makushr1

Hello all. Wife and I just got a 2013 RDX Tech. Loving it so far.

I have a question on the splash guard. I searched and saw a couple threads regarding installation, but I was wondering more about functionality.

How well do they work? I washed the car a few days ago and while driving to work, I had to cross some puddles from sprinklers, which got the area behind the tire dirty. It's not like there's thick mud along the car, just little dirt spots along the bottom. How much will they help with that?

weather

^^ I think they are more cosmetic than functional myself. They are tiny and don't extend down very low but that is just my opinion. That being said, they do make the RDX look more complete and are worth the price just for the looks alone

AnalogDE

Ok, so I dropped 100 bucks on these guards and they're not that functional? Great

Wanax

Yeah, I also dropped $100 on them and installed them myself (really easy). Way overpriced for some cheap plastic. Not sure how effective they are.

hawkeye62

Hey Weather, you don't take your RDX out in the rain anyway. They should work perfectly for you.

They are small, but I think they do a reasonable job, not like the 3x3 foot size on a semi trailer, but good enough for the RDX. I drove my RDX in snow and slush several times a week all winter. The splash guards kept most of the gunk off of the paint.

Regards, Jim

makushr1

Thanks all. Still not 100% convinced they're worth the $$. I guess the only way to find out if they actually work is to install 2 on one side of the car, drive through puddles, and see if there's a difference.

It's not that $100 is a lot of money. I'd just rather save the $100 and put it towards a roof rack or something.

weather

*LMAO* Hey Jim...I knew as soon as I posted a comment on the splashguard that one of you guys would poke fun at me Thats OK though, I am a good sport about being teased....if I tease other members, I have to expect it in return

But I agree, they will help but they are not as good or efficient as others could be.

dc5k20z1

I was intrigued by these splash guards and bought them from Bernardi Acura... I guess I was suckered into them too. Oh well

techman707

Despite all the different opinions, I can tell you first hand that they DO HELP.

Besides reducing (not eliminating) the dirty water that winds up behind the front wheels and on the bottom of the rear quarter panel, it will also help prevent pebbles from hitting and damaging those areas.

Dimcorner

I bet they would help to keep tar from getting on your nice new paint!

fleuger99

LMAO! Agree on both accounts. Sorry weather but all too true. Your rep precedes you here

RDXChic

iTrader: (1)

I am waiting for my splash guards to be delivered along with the diamond cut rims. Are you able to wax the splash guards? From the photos I seen of the splash guards, they look like the same plastic as the lower portion of the bumper.

I got the splash guards to help protect my RDX and to prevent salt from damaging my paint in the winter.

singlecoilpickup

The splash guards are the same plastic as the lower bumper and the trim that runs along the side of the body. I haven't tried to wax them, but they're just kind of that hard plastic so I'm not sure the wax would accomplish much.

RDXChic

iTrader: (1)

Thanks!

Being in Pittsburgh, I want to make sure that any part available on the RDX that can be waxed is waxed. Depending upon the location in the winter, not all roads get salted.

weather

^^ Sorry to be late to the game but NO, do not put wax on any of the black bumper part (or the splash guards)....that will make them fade with time.

RDXChic

iTrader: (1)

Weather - We didn't do anything to the black part of the bumper. I don't have the splash guards yet. The shipment arrives on Tuesday.

Have you put anything on the splash guards?

weather

^^ No problem. As far as what I put on the "splash guards", I don't put anything specific on the outside of them (as on the plastic portion of the bumper and the bottom of the vehicle). Try to leave it as natural as possible to reduce the risk of discoloration.

There are other great contributors to this site and I am sure others will chime in but before putting anything on that portion of the RDX, make sure you get solid advice. I'd hate to see you doing something that would do more harm than good.

RDXChic

iTrader: (1)

^^ Understood. If I did put anything on the lower bumper, I would test the area first. Right now, I'm only going to wash / dry.

