Why do some RL's have shark fins on the the roof and some do not? My dealer told me that Base RL's have them and the Tech packages do not. Is this true?

 

That was the story for 2007 and forward. Not sure about 2009 MMC. Maybe 037 can tell you about those. 2005 and 2006 (including the higher level trim) all had sharkfins and OnStar.

 

I thought the fins came for sattelite radio...CMBS...got one.

 

This was discussed awhile back, after ONSTAR was dropped as / of 2007 MY.
But oddly in 2007+ RLs, some had fins, some did not regardless of no ONSTAR, TECH or CMBS pkg.

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/no-antenna-back-my-07-rl-498615/




Also...

The fin on the new Acura RL sedan is strictly for OnStar. The carmaker conceals the XM satellite radio antenna within the cover for the center high-mount stop lamp.

http://www.boston.com/cars/autoshow/...es/07_fin.html

 

09 has no star as far as I could tell.

 

OnStar was discontinued after 2006.

As to the fin, unless someone from Acura tells us, I think we will never know.

Some had said that OnStar was the reason for the fin, the cell phone antenna. AM/FM antenna is built into the rear windshield. The GPS and XM are supposed to be under the rear parcel shelf. Unless they rerouted XM or GPS to the sharkfin, not sure why it is there. Could be aesthetics. The other theory surfaced on why some 2007s had sharkfins, and other not, were the production line differences. Some cars had already been manufactured with penetrations in the roof, so it was a random thing. Even looking at the 2007 brochures, some had fins some did not, and it seemed to not matter what trim level it was. I think we will never really know.

 

The "shark fin" is actually your XM satellite antenna. I thought all RL's had them. I would figure the opposite as far as the base models not having them but the the tech packaged ones would. Not sure just my

 

I think the fin was just OnStar and was fully discontinued as of 2008.
The XM antenna is elswhere (see thread referenced earlier)
I don't think there is a fin on any of the acura 2009 models

 

What a bummer. The fin makes my car a lot faster!

 

I beg to differ, 2009 models do have fins. Photo posted above has a RRP 2009 in it.

 

Then I stand corrected. I have not see one on an 09 around here. That said, there's not many 09s to see.

 

let me know if you want more

 

What is really great is the steering effect the fin has when you are going around the corners at speed. The fin servo motor is hooked into the AFS sensors and can slew 40 degrees, like the tail surface of the SR-71. It really sucks in the snow when it ices up and freezes out of neutral position...then the SH-AWD works over time keeping you on the straight and narrow. That is probably why they started taking them off the 2007, until they introduced the heaters. But those heater components are in short supply, same situation as some of the components for the MDX active suspension Magneto-Rheological fluid dampers. So the 2007 forward cars with the fins have the heaters to prevent freezing.








Just kidding of course

 

I believe the shark fin is now the XM antenna on 2009 RLs.

I remember when I was inquiring if XM Weather was upgradeable to < 2009 RLs with software updates and I was told new hardware would be required ($$$$) including a new XM antenna, along with NAVI drive unit. I vaguely remember being told the new XM antenna was now in the shark fin.

Perhaps after ONSTAR was dropped after 2006, interim models years (2007 & 2008) were a hit or miss as the new XM hardware was in developement and likley the decision had been made to use the shark fin for the XM reception going forward. It is a better location without obstruction. If they had roofs cut for fins, they got them, even if it was strickly ornamental? Keep in mind most LEGENDS do not have sunroofs or shark fins. Perhaps there was a surplus of sharkfin ready sheetmetal from Acura's sales expectations for 2007/8 (as we all know missed the mmark by a wide margin).

And let's face it, functional or not, they do serve as a status symbol to many people. Do some searches and you will find no shortage of dummy fins available from merchants. Remember the phony cell phone antennae? Or how about AWD, TURBO or TYPE R, S or LTD badges you see.

 

LOL - actually the fin would work better in a fixed position like the keel on a sailboat allowing the car to pivot around the fin especially since the variable torque on the rear wheels is almost like a rudder in the rear.

 

and I thought the Fin was there so you can check clearence in the tunnels just in case...

 

just in case you don't know this, on the 07 tech models, (and above...and I assume newer models as well) have two XM antennas. One is a satellight antenna, and the other is a terrestrial antenna which will allow user to enjoy uninterupted music in many urban areas where satelight signals may be obstructed.

 

The fin is a high speed stabilizer, I am surprised most did not know that.

 

The fin was used in 05 'cos it had 300HP. When the HP dropped to 290 Acura felt that the fin was not necessary. The 09 is back up to 300 HP so the fin was re-introduced.

 

Has anyone pulled this thing off to see whats under there or looked at a wiring diagram to see what antennas are running where etc.?

 

hmmm.... i thought that was the fin for the complementry stealth cruise missle that came with our car that we can use to blow a way the dumb ass driver that cut u off and slows down in front of you where there are 10 other clear lane to the right

 

I should have mentioned that I have the Type R fin on my RL. That's the fast one.

 

does it have an LED?

what color?

what size fits?

where to get?

post pics.

 

is that the one that can send the signal back to the satallite and change it's angle and the re-program the satallite to shoot high power laser beam to vaporize dumb asses on the road?

or is that the boomer ring looking antenna in the back of a limozine? those are koooool

have you ever consider changing it to Type S dish plate, i heard it can send out signals to modify all the traffic lights and draw bridges and map out all the speed traps....


jk

 

Ooooooo! Oooooooooooooo!

I want a FRICKEN shark fin with LASER BEAMS!

*pinky to cheek*

 

What was Homer like in person? Chill??

 

I was told by Acura that it is linked with the cmbs radar to shoot down cars with large V8s or V12s