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Car Question: Where my nerds at?

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applejuice.
Posts: 5506 - Karma: 1,512
Just purchased an Acura RDX last week and I have a few questions about it. I don't feel like consulting the dealer because they're questions that were sort of addressed and I just don't remember his answer. Anyway, my car has a turbo and I'm completely unfamiliar with that. Is there any basic maintenance I should be doing? I think he said something about cleaning leaves out of some part so air is able to still pass through? Erm wat? Also, inside of my gas tank it reads Premium gas only (93) but I'm almost 100% sure the dealer said I could use Super or mid grade fuel (89). Will I fuck my car up if I do? Is there a way around it? As you can probably tell I don't know shit about cars so any help would be appreciated. Thnkz guize.
Oct 19 2012 9:04AM
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Jaggy_Snake
Posts: 2287 - Karma: 1,418
Check the air intake and filter probably once every 2 weeks as it's getting towards the time where leaves are falling and you'll be fine.

In terms of fuel, in my opinion using a higher octane fuel is (a) more expensive, (b) can get you better mpg, depending on how you drive it and (c) in the long run, isn't much different to the normal octane fuel.

Just use a normal octane fuel (not sure what it is in the States) as it'll be cheaper and you'll still get a good mpg on it.
Oct 19 2012 9:14AM
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Stainr
Posts: 1186 - Karma: -1,150
cleaning leave out? never had this problem, and no you dont have to do any regular maintnace with a turbo'd vehicle, and i would run nothing less that 91, my car runs like crap with 89, i quess if it runs good on 89 then go for it, would i? no.
Oct 19 2012 9:20AM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
use premium gas. it is better quality and with a higher performance motor, especially turbo, you dont want to be detonating with shitty gas.

but really you can probably get away with it just dont romp on it much.


basic maintenance like any other car, oil, filter fluids. you might wanna let it cool down a little before shutting it off, thats always good.

and yeah, make sure leaves aren't cloggin yo' grill yo LOL
Oct 19 2012 9:20AM
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C-Weezy
Posts: 786 - Karma: 50
Just use premium, your car will thank you. I would only use lower grade fuel if I had to. As far as the leaves, RDX's have top mount intercooler's, leaves may get on that. Really just keep the engine bay clean. Make sure your car is running at the right temp, the turbo can heat it up pretty quick if not cooling properly Seriously though I doubt you'll need to do much maintenance.
Oct 19 2012 9:28AM
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camstain
Posts: 1124 - Karma: 387
Verrrrry simple explanation on turbo is that it basically forces induction so that more power can be produced. You will experience something called turbo lag is the delay for this power to kick in once you hit the accelerator.

You shouldn't have an issue with the air intake getting leaves in it unless you're parked under a hefty tree, so check it the first month and if you never have a problem then check it less often.
Oct 19 2012 9:28AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
basically, to put it as simply as possible, with your car being tuned for performance, you need the premium gas to get optimal performance out of the car. back in the day, if you put lower grade gas in a car that required premium, it would knock and ping. fortunately these days cars pretty much have a laptop under the hood, so the computer is able to adjust things so you don't blow up your engine. the downside of that is that you also won't run the greatest because of this.

honestly, you probably wouldn't even really notice much of a difference, but I would still use premium. let's be real, if you can afford an RDX, you can afford to put premium in it.
Oct 19 2012 9:32AM
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Jblz
Posts: 556 - Karma: 206
use premium. be sure to make your car go "vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvpsssshhhhhhhhh!!!" as much as you can. especially if there are people nearby
Oct 19 2012 9:33AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
Nice choice...ive always had a thing for acruas they are gorgeous cars

As mentioned before in this thread run 93 don't bother filling with a lower octane to save a few pennies...the longevity of your engine is more important

Not sure if the sales guy was just being a wise ass with the leaves because unless it is literally raining leaves and your driving 30 mph there's no way your going to get enough leaves stuck in your grill/intakes to cause hte engine/turbo to overheat

Is it still under warranty?
Oct 19 2012 9:48AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
With turbo vehicles, the standard is to run a synthetic oil as it typically resists oil breakdown better in the high heat that is produced by turbochargers (the turbocharger is cooled by oil and coolant). I'd also be sure to be diligent with oil changes on a turbo vehicle as a result of the extra heat that the oil sees. A quick search yielded that Acura requires HTO-06 synthetic oil (Mobil 1 is an example of such an oil) be used to maintain warranty coverage.

As for gas choice, you won't damage anything by running 87 or 89 octane, the computer will simply retard timing which will result in reduced power. That said, you will get lower fuel economy with the lower octane fuel, which may easily negate any savings that you realize at the pump.

I'm assuming the leave blockage refers to leaves and other rad debris clogging up the intercooler. It looks like the RDX has a top-mount intercooler that is fed by duct-work from the front grill. You'll want to periodically check the intercooler to ensure that there is not anything that would block airflow. This would be needed very infrequently though. I'd say just take a peek when you are changing your oil or air filter.
Oct 19 2012 9:59AM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
the higher grade fuel is better for the engine and gets you better mileage. even though it's more expensive, it'll work out to the same thing as regular but you're keeping your engine clean. if you still find it's a bit expensive, it's always good to fill up a tank of premium maybe every 4th or 5th tank, though i'd recommend just using premium.

im not sure about the whole leaves thing, but the main thing you need to do with a turbo is make sure you don't start your engine or stop it too quickly. turbos work by having a turbine connected to the engine exhaust that forces air into the intake, compressing more air into a cylinder bla bla blaaa more fuel more power etc. because the turbine is connected to the engine exhaust and spins retardedly fast, it gets really hot, and people can destroy their cars by a) driving it too aggressively right when it's turned on - especially in colder weather - and not warmed up, and b) turning it off after driving it alot, which leaves it sitting around very hot. these problems occur because when you start up and drive hard or stop driving immediately after driving hard the turbo doesn't have oil running through it and with no lubrication and a fast spinning turbine you can fry it. that happened to a friend of mine. cold canada with high revving is a lot of wear and tear. oh, and of course do not ever run your engine out of oil.
Oct 19 2012 9:59AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Skier X always has the sound advice.  Nice work.   

