Add technology features?

I have a 2014 RLX Tech which comes standard with the Lane Departure Warning system, but I would like to add Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, and several other features that now come standard on the 2016 model.

Does anyone know if it's possible to add these additional features to the 2014 model or have done so themselves? I would like to experience these features and would be willing to pay to add them, but I don't won't to buy another car in order to do so.

 

I looked into something similar when they added the rear view camera to the '06 RL and I wanted to add it to my '05 RL...long story short...it can be done, but it is probably cheaper to buy a new car. Buying the parts is difficult and very expensive and then getting them installed is difficult and very expensive and then you would really have no warranty since they aren't really made to be added to the car outside of the assembly line setting etc. etc. Of course that is just my experience from nearly a decade ago, so you might make out better than I did.

It is certainly something that Acura could offer, but they'd really rather sell you a new Advance model in a year or so. Good luck if you get it done - let us know how it works out.

 

I am not sure if some of those are good. I am suppose to have LKAS on, I tried it out the other day by purposely letting the car drift to the right so it will detect the white line and lane depature came on but I didn't see it trying to steer me back the other way so I had to do it myself. Collision migration I don't think works very well and it might not work at all. I have had it come on a few times but I doubt that it will stop itself before it hits another car. It warns a bit late. I don't even like the parking sensors. I pulled my car up today to see how close I can get to the trash can before it would go off. When it went off I stopped and I had about 4 inches. I would prefer it went off 12" to warn me and then get louder the closer I get. Maybe there is a way to change the proximity or something. Maybe LKAS only works when you have ACC on? But I can probably guarantee you, you can't upgrade all that into the other car for any decent price at all.

 

You may want to get your car checked by Acura. My features work great, in fact it drives my wife nuts when we go down the highway and I demonstrate how the car drives itself with LKAS and ACC on. Also I love the parking sensor, it helps me pull into my garage and keeps me about 2 ft from the wall.

 

I will get that checked out. I know the trash can is smaller then a wall. 2 feet would be a good distance. right now I am 2 inches from the trash can.

 

If you are using a trash can it could be the position of it to the location of your front sensor on the car, they are toward the end of each side of the front bumper versus in the rear has the same and one in the center that has a 5' sensor radius.

 

I agree, all of these features work very well on my car also!

 

Correct, the RLX has only 2 sensors on the front. The MDX has 4 of them in the front, that is how the RLX should be.......

 

Like woropallo, all the tech features (LKAS, ACC, FCW, CMBS, Parking Sensors, Camera, etc) all work flawlessly. It is one of several aspects of the car that was designed and executed on very well.

Keep in mind that LDW and LKAS are functions that can be turned on/off independent of each other and do not rely on each other in order to operate properly.

* LDW (Lane Departure Warning) is the component that generates the alert/warning that you are drifting out of the detected lanes.

* LKAS (Lane Keep Assist Steering) is the component that is responsible for the corrective steering. It will only correct steering if 1) LKAS is enabled and 2) it has actively detected the lanes by indicating them as "solid lines" in the MID.

Are you sure LKAS was enabled and that it properly detected the lanes (showing solid lines, not broken lines) when you did your test?


As for the OP questions - I had something similar done to my 3G 06 TL. It was originally a 6-speed base model (No Nav). I really wanted the Nav bad but didn't want to pay Acura the $3k (with service) to get it updated, and they said it would be very hard to find the parts. I eventually got connected to someone here on Acurazine that had history as an Acura/Honda service tech and he had a fully functioning 06 TL Nav system that was pulled from a totaled vehicle. He only charged me $1500 total for parts and labor. We met in Savannah and he did the entire upgrade within 2 hours flat. It was awesome. For those who know the 3G TL well, you know it was a very intrusive upgrade as it involved replacing a number of supporting components, and not just the Infotainment system screen. But the guy knew what he was doing and he did it well. You'd never know my TL was an original base and till this day it all works perfect (my Dad has the TL now).

So in closing, you really have three options...

1) pay for Acura to do it, assuming they even offer it. The RLX is much more complex than a TL so they may not allow it or support

2) sell your car and buy an Advanced model

3) buy the parts and find someone to do the upgrade for you.

This is a prime example of why I've always said with the RLX, when you are already paying that much money, it just makes sense to get the full blown version with all the bells and whistles. The difference in cost is much smaller when compared to the total price you are paying for the vehicle. It would be different if we were talking about a $5k-$10k difference on a $20k vehicle.

 

There's a lot of things the RLX should be...

 

I forgot to add that the ONLY reason I settled for the Base model TL was because 6-spd manual TL's were IMPOSSIBLE to find. Let alone one that was used, low mileage, pre-certified, still under warranty, and in the color I wanted. Otherwise I would have just gotten a pre-certified one with everything included.

