| kcroberge |
I bought my wife a 2008 MDX for Mother's Day (well, ordered it, won't actually have it until next Saturday). It's a great vehicle and I am sure we will love it. We got a great deal on it. We've been waiting to see the 2009 Honda Pilot, but we couldn't pass this up, and didn't want to wait until September.
Details: Tech package/power tailgate. Dark Cherry Pearl/ebony. Sport running boards, roof rack/crossbars, backup sensors, side body moldings and cargo cover. Can't wait to get it.
Couple of questions on it. I've always used full synthetic oil (Amsoil) in my other car, a 2003 TL-S. However, the sales guy said I shouldn't in the MDX because it will mess up the engine oil monitoring system. He says that I have nothing to gain by using a full synthetic oil if I don't intend to tow anything. Is this true? How will it mess up the monitor and is using a better oil more important than the monitoring system?
How much does the XM radio service cost after the 3 month trial? Does the real-time traffic monitor cost extra and is it worth it? I'm sure we'll decide for ourselves once we have it, but thought I'd see what you all think.
There are things I want to look into - and have read up on here already. Things like an alternative iPod interface, HID fog lights and an alternative to the front grill. I know there isn't much out there but I'll keep looking, or do something myself.
Great site everyone. I'll post up some pics once we actually have it. |
|
|
| hammermdx |
| Congrats and welcome to the family!!!!:7: No problem going synthetic, just wait the appropriate amount of time to let the additive that Honda adds to help with the break-in. The search feature used to work really well on this site, but it is currently experiencing problems.....otherwise it is a great source of info. |
|
|
| csmeance |
| You can use synthetic oil, but use it only after the oil life meter says 15% with the factory fill stuff as it has additives in it to protect the motor. Your salesmen is right in the respect that the monitor will not reconginze the type of oil and will recommend changes based on regular oil. The XM radio you can get for a discounted rate for 77 or 60 dollars, depending on the deal they have. I got quoted 5 dollars a month extra for the navi traffic and I dont think it really is worth it unless you travel a lot. You will find quite alot of info on the things you listed here. And congrats on the new MDX, pretty nice color combo. |
|
|
| kcroberge |
Thanks for the info.
Another question I have: Since the entertainment package comes with the 2nd row heated seats, can I buy the parts and have Acura or someone else install them to give my tech package heated 2nd row seats? |
|
|
| kcroberge |
| OK, so it sounds like the monitor will go to a default setting, but won't be damaged in any way. I'll just have to monitor the oil life myself like I do now. |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
| Congrats on the new ride! |
|
|
| kingmdx |
| :welcome: ..post pics when you get it :) |
|
|
| drjay |
:7:
Congrats and welcome to the family! |
|
|
| adr5 |
quote:
Originally posted by kcroberge
Couple of questions on it. I've always used full synthetic oil (Amsoil) in my other car, a 2003 TL-S. However, the sales guy said I shouldn't in the MDX because it will mess up the engine oil monitoring system. He says that I have nothing to gain by using a full synthetic oil if I don't intend to tow anything. Is this true? How will it mess up the monitor and is using a better oil more important than the monitoring system?
How much does the XM radio service cost after the 3 month trial? Does the real-time traffic monitor cost extra and is it worth it? I'm sure we'll decide for ourselves once we have it, but thought I'd see what you all think.
If keep the car a long time, synthetic will help. The oil won't mess up the monitoring system. Probalby what he meant was that the system is calibrated for regular oil and if you follow the systems prompts you will end up changing the oil more often than necessary. I plan on following my schedule and changing the oil every 5k miles or sooner if the monitor tells me to.
I got an extra year of XM service, with no traffic, for $77. Yes traffic costs extra. I don't think XM is worth more than that, if that much. To me the traffic was not worth the extra cost. |
|
|
| csmeance |
quote:
Originally posted by kcroberge
Thanks for the info.
