For the last week or so I've noticed a few indications that something's awry with my drivetrain. 1) When cruising around 25-35, it downshifts to what feels like too low a gear for the speed. This is accompanied by a small but noticeable amount of vibration. 2) There's also some vibration/shuddering and slightly less power when accelerating. 3) There seems to be a subtle "whirr" at any speed that I hadn't noticed before.

Thoughts on what it might be? Axles, inner CV joints, torque converter? I'm really hoping the tranny isn't dying a slow death.

 

First, what year and the mileage?
Have you updated the software for transmission and replace the fluid?

 

2014 AWD Tech with 70k miles. No and no, but I will and see if that helps.

 

Maxlife ATF is incredible. Much smoother shifts up and down, better timing and the shudder is gone. It's like getting a new transmission. And that after just the first of three changes. Granted, it may be that it just really needed a change and OEM ATF would have had the same effect. But I'm happy either way.


Sludge on the plug

Nasty

Refill through the dipstick hole

 

Thanks for the update, The transmission is very hard on the fluid and requires frequent oil changes due to heat damage.

On all my cars, I always change the transmission fluid every 30K regardless what the service interval says. I normally do a single drain and refill just to refresh the friction modifiers and additives.

Happy that it all worked out great :}

 

Thank you for the suggestion. Glad it wasn't something serious/expensive! You mentioned a software update. Is that something that has to be done by the dealer?

 

There is a TSB for this issue:

TSB 17-017 - 2013-17 RDX: Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch (Snapshot Upload Required) Applies To: 2013–17 RDX - ALL - ALL

The TSB is on this forum

Your dealer will update the software for your 2014 RDX as per this TSB. If you have a J2534 programmer, then you can flash the software yourself.

 

Here's a direct link to the tsb:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...98870-5233.pdf

Covered by 80/80k warranty. Software update methods different for 2013-2015 & 2016-2017
Repair includes 3X fluid drain & fill.

 

JD8, I am having similar issues. I actually made a thread here - https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...-noise-976857/
There are two videos there. Does the noise sound similar to what you had?

Thanks

 

Hard to tell from the videos, but your description sounds similar. Between replacing the ATF with Maxlife and disabling the VCM with the VCM controller, both on and off throttle shudders are now completely gone. Plus the driving experience is vastly better than it ever was now that VCM is disabled.