BLEXV6

To me the car looks better with them. They are pretty small and as such I question how much functionality they actually have. I have ordered them with the RDX I am getting and is on order as an extra. Funny thing is when looking @ the specs they seem to be standard. Anyone else aware of this?

GRDX

The splash guards are standard in Canada.
In the USA they are optional.

BLEXV6

Strange

weather

^^ The same applies for the fog lights. Also, in Canada, you can get a white RDX with a black interior, in the US, you cannot get a white RDX with a black interior. I know its bizarre as they built in the same plant!

BLEXV6

This has been an issue for a while and it must be preferences of Canadians to Americans. I remember wanting a black 2002 TL with black interior and it only came in parchment which I don't care for and as such had to get the grey/black combo. In the USA they had the black/black.


Also, my TL, has the light washers, which are a pain and messes up the hood, and the USA models don't. Go figure.

ARascal

You can put 303 protectant on any of the black trim (upper & lower) on the RDX. It will help slow down sun fade. If you happen to live in an area where the sun shines, such as Florida. Canada?.... Forgetaboutit!

Comfy

Now sunscreens for a car...c'mon guys...!!!

ARascal

Hey rube.... Ya'll must not be from around here....


The summer sun is really brutal down here. Park your car in your drive way for about two years and the black rubber cat whiskers at the bottom of your windows will crack and let the rain in your doors.


Any black decorative trim that gets overhead sun will bleach out gray . We cover our boat trailer tires with booties as the sun will dry them out in storage yards. We don't buy dark colored cars unless we just moved down and don't know any better....


Here in Florida.... We don't care, and even less want to hear how you did it up north.

Comfy

From WV.
I get your point ..but I was joking anyways... cheers.

ARascal

So was I....

AXMACD

All of my vehicles came with splash guards installed with the exception of my Civic which only had them installed in the front so I bought another set and installed them on the rear which cleaned up the rear wheel wells nicely.

I would go for the front ones at least, that corner of the fender closest to the ground and wheel will take a beating from rocks and road dirt over the years.

Comfy

Are these splash guards super easy to install as DIY or should be done at a shop?
Do I need any special tools to install them in case I decide to do it myself?

ossaguy

Super easy...I did them on my lunch break in the parking lot.They come with instructions.I like the look of them,it makes the RDX look complete.


Steve

ARascal

All you need: Splash guard kit (buy online NOT from the stealer), Phillips screw driver, Small flat screw driver Spring loaded punch or scratch awl, Band aids (lol), and Read The Directions first. Screw tightening sequence is important.


Half hour job after you get the tools together. You don't even need to jack her up.

S1LV3R-S4MUR41

Maybe it's just me...but I get splash guards to protect my car AND the poor driver behind me in case I hit any debris. It's a common courtesy that is all but common.

Comfy

There is a website OEMacuraparts which apparently sells the OEM splash guards for a discount (4 pieces around $102). Acura dealer / website price is $138.00. Is this a reliable website? Has anyone used it before? Thanks.

ceb

Bernardi has them for <$100

Comfy

I just got those splash guards today. Will install them soon. To be honest they look more like body cladding at the corners rather than an effective splash guards. They could have made it at least an inch longer. But anyways I knew what I was getting into.

ARascal

Splash Guards...................................... $93.15


After a thorough and exhaustive search I found "DCH Automotive Parts" to be the cheapest on line Acura dealer. dchautomotiveparts.com

Comfy

Now to me the car looks complete with the splash guards...but the only problem is you have to look hard to see them. They kind of "blend in" with the body side side cladding very well. I'm still hoping it'll keep the dirt and snow out of the body.

Rekstrom

If you get a chance, I'd love to see a picture of the car with guards on.

Comfy

Sure, here they are. Like I mentioned before, they look like extension of the underside / body cladding which they forgot to attach at the corners and are now calling that as splash guards. The only good thing is that they fit perfectly flush with all the body creases and rounded corners.
I took close up pictures because they are not that visible from far off....