That's great! I have 93 here too. These canned tunes usually shoot for 91. Then there's more room to advance the timing further. More timing=more power and economy.

 

we are supposed to be able to live tune. I don't know yet how to do that. Still learning the tuning thing. Ktuner has lots of info on that on their site.

 

Ktuner suggests 91 octane for best results. so the 93 has headroom...

 

Can KTuner or HondaData users chime in and give updates? Any regrets? What Stage? Current Mileage? Any Issues? Would you do it again?

 

I have 1000 miles on a stage 2 ktuner. Have 7000 miles on RDX. No regrets. No problems. Have burned multiple times for comparisons. Absolutely would do it again. I can always sell ktuner unit if I want to go back to stock. Don’t see that happening.... anyone else?

 

 

I plan to leave my Stage 2 as my daily normal programming on my ECU. I see no reason to “turn it off” for any reason. I have driven cross country with it and find no issues with reliability. I also delivered and picked up my car to dealer for the recent infotainment update without comment from dealership (they never check for stuff like that unless repairs are needed for other issues controlled by ECU).

This is a “non-issue” for folks concerned about their cars. I love the change in responsiveness to the car and increases in power and acceleration. Mileage is not adversely affected at all. I got 23-29 mpg on last tank as indicated by averages. I burn Costco Premium almost exclusively in the car. Any other questions?

 

I agree with everything said here. I also have Stage 2 on my 2019 RDX and have no plans to return to stock. As PD stated, the change in responsiveness, and power and acceleration increases are well worth it.

 

Hey, I would happy to help you with this. If needed, we can actually talk on the phone, I wouldn't mind. PM me and we can get a time setup.
I have not had any issues, but had to learn, like everyone else, how the software works.
1) plug in the module, and don't plug into car. What do you see in the lower left of the Ktuner software screen?
BTW, once you download the software, and register, everything is in the software that you need to burn any vehicle. I don't think you need a wifi connection to burn, only to verify your registration and when you update the software. I got this info from Ktuner.
2) are you using a windows laptop?
3) how do you know you are not connected? What are your indications?

 

So, I am planning to purchase the Ktuner. I was wondering if you guys activated any additional tuning options within the configurator? Similar options to turbo spooling early and changing responsive times. I thought I saw someone on Youtube enabling these options...I wasn't sure if these are safe for our RDX. Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

 

I found the video:

 

That's a real good video. Ktune has not enabled many of the quick settings you saw in the accord video in the RDX tune yet. There are maps you can see and change though for Ignition base, Cylinder Fill Limitations, WOT enrichment, boost target-normal, Final Boost Target. I have not messed with any of those tables. I can tell you that the turbo spools up quickly and earlier by driving it, and seeing on my OBD2 monitor, and I get around 6 lbs more boost. Looking at the tables, the boost comes on immediately, compared to stock that comes on full around 1750 rpm. These are the boost tables I am comparing in the software itself.

 

Thats awesome! Does the tune have an option to have the stage 1 to eco and stage 2 to sport and sport +? I'm glad they enabled what needs to be enabled without our input. Either way, I cannot wait to receive the tuner. Thank you for the details

 

It appears to me that is much More of a difference between comfort sport and sport plus. Comfort is much laid-back like the accord eco, sport is much better, sport plus is, well you know, great!

 

[QUOTE=Funz51;16531490]It appears to me that is much More of a difference between comfort sport and sport plus. Comfort is much laid-back like the accord eco, sport is much better, sport plus is, well you know, great![/QUOTE

AMEN to that!

 

Ok, finally pulled the trigger. Anything I should be aware about when applying the tune? Does the stage 2 tune have the option to leave stage 1 tune on eco? I cannot wait to receive this.

 

I would say you could try stage 1 first if you want, but I really think you will burn and stay with stage 2. Stage 2 has the greater 'dynamic range', from eco to 340 lbs of (flat) torque...

 

I didn’t install Stage 1 this time....just Stage 2 and stock.

I had another situation when I was accelerating onto the freeway in Sport + and when I reached 7,000 RPM, all of the warning lights came on and I lost power. I backed off the accelerator and it gradually recovered and I was able to continue my drive. This is very disconcerting. I probably need to hook up the v.2 unit and record the event and send it to K-Tuner for their information.

 

i fortunately have not had any issues. Would be good to record. it may or may not be the tune.
i wonder what ktune did with the red line limit?

 

Padre Dave, I remember you mentioned that in the thread. Of course, since then, you did not experience any further issues; nevertheless, going into limp mode in the highway is definitely dangerous. As for me, I am definitely going straight to stage 2. The dyno results looks very promising and I hope the stage 2 will be stable for our cars in the long run.

 

another nice side effect I got after loading the tune was the improved braking. Probably due to the base Ecu code used to build the tune upon.
see if you feel the difference after burning. It depends on the ecu code version you bought your vehicle at. If your rdx already has that higher version, then you probably won't feel a difference . Ktune uses the latest base code to build upon.

 

After flashing the ECU to stage 2, I went out for a quick test. I accelerated hard at 75% throttle and the car felt wonderful. I can feel the boost kick in at 3000rpm and it was awesome!

Soon after the test, I went back home and parked the car. Maybe about 1 hour later, I started up the car and there was a slight sewage/rotten egg smell in the cabin. After doing a quick Google search, I concluded that it may be unburned fuel hitting my cat. It took some time for the smell to go away; I will be checking the car again this morning.

