Just bought a 2017 RLX with only 5k actual miles. No white sticker in the glove compartment with Nav serial number, no way to order the updated Nav DVD and install it.
The Acura website just keeps me going in circles. Any ideas ?

Change brake fluid every 3 years ? As far as I can tell the previous owner did no maintainence. Car was virtually unused. Has a slight musty smell from a/c and in cabin I'd love to get rid of.

(changed cabin filter, engine air filter, oil, everything checked)

Otherwise drives like a new car and interior looks new. Paint (black) will need the usual work to bring it around.

 

Looks like you found a rare find. I would be concerned about it sitting for so long. Fresh fluids (brake, full syn engine oil, trans fluid), filters (cabin, engine, oil), wipers, and checking wheel balance/alignment would be areas of concerns for me. I would even look into getting new tires because of flat spots and most tire places recommend changing out tires every 6-8 years. You can also sign up for Acura Owner's Site with the VIN. You can check for any recalls, owner's manuals, TSB, and see the maintenance history of the RLX (if it was serviced at a dealership).

The Acura navi really sucks. I think the 14-17 RLX isn't supported by Acuralink anymore for sending addresses with a smartphone because of the 3G network sunset. I would look into GROM for the RLX and add carplay. You will then have 4 navi programs to pick from with a iPhone (Acura, Waze, Google, Apple).

 

I bought it at Carmax so some of that has been done, and some hasn't. I know the tires are new, new engine oil and I replaced the cabin and engine air filter), plus has new wipers. Alignment/balance is perfect. Yes, need brake fluid, trans (are you sure on the trans at 5k/5yr ?). Yes I've bought some used cars before and had probs with flat spots, or dry rot. I honestly can't tell if the tires are new or not. They still have all the nubs and aren't dull, no sign of dry rot, and it drives perfectly (alignment). I guess I could take it to a tire place. Cabin air filter was full of leaves, though. I guess you are right on the Nav. Thanks for the tips. Acura wants to sell me a DVD and I can't find the Nav serial number, but I guess it isn't even worth it.

 

Doing any unscheduled maintenance comes down to time, budget, and piece of mind for me. I usually do my brake flush every 4 years living in the southwest because of the low humidity. I do my trans service every 30,000 miles or 3-4 year; whichever come first because of both cars have a 7DCT with wet clutches that also lubes the gears. I do my cabin air filter every year because of the wife's allergies and it is extremely dusty/sandy all year. Change out my wipers usually because of them getting UV damaged compared to wearing out. I'm about every 3-4 years for engine air filter, depending on mileage during those years. Coolant change and Timing belt service seem to be in the 7yr/105k range so far with my driving habits. I did start to change my spark plugs out at 75,000 miles with my 11 MDX because I've notice an improvement with my 06 TSX/08 RDX with new plugs during my 105k service. Felt like I got back some hp/tq and improved mpgs with the TSX/RDX with new plugs at 105k. I didn't feel the drop in hp/tq/mpgs with my 11 MDX when I switched them out at 75,000 miles (also made the 105,000 service a little cheaper).

 

Right, I can't see doing a brake flush without doing an entire brake job though, right ? Otherwise I agree, it's for peace of mind. I have another older car, a Lincoln MKS, 2013 with 24k miles, which I like quite a bit too, and I did more of those things on it. Yes, I know, I like slightly older lux sedans.

 

Seems to be some confusion as to which transmission fluid the 2017 uses. ATF-Z1 ??

 

I would download the 2017 RLX owner's manual from the Acura Owners' Site (not the RLX hybrid owners manual). It should list the fluid needed for the 6AT. My 11 MDX with the same 6AT took DW-1.

 

Thanks. I decided I'm just going to buckle under and have the Acura dealer, who quoted me a reasonable price, do the trans and brake fluids, and check out car. Now, for tires....the MX4s on there are showing early signs of dry rot, nothing too horrible, just a few little cracks which shouldn't be there. It seems most people like Continental.

