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Acura RL Maintenance and Repair

895 messages,  Last post on Jan 05, 2013 at 9:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Acura RL, Sedan

Messages Page 67 of 90

#657 of 895 Exhaust Soot on Bumper by steveinindy

May 13, 2006 (5:10 am)

I own a white 2005 RL. Soot from my exhaust often collects on my bumper. If I don't constantly wipe it off, it starts to "stick" to the bumper and becomes very hard to wipe off. I have mentioned it to my dealer more than once, and they have never previously offered a solution. I was starting to get upset because it is really a design defect that causes this, and I believed Acura should address it as such. I just brought my car in for the 15000 mile service and again asked that the problem be addressed. The service manager showed me an internal publication called Acura News that is circulated to dealers. It contained an article that said many 05 RL owners had this problem, particularly in light colored cars. It said that a design change was made for 2006, and that if customers were really upset, the dealer should offer to replace the exhaust tips with the 2006 tips, which are correctly designed to alleviate this unsightly problem. My dealer actually gave me a copy of this article, but then offered to SELL me the tips at $109 each. I did not think customers should have to pay for design defect changes, so I called the regional customer service line. I was told that most dealers were aware that Acura will pay for the switchout, and that this has been taking place routinely for some time now. The customer service rep gave me a case number and told me to have my dealer call. My dealer called and sure enough, my new 2006 exhaust tips have been ordered, and are being replaced at Acura's expense. If any 05 owners are having this problem, tell your dealer to replace the exhaust tips with 06 tips at Acura's expense. Good Luck! Steve C.

#658 of 895 Re: Exhaust Soot on Bumper [steveinindy] by cstiles

May 21, 2006 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: steveinindy (May 13, 2006 5:10 am)
Thanks Steve. We also own a white RL, and this is good info to tuck away for our next service visit. The soot buildup is a minor annoyance, but it's still noticeable over time.
 
Our left HID headlight just went out. With the seemingly exhaustive diagnostic messages that this car emits, it's interesting that the car hasn't alerted us. Our Audi A4 used to emit such a warning.

#659 of 895 Re: 2006 RL dangerous transmission? computer? cat converter? Avoid like pla by bj9000

May 21, 2006 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: jjacura (May 06, 2006 8:08 pm)
I wish my 05 RL was as good. The windshield washer does not clean. The drivers door won't unlock. Passenger and rear windows don't work from drivers window console. Front brakes rattle, and many more. Only 9500 miles. My first and last Acura.

#660 of 895 Re: 2006 RL dangerous transmission? computer? cat converter? Avoid like pla [bj9000] by cavtec

May 22, 2006 (8:33 am)

Replying to: bj9000 (May 21, 2006 7:34 pm)
not just a few unhappy owners... over 600 posts identifying problems and Acura's response. THe controversy is caused by the problems. Some people are satisfied with anything, and don't complain. Others seek value and quality. My 05 was so bad I went to arbitration for 4 major problems. One was enough for the arbitrator, who ordered the car repurchased without even considering the other three. Acura's response - they all do that.

#661 of 895 Re: 2006 RL dangerous transmission? computer? cat converter? Avoid like pla [cstiles] by bobrl

May 30, 2006 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: cstiles (May 08, 2006 6:02 pm)
Apparently Acura agrees with you on item #2. They gave a $3000. incentive to the dealers during may. If you found a dealer that was willing to pass it on, you could get your RL for $42K like I did.
 
Also, the keyless ignition is not really that silly since you can pry off the keyless stalk with your key and start the car with the key in an emergency (i.e. dead battery in keyfob or otherwise inoperable keyfob)

#662 of 895 Back again by archichris

Jun 05, 2006 (2:25 pm)

Well, I'm back after not logging on for a few weeks. Like cavtec, I not only expect quality; I demand it, but I guess my kharma's flowing in the right direction, as I have yet to have a single problem/issue/vibration/glitch/aberration with my '06 RL, and have only one complaint: the voice response iPod link is truly farkakt. I'm blaming it on Apple, because it is so un-Honda like in it's totally non-intuitive operation. What should take less than 15 seconds, can take up to 2 minutes. The simple plug-in in my Honda Element is infinitely better.
 
Re: gas, yes, the gas mileage in town is not great, but I never expected it to be, [coming from an Audi A6 quattro which got 13 mpg in town]. However, under optimal weather conditions [cool & dry] I have gotten as much as 32.8 mpg on the freeway with the cruise control set on 64 mph, and consistantly average between 30.5 and 31.5 mpg. on highway trips.
 
As for the sales [or lack thereof], it's only a problem if Honda decides to drop out of the market alltogether. As long as they are struggling to break back into the market and gain market penetration; they have a large incentive to keep up the improvements and content, and we get to enjoy having a car that one doesn't see a dozen times a day [320/540, etc]. Re: advertisements, I have been seeing quite a bit more tv ads [far more than BMW or Audi] for the RL just in the past few weeks.
 
Re: the dealerships, unfortunately Honda didn't initially set them up with the same criteria and standards that were demanded of the Lexus dealerships, and now that they have been in place for 20+ years, AmHonda really doesn't use whatever leverage it has to force any of the dealerships to behave or conduct business in an upscale "Lexus" way. Audi dealerships are exactly the same way, with most of them being shared dealerships with either Porsche or VW [haughty arrogance on one side, and the German-flavored GM mindset on the other.] Again, I guess that I'm lucky that my dealership is not filled with incompetants, and actually have been totally professional

#663 of 895 Re: Back again [archichris] by cstiles

Jun 05, 2006 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: archichris (Jun 05, 2006 2:25 pm)
Car and Driver recently completed a long term test of the RL (40,000 miles worth). Consistent with C&D's lovefest for Honda, they praised the RL from all angles, especially in the areas of driving dynamics, comfort, ergonomics, powertrain, and amenities. All of this in spite of 8 unscheduled dealer visits for a variety of quirks, along with 2 dead batteries on their test car. Although most of the issues were minor, they concluded that this car had its share of new car teething signs.

#664 of 895 Re: Back again [archichris] by tayl0rd

Jun 06, 2006 (9:08 am)

Replying to: archichris (Jun 05, 2006 2:25 pm)
... I have yet to have a single problem/issue/vibration/glitch/aberration with my '06 RL, and have only one complaint: the voice response iPod link is truly farkakt. I'm blaming it on Apple, because it is so un-Honda like in it's totally non-intuitive operation. ...
 
Who designed their "keyless" ignition??

#665 of 895 Keyless Ignition by klister

Jun 07, 2006 (5:52 pm)

I don't know who designed it, but I like it. I like being not having to take the key out of my pocket to open and start the car. I like being able to just touch a dimple on the door handle to lock the car. I don't mind the ignition switch on the steering column so that I can start the car with the emergency key if the battery in the remote goes dead. I know that some early models had problems with the door handles not working properly, but mine have always worked (17 months now). Also, I have never left the ignition in the accessory position and drained the battery as some people have. The 06 now even has a warning if you leave it in that position.

#666 of 895 Re: Keyless Ignition [klister] by nebraskaguy

Jun 08, 2006 (4:17 am)

Replying to: klister (Jun 07, 2006 5:52 pm)
I don't know who designed it, but I like it. I like being not having to take the key out of my pocket to open and start the car.
 
I agree. It's one of my favorite things about my RL. It's especially great in the winter when I was always forgetting which of my many pockets I'd put my keys in that time.

Messages Page 67 of 90

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