NY Auto Show: 2014 Acura MDX revealed, loses 275 pounds

Acura unveiled the third generation of its flagship SUV, the MDX, at the 2013 New York Auto Show. Honda’s upscale brand is pitching the MDX as a high-tech take on the sport-utility vehicle class.

We got a peak at the 2014 MDX’s styling with the MDX Prototype Acura unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. The styling is definitely more evolution than revolution, with plenty of references to other Acuras, particularly the RDX crossover and RLX sedan. The small, inline “Jewel” LED headlights are becoming an Acura trademark.

Underneath the subtle skin, there are some major changes. The MDX gets its own version of Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, which uses torque vectoring to push the car through corners. Acura will also sell the MDX with front-wheel drive for the first time.

The 2014 MDX will be powered by a 3.5-liter direct-injected V6 from Honda’s Earth Dreams line. It puts out an impressive 290 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque, and is connected to a six-speed manual transmission.

Acura says the new MDX is also light on its feet. A claimed 55 percent of the chassis is made from lightweight materials, including high strength steel, aluminum, and magnesium. The result is a 275-pound weight savings over the previous model.

To allow drivers to determine how they want to exploit that lightweight chassis, Acura gave the MDX a three-mode Integrated Dynamic System, which allows the driver to adjust the steering feel, throttle response, and even the amount of engine sound piped into the cabin.

The three modes are Sport, Normal, and Comfort. Sport may seem unnecessary in a big SUV, but neither does sending said SUV around the Nurburgring for suspension tuning. Acura did that too.

Tech features include an ELS Studio sound system, and the AcuraLink infotainment system. The latter includes phone-based apps like Spotify and Aha, all displayed on a seven-inch touchscreen.

Acura is proud of reducing the number of dashboard buttons on the MDX from 41 to nine, but given what we’ve seen with other touchscreen-based systems like Cadillac’s CUE, maybe that’s not a good thing.

The 2014 MDX goes on sale this summer. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Source: Digital Trends

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Acura RLX "Luxury, Luxury" Commercial

2014 Acura RLX Consumer Drive Event, Napa Valley

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1993 Acura Integra Commercial

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Thank you for the 5 Star Review!

I recently took my 2008 VW Jetta to Karen Radley Service department for what I knew was going to be a costly repair job. I did not purchase my Jetta from Radley but after reading several wonderful reviews on their service department, I decided to go to them for a second opinion on my car repair need. The service consultant, Omar Gardezi obtained a loaner for me and gave me frequent updates about the status of my repair and when the grim news was finally given, I was allowed plenty of time to make a decision about spending several thousands of dollars in repairs or get a new car. Financially, this was not the best time for me to purchase a car but given my daily commute to work, I needed reliable transportation. I was called directly by the General Manager, Rod Emmons to extend his help with my situation and was there to help get me in a new car if that was what I wanted to do. Mr. Emmons even called the VW dealership where I purchased the car to check on any possible service warranty that would help with the cost of my repair. I truly felt they wanted what was best for me. Mr. Emmons was terrific! I have never known of a GM to spend so much time one on one with a customer and work so hard to get them the best deal. From Omar Gardezi in Service, Ryan Poole, the business manager and Rod Emmons, they made this "unwanted" purchase almost painless for me. I was given a very fair trade given what was known about my car's service needs. I decided on a 2012 Acura TSX and I am very pleased with the purchase process and my new car!-Renee B

Here's your Monday Maintenance

Tip: Pay attention to your brakes! If you notice a brake problem, it pays to have it inspected or repaired ASAP. The cost of a brake repair can increase dramatically if even minor problems aren't fixed in a timely manner.

Throwback Thursday! 2001 Acura CL commercial

Acura's Newest Products Continue to Advance Brand Growth

Acura
- RDX sets its tenth-consecutive monthly sales record, up 177.6 percent from last February with sales of 2,795 units
- MDX remains the top selling Acura model in February, with sales of 2,946 units
- TL was the top selling Acura sedan in February with sales of 2,216 units, ILX sales continue to trend up with sales of 1,997
"Acura's latest products continue to shine with ILX gaining traction and RDX sales up 177 percent," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura Sales. "With the all-new 2014 RLX flagship sedan launching in a few weeks and the MDX Prototype creating favorable buzz, spring 2013 is shaping up as a banner season for Acura."
*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 24 days for February 2013 and 25 days for February 2012. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 49 days for 2012 and 49 days for 2011. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

Car Maintenance Tips That Help You Save Money

The single most important thing you can do to get the best value and longest life out of your car is to READ the owner's manual. Inside you will find all the information you need to complete maintenance at the best times, find sizes for your wiper blades, the type of oil your car needs, fluid levels, part numbers and tires sizes. This manual will also show you where to locate everything so you can properly check them.

