There's a 2016 RLX SH for sale that is within my budget. It looks good on the pictures but I still need to get a PPI done before sealing the deal. Is there anything that I need to change after buying one like the timing belt if its never been changed? Will there be anything else that's mandatory and I need to anticipate and factor into my budget? It's an almost 9 year old car that's also discontinued, am I setting myself up for future disappointment with parts availability and issues if I get one as my first sedan instead of just a plain Accord?

 

I have a CPO 18 RLX Sport Hybrid back in Dec of 2019 and it has been very reliable. Having 377hp/341tq on tap with sh-awd and mpgs in the 28-34 range is an unbeatable combination. I've owned 2dr/4dr Accords and other Acura's sedans/CUV/SUVs and the RLX is the first to have enough leg room for my long legs (6'3" size 14 shoe). As a Honda/Acura owner of +35 years, higher than normal road noise is just baked into the cake. The reduction in road noise is noticeable with the RLX and a welcome positive change over an Accord.

I just had a 12v battery fail in 2021 (replaced under the basic warranty), 7DCT TSB for a firmware update, replaced rear electric shade under CPO, and waiting on parts for fuel pump recall. I had my issues with potholes with 1 pinch flat and 2 bent rims because of the low profile tires (always passenger front tire). I'm only at +45,000 miles and planning to do my timing belt early around 2027 or +/- 9 years. I'm not 100% sure what needs to be done TB wise compared to the non-hybrid 3.5L:

- Timing belt kit
- No serpentine belt for hybrid engine
- spark plugs (optional if under 105,000 miles)
- valve adjustment (optional)
- valve cover gasket (only needed if valves are adjusted)
- electric water pump (don't know if it should be replaced like the belt water pump)
- engine coolant (usually good until 105,000 mile service, don't know if there is a time limit on coolant)
- DC inverter coolant, same coolant as engine, and assuming the same schedule as engine coolant
- Oil change with oil filter

I would shop around for prices from Acura, Honda, and local shops if you are planning to do the TB soon. You might have maintenance history if you set up an account in the Acura/Honda Owner's site. You just need the 16 RLX VIN and you can see the maint history "IF" it was serviced at a Honda or Acura dealership. You can also check on TSB, recalls, download owner's manual, and find radio/navi codes.

I would plan on doing all fluid and filter changes if you don't have the maint history:
- 7DCT with DW-1
- TMU with DW-1
- brake fluid if +3 years old
- check to see if TSB #20-040 for 7DCT odd gear monitor firmware update was applied
- check to see if fuel pump recall has been applied if needed for your VIN range
- Cabin air filter
- Engine air filter
- check spare or add a full size spare (most tire manufactures don't recommend going +10 years for any tires)
- wipers
- wheel balance and/or alignment if needed
- fresh key fob CR-2032 batteries (I seem to get 2.5 to 3.5 years depending on usage)
- Hopefully, not the original 12v battery

 

Great, big thanks the detailed reply. One last curiosity from my end. How long are the usual waits for non critical parts and how about the wait for critical components given how rare the car has always been? Thanks!

 

So far, my 19 MDX Adv Sport Hybrid with +77,000 miles and 18 RLX Sport Hybrid with +45,000 miles have been extremely reliable for the EV/hybrid components. I'm just waiting on parts for the RLX fuel pump recall and I thinking it is similar part for most Honda/Acura 3.5L? There was one owner of a MDX Sport Hybrid with worn dual clutches. Acura couldn't find the replacement clutches and had to order the entire 7DCT. The owner didn't say what caused the worn clutches (normal driving or if they use the MDX for towing). I decided to change out the 7DCT/TMU fluid out every 25,000-30,000 range or 4 years max to keep it happy.

 

Big thanks for the responses. I guess I will buy it. Life is too short to not enjoy it with things like these. Hopefully the PPI is fine and there's nothing to force me to walk away. Cheers!

 

Another add-on to consider, if a previous owner didn't already add it, is the repair kit. It consists of a lug wrench, jack, and the wheel for the spare tire (tire not included.) I'm old fashioned in that I want my car to have a spare tire in it, not just a can of flx-a-flat.

 

I did the spare tire kit for my RLX (tools, donut spare, extra bar to protect batter pack). I also have full size spare in the garage because it took almost 10 days to get a replacement tire and set an appointment after my first pothole pinch flat from Discount Tires. I wanted to see if the full size OEM spare tire could fit in the trunk and it did. The tire fits pretty snug in the spot and I placed all the tool in a bag. I just left the full size spare and dumped the donut.

 

Nice. Hey, can I ask your help? I've been trying to look up what size donut needs to go on that wheel that comes in the kit. You'd think this would be easy to find out, but it's not. I've found THREE different answers on the internet:

* 135/80/18 (According to Modern spare)

* 155/70/17 (According to Tire rack and a post on this site)

* 135/80/17 (according to an eBay seller who provided a picture)

Thanks for any help!

 

It was the 155/70/17 that came out my RLX and it matches the new door sticker Acura added in the driver's side door jam. Hopefully, they are not charging too much for the spare. I have no use for my donut spare since I replace with a full size. I only used it once and it hasn't been used since 2019. I'm fine giving it away if you pay for shipping from ABQ, NM. Let me know if you need the entire tire/rim or just the tire. Sometimes shipping can cost more than the tires depending on zip code.

 

I appreciate the offer but I do already have the wheel from the kit. Plus I live 2500 miles from you, so shipping a wheel cross country would be nuts. (I will be in ABQ in February, but I doubt it will fit in my luggage. )