Hi,
Would anyone know how to put a 2016 RLX hybrid in neutral with a dead battery so I can get it out of the garage and jump start it?
I know, I could buy a portable booster (and probably will) but still would be nice to know if putting the car in neutral is possible.
Thanks,
Butch

 

I looked through the owners manual and couldn't find any information for getting the car into N when the battery is dead. All I can think of is a procedure which worked on my old RL, if you open the compartment just ahead of the gear selector, just to the left of the words "not an ashtray", is a small clip/door. If you gently pry the small door open with a small screwdriver, there is an opening that I believe your key will fit into (the physical key that sits inside your remote key - You likely already know this, but if you slide the little lever just below the "HOLD" button on your remote key, the physical key is released). With past cars, you put your physical key in that slot and it would allow you to select neutral in an emergency situation. I don't know if it is the same on the RLX Sport Hybrid, but it might be worth a try.

If that doesn't work, then either buy a portable battery starter or give your local Acura service centre a call to see if they have any advice.
Good luck.

 

Further to the above post... don't forget that your foot has to be on the brake in order to change gears.

Again, stating the obvious, but just in case..

 

Hi,
Thank you for the information about the hidden area. I will try that when the car gets back from having being inspected and it's battery replaced at the dealer.
Ended up having CAA come and use a booster pack to start the vehicle and then drove it to the dealer for inspection (in sport mode - so the engine would not shut off and run on pure EV)

Enjoy your day.
Butch

 

Darn, I was curious to know if the key trick would work with the battery dead, LOL. That said, a call to CAA is a whole lot easier.

You were wise to have the battery replaced as lead acid batteries are seriously degraded by being completely discharged and you would always be crossing your fingers every time you started your car. I went through the same issue when Covid first hit and I wasn't driving at all. It turned out to be a good learning experience as I now have my car on a trickle charger constantly (I still don't drive very often) and I have a portable booster pack in the trunk.

Have a good one.

 

If your car has the push button shifter, there's virtually no way to move the car with a dead battery - at least not easily. Lots of reports in other theads in Acurazine about having to tow the car with dollies and flatbeds, since there's no mechanical way to easily get the car into neutral like you can when you have a physical shift lever (which I think is the procedure referred to in the previous replies inthis thread).

There was one video I saw on YouTube with a 2018 MDX with a guy using a tool to reach into the engine compartment and manually put the transmission from P to N - but it is by no means something I'd want to consider doing myself. Sounded like a tow driver who had experience with the push button shifters - and not sure where this tool came from.
Most of the successes occurred when the battery was replaced at the spot where the car died so you should shift the car to move it successfully to the side of the road, etc.

andy

 

Thanks for the info, andysinnh.

Now I'm even more curious as to the function of the little key slot in the "not an ashtray" compartment??? I suspect that if there is an electrical glitch and you are unable to use the push buttons for the transmission, the key is inserted and it will allow you to engage a gear or at least put the car into neutral This would only work with a fully functioning battery as the system ECU would still need to be functioning.

The next time I take my car in for service, I will have to have a long talk with the service manager to see if he or any of the senior technicians have any information on the subject.

 

So my battery just died today with my RLX SH in the garage, too. Ha.

I opened up the ashtray compartment (thanks hondamore for the instructions) and inserted the key (there is a space for it), but nothing happened. It felt like it was just empty space down there when the key went in.
I tried shifting to Neutral and pushing the car a bit to see if it would budge -- nope.

Looks like the options are (a) a car booster/jump starter or (b) battery delivery.

I also looked into the 100 month battery warranty. Here's how that works...

First 3 years= free replacement and install at Acura

37-45 mos=60% credit off new Acura battery MSRP (dealer install + you pay labor/install fees)
46-55 mos=50%
56-65 mos=40%
66-75 mos=30%
76-85 mos=20%
86-95 mos=10%
96-100 mos=5%

So the big question is, if I replace the battery myself (which may be due to necessity) will Acura honor the 100 month battery and prorate me the amount back since my last battery was installed in 2019?

I'll have to call the dealer and see what the details are.

 

Thanks for trying the mystery key slot and reporting back, mk5.

The mystery key slot must do something??? My suspicion is that if your car won't start BUT still has power, inserting the key will allow you to select neutral and push it into a position that is easier to get pulled onto a flatbed tow truck. I'm due for an oil change soon, so I will be discussing this with my service manager when I'm at the dealership.

 

After doing some snooping around online, I now think the mystery key slot is meant to be used to start the car if the key fob is completely dead (the first suggested hack for a dead key fob is to "push the start button using the key fob" hoping there is a tiny bit of residual life in the key fob battery to send a weak RFID signal to the sensor located near/in the start button).

Again, still a guess but mk5's lack of success trying the mystery slot suggests that inserting the key in the mystery slot has nothing to do with trying to engage neutral with a dead battery. This also confirms andysinnh's post regarding engaging neutral with a dead battery, so we should all keep a portable car booster in the trunk seems to be the lesson learned here.