I saw the 06 RL has the antenna in the back but mine did not have one.
Does anyone here know why?

Thanks

 

I found out from this article that the anntena is built in the rear glass (printed radio antenna).
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID3004?m...63168&mime=asc

 

The shark fin on the '05 & '06 is for OnStar. I don't think OnStar is an option for '07.

 

GPS antenna? Does your 07 have GPS? if not, then thats why, no antenna for GPS.

 

The Attenna is not only for Onstar. It is for XM. The Shark part of the attenna is the onstar part and the lower part that is more square is the XM.

 

I think the GPS (NAVI) antenna is located under the rear package shelf.

 

you will see a 1"x1" black square to the right of center on the rear window for the XM antenna.

 

Correct on both counts.

Correct.

Correct.

 

Does this mean no more shark fin for the 2007+ RL?

I have yet to see an '07 to see how it looks without it.

Rob144

 

I think the shark fin gives the car a little character. I would miss it if it was gone.

 

Hey AsianTL....this is your cue......

 

There is no attenna on the rear deck for XM unless for 07 they changed it.

 

While most cars use a "shark fin" for satellite radio, the '05-'06 RL used it for On-Star. Since On-Star is gone for '07, you don't get the shark fin.

To the right of the 3rd brake light, under the glass is a little square you can see if you look carefully. That's the XM radio antenna.

Under the rear parcel shelf behind the rear seats is the GPS antenna.

 

Is that why it isn't a good idea to get a metallic tint for the RL, because of the placement of the XM and GPS antennae?

 

No shark fin antenna

 

Exactly. More of an issue with GPS.

 

Hi guys,

As I was missing this antenna, I just purchased it at the Acura parts store ($120 - be careful to order the matching color!), and installed it. It has no functionality but gives the same look as the earlier models have.
The installation is not very complicated, just dismount the rear interior light, and you will see the exact location of the hole to be drilled. I marked the location with a punctuation tool from inside, but drilled the hole from outside. Drilling the hole is not a big task, however, take care of the coat, put a blanket to the top of the car during drilling.

 

Admittedly, it looks a little cleaner without the sharkfin. Thanks for the picture!

That's right, and it even says so somewhere in the owner's manual.

 

Is that little black rectangle just above and to the left of the license plate (under the chrome strip) the backup camera?

Rob144

 

I agree. I look for the shark fin when trying to locate my car in a busy parking lot

 

I wonder if a Jimmy Buffet fan ever bought an RL because of the shark fin antenna?

 

AsianTL, nice pic! By ANY chance are you a pharmacist?

 

My wife is Pharmacist/Pharmacy Manager.
I am just an Elec. Engineer.

 

Yes , it is back up camera.

 

Reviving an old thread....

I was at my dealer today and there was an 07 RL in the showroom. A TECH model and it did have a shark fin. I looked up at the overhead console, no ONSTAR, just a blank panel.

Then I went to look at the 4 RLs they had on the lot, al 07 TECHs. They all had shark fins. Did Acura decide to revive the shark fin even though ONSTAR is no longer a feature? Whadatallbout?

 

I would personally put the shark fin for the looks. Without it, it feels like something's missing. As if it's lacking an option or something.

 

Can't belive someone would drill a hole in the roof for an antenna they don't need?
Dealer told me that even tho Onstar was dropped, some 07s are still coming in with sharkfin antennas and some are not. I guess production was ahead of the no more Onstar decisison.

I hate the little rubber dinky Onstar antenna my CLS has.

 

Never quite understood thevalue of Onstar anyway. Doesn't everyone have a Cellphone now? it's a feature that is SO last century (as my daughter might say). I think it's a good feature for older folks who don't use cell phones and are technically challenged. That really doesn't sound like the typical RL owner....buy a long shot.

 

For the most part, I agree Mikey.

Other than the initial set up (which I did not do for 4 months after I purchased the RL), I really have not used it. I do call and say 'hi' for giggles now and then (Sarah is hotttttt! ).

But what ONSTAR does offer that HFL along does not is the ability to track the vehicle if it is stolen and notifcation to emergency services if the airbags deploy.

I expect Acura is looking into a means of integrating these features with AcuraLink. GPS tracking should not be difficult. And with datalink, the RL should be able to transmit to Acura airbag deployment. Datalink already has capability to transmit trouble codes to Acura. But Acura would have to have a manned operation to respond to those 'emergency' situations. And it would rely on the owner using cell phones that are compatable with HFL and AcuraLink datalink capability.

I got a survey from Acura last fall hitting on these very subjects. I susect they were looking for feedback as to what features of ONSTAR would need to be incorporated in a future feature.

 

Wondered the same thing. I saw an '07 RL Tech at the dealer when I took my '06 in for service and was quite surprised to see a shark fin on the '07. Confirmed by reading the factory window sticker--definitely an '07 Tech. Seems that one or more of the explanations in this thread may not be correct.

 

Wondered the same thing. I saw an '07 RL Tech at the dealer when I took my '06 in for service and was quite surprised to see a shark fin on the '07. Confirmed by reading the factory window sticker--definitely an '07 Tech. Seems that one or more of the explanations in this thread may not be correct.

 

This is why I plan to keep OnStar after the one-year free time limit is up.

 

Hmm, I didn't know that about the GPS tracking. That's a nice feature. Not sure the airbag deployment would be a big benefit for those living in a populated area. A serious accident is not going to go unnoticed around where I live. Although I admit, that could be a great feature if you live or travel in remote areas.

I hope they can add those features into AcuraLink soon. Thanks for the education

 

I work at an acura dealer and the only 2007 RLs i've seen have either had a square box like hump (like the TLs antenna) where the shark fin was or they just had nothing. I believe that the base models had the square antenna, and the tech and CMBS just had nothing. I'll look on the lot again today to check.

 

That is strange. Did you ask them for the purpose of the fin if onstar wasnt equipped?

 

Doh!

No Synth, I did not ask. The reps were actually busy selling cars.

Please don't pull my membership card.

I will have to go back and ask, get anothe carwash, more Starbucks and pastries.

 

Sorry, I was wrong. Here is the break down for 2007 RL models

2007 RL models shark fin antenna yes/no

BASE SHARK FIN

TECH NO SHARK FIN

CMBS-PAX NO SHARK FIN

 

The models I looked at were all TECH, and with shark fins. They had no BASE or PAX models on the lot. Odd.

 

So what is the purpose of the shark fin if it no longer contains the OnStar antenna? I'm quite sure OnStar hasn't been brought back as it hasn't been a popular option. For XM all you need is a box antenna.

Perhaps one of our RL salesfolk can clarify the issue?

 

It appears to be a production/cost issue. Some car bodies already had holes drilled for the antenna after Onstar was dropped as a feature. It was more cost effective to put the fin over the hole than plug/weld the hole, and refinish surface.