Arcticcl9

I recently took my car in for service (minor noise), and got a NEW 09 TSX to drive (manufactured in 12/08.) as a loaner car. As the 09 is an "extended" model year for the TSX, I've noticed they did some minor changes. Or, maybe I just got a funky loaner car..correct me if I'm wrong.

1) E-brake doesn't *clack* when pulled. It's totally silent now, but feels mushy

2) XM radio sound quality seem to have improved.

3) This is not an improvement. Handfreelink seem to lose my pairing of my Blackberry 8830 after I shut the engine. I had to pair my phone TWICE.

Anyone else had the opportunity to drive an early 09 TSX and a recent TSX to confirm my findings? My car won't be back until tomorrow, I'm going to compare these things when I get my car back to make sure it's not all in my head.

DerwoodEE

I bought mine back in July and my e-brake doesn't "clack".

Colin

The only running changes I'm aware of are ones to fix little problems like the seat leather 'hook', the sticky cup holder lid and the reluctant fuel door.

HeavyDuty

My dealer stated what you already mentioned, Colin, about the black rear packing shelf for black interior cars. I'm in the process of figuring out how to bribe him & supply him with a black shelf car vin for a replacement on mine.

Colin

That's right, I forgot about the rear shelf...

LuvMyTSX

They fixed that? Thank God. It looked a little ridiculous having a black interior with a light colored rear shelf.

Arcticcl9

I've noticed that my loaner car has the black shelf, which is niceer. I'll have to ask Acura about that obvious mistake/cost cutting on their part

I've also noticed the "not an ashtray" and power outlet lid is also less sticky.

DerwoodEE

WTF? A black shelf?

I'm going to have to get my dealer to replace mine.

HeavyDuty

I asked my guy about my 'nudge nudge wink-wink' cracked taupe one getting replaced with a black & he said 'vin specific, sorry'. But I did think about whining to customer care & see what they say.

It didn't bug me too much until I heard they changed it.

Colin

The black rear deck is not a 'recall' and I don't expect AHM or any dealers to be changing them for free....

DerwoodEE

I'm still going to see what I can do. If not then oh well, it never really bothered me anyways, plus my windows are tinted so it's not noticeable from outside the car.

Arcticcl9

I got my TSX back today (built before the revision), and I can say after driving the loaner car with black shelf, it does look better and different. It makes the interior much more integrated, probably easier to clean. I do have my windows tinted, but it's really noticeable from the inside. Now I wish I have the black rear shelf.

Also, for the record my e-brake DOES do the "clackity-clack-clack" when I pull it. I'm sure that is part of the mid year revision also

kowloonsniperhk

A guess a harder way to do it is to maybe spray paint it with enamel paint. the material on the deck seems to be like the material of my airsoft. And the best thing is that i dont have to sand it down. But I think Ill just wait until they have it available to buy as a part

Colin

As far as I can see, there are three materials on the rear deck. Plastic where the Latches are, fur on the rest of the deck and metal speaker grills. I'm sure you could paint the plastic with a semi-gloss lacquer and probably use the same for the metal speaker grills (test it in a inconspicuous place first). You would need to pull the fur off the deck and recover it with black fur (car audio shops might have it). This would be a lot of work but it could probably be done in an afternoon/day.

wackura

Maybe the parks can simply be dyed black. It's pretty easy to make something black if you're motivated enough.

Arcticcl9

One more thing I noticed on the new TSX with Technology Package: the navigation has been updated . I don't know what they updated on it, perhaps removed the bug for the reverse camera ?

on my current TSX (mfg 10/08):
Database version: 4.73
Software version: 1.82.00

on the loaner TSX (mfg 12/08):
Database version: 4.73
Software version: 1.83.02

DerwoodEE

Can't the software be updated at any time?

Arcticcl9

I remember from the 1st gen TSX, the software and database can be updated via a new DVD disc.

HeavyDuty

I called the Navi disc fulfillment center and as of the 1st of September, the software release update was to allow older hardware versions to upgrade to the more recent software, but no new info on the new disc.

DerwoodEE

It would be awesome if they let you download the software yourself, load it onto a USB Flashdrive, plug it in via the connection in the armrest storage area and load it that way. Save you the trip to the dealer.

CarbonGray Earl

seriously. I think they ought to have more of this sort of thing- the ability to add skins, photos, home screen, etc. If Acura really wants to be a tech leader, there should be more ability to personalize at least the navi.

DerwoodEE

Exactly.

I think if they did this sort of thing, they'd be looked at as the "Apple iPod or iPhone" type inovation leader and their appeal would increase dramatically. Scion wasn't very successful with their whole "personalization" approach because quite frankly, it cost too much money. People today are more technical and I think allowing people to customize their navigation, or even stereo screen, on their own which is free in most cases, would be far more appealing to the masses.

LukeaTron

This isn't something that car manufacturers have really embraced yet. The whole modding scene is barely a blip on the radar of people at the top. They're all still stuck in the mindset that what they are providing is exactly what the consumer wants. It's also in their financial interest to get you into the dealership as frequently as possible (without pissing you off in the meantime) so they actively put up barriers to doing your own service and maintenance.

I don't really understand why this thinking has been extended to the realm of in car electronics when these devices offer the widest range and easiest access to customization. Maybe things will change but for now it seems the manufacturers are satisfied with the death grip they currently maintain over "their" vehicles.

Boo I say to that.

09TSXMN

Automotive product planning is 3 years, consumer electronics is 12 months. Therefore, we are working out of synch in this field. I am quite happy that I have the USB connection! In addition, there are Fed requirements to make sure you can't watch video's on the display while in motion. Allowing access to download pictures and other things will just enable the override. Finally, too much litegation if Acura, or any other manufacturer would give you the S/W for download upgrades.

wackura

I'm also very happy with the USB flash memory support. The file organization is primitive but I've come to expect so much less from the auto makers. Things like 5.1 sound is goofy, who the F has DVD audio discs sitting around? Who the F wants it? And then there's the EQ which gives us little more than imprecise bass and treble adjustments. What good is 5.1 sound if the audio source has a lifeless low end or a dull high end and we aren't given the tools to punch it up?

LukeaTron

The DVD audio is there because people will pay for it when they hear it, even if they never use it again, which most won't. I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this but does USB reader thingy play ogg files? You can encode ogg files with 5.1 though they get substantially larger.