Fluid LevelsEach car has its own maintenance schedule. Following these schedules will directly impact the life of your car, its performance and its safety. Many of these you can complete yourself without having to call a mechanic. Checking fluids is one of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain your cars health. Ensuring that you have the correct levels of oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, wiper fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid can save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repair bills. If you wait until the dreaded light on the dash comes on, it is usually too late and will require a tow, an expensive repair and, in some cases, could jeopardize the safety of you and your family.

Air and a SpareYour tires meet the road and lots of other things along the way, like nails, boards, tree branches, rocks and other debris that can damage or destroy them. Tires can also be a fairly moderate expense, particularly for pickup trucks, and suvs. There are a few simple things you can do to prolong tire life and save money on fuel. First, check your tire inflation. All tires lose air and leak naturally, ASE reports most tires loose one to two pounds of air per month, so their inflation needs to be frequently checked. They also suggest you check air pressure when the tires are cool for a more reliable reading. Next, do a monthly visual inspection of your tires checking for wear, cracks, slipped belts, bulges or other abnormalities. This can be done while you are pumping gas, and could save you from a blow-out on the interstate. Underinflated tires can reduce your fuel mileage by as much as 15%, and significantly reduce the life of your tires. Under inflation can lead to handling and maneuverability problems that could cause an accident.


Over-inflation creates a "balloon" effect and will show significant wear in the center treads of your tire, again limiting its life. Overinflating your tires can also cause damage when the tire encounters a pothole or other road debris. Never exceed the recommended inflation rate that is printed on the tire. Rotating your tire is a cheap option for increasing tire life. Many tire retailers offer free rotation with a tire purchase, make sure you use this service. It will not only give you greater tread life, but mechanics can also spot any tire problems or alignment problems during the rotation.

Don't forget to check that spare in the trunk. Having a properly inflated spare can save you a tow bill, or a road service call. In case you have a flat in an area without cell phone service, you can change it yourself. Also, make sure you have a jack and lug wrench stored along with the tire.



Oil Changes Oil is the lifeblood of all engines. Through the last several decades, as engines have changed so has the required timing of oil changes. What used to be a standard 3,000 mile oil change is today 5,000 miles or more, depending on the make, model and engine in your vehicle. (Again, consult your owner's manual for details). Also, there are different grades, viscosity or weight of oil and in some diesel engines they require more oil than gas engines. There is research that shows using synthetic oil can reduce fuel consumption, extend engine life and reduce carbon emissions. Consider using it at your next oil change or ask your dealer if it could be used in your particular vehicle.

Air FilterThis is a filter anyone - regardless of mechanical knowledge - can replace. It requires no tools on most vehicles, and is an inexpensive filter. If this filter becomes filled with dirt and debris your fuel mileage can drop by 10% and it could cost you 15 cents a gallon in fuel consumption. A general rule for changing this filter is roughly every three months, in areas where you encounter more dirt, pollution or road construction, you might have to change it more often. Your owner's manual will provide guidelines for changing and give you the necessary parts numbers. (Most automotive stores and retailers that sell automotive supplies also have parts books that give part numbers).

Wiper Blades and Wiper FluidThere is little more disconcerting then having sludge splashed across your windshield, hitting the wipers and fluid, only to find the fluid empty or the wipers worn out. This can also lead to an accident caused by poor visibility. Wiper blades are essential to safety, change them at least yearly. Even if you live in a very dry area, the sun and weather will do damage to them. A good quality set of wiper blades will cost less than $20 and is much cheaper and healthier than having an accident.

Wiper fluid can be purchased at almost any discount retailer for less than $3 a gallon, keep some in your garage. Resist the temptation to use water in your wiper fluid reservoir. Water can freeze, it can do damage to your sprayer system, and bacteria lives in there.


The Bottom LineThere are many things you can do to help make your vehicle last longer, run cheaper and give you many years of worry free service. If you take the time to read your owner's manual, it will detail many things you can do to without the need of a mechanic.