Did anyone experience anything like this?

 

Hmm... I checked my oil level cold. It's perfect. I was concerned that it may be a gas dilution but it's not. Maybe, some of the Hydrogen sulfide didn't all burn off in the cat. I hope this is temporary. The smell wasn't strong but it wasn't pleasant.

​​​​​​Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

i have not experienced that.
did you warm it up well before punching it?

 

Did you lift the throttle at WOT then go back to WOT a few times while testing the new-found power? That is the only source I can think of having rich air/fuel mixture normally.

Best is to do datalog, and check what your AF ratio is during WOT. I don't know the target for these tunes, you can ask around here. Tuned turbo cars tend to have richer AF ratio to cool combustion. As long as AF ratio is in check, and the smell doesn't appear every time you stop the car shortly after WOT, I would not worry too much.

 

After doing further testing, I am glad to report that the smell is no longer there. Sonyfever, you may be right. I may have been doing WOT and then allowed the accelerator fall too fast. Anyway, the extra torque quite exhilarating.

 

How's Ktuner working out for you? Is it too much power if you keep it on stage 2 with sport mode only? Are the shift points about the same? I am comfortable with Sport mode not holding the revs too high unlike Sport plus.

 

Too much power? Is there such a thing? I think I know what you are asking and no, while there is a noticeable increase at all RPM, when the turbo kicks in is when you feel ill. I used to drive a Hemi LX wagon, and have not owned anything quite as quick as that. This car is so balanced that the extra power feels like it should be there.

I am trying to figure out if I can have Sport + as my default mode. I like the responsiveness of the different shift points, and try to remember to change into it when I shift from reverse out of the garage. Anyone know if I can set that default? I am being lazy here, I could look it up......

 

The power is definitely felt when the turbo kicks in! But driving the car normally in sport mode, it feels like before...nothing crazy. You place the car in sports + and WOT, it gets very exciting; I am sure it feels the same if I WOT while in sport mode too. I did try to measure my 0-60 with the android app, it recorded at 6.4 seconds; I did not WOT but pressed the throttle about 65-75%. It's hard to test this in my neighborhood...concerned that I may cause an accident lol.

I don't know if it's my age or what but it felt super fast! I never drove a car that can do 4 secs or less so I wouldn't know how to compare in terms of experience. Nevertheless, the power increase is significant for me to keep it in Stage 2.

 

Is anyone running a tuner with regular gas? Or is it required to use premium? Or is this question even dumber than it sounds now that I read it?
I am assuming that before even considering the purchase of a tuner one must first make the decision to only use premium fuel, is that correct?

 

I do believe Ktuner requests that you use at least 91.
its says it here: https://ktuner.com/19rdx/

I always use high test.

 

The Stage 2 is working great for me. Sport is really the place to be on a normal drive. it holds the higher gear as long as it can (when applying a little throttle), but just a little more on the throttle and it drops down and goes. Comfort is a bit laid back. The differences in comfort and sport have more of a distinction than stock. Sport Plus is a beast, revs high, turbo high, every torque source kicked in. Just a blast to drive.

 

I think you might get sub six with a few more runs...

 

I know that GPS 0-60 apps are not accurate but here it is. I did WOT on sport + and really tested the car tonight. Although I am satisfied with my experience and result, I wish our RDX could be faster .

 

[QUOTE=Duna;16537755]I know that GPS 0-60 apps are not accurate but here it is. I did WOT on sport + and really tested the car tonight. Although I am satisfied with my experience and result, I wish our RDX could be faster .[/QUOTE

Do you have a tune installed or are you running stock in the ECU?

 

I'm running stage 2 Ktuner.


[QUOTE=Padre Dave;16537812]

 

When the power mode is turned off, the drive mode that the vehicle was in is registered with the vehicle. When the vehicle is driven the
next time, it detects which remote transmitter is being used and then reactivates or changes the drive mode that the vehicle was in the last
time the same transmitter was used.
• If Comfort mode or Sport mode was previously registered, Comfort mode or Sport mode will be reactivated.
• If Snow mode was previously registered, the drive mode will be changed to Comfort mode.
• If Sport+ mode was previously registered, the drive mode will be changed to Sport mode.

Sorry...

 

Have you guys try to do a 0-60 with your cars...just wondering if you get similar results with stage 2. My knock control never goes higher than .44. When I drive the car normally under 3k rpm, my knock control is .24 to .32. Before I try to return to stock, does anyone know what the knock control rating is under stock tune.

Anyway, I am planning to the similar test with stock tune. I'll report back.

 

Hey everyone. I'm super curious about KTuner and am interested in going stage 2. All this flashing stuff is new to me. I had some questions if you could help:
- what happens if the Acura dealership finds out you're running a tune?
- does it void the warranty?
- I'm in California, technically it's not legal, but I don't recall how long I have till my first smog. I've heard five years. I could run ktuner until I need to smog and just flash back to stock?
- what happens if there's an Acura update for the engine....am I stuck ieth the tune?

So how does this work? I can just buy the older KTuner module and the app for Android and that's it? Just flash from the module? The $450 also includes the tune I need for flashing? What engine do I have, I'm looking at the table on the RDX Ktune page. I'm assuming my 2020 Advanced is one of those...

Any help would be great!

 

Make sure you read this whole thread from the start. Many questions are answered.