2005 Acura MDX

2011-11-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

Did a solid for a friend to pull the boat from the sold property to a safe haven. The boat trailer was dilapidated and unlicensed, hence the car hauler.

Added bug deflector

2011-06-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Bought it here

It's made in Canada, eh?

Found it using recommendations from Tim at MDXers.org forum. It's a lower profile and better looking than the Acura one, plus it's easy to take off for cleaning or changing the look.

the car's anniversary is January

2011-01-28T00:10:00.000-08:00

Final milage for the year, 104, 340.

Beginning mileage, 82,680

Got the timing belt, water pump, spark plugs at 103,500. I asked about valve adjustment and my service advisor said they normally wait until 120,000 to inspect valves for adjustment. He said if you can't hear anything, they do not need adjusting.

One of several blizzards I drove through with ease.

Eleven months and 19,500 miles later

2010-12-21T16:37:00.000-08:00

Not bad mileage for being stuck here.

Just finished clay bar and carnauba wax.

Accessories added

some new, some used

some of these are links

OEM Running boards

OEM hitch package w/ aux coolers

P/S in-line filter

Transmission in-line filter

WeatherTech window deflectors

WeatherTech sunroof deflector

WeatherTech Floorliners F & R

DashMat

Aux on-dash audio jack

Updated NAV disc & software

BatteryMinder trickle charger

Fire Extinguisher

Full size spare

30% tint all around
Deer whistles

EZ Pass transponder

Factory maintenance schedule back on track

Coming up on timing belt R & R

Painting the calipers

2010-11-11T18:22:00.001-08:00

electric drill with wire brush works better than spray cleaner

update

2010-08-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

97,000 miles with the only problem being a broken vent register.

Short ram air induction

2010-04-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

I put it on one day and took it off the next. I had a wild hair to get one, don't ask me why.

The biggest question asked, why would one discard a highly engineered cold air induction for a short ram hot air induction. Because one is an idiot.
It was not obvious to me, at first, that the new set up is susceptible to moisture intrusion, especially when driving in heavy rain. Also, whether it's raining or not, it would be sucking hot air from the engine bay.

Back to OEM

Oh well, got it out of my system

Transmission and Power Steering Filters

2010-03-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

There is not a prerequisite to having auxiliary power steering and transmission coolers. The OEM coolers built into the radiator provide rubber return lines with enough space to fit the Magnefine auxiliary filters in-line.

Power steering filter Transmission filter

They are both easy to install. Cut the return line mid way from the cooler outlet, insert the filter with hose clamps.

The power steering line is readily accessible from the top of the engine bay behind the headlight.

To get to the transmission cooler line, remove the splash guard. It is held in place by 14 push pins. The return line is on the driver's side with plenty of room.

The new version of the power steering fluid filter. Much better, has a 30,000 mile service window vs
10,000 miles and can be taken apart and cleaned vs replacing

Steering Wheel Cover

2010-03-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

I have used Wheelskin steering wheel covers since the early 80's. I put them on every car I have owned, every company car and several friend's cars. Wheelskins are the only ones I have found that have a single seam and have hemmed prepunched stitching holes.

I get an extra needle which allows a baseball stitch.

The car is turned off and steering wheel locked in place. Put the cover on to center the seam. Leave the keys in as you will be starting the car to move the steering wheel as yo go around the spokes. the straight line sewing is best done at the 6:00 position and going around the spokes at the 10:00 position.

I was getting blisters pulling the lines tight over my fingers, hence altered gloves

Use two needles

Unwind the spool to prevent knotting

The excess has a tendency to get tangled. I let one end fall to the left outside the car and the other to the right in the passenger seat and console. The excess will get tangled around the gear shift and column levers.

Always insert the needle from the inside to outside until the end hole

Start 1st needle Start 2nd needle

pull tight

Go around the spoke

on the other side of the spoke, lace loosely for 4 or 5 holes Pull tight and continue lacing 4 to 5 holes at a time loosely then pulling tight, 4 to 5 holes, pull tight back to start

At the end, go past the start point one hole and reverse direction and instead of going in from the inside go in through the outside. The line will meet in the middle

pull very tight and tie off with square knot, cut off ends and stuff knot inside with the dull end of the needle

Other covers I've done

The photos are all from 2010

The Ranchero 4-layer cover started in 2000 with the fourth layer put on in 2004. It's like holding the handle of a leather covered baseball bat.

The Gran Prix, a double overlay, 12 years old. I gave the car away, but took off the cover to uncover the pristine one underneath.

I had added padding to the 2nd layer.

The padding is noticeable versus the double layer without padding like the Caddy, the latter with no give, the former with a slight squishy cover. The most comfortable is the 4-layer on the Ranchero.

The Alfa Romero Spyder cover from 1996, Lexus LS400 cover from 1995, old truck cover in 2005.

I was going to take it to a truck stop in Albuquerque to see if I could interest any truck drivers but I never went and now it just sits around collecting dust. Can't bring myself to throw it away. I would have had to charge a C-note to make it worthwhile. The cover alone cost $65. One of these days I will wander down to a truck stop and carry it around to see if anyone notices it.

Out with the Eldorado, in with the MDX

2010-03-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

at the Lowther's, Beckley, WV February 2010

On the way to Lexington got caught by snow storm and waylaid in Beckley.

Jacobson Park, Lexington, KY Jan 2010

The day after I bought it, drove from Carlisle, PA to Lexington, KY.

The clear bug shield had to go.

PITA to clean the underside of it.

This is the car the MDX replaced

Facing south on northbound I-295 on the James River Bridge

The bridge is a beauty

The luggage flew out of the trailer landing down there

After the wreck, Zac and I were stuck in this traffic for 8 hours

The DC beltway 2am, cruisin' in light traffic.

At one point we were the only vehicle in sight in both directions.

2010-03-03T08:57:00.000-08:00