Seeing that will 2016 acura mdx transmission system problem light put up on your dash is enough in order to ruin anyone's early morning commute. One minute you're cruising along, enjoying the heated seats, and the particular next, your dashboard is screaming in you in vivid orange or red text. It's the sinking feeling, mainly because "transmission" is usually usually synonymous along with "expensive. " If you own a 2016 MDX, you probably already know that this specific model year offers a bit of a reputation whenever it comes to how it changes.
The 2016 model was obviously a bit of a changeover year for Acura. They moved apart from the older six-speed automatic plus threw in a nine-speed electronic transmission made by ZF. On paper, it sounded great—better fuel economy, softer shifts, more "techy. " In truth, it's been the particular source of a great deal of headaches with regard to owners. When that will light comes on, it's the car's method of saying some thing because complex 9-speed system isn't happy.
So, What Does the Light Really Mean?
Usually, when the transmission system problem light strikes the screen, the particular car may also result in a "limp setting. " If you haven't experienced it, count number yourself lucky. Sagging mode is actually the car's self-preservation approach. It limits your speed and stops the transmission from shifting into increased gears to help keep the particular engine from blowing itself up or even the gears through grinding into metallic shavings.
It doesn't often mean your transmission is toast, though. Sometimes it's only a computer glitch, but other times it's the best mechanical failure or a sensor that's decided to quit its job. The 2016 MDX uses the push-button shifter rather of a conventional lever, which provides another layer associated with electronic complexity to the whole blend.
Common Symptoms You could be Noticing
If that will light is on, you're probably sense a few various other things too. It's rarely just the particular light by itself. Many owners report a few specific manners that usually precede or accompany the warning:
- The "Double Bump": When you're coming to a stop, the car feels like this downshifts twice or even provides you with a little kick in the pants right just before you reach zero MPH.
- Hesitation: You step upon the gas to merge into visitors, and for a split second, nothing happens. Then, the particular car suddenly finds a gear plus lunges forward. It's scary, particularly in large traffic.
- Rough Shifting: Seems less like a luxury SUV and even more just like a teenager understanding to drive a stick shift intended for the first period.
- The Neutral Scare: This is actually the large one. Many people have reported the vehicle taking into neutral all by itself whilst driving. If that happens, the 2016 acura mdx transmission system problem light will almost certainly be staring you in the face.
The Popular Software Update (TSB 15-039)
Believe it or not really, a huge chunk associated with these problems isn't actually mechanical. It's the "brain" associated with the car. Acura released several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) specifically for the 2016 MDX. 1 of the most common fixes intended for that dreaded caution light is a basic software update for the Transmission Control Module (TCM) as well as the PGM-FI system.
The software program that came through the factory was, to put it bluntly, a little bit clunky. It didn't learn how to handle the 9-speed's logic extremely well. Dealers may often flash the pc with the most recent update, which shifts the way the car decides to shift. I've heard from a lot of folks who believed they needed the $6, 000 substitute, only to find out a $150 software patch fixed everything. If your light is on, this is the particular first thing you ought to ask your auto mechanic about.
Is it the Transmission Fluid?
Acura is pretty picky about their fluid. The 2016 MDX needs a very particular type of fluid (ATF 3. 1), plus it's not the cheap stuff you find on the regional big-box store. If the fluid will get too hot or even breaks down, this can trigger receptors that trip the particular warning light.
Because the 9-speed runs a little bit hotter than old transmissions, the liquid can degrade faster than the manual states it will. A lot of MDX fanatics suggest changing the particular transmission fluid every single 30, 000 mls rather than waiting around for the car's "Maintenance Minder" to tell you in order to do it. If you're seeing the light as well as your fluid looks like burnt coffee, a flush may be your saving grace.
The Even worse Case Scenario: Mechanised Failure
I actually hate to become the bearer associated with bad news, but sometimes the light is actually telling the truth. The particular 2016 ZF products have experienced issues with internal seals and clutches. There's furthermore the issue associated with the "warm-up" time period. Some of these transmissions are usually notoriously grumpy when they're cold.
If you've done the software updates and transformed the fluid, but the 2016 acura mdx transmission system problem light keeps coming back again just like a bad former mate, you may be looking with a replacement or a rebuild. Some proprietors have had success getting Acura to cover part of the cost if the vehicle is just outside of the powertrain warranty, but that usually requires a lot of polite (or not-so-polite) talking along with the service supervisor.
What In case you Do Right Today?
If you're reading this while sitting inside your driveway looking at the warning light, here's a quick game program.
Initial, don't panic. Change the car off, wait a minute, and turn it back upon. Sometimes it's a "transient" error—basically a pc hiccup—that clears alone. If the light stays off, you should still get it checked, you could at least inhale just a little.
Following, get an OBDII scanner. You may buy a cheap one for 20 bucks, or simply go to a good AutoZone or O'Reilly's. They'll scan the code for free of charge. You're looking with regard to codes that start with "P, " like P0700 or P0841. Having that code makes you look way more informed once you stroll into the dealership. It prevents them from trying to sell a blinker fluid flush whenever you know the particular issue is a pressure sensor.
Third, check your battery pack. This sounds odd, I know. Yet modern Acuras are basically rolling computers. If your battery pack is old plus not putting away the right volts, the transmission pc is often the first thing to get "confused. " A weak battery may throw all types of phantom codes, including the transmission system problem light.
Final Ideas around the 2016 MDX
The 2016 MDX is in fact a fantastic VEHICLE in almost each other way. It looks great, it's safe, as well as the SH-AWD system is incredible in the snowfall. It's just that will 9-speed transmission that will acts as the "problem child" of the particular family.
Dealing with the particular 2016 acura mdx transmission system problem light is definitely a rite of passing for owners associated with this year. Most of the time, it's an annoying sensor or a software glitch that needs a quick "re-learn" at the store. But even in the event that it's something even more serious, catching it early is the key to not being stranded on the side of the road.
Keep an eye on how the car feels. If this starts shifting such as it's confused, don't wait for the particular light to inform you something will be wrong. Have it directly into a shop, look for those TSBs, and hopefully, you'll be back to smooth sailing without a glowing dashboard staring you lower. In the end, you purchased an Acura intended for the reliability—sometimes the vehicle just needs a little digital nudge to consider that.