Another question I have: Since the entertainment package comes with the 2nd row heated seats, can I buy the parts and have Acura or someone else install them to give my tech package heated 2nd row seats?
I would think that the essential wire harnesses would be missing, just like for the rear liftgates in the earlier models. |
|
|
| kcroberge |
quote:
I would think that the essential wire harnesses would be missing, just like for the rear liftgates in the earlier models.
I went online looking for the parts and I can find the heating pads and the switches, but not the wiring harnesses. This may be more difficult than I had hoped. I'll keep looking.
Another question: I went to the Helms site looking for the factory service manual and it is not listed. Does anyone know where I can buy one, as this may help my research into the heating options?
Thanks again for all the information. |
|
|
| zcd2.7t |
quote:
Originally posted by kcroberge
I went online looking for the parts and I can find the heating pads and the switches, but not the wiring harnesses. This may be more difficult than I had hoped. I'll keep looking.
Another question: I went to the Helms site looking for the factory service manual and it is not listed. Does anyone know where I can buy one, as this may help my research into the heating options?
Thanks again for all the information.
FWIW, there are aftermarket seat heaters available for not too much $$$. I looked into this for a car that I considered buying a couple of years ago. |
|
|
| adr5 |
quote:
Originally posted by kcroberge
Another question: I went to the Helms site looking for the factory service manual and it is not listed. Does anyone know where I can buy one, as this may help my research into the heating options?
I got my copy via ebay. I got real lucky because the seller let me trade in the FSM from my prior vehicle for the MDX FSM. |
|
|
| kcroberge |
I finally got around to taking some pictures as the weather was finally nice. I can't seem to get the image to post so here is a link to them.
http://ken-newcarpics.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
| kingmdx |
Listed them for you:
 |
|
|
| kcroberge |
Thanks Kingmdx.
I wonder if it is the site I am putting the pictures on. I can't seem to post pictures to any other forum either. I'll have to get an account on Photobucket and see if I have better luck. |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
| It they are resized for the web, just hit Browse(Attach file) in a new reply and look for the pictures on your computer. |
|
|
| kcroberge |
OK, going to try this again.
Hmmm.... can't seem to attach a file either (using Browse).
And I can no longer see the pictures Kingmdx posted for me.
I did get the avatar to work though. |
|
|
| kcroberge |
I apologize for hijacking my own thread with this.
Going to try and upload pics from Photbucket.
That seems to work a lot better than the other site.
Now back to real conversations about the MDX. |
|
|
| synergest1 |
| Love the color, looks great. |
|
|
| dong_cj |
| Hello everybody...Just traded my TL for an 08 MDX sport ent. package and I'm glad I found this forum...Like some of the owners here, I also experience that clogging noise infront...it happens everytime you brake and accelerate...I was wondering does this things only happens in the sport package?.....I also got that whistling thing inside while cruising about 70 - 80 mph....I didn't have this issues when i test drove those car loaners they have...I guess this issues shows up after you have bought the vehicle..hehehe...but still happy anyway.... |
|
|
| Fabvsix |
Welcome!
First, drink a Chelada, then turn up the volume and enjoy your ride cause there is no fix as of yet.....The fact that it is still present in the 08 models suggest its a design issue. Therefore they will wait for a re-design LATER......As far as I know the TL is still a rattle box from what I've heard and they did nothing about that during the production of them. Maybe the all new one will be silent...... |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
Nice pics kcroberge!!! :cool:
dong_cj - Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new ride! |
|
|
| kcroberge |
| Thanks. I gave it a bath and wiped it down with a QD spray. Once I finish all the yard work (see the pile of mulch in the last pic) I'll have some time to really detail it. |
|
|
| dong_cj |
| that's right....who cares....just enjoy the ride!!! |
|
|
| Len90 |
| Congrats on the shiny new X! Those pictures are really starting to make the Dark Cherry grow on me. |
|
|
|