Put it this way - it took 3 months of searching on Auto-trader.com, to finally find one that met all the criteria (minus Nav) down in Tallahassee FL. I made the deal over the phone and took a 5-hour bus-ride down to pick her up.

 

I am not sure if lkas is on or not. If I use the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel, I can show a window (same window has tire pressure monitor etc on it) it shows acc and lkas or whatever. if it shows that then is it enabled? I am not sure how to enable it. Maybe hitting the lkas button again? I am not sure how to tell if it is working or not. I thought that if it shows up on the 2" square window on the speedomter then it is on?

Anyway on a sidenote. Seems that other acura people don't like the RLX.

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...15-rlx-931638/

I have read stories where people in the RLX forum get a tlx and can't wait to get back in the RLX. Now there is the other way around. I am not sure how I feel. If I was going from a cheaper car to a more expensive car I would perfer the more expensive car. But there is a review you can see and he don't like it much.

 

Just an opportunity to note that I drove a 2014 A6 and RLX with Advance back to back, and the LKAS of the RLX put that of the Audi to shame. With the Audi I was porpoising back, and forth using every bit of the lane. That variance from center was much less in the Acura, and I tested them on the exact same roads, 15 minutes apart.

I can see how taking the Advance RLX on a long trip could save you energy using the ACC and LKAS, but would not feel the same way about the 2014 Audi.

 

Thank you for your response.

You are so right in that I should have just purchased the advanced model to begin with. In my mind I was saving myself some money and didn't really think those extra features mattered. However, now I wish I would have just done it.

I purchased my car for cash so the extra money would not have been a problem, but at this point it would not be wise from a cost perspective to try and add those features now.

If however, I could add the additional features I mentioned for less than a total of $5000 then I think I'd go for it.

 

I think you noticed in your next post that you're probably not engaging the system. When armed, the lines in the MID are "hollow". When said, they are solid. If it was set but loses the "lock" on the painted lines, it will flash.

I don't think you have a proper understanding of how collision mitigation braking works. It is not designed to prevent an accident. It is designed to make an accident that was unavoidable less severe. If you are expecting the system to bring you to a complete stop, I'm afraid you're in for a rude awakening.
In addition to the tremendous parts cost, there is also the problem of finding somebody willing to do the installation and assume the liability. To the OP, it's probably better to simply buy a new car

 

Krava
Some of your frustration and problems I believe comes from you NOT reading the manual. If you read the manual you would see how to enable the LKAS, ACC, etc. it not with the scroll wheel. Did you not receive a manual with the car when you brought it? You really need to read it and play around with the car to appreciate the features. Also you can create an account with Acura where they have video instruction to show you how to use some of the features of the car.

 

Hey Dass, I remember back in the '80's when I bought my first house, I thought I was being clever by saving $150 and not buying a self cleaning oven. Needless to say, every time something spilled over in the oven, I was cussing my decision. The instinct to save money is a good trait to possess but with experience, we learn to pick our spots a little better.

You have a great car - if you weren't on this forum reading about the owners with ACC and LKAS, you probably wouldn't miss it at all.

 

Dass - if it makes you feel any better, I've had my car over a month now and I haven't used ACC or LKAS once. If I go on a longer highway road trip, I'm sure I'll try it - but as hondamore said, you have a great car and only miss it because you don't have it.

I didn't even know the Sport Hybrid existed when I bought my car and I've had some mixed feelings about how I should have researched it more and bought that instead. But I love my car and I'm satisfied. As a positive, we both have a 'reason' to explain to our wives why we need to upgrade to a Sport Hybrid at some point down the road.

 

I use ACC and LKAS almost every day. I wish every non-sports car came with this tech. I suppose they will, eventually.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to drive, but some days I am merely human and tired from work, and these assists help me to arrive home safe and rested.

krava, you may want to experiment with LKAS a little further before giving up on it. It will even turn the car for you in a curve up to a certain extent. COOOOOOOOL IMHO. You'll know it's working because you'll feel little tugs, almost as if a tiny mouse was trying to give you a hint. It's pretty cool and was worth the price of admission to me. Oh yes, and DO curl up with the manual.

To answer the OP's question, I suppose with enough money, anything is possible. No one here has done what you ask yet. If you are the first, you must post a photo journal of the process. It would probably be better to trade in for an Advance model.

 

You all just keep showing me where I need to go, and I'll wander on over there.

:-)

Did the name of the thread parse automatically? I didn't know that vBulletin would do that by itself.

Hmmmm.....

 

The posters comments on that other thread regarding the "ride" are yet another perfect explanation of what Ive been saying forever now.

But hey, its all subjective right? To be fair he doesnt like how "airy" the steering feels, which is something I love about the RLX. I do hope we get IDS at some point, and that they implement it like they did in the MDX, whereby the "sport" and "sport+" settings tighten up the steering feel (unlike the TLX, where IDS does NOT have any noticeable effect on the steering).

