terrible in daylight, can't see much if sunlight is there. This was a deal breaker for me, but depends on what is important for you. The RDX is perfect for us.

 

The 2012 RX 350 was on my list. it found that it had more toys and creature comforts than the RDX had. But, I still bought a 2015 tech AWD RDX.


I did not like that the 2012 RX was 4" longer and wider than my 1999X was and wallowed like a boat compared to the RDX. The RDX was about 1" bigger. It would fit in my garage better. But, felt bigger inside that my old 99 RX was. The old RX had more storage compartment in the rear and a 12V plug the new RDX didn't have and rear ac vents.


The test drive in the RDX sealed it for me. The RDX felt like an old comfortable shoe when I got behind the wheel for my first test drive. Everything was in the right place on the dash board. It corned and lane changed like a go cart compared the 2012 RX. And the pick up at the stop light made me smile. I could see the white knuckles of the salesman next to me.


In summary, IMHO, the RX had more bells and whistles than the RDX. But the RDX is way more fun to drive. And, I could buy a new 2015 RDX for the price of a used 2012 RX.

 

I will explain my rx choice. We had the rdx first and I test drove everything and at first was impressed with the price of a new rdx over a new rx. Thats why we got the rdx..Then I sold a truck of mine and went "shopping" again and found out I let my wallet decide over comfort. After several extended test drives with two year old cars and comparable models and brands, I picked the RX. Even being just a few grand less than a new rdx it is hands down the better of the two. I bought a f-sport and this handles quite well and has all the comfort creatures the rdx does not.
The rdx has no seat back or auto adjust mirrors and steering column. The passenger seat can actually go up and down so you don't feel like you are sitting on the floor like a rdx.
The rx has no funny shift- cylinder reductions (vcm) in its motor, the oil changers are 2500mi longer and the car is quiet due to insulation instead of noise canceling technology. This noise canceling is great for headphones but in a car I tend not to believe it is better than a well build insulated car. Also diff fluid changes every 15000 and tranny at 30000, why so often? I'm not a fan of timing belts either the rx has a chain and is very quite.
The rx has rear comfort controls with vents, It also has hood opening rods, instead of a stick!
The RDX 14000 mi has developed a shake at idle and they seem not to be able to fix this at the moment.
The rdx is a nice car for the money but with just a few creature features would help it a lot. Another thing is the reliability factor, we don't know about the rdx's with it being so new but the rx is a proven winner in this department.
The rdx is faster but not by much. It is more fun to drive for a while, I said for a while though. Long day in the seat on bad back roads after a while wear you down. The f-sport rx has a sport suspension but it rides hands down better than a rdx for those long days on bad roads.
RDX is a fine car for what it is at it's price point.
I am a retired builder and just love to drive salesman nuts, after test driving quite a few cars in the same category ( 8 in total) cars my e-mail is screaming! Never had time for this %^&* before.
BTW IF you like great handling try a all steer car like the TLX, it's front wheel drive only but it handles better than anything I ever drove. Better that a rs6 We owned back a few years ago when we bought German cars that would always break down right after the warranty was up.
I am sure I will find more faults with both car as time goes on but the good points they will sure outnumber the bad.
Good luck with your rdx but you need a longer garage...

Bill

 

It is the AC unit during summer months. Most the cars have some subtle vibration but you feel it on the RDX because it is so quiet and still.

 

Perhaps they put 87 gas in all their cars to save money.

 

Had rough idle on my 2013 AWD tech since day one. Took it to my local dealer a few times (with vibration issue also) and was given a lot of BS about it being normal. I am due for an inspection and oil change soon, will take it to a different dealer which is unfortunately about 60 miles away.
My first "luxury" vehicle, not impressed, although my brother loves his MDX.