| RPM |
Hello,
New member here. I have an aspen white pearl '07 MDX, sport package. Does anyone know if there are performance parts for the vehicle yet? I was looking for basic upgrades i.e. intake, exhaust, computer remapping, etc.
Thanks,
RPM |
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| cybulman |
There are many sources on the Internet....but remember when you do this some of this - it voids all warranties.
Cy |
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| JTDroze |
quote:
Originally posted by cybulman
There are many sources on the Internet....but remember when you do this some of this - it voids all warranties.
Cy
What you say is not necessarily true. Additionally, the dealer has to be able to prove not just say the modification caused the problem.
"Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the MMW Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty" |
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| highcountrymdx |
With all due respect for JTDroze above, rechip your car and, both the manufacture's powertrain and federal emissions warranty is voided (unless you lie about it, of course.) Be careful, as many pcm's (not sure about the Acura) will permanently set a 'flag' if the chip is replaced or bypassed.
For all of 10 extra horsepower (maybe), are you feeling lucky?
Additionally, although it is true that the dealer must honor a warranty under the terms trotted out by JTDroze above, if the dealer declines free service under the warranty, what are you going to do? At that point, as a practical matter, the burden essentially shifts to you. Are you up for a protracted fight, with questionable results?
Furthermore, I don't know about what your warranty says, but mine says, "These Warranties Do Not Cover
The failure of any part or accessory due to:
-Any failure caused by modifying the vehicle, or installing accessories not authorized by Acura."
And let's not even get into the whole discussion on whether that $500 exhaust system, or that $250 K&N cold air intake (btw- your car already comes from the factory with a very sophisticated cold air intake system) even does anything at all, advertising and anecdotal evidence notwithstanding. |
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| JTDroze |
The purpose of my email was just to illustrate that the installation of an aftermarket product does not automatically void the manufacturer's warranty. Can there be isssues? Yes, but not always!
Whether or not to install aftermarket performance products is obviously a personal choice. I decided to go down that path with my Infiniti and I did not have any warranty issues with the dealer or the manufacturer and my car was at the dealer several times for warranty repair. They even replaced several suspension bushings under warranty even though I had aftermarket springs on it.
However, my MDX will remain stock, as I have decided not to tempt fate with this vehicle! |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
With all due respect for JTDroze above, rechip your car and, both the manufacture's powertrain and federal emissions warranty is voided (unless you lie about it, of course.) Be careful, as many pcm's (not sure about the Acura) will permanently set a 'flag' if the chip is replaced or bypassed.
For all of 10 extra horsepower (maybe), are you feeling lucky?
Additionally, although it is true that the dealer must honor a warranty under the terms trotted out by JTDroze above, if the dealer declines free service under the warranty, what are you going to do? At that point, as a practical matter, the burden essentially shifts to you. Are you up for a protracted fight, with questionable results?
Furthermore, I don't know about what your warranty says, but mine says, "These Warranties Do Not Cover
The failure of any part or accessory due to:
-Any failure caused by modifying the vehicle, or installing accessories not authorized by Acura."
And let's not even get into the whole discussion on whether that $500 exhaust system, or that $250 K&N cold air intake (btw- your car already comes from the factory with a very sophisticated cold air intake system) even does anything at all, advertising and anecdotal evidence notwithstanding.
Does anyone have pictures of where the air intake is? |
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| kingmdx |
| ^ serious question ..or was that a joke ? ...not sure ...Your manual has a picture of where it is btw. |
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| highcountrymdx |
Needsdecaf-
Are you referring to a picture of where the air actually enters the intake system, or a picture of the intake system, as a whole? |
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| cybulman |
In the end, everyone can do whatever they want with their own vehicle but they do it at their own risk and peril.
I think re-chipping is a serious enough mod, that would nullify the warranty on related parts/service. I come from a German car forum where some had their warranties revoked.
Mods like exterior and interior appearance, will not revoke it but somethng that messes with the engine and power train definitely will.
Cy |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by kingmdx
^ serious question ..or was that a joke ? ...not sure ...Your manual has a picture of where it is btw.
It was a serious question, see below. That manual has a picture of the air filter and airbox, but not the inlet. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
Needsdecaf-
Are you referring to a picture of where the air actually enters the intake system, or a picture of the intake system, as a whole?
The inlet that's hidden down behind the bumper / grill. I know that there have been people who have taken the front bumper off, just wondering if there were any pics that showed the inlet location. I can see the inlet diving toward someplace between the headlight and lower grill opening, but can't see it from the front.
Shop manuals won't be here until Christmas! :D
Edit: found this pic.
Can anyone verify / highlight where the air intake is on the driver's side?
Thanks. |
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| Heat00 |
| replacing certain components like an exhaust system or an intake does not void the warranty of the car. |
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| highcountrymdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Heat00
replacing certain components like an exhaust system or an intake does not void the warranty of the car.
You are absolutely correct, as far as that goes. But alter one part of the emissions control system (rechip the pcm, or replace a cat, for example) and you stand in jeopardy of loosing the warranty on the powertrain. They will still replace a defective radio, but try to convince the service manager that a clogged egr valve had nothing to do with that new chip you just put in. What are you going to say when your car throws a code showing a defective manifold pressure sensor, and the dealer discovers you have replaced the air filter with an oily K&N. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
You are absolutely correct, as far as that goes. But alter one part of the emissions control system (rechip the pcm, or replace a cat, for example) and you stand in jeopardy of loosing the warranty on the powertrain. They will still replace a defective radio, but try to convince the service manager that a clogged egr valve had nothing to do with that new chip you just put in. What are you going to say when your car throws a code showing a defective manifold pressure sensor, and the dealer discovers you have replaced the air filter with an oily K&N.
It all comes down to the dealer, in the end.
With my Volvo, VCNA's official corporate policy is harsh: you mod, you lose. Most dealers follow this line.
There are some dealers, however, who are reasonable. Yes, if your MAF goes bad and you have a K&N that's dripping with oil, you're out of luck. But if you have sways you lose a wheel bearing, there are some dealers who will look the other way.
But as we say on Swedespeed....you pay to play. If you want to mod, you're going to have to take the chance of having your warranty black balled.
As has been said above, MM is a great defense, but when your car is "on the list" and EVERY warranty repair requires a visit from the regional rep to OK to make sure it's not tied to your mods, you're losing valuable time whether it's covered or not. Likewise if they say "no" are you going to hire a lawyer and automotive experts to prove your mods had no influence?
You play, sometimes you gotta pay. |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by Needsdecaf
The inlet that's hidden down behind the bumper / grill. I know that there have been people who have taken the front bumper off, just wondering if there were any pics that showed the inlet location. I can see the inlet diving toward someplace between the headlight and lower grill opening, but can't see it from the front.
The inlet is indeed behind the bumper on the driver's side. Goes down into the resonator before snaking its way up to the filter box then on to the throttle body. Manual isn't too clear and I can't remember the exact location when I had my bumper off.
You thinking of doing some kind of a ram-air setup? |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
You thinking of doing some kind of a ram-air setup?
Thinking about it. Don't know how worth it it will be on this car, based on the location of the current setup.
One thing for sure, no BS on whatever potential mod I put on...I have a manometer and I'm not afraid to use it! :D
Seriously though, on my R, manometer tests have shown that there is a couple inches of water of vacuum at WOT, especially restrictive in a turbocharged car as it keeps the snail from spinning up sooner. Once I see the viability of any kind of ram-air setup, I will run some tests on the stock system.
The stock system looks pretty good....nice big intake snorkel, put in a location to suck nice cold air, just not sure how restrictive the stock intake is. |
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