If I have some time soon I want to go test drive the 2016 RLX to experience the new suspension and see how much it improves the ride feel. First I need to knock out this A/C moan fix.

 

^^^^
PLEASE go test drive a 2016 RLX. I am very interested in your comments about suspension changes vs. your 2014.

I don't see a need for everybody to get in a kerfluffle because one guy didn't like the RLX. There's a butt for every seat, as they say.

 

Where's your sense of ADVENTCHUH !!??

 

I definitely will Bob. Hopefully soon. And I will make sure to provide as much detail as possible. My hopes is that it makes the ride much more similar to the TLX, which I describe as classic Acura "sport" stiffness that hugs the road without feeling brittle, yet balanced with a very compliant "semi-soft" response that does a great job of absorbing just about every type of road turbulance a car can encounter (bumps, potholes, breakup, gravel, uneven surfaces, etc).

What's yet to be seen (and what I'm very interested in) is whether or not any of the 2016 PAWS suspension updates are being applied to the 2016 SH-AWD. All I know is when I finally test drove the 2014 SH a few months ago, the ride didnt feel all that different, but in fairness I didnt have a chance to really put it to the test on specific roads where I know I can easily recreate the problems in my 2014 PAWS for direct comparison.

Back to the OP - DASS, give it another year and you may start to see some of the "tech" components we talked about here come up for second hand prices on ebay etc. The only problem I see is that things like LKAS and ACC seem to have a varying number of "parts" and "components" to make up the entire system. Its not like the Nav upgrade in my TL that only required two parts (the entire Nav console and the corresponding top dash LED display strip). From there you also have the high likelyhood of the car needing some type of firmware or other software related update to ensure other components such as the MID support all the necessary visual feedback associated with using something like LKAS or ACC.

One place to look would be the Acura OEM parts supplier website to see if they have LKAS shown with parts listing.

 

I have a couple observations on this very diverse thread. First, I would not underestimate the difficulty of adding in the Advance tech features. Not only are there numerous parts involved but the software integration that controls the ACC and LKAS may prove complicated to add on. I would be worried of some glitch that would be hard to find until it caused a real problem.

I must say that I have recently started using the LKAS more often and do think it is top notch. The only issue I have is that on my daily commute there are numerous places where the lane markings aren't sufficiently clear enough for the cameras to detect, so the LKAS turns on and off frequently. Otherwise, My commute involves a road that is prefect for the system. Pacific Coast Highway is a ocean front road with a speed limit of 45 MPH and lots of gentle curves. When the sensors can read the lane markings, it is prefect use of the system. Given the beauty of the view it is easy to get distracted looking at the ocean. If that happens the car gently steers itself back where it should be and focuses my attention back to the road.

Lastly, I have found the suspension in the Sport Hybrid to my liking. Probably the next iteration of the car at the MMC will have the same system I think was highlighted in the teaser unvailing of the NSX. One that allows the driver to adjust not only the transmission to a sport mode but also allows adjustment of the handling characteristics. That would seem to be the logical next step.

 

<----- Jealous of Malibu Flyer

PCH is (when it's not crowded) a dream to drive.

I agree that the next iteration of suspension control should be a set of user-adjusted settings. I've had that on my CTS-V for years and it is great to have. My Vs are the first cars in ten years I haven't modded the suspension on. There's been simply no need. The Sport Hybrid suspension is just right, too--I won't have to mod that at all, either. I can understand why some feel it's a little firm and so the ability to make the setting softer at a button press would be useful.

 

Please do and create a new thread called "2014 vs. 2016 Suspension". I enjoy reading your detailed reviews. I still haven't gone in to test drive the 2016 and probably won't until I know for sure I'm ready to part ways with my ZDX.

I guess I should have done that yesterday while my Z was in for service. It amazes me how every time I bring my Z in, the service advisors are in awe and I get a ton of questions about my thoughts about the ZDX. They always say they rarely get them in for service and that I should hold onto it because there't aren't many 2013's out there. Mine is now 2 years old with only 18,063 miles. If only they knew....I secretly want a 2016 RLX Advance.

 

Couldn't agree more. It would be a fantastic addition and would be another great step towards bringing the RLX up to the competition.

But in the event that they don't do it, I'd at least hope it is updated to be on par with the TLX.

 

Next time you get to Southern California [conference or convention etc.], let me know and allow a little extra time. You can drive my Silver Moon Sport Hybrid up the coast and we can swap Acura stories.

Am I correct that the NSX has previewed a sophisticated set of adjustments....one that not only controls the handling but also the sound of the exhaust?

 

Are you having any particular complaints about the IDS magnetic shock absorber system in the ZDX?

I've always been curious why Honda went with the adaptive shock absorbers for the 5G Legend instead of the magnetics that they had already produced.

Up to the time the manufacture started, the ZDX was the only car they'd used for the magnetics, so I always assumed they must've got bad reviews.