Soooo I know there have been several threads on the harsh shifting of the 3rd Gen RDX (which I also experience). I am experiencing another random issue that seems to happen at least once a week or so. When I take off from a dead stop with moderate acceleration, the tranny seems to slip or miss going from 2nd to 3rd gear. Doesn't happen every time. Has anyone else experienced this?
This is a 2023 model year AWD and I have under 2000 miles on it.

 

I've owned a 2023 for about 6 weeks. 1000 miles on it. No transmission issues that I've noticed.

 

2023 Aspec advance, 2500 miles with no issues.

 

I had a '21 TLX A-Spec that may have experienced this. It was the slightest of hesitations that had me praying every time I was making a turn from a dead stop or a roll.

 

Do you mean you feel the engine rev up but the car's speed does not pick up porportionally? If so, probably just the design of this AT. The 10AT can have this slipping sensation in the first two gears, if not three. This occurs when the engine is under 2k rpm, and when the ECU thinks you ask for power that it can only deliver with boost. So it slips to build up boost first before unleashing the power.

I don't like this but have learned to live with it. Try putting the AT in S mode if you anticipate you need more acceleration, to keep rpm above 2k as much as possible. This can work around many quirks of the powertrain in the 1-2k rpm.

 

No, it happens nearer to 3k RPMs and it's different than what you describe. It shifts into 3rd but double revs like it missed the shift entirely.

 

Then definitely not normal. Get it documented by the dealership, and take video of the symptom if you can just in case. There have been isolated cases where the AT was replaced under warranty.

 

No issues with my 2023 so far but just barely over a 1000 miles now after 6 weeks of ownership. I did have the problem with my 2019 and even made a video of it. The dealer was unable to reproduce and did nothing about it. Part of the reason why I wanted to get out of that car.

 

Have you found the infotainment to be more responsive, less, or about the same comparing the '23 against the '19?

 

I am not a heavy infotainment user so this wasn't a big issue for me even with the 2019. I'd say the 2023 system is more responsive than the 2019 (I have not experienced any lag) and there is now wireless carplay. Operating the carplay interface still leaves a lot to be desired--I feel like I have to hunt around the trackpad to hit the right spot on the carplay screen, just as I have to do without carplay for the Acura system. I normally interact either with voice or with the phone directly and the car is just used for the display. IMO, if you are a heavy infotainment system user and are expecting a big improvement over the 2019 (aside from an improvement in lag), then you're likely to be disappointed.

Problem is all cars now have weird compromises, so you have to pick the compromises you're willing to live with. My closest alternative was the NX, but between run flat tires, too much tech, nanny systems, significantly more expensive to get features like leather and 4 way lumbar, the need to pay markup for the hybrid, etc., I just decided to stay with the Acura for now.

 

In all honesty, the NX isn't really a competitor (especially in terms of trunk space). A true competitor would be a theoretical Lexus in b/w the NX and the RX size. The RX is itself too small to be compared to an MDX, etc.

The only saving grace was the NX's trunk impressively took my fullsize golfbag sideways. Like you said, the dealer wanted ADM for the hybrid models and I walked away.

 

Agreed that the NX is quite a bit smaller. Yet costs much more when comparably equipped. Lexus is making customers pay heavily for all the tech that they have added, something which I don't really care for.

 

Have you seen the latest Lexus slogan? It goes something like "...technology is not second to none, it's second nature" which implies that the technology is not at all cutting edge or top tier but is simply easy to use.

Why not instead say "...technology is not only second to none, but also second nature"?. Everytime I hear the commercial I get a little bit triggered lol.

 

They paused for dramatic effect. LOL!

 

I managed to catch it on video today twice. You'll notice the shift from 2nd to 3rd glitches. Turn up the volume and watch the tachometer.
(1) issue - YouTube
(1) issue again - YouTube

 

I thought that was just normal for my TLX...

 

Definitely not normal for any car...

 

Which driving mode were you using? Normal/Comfort, Sport, etc?

 

So your TLX did the same thing randomly?

 

Normal mode.

 

Mostly when coming out of a parking lot or highway ramp w/the steering wheel locked to one side. This is the "dangerous driving" that Acura feels they don't have to design to. LOL!
I got a lot of flack in the TLX threads for my experience saying I made it all up.

Did you ever feel like a car might hit you because of the hesitation in the TLX?

 

Well this is in my 2023 RDX not a TLX. But it's the same drivetrain as the newer TLX. No, not felt unsafe yet.

 

Sorry, I meant RDX! That's good that you have confidence in your car. Many times I specifically put my TLX in Sport mode to get the best acceleration but it doesn't help.

Would you be able to try the same experiment in Sport mode instead of Normal?

 

I certainly could. I rarely use sport mode honestly and when I do use sport mode, it's not until it's reached normal operating temperature. And the problem has only happened once ever after the car is fully warmed up. It tends to happen more prior to reaching operating temps.

 

My 2023 RDX Aspec Advance also does this rarely - you hear and feel it more than see it.

Previous car was a 2021 RDX Aspec where I never noticed it.

 

I feel sometimes the car has a slippy feeling sometimes when I am beginning to accelerate (at VERY low speeds, like in a parking lot)
it seems like its going to second gear without any real reason to do so. Its not slipping per se...and I never notice it during even mild acceleration up to 30 or 40 MPH.
So..I figure it has 10 gears now so maybe it just goes into second a little faster than I expect, or maybe its turbo lag, I dunno.
But you know, I am coming from driving a manual my whole life so I may not be the best judge of it.

 

I watched the video, its not slipping, its sometimes just confused which gear it needs to be. It sometimes feels a bit bumpy when gears change. I believe this is all normal behavior for 10sp. You might not like it, but it’s considered normal for this design.

 

I have a '15 RDX and from 2 to 3 it over-revs, occasionally..as if it's slipping....the revs go up but the trans doesn't catch. I finally got a check engine light and the code is a P0776...one of the solenoids is bad. Pretty pissed about this, but, I have 196k miles on it and never...ever....missed a trans fluid service. Can't believe you have it on a '23. You have a 10 speed? That's crazy. The car's perfect otherwise, it's a shame to let it go. I don't want to put in a new trans, and I believe it'll cost me $2k for an independent to change the solenoid. Good luck!

 

Funny thing. My RDX 2020 FWD used to have this issue. Then the fuel pump recall came out, and the transmission became smoother afterwards. I wasn't sure if it was a 'limp mode' or the 'transmission slipping'.

I have a 2022 MDX Type S that has the same issues everyone have with their RDX. At 30 - 45MPH it feels like the transmission is slipping from 2k to 3K RPM in sports mode. If it is in any other mode, no issue.

 

It is really hard to recreate the trans slippage, for me at least. I am going to wait until I get a dashcam and then capture it in action. Otherwise it will be a waste of time taking it to the dealer only to have them take my car for a day and tell me "everything's normal".

 

Man, this describes my feelings for this transmission, too. I've always felt like the engineering teams for the engine and transmission never spoke to each other throughout the entire design process because the first three gears feel totally wrong unless you lay into it.