Recently picked up our second Acura - A 2013 RDX Base AWD (Canada). Really enjoying it; however, experiencing a little trepidation over the build quality, which was U.S.-built in Ohio. Our TSX was built in Japan.

At highway speeds, specifically ~125km/h and again at ~140km/h there is some buffeting occuring on the rear passenger door. A rattling (plastic on plastic sound) is coming from that door near the speaker housing. I also noticed the center pillars that house the front seatbelts float (i.e. you can physcially push them in and out, where in the TSX they are solidly affixed to the body).

Any one else experience this with their new RDXs? The dealership is looking at the car tomorrow morning to let me know about the cabin noise at highway speeds. I did not mention the floating pillars, which I figure I will just walk into some dealerships and see if they are all designed like that or not).

I will post my experience about the noise when the dealer reports back to us.

 

The cabin noise issue has been resolved. It was not a manufacturer issue - It was related to dealer-installed running boards. According to the dealership when they attached the running boards they had to drill through some plastic paneling along the bottom of the vehicle. This reduces the rigidity of the plastic, which therefore requires some clips to reinforce the area. In my case the clips were not optimally placed resulting in the plastic buffeting at highway speeds.

I still have not had a chance to view other RDXs in regard to the "floating B pillars", so I am not yet sure if it is by design or if there is an assmebly issue with my RDX - Really not a big deal - Interior quality is still top-notch and the whole car feels solid and well-built.

 

Does anyone understand what they use and how it works for the active noise cancellation on the new RDX?

 

Does your question refer to what's different in active noise cancellation from previous model years? If so, I have not found out the complete details other than the active noise cancellation system is pretty much the same as found in the 2G TSXs and 4G TLs with some minor tweaks, as expected with most tech as it improves over time.

If your question is more about "what is active noise cancellation", then there is a microphone(s) installed in the passenger cabin. The microphone(s) detect the sound in the cabin and the system actively counteracts those sound frequencies that the Acura engineers deemed undesirable. It does this by emitting sound waves from the car's speakers (even when it is off) to counter the sound waves generated by the undesirable noise. The result is a quieter cabin. Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I believe for the most part the system is designed to cancel noise in the lower frequency range, as opposed to the higher frequencies.

 

So I assume this does not interfere with listening to music as it is cancelling out?

 

My wife noticed at about 45 mph with only the rear windows rolled down about 3-4 inches an odd buffeting sound. I sat in the back seat and definitely felt/heard the buffeting. I just told her to roll a front window down a bit or open the moonroof. That's the only odd noises I've heard on our '13 RDX

 

I've read somewhere that active noise cancellation is only applicable to the V6 2G TSX's. Four banger is smooth as silk.

 

You do realize that the front seat belt anchor points are adjustable up and down to accommodate people of different heights? This is a feature to prevent a seat belt from crossing someone's neck. As such, there is a small amount of movement when you push on the anchor point.

Regards, Jim

 

That is correct. The active noice cancellation (ANC) does not emit any sound waves that affect music playback. Even when the stereo system is off you cannot perceive any of the sound waves generated by the ANC system.

 

Thanks Jim. I understand the multi-position seatbelt anchor. It is not that movement that I am referring to. It is the plastic housing itself that forms the B-pillar. The bottom half of the B-pillar flexes in and out while the top half is fixed. Truth be told - I have lost interest in this anyway, as I am more than pleased with the vehicle. It was just an obscure assessment to begin with, as I happened to notice that the B-Pillars in the TSX were solidly affixed with no movement and that was not the case in the RDX.

 

You should hear the buffeting when just the rear windows are rolled down in a 3G TL. It seriously sounds like a Nazgul from Lord of the Rings is descending on you. I swear I thought my eardrums and head were going to explode.

 

I get the same buffeting in my 2010 TSX. I have to pop the sunroof or another window if I intend to roll down a single window in the back.

 

Thank you for this post. I too have this problem with my recently purchased RDX with dealer installed running boards. I will take it back to the dealer to address the issue and express my disappointment in their workmanship.