OK

Picking it up tomorrow, intend to add splash guards, all weather mats & trunk tray.
What should be checked/changed relatively soon?
Dinosaur oil for sure
Brake fluid change?
Tranny flush?
Tires? I've had MXMs before and consider them just adequate but, don't want to alter the SH-AWD dynamics
Can/should AcuraLink be updated?
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
I'm somewhat anxious because it's the first used car I've purchased in 30+ years and don't want to overlook anything

 

Front and Rear differential fluid s/b changed for sure on the RL. Part of the required maintenance. Have the battery checked too, the RL's usually eat them every 3-4 years.

 

Congrats. I purchased a 2011 with Tech last august with 77k miles and just changed the oil. It had been maintained well and everything done according to MID. I changed the tires to Michelin Premier A/S. Added new floor mats, trunk tray, window tint 35% to follow state law, interior LED lights, LED license plate lights, LED reverse lights, now working on getting LED DRL's. Next goal is to get new wheels and summer tires.

It is a great car and I have learned a TON from this site. It has been a lot of fun knocking out each little project.

 

It's a Honda. Don't over think this, trust the engineers and follow the mid. Oil is typically 7k miles. Change your tires when they get to 2/32-3/32. The car will tell you when it's time for tranny and differential changes (oil too, I was just giving a heads up earlier). If you follow the MID, this car will last to half a million miles or 20 years, whichever comes first.

 

I'm not gonna get carried away with any changes. Thought about the trunk spoiler but, it doesn't "do anything" for me, almost invisible IMO.
Unless I get one of those "rice burner" type that sit 1 1/2' above the trunk. My DW would love that! j/k
What about AcuraLink update or subscription? Don't recall how it was with the TL and, again, DWs car so I didn't drive it much. I do recall that the MB system in our E350 sucked..."make a left turn in 500 feet" on a 6 lane divided interstate highway!

 

AcuraLink doesn't have anything to do with the navigation. It connects the car to your cellular device and allows the car and dealer to send information back and forth. If your question is about upgrading the navigation disc, they provide the areas that change with every update. If your area wasn't updated in the last 3 discs, then there is very little use in upgrading.

 

Huh?
I thought it provided "realtime" traffic and weather?

 

I think you are thinking of XM Satellite Radio. I don't know if the MMC was updated, but the 2005-2008 traffic is worthless according to many members here. There is a 30 min delay or so. Traffic that just happened won't help, and traffic that has already cleared may still show up. For the weather, there are two members with MMCs here who say that you can't turn it off. It takes over the screen and tries to talk to you weather you like it or not. (Pun intended.)

Weather issue: https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...isable-926265/

 

Forgot to mention above, I just replaced front/rear rotors, brakepads(metallic in front, ceramic in rear), and stainless steel brake lines; all from stoptech(centric) from XLR8 for 1k total parts and labor; at mileage 82k on RL.

Plan on doing KYB shocks and struts this summer.

 

I'm not "up to speed" on any aftermarket gear for the RL and since it's the DW wheels I likely won't pursue much.
I'll wait and see for now but, new tires are a priority. I've been happy with several renditions of Sport A/S, might go that way for the RL.
I've "tinkered" with my V70 somewhat. Still considering Bilsteins

 

KYB are the cheapest option to replace struts/shocks. There is no "mod" component to using them. The RL is a heavy pig and is known to cause strut failure after being lifted. I venture to say every RL between 70-100k miles could use new struts.

Obviously, brakes must be changed, and Acura OEM premiums aren't necessarily desirable.

 

What do you mean by "lifted"? I have heard Bilsteins can be "harsh", don't think I'd want that on the RL?
What are the best brakes? Rotors? Without getting crazy

 

When you put the car on a lift or a jack, the struts expand, and an internal plastic seal can tear or dislodge (don't remember which). The MMC suspension does use different struts and shocks, so it's possible that they fixed that issue.

There is no "best" brake. There are lots of options for lots of different prices. XLR8, our board sponsor excelerateperformance.com, has a very reasonably prices set.

 

How do you check the struts for this defect?

 

I don't think you can. When it goes completely and you go over a bump, you will know.