chickdr

2016 RDX with just over 30k on the clock. My wife has been noticing strange shift patterns of late. Today I paid more close attention as I drove and noticed when coasting downhill, or coming to a stop it will sometimes downshift with a noticeable bump. Other times the downshifts are imperceptible. I almost wonder if it is going in and out of sport mode on its own at times. I will ask about it at the next oil change, but it is troublesome with the reputation Honda automatic transmissions have and the 30k fluid intervals being used on the RDX.

BLEXV6

My 2017 has a hesitation when you are travelling downhill like it is going to change gears but does not, where it seems to brake. I have not heard of any transmission issues with the 6 speed we have, unlike the 2002 TL I had, what a disaster. Never had any problems since with my 2004 and 2006 MDX, 2010 TL SHAWD, 2011 RDX and the 2014 or 2017 RDX we presently have.

Skidoor

I'm actually not a big fan of the 6-speed, I find it a wee bit quirky and the head-tilting downshift at 30 MPH is practically inexcuseable. Sometimes I miss my old CVT.

NBP04TL4ME

What you are both feeling/describing I believe is the Grade Logic transmission at work. You can read more about it here - 2016 Acura RDX Press Kit - Powertrain - Model Press Kit - Honda News.

matman1215

I've noticed a very intermittent bucking at certain times. It almost doesn't want to get out of gear and then quickly does. It only happens at lower speeds and I would imagine is between 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd. Passengers have felt it as well.

chickdr

The issue to me is it didn't do these types of things when we first bought the car. They seem to be developing over time. I will certainly ask about it at the next service visit. I had a really strange experience a couple of weekends ago. I was driving up a very steep driveway from the parking lot below. The RDX quickly shifted to second as I ascended and lugged the engine big time. It felt like I was in a manual car and had downshifted too quickly. I have never experienced this before. It is certainly a low speed phenomenon.

BLEXV6

You are likely right. Its just a weird feeling.

NBP04TL4ME

Assuming still being under warranty - you can certainly have it checked out. A noticeable change may be a sign of something different.

auskip07

Doe anyone else think that the 30k fluid interval is a band-aid and perhaps what they should have done was install a trans cooler if the temperatures were getting out of control?

chickdr

I certainly will be asking about on the next visit to the dealer. I fully expect the pat "they all do that" answer though...

It screams band aid to me. Acura just wants to get these cars past the warranty period before it fails. I certainly won't be keeping my RDX long term. As soon as its feasible it's gone....

auskip07

Well, im in for the long haul on this vehicle and im at 52k in the next 8k im going to install a trans cooler and see what that does for the longevity of the fluid.

Carbon2008RDX

IMO the 6-speed blows away the POS 9-speed now in the TLX and MDX. If I were to get a TLX I’d probably get the 4-banger just because it comes with the awesome 8-speed DCT. I hear Acura might have a new 10-speed starting in the next iteration of its vehicles. Dump the 9-speed. I test drove one about 1 ½ years ago and it sucked. Thing felt like it was constantly slipping in and out of gears. For the time being, I’m quite satisfied with my RDX’s 6-speed.

Skidoor

yes, I think more than 6 speeds is way overkill. I was quite content with 4-speeds....

Skidoor

Yes its a band-aid but things could be a lot worse. Ever own a Beemer? Changing the fluid (drain and re-fill) is incredibly easy on the RDX. And years ago, when nobody bothered with trans fluid changes, didn't trannies fail more frequently than they seem to do nowadays? Years ago i had an 83 Mercury Capri that I sold for scrap when the tranny died. It only had about 80,000 miles on it. Guess what...I never changed the tranny fluid (young and dumb).
Good luck installing that fluid cooler. Have you had a look to see if there are any fluid lines you can access?

auskip07

Ive never owned a beamer, ive owned 2 vehicles that have both had trans coolers and they went (1994 ford exploer 264k) (2001 nissan xterra 236k) both original engine and trans
Yep we have 2 lines. To the bottom of the radiator and back. ill connect it from the out line on the radiator into the cooler and then back into the trans. shouldnt be that bad but i plan on doing it when i do a trans fluid change. since its the same trans that is used on the honda odyssey and pilot (later generation) they have routing directions that should be the same. Also the kit will be what is recommended for the trans

markAZ

FWIW...I had a Ford Econoline van that I drove over 140K miles without a trans fluid change. It was still going strong when I traded it. I towed stuff all over the country with it without a problem but it spent most of its life in the Arizona heat. I did put a big trans cooler on it when I bought it, tho...that mighta made a difference. I've rarely changed trans fluid on any of my vehicles and never had a trans problem...and many of them went over 100K miles. That being said. I'll definitely change it on my RDX when the time comes.

NBP04TL4ME

Where are you seeing / reading a 30K fluid interval? I looked at the owner's manual and it says replace when the "3" comes up on the Maintenance Minder. And then the disclaimer:

Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission and transfer temperatures. This requires transmission and transfer fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission fluid changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).


2008 TL Type S NBP/Ebony 6 Speed (His) - 8.5" Gun Metal A-Specs - Escort 8500 X50
2016 Acura RDX Advance Fathom Blue Pearl / Graystone (Hers)
2009 Honda Accord EX-L (Kids) / 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L (Kids)
2007 Acura MDX Tech/Ent Nimbus Grey/Ebony (Traded)
2004 Acura TL NBP/Quartz 6 Speed with Nav (Traded)

So am I missing something or doesn't it sound like heavier use of the transmission requires fluid change @ 60K and then every 30K? Are you being more conservative and just doing 30K as a proactive measure? We are coming up on 26K on our RDX and more than likely we will be in for the long haul so have no issue doing extra proactive maintenance.

chickdr

It will come up at 30k. You will see. Mine came up at 26k.

auskip07

as standard maintenance my trans fluid was changed (previous owner) at 29k so im guessing the computer is saying close to 30k

NBP04TL4ME

Gotcha - okay. Then it sounds like the owner's manual may need to be updated because 30K is certainly less than 60K