Things I must know on D-Day

1626 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by bef, Jan 19, 2002

eneu

Discussion Starter · Jan 17, 2002

Thanks acuramdxers for sharing cool inform...

A couple of days ago, my Acura dealer called me that I will get a MDX around the middle of Feb. and he said it's going to have Feb 1 or 2 built date. -- Finally!!
I've been waiting for almost 3 month.

Now.. I have some questions for you guys who already own a MDX..

The first.. Should I deal the price of MDX with him at the time?
(I guess I wll but I don't expect anything)

Second, he asked me about installing accessories, and want me to call him back before the day. Should I buy and install some from the dealer at that time? or wait and do internet shopping after the day..?
(planing to have Tailgate deflector, moonroof visor and side step)
Also is there anything else I need to buy?

At last.. Just let me know anything else I should know about.

Thanks again guys...
be happy MDXer!

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Deposit on Oct. for 2002 MDX Touring BLK/EB N.VA Pohanka

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bef

· #2 · Jan 17, 2002

Well, it never hurts to try to get a lower price. I'm assuming you are getting it and any accessories at MSRP (per Acura's web site).
If you are paying over MSRP, then I would continue shopping unless your time (and you've got plenty of time to wait) is worth less than the money you would save. Some of us refuse to pay over MSRP as a matter of principle while others are willing to pay a premium to get an MDX early/immediately.

Same goes for the accessories. You can save a lot of money by buying parts over the internet. Check the Accessories forum and/or search all the forums for what you want. There are many opinions on what to get and how to install it. The people here are really helpful and this board, unllike many others, isn't inhabited by hordes of flamers and trolls. There have been previous threads asking the same question too. Read them all and decide what is best for your circumstances.

Check out people's signature to see who has what and that will give you some idea of what you can get.

My recommendations include:
Running boards/side steps
Nose mask
Wheel locks
Cargo net
Maybe cargo cover - I've found that the back is either empty or is filled such that the cover can't be used.
Body side molding.

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bef

· #3 · Jan 17, 2002

This is probably posted somewhere else but ...

Bring a large flashlight to help you inspect the car.
Bring a tire air pressure gauge since the dealer will probably over inflate the tires.

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davegood

· #4 · Jan 17, 2002

And..

And, buy all of your accessories from our buddy Tim at

www.hondacuraworld.com

You can't beat his service or prices, and shipping is included in the price.

Deposit - April 01 - held off for the '02 RedRock Pearl Touring / Nav -- build date of 12/15-12/19. Picked up car on 1/2/02 - happy new year!

Installed the Acura BSMs, wood shift knob, rear splash guards, Tailgate Deflector, and WT mats from Tim. at <a href="http://www.hondacuraworld.com">http://www.hondacuraworld.com</a>

Boards installed by the dealer. Also modified center console power to be always on.

10/03 Update -- traded the 2002 RedRock in for a 2003 Midnight Blue - Touring/Nav/Rear Ent. that I actually like much better than the 2002 - quieter, tighter, and a little quicker....

Already had both outlets converted to always on..

02/2007 update - just traded the 03 midnight blue MDX for a silver / black 2007 tech / RES. I really like it - going to add AW mats and tray and sport running boards.

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lester123

· #5 · Jan 17, 2002

bef said:
Bring a tire air pressure gauge since the dealer will probably over inflate the tires. [/B]

Why do you think the dealer will do this? When I picked up my car, it was at 35 lbs, and the manual indicated 32 lbs. When I questioned the service dept, they indicated that 32-35 is recommended. I left is alone, thinking I would get a little better gas mileage but the ride wouldn't be as soft. Am I right? What would you do?

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Aiya

· #6 · Jan 17, 2002

All vehicles coming off of a dealer's lot seem to have been overinflated. This is done when they are strapped down to be shipped. Something about needing the extra pressure to prevent the vehicle from moving around too much on the trucks. That's what I heard =)

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bef

· #7 · Jan 17, 2002

When I picked up my MDX the tires were between 38-40 PSI. Way too high. When you drive on the freeway the tires and air inside heat up and the pressure increases even more.

The tire pressure also affects steering, braking, and acceleration. Over inflated tires have less surface area in contact with the ground which means there is less friction.

A couple of psi won't make much difference but 8 psi probably will.

I figure if the manual says use 32 psi, then some engineer figured out that this was the best psi to use. I don't remember seeing a range of psi to use in the service manual.

