mrgold35

Hello fellow Sport Hybrid owners!

I have a 19 MDX Sport Hybrid and about 99.9% committed to getting a 18 RLX Sport Hybrid. Just had my first MDX sh-sh-awd A1 service at the Acura dealership and they ended up putting about 6 quarts of oil in the 3.0L V-6 instead of the required 4.5 quarts (the 3.5L MDX takes 5.7 quarts with filter). They corrected their error; but, it took them two tries to top it off properly. I wanted to find out from other long term hybrid owners what additional maintenance (scheduled, unscheduled, emergency, preventive maint, issues, quirks, etc...) the sport hybrid powertrain has needed outside of normal M.I.D. maintenance? Want to prepare myself for future issues because the service departments don't see too many sport hybrids in the shop.

Already prepared with sport hybrid differences such as:
- 7DCT uses DW-1 ATF fluid compared to the 9AT ATF-TYPE 3.1 (when Acura dumps the 9AT, I think the 10AT uses Type 2 ATF)
- Rear electric motors uses DW-1 ATF compared to the 3.5L sh-awd rear diff with Acura DPSF-II
- Larger 13" front brake rotors (assuming different pads) compared to the 3.5L MDXs 12.6" front rotors
- Second liquid cooling system for the DC inverter that uses Acura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2

I couldn't find any additional maintenance/checks for the electrical hybrid system or liquid coolant used in the DC intevert in the 19 MDX Hybrid owner's manual.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Let me say with the loudest voice possible..........DO NOT MISS THE 30,000, 60,000, AND 90,000 MILE TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID CHANGES!!!!!!!!!!! I have both the RLX and MDX hybrids and I missed the 60,000 mile interval for the RLX! I thought it was completed and in fact I missed it. So I went 60,000 between transmission and rear diff services! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER EVER DO THIS WITH THESE CARS!!!!!!! I am certain I know how it happened. When I got an oil change at the near 60,000 interval, I am certain that the service tech reset the transmission fluid maintenance reminder on the MID in addition to the normal oil change reset. Therefor the computer thought it was done, when in fact it wasn't, and I never realized it. I am so over the top about keeping up with the maintenance that this simple oversight, which is ultimately my fault, was very bad. Remember this advice! FYI the cost to replace a transmission in an RLX Sport Hybrid is almost $15,000+ when you include all of the labor and other parts that go with it.

You may never need to replace the brake pads on either the MDX or RLX Sport Hybrids. The regenerative braking is doing most of the work anyway so at 97,000 miles on the RLX, my original pads are still measuring close to new! I did replace the front rotors as one was showing a slight high spot and it was annoying me, but I doubt most people would have noticed it.

In short, wiper blades, air filters, cabin filters, tires, and fluid changes are all that you should expect for a very long time. The RLX tires have sidewalls that are very susceptible to potholes, so get the tire insurance when you replace the tires. You are going to need them.

mrgold35

Good to know! I always did my transmission, transfer case, and rear diff on my other Acuras every 30,000 miles. Never felt 60,000 miles or more was good long term for Acura/Honda ATs. I had close to 500,000 miles between my 06 TSX (R.I.P.), 08 RDX, and 11 MDX sticking with the 30K AT+rear diff schedule. I will do the same for the sport hybrid since I'm planning to keep +100,000 miles.

AP8ESQ

I just hit 57k on my RLX - have owned it since 4k and I got a set of tires due to a bubble in the sidewall of the oem Michelins about 5k ago. Other than that and 2 batteries (12v) and a brief freak out with a cat code (posted a thread on that) nothing but MID maintenance for mine.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Get into the dealer to do the transmission service asap!

AP8ESQ

Sorry - wasn't clear - all regularly scheduled maintenance has been done (including the 30k tranny flush & fill). Was just offering what has been done other than what is required by the manual/ MID notifications.

Thanks for the heads up!

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Good to hear my friend. In the absence of full detail, the assumption can lead one astray. Stay safe and healthy.

blaser

Does the 2018 RLX have transfer case fluid or only transmission and Differential?

DanL07RL

Transmission and a "Twin Motor Unit" in the rear. NOTE: I have been told that the TMU requires a fluid change at 15,000 mikes due to the fact that it's produced with only break-in fluid. Once changed, it's 30K intervals from there on.

mrgold35

I just did my twin motor unit and B16 service on my MDX hybrid last week at 17,000 miles. I'm just over 12k and 30% oil life on my 18 RLX and the "6" service code will probably pop up on the next oil change. I will stick to the 30k interval for both TMU and 7DCT after that.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Good call. Trust me.

blaser

thanks