AJ, all you need to know about your turbo is that it's basically a fan that pressurizes the air going into your intake, but it uses your exhaust backpressure to spin it.  That's why it only spools when you're at X RPMs- it takes a certain amount of backpressure to spool up pressure and give more power.  In it's most basic terms anyways.

I recommend Royal Purple fluids in your car.  Best full synthetic oil out there hands down.  Just my .02

Oct 19 2012 10:06AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Also, the RDX is designed by Acura to not need a cool-down period after normal driving as coolant will continue to circulate via convection when the engine is turned off.

The only time I would say you need to let it idle for a minute or so before shutting it down is if you were romping on it hard immediately before parking.
Oct 19 2012 10:14AM
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applejuice.
Posts: 5506 - Karma: 1,512
Guys, I love you! Thanks so much for explaining things, and giving me more information than I could've asked for! I think I have most of you at 10 already but if not +k for all the great advice. Much love!
Oct 19 2012 10:28AM
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applejuice.
Posts: 5506 - Karma: 1,512
Also, barefootin, this car was my college graduation gift from my grandmother. While I don't have to make payments for the car, I'm still responsible for gas, insurance, etc.
Oct 19 2012 10:29AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
Royal purple is a great oil for sure but it is expensive as fuck! I'm hooked to mobil 1..my father has used it in every engine and so I've used it in every one of my engines and haven't regretted it once.

Plus walmart sells the 5qt for $22-23 around me...can't beat that price
Oct 19 2012 10:38AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
damn girl, you got hooked up! thanks gma!!

but as X said, any savings that you would see at the pump would be quickly negated by the lower mpg you'll get from lower grade gas. i know it sucks having to knuckle up and put out that kind of cash, it's really not a huge dent in the pocket. we've probably all wasted more money on a night of drunken debauchery.

i'd go minimum of 91, and optimally 93 if you can get it where you're at. every now and then I'll dump 110 in and have some fun, but that gets expensive in no time.
Oct 19 2012 10:44AM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11498 - Karma: 327
always use premium.

dont worry bout no fuckin leaves.

follow your oil change schedule religiously. (its the most important thing when you have a turbo car)
Oct 19 2012 10:49AM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
Aimdawg turn the boost up. start rolling smoke from traffic lights, basic turbo maintenance

also a blow off valve, standard turbo car shit you know


in all seriousness the only thing you're going to need to really keep up with on a newer turbo car is the oil, drive it like any other car
Oct 19 2012 10:51AM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
also does it say premium fuel ONLY or Recommended, because if it says recommended then 87 octane all day. Audi is notorious for putting that shit on there. If it is recommended and not explicitly only then 87 all day, this isnt some high compression monster its a basic turbo 4 cyl the motor wont have any issues with knock voltage or timing, it will adjust fuel injection perfectly and you have any problems,

If it says only then I would run it, otherwise any difference in fuel economy wold be insignificant and be completly cancelled out by the saving at the pump.
Oct 19 2012 10:58AM
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seward
Posts: 5233 - Karma: 2,174
if it says to use premium then use premium.
if you cant tell when your turbo is bunged up with leaves then you shouldnt have a turbo.
and if your car ever starts to go clinkity cloink, just pee in its butt.

inb4...

Click for larger image
Oct 19 2012 11:25AM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
My father did turbo research and design for Garrett and toured with the BMW race team before moving over to Boeing. He has a cool cut-away model on his desk.

Volvo is also notorious for "recommending" higher octane fuel. Fuel economy difference in my S40 is negligible on standard vs. premium fuel. You are NOT going to do damage by using the lower octane fuel.

As for the turbo? Absolutely nothing different than any other car. Car engineers are pretty smart guys and design air filter boxes and other devices to ensure that crap like leaves do not get sucked into engines.

Based on your seeking advice here, I assume you will be doing your service at the dealership? They will only use the best parts and materials including synthetic oil.

Mobil 1 FTW.
Oct 19 2012 1:46PM
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Potatoes
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 14
if your car is made to run 93, run 93. you can run 87, but don't be mad when you need new injectors. if you really need to save money by buying cheaper gas, sell your nice 93 car and buy a piece of garbage that will run on pretty much cat piss.
Oct 19 2012 4:24PM
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OssargYormada
Posts: 671 - Karma: 186
buy a blow off valve (BOV) so your car sounds kick ASS
Oct 19 2012 4:39PM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11498 - Karma: 327
lolz
Oct 19 2012 5:20PM
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applejuice.
Posts: 5506 - Karma: 1,512
Friends: My 3rd clutch pressure switch just failed and is being replaced tomorrow. From what I've been reading its just a bandaid fix and my transmission might be on it's way out. Anyone have any insight to offer?
May 7 2013 11:44AM
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swanson212
Posts: 108 - Karma: 86
Automatics transmissions are fake and gay
May 7 2013 11:54AM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,297
Clearly this kid has never heard of seafoam.


And what makes you think your tranny is on its way out? Does it shift roughly or drop into gear?
May 7 2013 11:55AM
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applejuice.
Posts: 5506 - Karma: 1,512
Great answer, thanks!
May 7 2013 11:55AM
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