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frostyra

· #8 · Jan 18, 2002

The '01 service manual lists on p. 18-5, tire pressure: 220 kPa (32 psi). The label on the driver's door frame also shows 32psi cold inflation pressure (cold generally means car has been parked for several hours, and hasn't been driven more than three miles before measuring the pressure). There's no differentiation between front and rear pressures.

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eneu

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 18, 2002

Thanks Guys..

Thank you so much.. guys..
and Thanks a lot Bef..
It truly helps me ..

I feel I'm so insured on my new MDX 'cause of this cool commun..

---------------------------
Deposit on Oct. for 2002 MDX Touring BLK/EB N.VA Pohanka

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mogur

· #10 · Jan 18, 2002

I run mine at 34. I like the very slightly crisper ride and handling at that pressure, and it also likely slightly improves tire life and gas mileage. The handling and feel is the prime reason, however.
Keep in mind that most manufacturer recommended pressures are usually lower than optimum in order to improve the ride.

It's odd that Acura does not recommend two sets of pressures fro the MDX. Virtually every other vehicle I have ever owned has specified pressures for a light load and a second set for a full load - some have even had three sets as an intermediate. I have to assume that Acura specified the full load pressure only on the MDX so as to guard against underinflated tires (the Ford Explorer syndrome) regardless of the load.

Tom

lester123 said:
Why do you think the dealer will do this? When I picked up my car, it was at 35 lbs, and the manual indicated 32 lbs. When I questioned the service dept, they indicated that 32-35 is recommended. I left is alone, thinking I would get a little better gas mileage but the ride wouldn't be as soft. Am I right? What would you do?

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MDXtrous

· #11 · Jan 18, 2002

In speaking with one of the dealers I'm working with, I asked if I could bring in my own accessories and have them install it ahead of time, before I pick up the car. They were fine with it, and adding the labor plus Tim's prices on hondacuraworld, it comes out much less than what they would charge outright.

Consider asking your dealer if you can do the same. If not, bring your car to another Acura dealer with the accessories from Tim and pay for the labor.

<a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5744>Silver 2002 MDX w/Navi</a> delivered Feb. 19th, 2002. Wood Steering Wheel, Wood Shift Knob, Painted Rear Deflector, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13964&perpage=15&pagenumber=1>HIDs with 5-way adjustable ballast (4250K - 10,000K)</a>, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6342>Platinum Prices Plasma bulbs Highs/Fogs</a>, Body Side Mouldings, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6341>Door Edge Guard</a>, Cargo Cover, Cargo Tray, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6338>Wheel Locks</a>, Mud Flaps, All-Season Floor Mats, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5744&perpage=15&pagenumber=6>Full Size Spare</a> <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5662&pagenumber=4>Video Install</a>: DVD player, TV Tuner, Navi Conversion to Take Video Input, Rear 7-inch Flip-Down Monitor, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5662&perpage=15&pagenumber=11>Backup Camera Triggered by Shifting to Reverse</a>, Auxiliary A/V inputs for PS2/XBox/camcorder, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8242>6 additional Steering Wheel Buttons to control TV Tuner/DVD Player</a>, Two 120-Volt Outlets in the Back of the Center Console, Video System Sound Interfaced to External CD-Changer Input <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5744&perpage=15&pagenumber=2>CCM FM Navigator Phone Kit for Nokia 8260</a> with Microphone Installed Behind Steering Wheel

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Jazz

· #12 · Jan 18, 2002

The dealer I purchased my MDX from wanted too much money for the accessory and labor to install them. The day I was notify the MDX would be there I called the service dept. and ask for a est on installation of fender flares, mud flaps and rear air defector. They did all of this for a $154.00. I had purcshased the above items from Tim at Hondacuraworld at a great saving. Ask your service dept. a bird in the hand is better than two in a bush.

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bef

· #13 · Jan 19, 2002

mogur,

I did think it was strange that all tires were at the same pressure.
On my CL the fronts are different from the backs.
I don't have the owner's manual handy but maybe the weight is evenly (more or less) distributed on the MDX.
Also, since power is/can be applied to all four wheels, a certain amount of friction is needed to ensure good traction.

Compared to my CL, the MDX is much more comfortable but the CL handles much better (although not as well as the Integra I used to have). Two different vehicles for two different purposes.

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