 

The Michelins seem to be the standard high performance option for many Acura models over last 10-20 years. They always get very noisy as they wear down, below average wet traction, rough ride, not very good in snow/slush conditions, and very expensive to replace. I've always felt the Michelins MX4s are the performance tires to get if you drive your vehicle like an old Buick (50 mph in the fast lane with your blinker on for miles). I put the original Conti DWS tires on my 06 TSX +11 years ago (+175,000 miles now) and haven't looked back since. My tire of choice for my 08 RDX (+195,000 miles) and 11 MDX (+150,000 miles). I'm just waiting to wear out the OEM tires on my 18 RLX and 19 MDX to switch to the Conti DWS 06+ on them. Conti DWS works for me; but, may not work for everyone depending on you driving environment and habits.

 

Yeah everyone loves those Conti DWS (I don't mean on this forum, I've been on other forums, Dodge Charger/Challenger etc.) DWS is preferred over a wide range of cars. So I won't skimp here.

 

BTW, that's an impressive amount of miles you have on your Acuras. I am no longer brand loyal (I used to be with Saabs 15-30 years ago). I like sedans, cars. My other car is a 2013 Lincoln MKS with only 24k mi, bought last year for 18k. Made the dealer put on new tires (he was trying to sell it with dry rotted Michelins) so all I received was Tiger Paws. MKS (not to be confused with MKZ pos) is a slab of American metal, leather and wood but it doesn't drive like the RLX.

 

The TSX ended up getting totalled by a red light runner at +175,000 miles a few years ago. I handed down my 08 RDX to my daughter 3 years ago ant that is still going strong. I still have the 11 MDX Adv I use a winter driver, Home Depot runs, bad weather days, and loaner if I get out of state family flying in for a stay. Thinking about just selling my 11 MDX Adv because I really don't need 3 vehicles for just the wife and I (the 3.7L get 15-16 mpgs in city also).

 

Well you ought to know. So the Acura dealer here wants to put a synthetic blend in my RLX because that was what was in it from factory originally. Thinking about it....I did not actually want to start going to the dealer because I live 35 miles away (which I realize isn't a long way for some people). Don't want any oil leaks at 5k mi.

 

I got the DVD and upgraded the NAV on my 2016 RLX. For the reasons already mentioned above, I wouldn't recommend it. The system can display your current version and serial numbers on the screen, should you ever decide to do it. I use a dedicated GPS device that has lifetime map updates. It's a relatively cheap solution that displays the speed limit and works better all around. I may eventually get GROM, but I doubt it.

 

Ok, yes that's a good solution. I decided it wasn't worth messing with finally, even if it doesn't cost much ($99 for the dvd). Thanks. Once I get the RLX detailed (and it needs it pretty badly being black), I'll post pics. Interior is like a new car, exterior is not.

 

Mine is black, too. Unfortunately I don't have a garage, and the housings on my side-view mirrors have developed noticeable depressions, I assume from melting from sunlight reflected off windows of a neighboring house or houses. My rear spoiler also seems to be developing a "rippled" look. I recently saw my 21-year-old (dark green) TL, which a friend has now. Its side-view mirrors look much more solid and intact than my poor RLX's...

 

Well black is the hardest color to maintain, and mine is proof too. 5k miles, hardly driven, the interior is like a new car, the outside looks like crap, with little scratches, what look like water drops, etc, although my detailer said he could fix all that stuff, which I hope happens. Hey how do you remove the plastic cover over the a/c heater vent intake area (just below windshield under the hood). I know there's stuff in there from being parked and I'd like to clean it out.

 

So, I finally took my 2017 RLX to a paint specialist. And while it is perfect inside and mechanically (according to Acura dealer inspection and service changing all fluids), the paint has sap which has eaten into the clearcoat partially, and can't be removed from buffing alone. So I'm contemplating a wet sand/ceramic coat, which will cost me 1k. Agh. Well there's no free lunch. I'm thinking about it, but eventually the tree sap corrosion will cause the paint to flake. Evidentally this car sat outside for extended periods of time and was not taken care of (or driven).