[massmdx]

So the MDX went to the dealer, and the results are as follows

Rolling backwards - they compared it to another MDX on the lot and said gee this is how the vehicle is.

Parking Brake - they tightened it up a bit

Stereo - I had not mentioned this, but I felt the stereo was balanced heavily to the driver's side (Maybe because the vehicle is so wide). They said this was normal.

MASMDX
GG NAV & Touring

 

[nikonf]

MDX rolling on hills??

Hi,
I tried to run a querry on this question but there seems to be a problem with the search engine.

If I am on a hill with the X, it will roll backwards. If there is a car right behind you, you need to put one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas. The other night I put the car in reverse on a hill. There was a car parked right in front of me. I put my foot on the brake and shifted into reverse. I took my foot of the brake to step on the gas and it immediately started rolling forward into the parked car. Is this normal??

 

[vip9]

Is this normal???

Yes and no.

It has been discussed at lengths before, as soon as the forum s/w stops acting up, use search to find those discussions.

Apparently, all MDX-es do this. Some posters in the past stated that they "did not notice it" - well, maybe they do not have steep enough hills.

In quite a number of cases I have to use both feet or need to be really quick when moving my foot from break to gas pedal, while, for example standing at a traffic light on a hill and the light becomes green.

I recently braved it and decided to test how far it would roll - well, I hit the breaks after about 1.5 - 2 car lengths rolling backward (WHILE IN DRIVE!!!)

 

[sgtglok]

I have to climb a pretty steep hill about 2-3 times a week while driving to work. There is a stop sign on the top of the hill that makes climbing a pretty challenging task, since you can't just go over it by accelerating. I usually put the transmission into 2nd gear and use both feet to push breaks/gas pedals (off-roading style... ) - never let go as it is a sure way to kill your transmission fast.

Of course with VTM lock, I'd expect the computer to engage it (the breaks + low gears) by itself to compensate to avoid the roll in the first place.

Oh, and just an idea of climbing a steep hill when it's wet (or even worse, if it's icy) makes my palms sweat. Unless you've got chains...

 

[AcuraMDX2002]

I live in South Florida where the largest hills are freeway overpasses! I haven't noticed this problem - is it a problem? Is it a dangerous problem? I do plan to travel to more hilly terrain in the very near future. Do I need to be extremely careful? Should I complain to Acura?

 

[bomo]

I live in SF Bay area. Lots of hills and they are steep too. I noticed the roll back issue with my X but it also happens in my '98 Expedition and '95 BMW 3. The X does roll the fastest though.

 

[sgtglok]

I live in South Florida where the largest hills are freeway overpasses!

I'd be more concerned with driving in mud then

I do plan to travel to more hilly terrain in the very near future. Do I need to be extremely careful?

Depends what you consider EXTREME. Some safety tips are here

Should I complain to Acura?

Complain about what? Hills being too steep? SUVs having higher center of gravity? No lower range transfer case on MDX? One question you might ask is whether VTM lock engages during roll to put the transmission into the lowest gear AUTOMATICALLY?

 

[sgtglok]

I recently braved it and decided to test how far it would roll - well, I hit the breaks after about 1.5 - 2 car lengths rolling backward (WHILE IN DRIVE!!!)

Dude, put gear into D1 from D5 and try again! And use z breaks this time too... (I am also very tempted to push the VTM lock button, but the manual says to engage it only on snow, not dry pavement :14: )

 

[renov8r]

The roll is designed in...

Most newer cars with automatics have torque converters that are designed to minimize loading at idle.

It is a valid method of improving economy, and poses no problem as long as you aware of it.

The fact that bomo confirms the same behavior in BMW 3 series & Ford Expy should point out how wide spread this is. Also the fact that the MDX "rolls faster" than the other vehicles points to just how little loading their is (good for economy)

To change this behavior an aftermarket torque converter would have to be fitted, with the resultant loss of warranty, lower economy, and potential drivability problems...

USE THE BRAKES.

 

[vip9]

Dude, put gear into D1 from D5 and try again! And use z breaks this time too... (I am also very tempted to push the VTM lock button, but the manual says to engage it only on snow, not dry pavement :14: )

Hey, sarge, vtm would help if your WHEELS were slipping, not tranny

Not sure what D1 will do, but will try - what the hell.

That 2x lengths roll was a test - not to be repeated ever again, hopefully.

 

[msu79gt82]

I have never noticed this "problem" ??

We live near an over pass wirth a light at the top so we ahve had numerous occaisions to be stopped on a "hill" and I have never experienced this. Of course I always keep my foot on the brake at stop lights anyway.

 

[sgtglok]

Hey, sarge, vtm would help if your WHEELS were slipping, not tranny

If I remember/understand it right, the VTM-4 lock puts MDX into a temporary ALL-WHEEL drive, which I think in conjunction with a lowest gear & breaking WILL HELP in ascent/descent on/off steep hills...

Not sure what D1 will do, but will try - what the hell.

D1 = the lowest gear - that's what it's for! Where is your curiousity? Sense of adventure? You've got 5 positions to put the joystick in... Use the force, vip! :5:

That 2x lengths roll was a test - not to be repeated ever again, hopefully.

Well... don't drink and drive!

 

[AcuraMDX2002]

So, it's not a problem it's a feature? Sounds like the old IBM days - it's not a bug, it's a feature - document it!

 

[vip9]

...
Well... don't drink and drive!

Never !

 

[hockeyplayer]

Noticed the last couple days while taking a route down a side road with a stop sign on a hill. It is kinda scary. Is this rolling acceptable in automatic transmissions? This is my first car with an automatic. Has this issue been addressed for the 03 model? Or is it not an issue?

 

[chillimouse]

My old Cherokee don't roll

Almost on a daily basis, I drove by a very steep slope where I was shock the first time I find my X roll back too. Ever since that I take more precaution when stopping on a steep slope.

My previous Cherokee (1989) don't roll though, even the torgue and power is less! I was kind of disappointed with this new X feature.

 

[TheWorm]

Re: The roll is designed in...

Most newer cars with automatics have torque converters that are designed to minimize loading at idle.

It is a valid method of improving economy, and poses no problem as long as you aware of it.

...

USE THE BRAKES.

This is the correct answer w/r/t the Honda and Acura trannies (among others as renov8r mentions).

I linked/quoted a Honda/Acura bulletin about this, but can't find the thread.

 

[DaleB]

When I had a manual shift, I used to stop all the time with brakes, on a hill so as not to burn out the clutch. Then tap the gas and engage the clutch quickly before it rolls back more than a couple of inches. If somebody was right on my tail, I would engage the emergency brake, start off and release the brake as the car began to lurch forward.
This MDX 'characterisitic' is a none-problem to me.

 

[sarcs01]

Rolling

I just got a 2004 MDX and would like to know if it is "normal" for the car to roll when on a hill in either D5 or reverse when foot is lifted off the brake. I had to hit the gas to counteract the rolling.
This was quite scary and unexpected for me as I have been driving a Jeep GC that did not do this - as a matter of fact any car I have ever driven with an Automatic transmission has never done this.

I am otherwise happy with the MDX. Just want to know if this is something I have to get used to or something I have to have fixed!

Thanks

 

[TheWorm]

Normal. There have been a couple of threads/discussions, but I can't think of a good keyword combo to search.

Basically has to do w/the "high efficiency design" of the torque converter (presumably to save gas/wear/tear), so @ idle you don't get the transfer to the driveshaft. There's actually a dealer memo out on this, explaining the "why".