jmhumr

Acura opted against this sound-deadening feature for the RDX. At some point someone's going to start selling wheel arch carpeting for aftermarket use, but I haven't been able to find any yet. I'm curious if anyone else has considered this or found a product.

DriverOne

I don't know if this is what you're referring to, but they do have carpeting on the rear wheel arches (but not the front ones). I personally am not a huge fan of them because I think they're difficult to clean versus the plastic that is used on the front tire area, if you go over a muddy surface. Actually, mud isn't so bad but if you drive in any rural area you might go over animal dung, which is not so great.

Ludepower

First off I didn't know these carpeted wheel arches was an option and secondly I dont mess around with aftermarket parts or accessories. Too many times I've seen mods do more harm than good.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Acura Rear wells are always carpeted. the front uses plastic.

Kinda makes sense if you think about it...
the rear, one really doesnt need to remove the well to gain access to suspension components...
but the front overhang has lots of serviceable parts that needs constant access.

jmhumr

The RDX rears are carpeted? I thought I saw plastic on all four. I’ll have to look again.

If true, then nevermind. Rears make the most cabin noise.

jmhumr

Oh really? My previous car had them and I thought they cleaned up very nicely when rinsed with the “jet” setting on the garden hose. Better than our truck, where mud gets stuck real bad to the plastic liner and I have to scrub with a stiff brush.

DriverOne

I use a brush for both, but the brush goes over the plastic much more easily and the mud just comes right off. The carpet obviously drags the brush quite a bit, so it's more of a hassle.

boyce89976

I'm confused. Are you talking about the exterior arches or the arches in the cargo area?

Vince D

Boyce - OK - this may not be the best photo and probably difficult to decipher, but if you look into your rear wheel well you'll see the carpet. So- it's not like it's a shag carpet, but sort of a "padding" which could be construed as a carpet.

boyce89976

Oh, Ok, so the wheel wells. I see now. Maybe you could stuff some fiberglass insulation behind them?

hand-filer

Agreed. My previous vehicle had them and they looked like new after 4 years of ownership. My current vehicle has them at all 4 corners. The dirt seems to rinse off nicely. I've never had to use a brush to keep them clean.

Funz51

this is confusing me also. can you describe a little more what you mean by carpet? and what your other cars had that you had no problem with? I see a plastic mud shield. where is the padding/carpet?
thx

Funz51

i googled a little and understand. i found this that I might consider since I don't really want to tear into the wheel wells from the inside. https://dynamat.eduardomaio.net/citr...t-wheel-wells/

SG103

That textured material in the rear fenders is more like sound deadening material than carpet I think. And if you think yours are not dirty, try taking your wheel off and washing that with soapy water and a brush, (hint: use a degreaser, that's how dirty it is). I've had four cars with this stuff on, two Mercedes and my second Acura, always on rear wheels only. As I mentioned it's my second RDX, the other was a 2013 and it had less tire noise, The biggest difference between the two that I can see is that large and long storage compartment where the previous generation RDX had the spare tire. Now the spare tire is underneath the car. I must try and fill that compartment with blankets to see if it makes a difference.

Funz51

and for the real geeks out there.... https://www.bksv.com/media/doc/bn1827.pdf

SG103

Thanks for the link, very interesting. So point number seven in the conclusion seems to indicate this car may be too quiet and we hear a lot of tire noise.
7. When tire noise is masked by wind noise, engine noise, or exhaust noise, then little impact of fiber wheel liners.

hand-filer

The material is pretty durable. They look like new on my 10 year old Mustang and almost like new on my 11 year old Malibu. This picture is from the Lincoln at 18 months old.