EXHAUST SYSTEM
A low-restriction, high-flow exhaust system is crucial to efficient
power and torque production. The 2003 MDX features a new
high
efficiency system that incorporates several key elements that
work in
concert with the engine's uniquely designed cylinder heads to
help
boost performance, reduce tailpipe emissions and trim weight.
Major
system components include two close-coupled catalytic
converters, a
secondary underfloor catalytic converter, a centrally positioned,
high-flow resonator and a silencer. The close coupled catalytic
converters provide almost double the surface opening of the
single
underfloor unit they replace and mount directly to the cylinder
head
to reduce light off time, thereby allowing the catalyst to begin
cleansing the exhaust as soon possible. This new converter
layout and
an increase in the diameter of the exhaust pipes located after the
converter lowers exhaust back pressure by 40 percent, helping
to
generate the extra 20 horsepower produced by the 2003 MDX
engine.The
catalysts, muffling element, and piping are all sized for high flow
and low restriction. High-chromium stainless steel is used
throughout
the exhaust system for excellent durability. The twin exhaust
outlets
are polished for an attractive appearance.
DIRECT IGNITION SYSTEM AND KNOCK CONTROL
Maintaining the correct ignition timing throughout all operating
conditions is essential to producing maximum power, using fuel
efficiently and minimizing emissions. A powertrain control
module
(PCM) examines various engine functions as well as a
block-mounted
acoustic knock sensor to determine optimum ignition timing. In
the
event the engine is supplied with fuel lower in octane than the
specified unleaded premium, the PCM retards ignition timing as
needed
to forestall detonation. As a result, the engine constantly
operates
at the point of peak efficiency. Spark is supplied to
platinum-tipped, long-life spark plugs by six coil units positioned
directly over the plugs in the cylinder-head access bores.
105,000 MILE TUNE-UP INTERVALS
Before 105,000 miles of driving, the only maintenance necessary
is
routine inspections and fluid and filter changes. At 105,000
miles,
the valves should be adjusted, the timing belt should be
replaced,
the water pump should be inspected and the iridium-tipped
spark plugs
should be replaced.
5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
The 2003 MDX features an all-new compact 5-speed automatic
transmission that utilizes a new 4-shaft design layout. This new
layout relocates the third gear clutch from the countershaft to a
new
transmission shaft. The combination of the new layout and the
adoption of a super flat torque converter allowed engineers to
reduce
the overall transmission length by 60 mm while increasing
torque
capacity to match the more powerful engine. The shape of the
differential gear and the shape of the oil sump have been
changed to
reduce the collection of oil in the pan and separate the oil from
the
gears. This reduction in friction improves efficiency, thereby
boosting performance.
A lock-up torque converter is provided to maximize fuel efficiency. Torque-converter lock-up and shift timing are both managed by a 32-bit, 40-MHzf PGM-F I CPU that maintains a communications link with the engine's CPU. Gear and clutch materials and the transaxle case itself are all engineered to support towing, off-road driving, and 4-wheel-drive use.
This unit's design utilizes extra-wide gear ratios, which enhance low-speed pulling capability, fuel economy and the ability to cruise quietly on the highway. Creative use of clutched idler gears permits the transaxle to provide five forward speeds with little more weight or bulk than a typical four-speed automatic. A one-way clutch is provided for first gear to smooth upshift quality. An ext'ra-capacity transmission fluid cooler is offered with the MDX's optional tow package to maintain acceptable lubricant temperatures during heavy-load conditions.
A direct-control strategy provides real-time pressure management of the transmission's clutches. Various safety and control strategies coordinate engine and transmission operation. For example, driveline shocks during up- or downshifts are minimized by momentarily reducing engine torque during the shift. In neutral and park, engine rpm is automatically limited to 5000 rpm.
For driving through hilly terrain, a Grade Logic Control system monitors throttle position, vehicle speed, acceleration and deceleration to avoid hunting and excessive shifting. A lower gear is held for a longer-than-normal period to provide better climbing ability on hills and more engine braking on downhill grades.
VARIABLE TORQUE MANAGEMENT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE
(VTM-4') SYSTEM
After studying various all-wheel- and four-wheel-drive systems
offered by the wide variety of SUVs on the market today, MDX
engineers concluded that virtually every one had functional
shortcomings and was undesirably bulky and heavy. The direct
result
of that research was the creation of an innovative system that
automatically and proactively distributes torque to all four wheels
as needed. Called Variable Torque Management 4-wheel-drive
(VTM-4'),
this new system provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement
cruising
conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed to improve
stability or maneuverability. Unlike many competitive systems
that
use an engagement strategy triggered by wheel slippage, the
MDX's
VTM-4 system anticipates the need for all-wheel drive and
engages the
rear wheels before slippage begins.
For 2003, system mapping was modified to redistribute up to 30 percent more torque to the rear for improved performance, especially on low friction surfaces. In addition, the new VSA system provides a limited-slip differential effect by applying braking force to a slipping front wheel thereby directing driving force to the wheel with more grip.
Another special feature is a lock button, which temporarily holds engagement of the rear wheels to aid extraction from a slippery ditch or a snow bank.
To avoid the weight and bulk of a conventional transfer case, VTM-4's torque transfer unit is a compact cast-aluminum housing bolted directly to MDX's transaxle. Since this vehicle is engineered for medium-duty off-road capability, the transfer case is a single-speed permanently-engaged device without a low-range. Attached to the front wheel differential's ring gear is a helical gear that provides input torque to the transfer unit. A short horizontal shaft and a hypoid gear set within the case turn the drive ninety degrees, move it to the vehicle center line, and lower its axis by approximately 3.75-inches.
PROPELLER SHAFT AND HALF-SHAFTS
The two-piece propeller shaft that carries drive torque from the
transfer case to the rear-drive unit is made of high-strength steel
tubing to permit a smaller diameter, thereby improving both
ground
clearance and interior room. The cross yokes attached at each
end by
friction welding are forged steel for high strength and low weight.
The center support bearing is rubber isolated to block the
transmission of driveline noise from the interior of the vehicle. A
low-friction plunger joint located near the center of the propeller
shaft accommodates relative motion between front- and
rear-mounted
driveline components. A tuned-mass damper inside the front
portion of
the propeller shaft cancels any bending tendency in response to
powertrain vibrations.
Equal-length, front-wheel half-shafts have a plunger joint at their inboard end and a ball-type universal joint at the wheel end. Rear half-shafts are similar in design but use a double-offset joint at the inboard end and a ball joint at the outboard end. All universal joints are constant-velocity type.
REAR AXLE DRIVE UNIT
The MDX's rear final-drive unit does not use a conventional
differential. Instead, a hypoid ring-and-pinion gear set supported
by
a cast-aluminum housing switches torque from the propeller
shaft's
longitudinal orientation to the lateral orientation necessary to
drive the rear wheels. Surface grinding the ring and pinion gear
teeth yields the quiet operation expected of a luxury SUV wearing
an
Acura nameplate.
A connection from the ring gear to each wheel's half-shaft is made by left- and right-side clutches. Each drive clutch consists of three elements: an electromagnetic coil, a ball-cam device, and a set of 19 wet clutch plates which are similar in design to clutches used in an automatic transmission. Ten of the plates are splined (mechanically connected) to the ring gear while nine of the plates are splined to a half shaft. Left and right clutches are identical.
The VTM-4 system's electronic control unit (ECU) determines torque which is to be distributed to the rear wheels, then electric current is sent to the two electromagnetic coils. The resulting magnetic field moves a rotating steel plate toward each fixed coil. Friction between that steel plate and an adjoining cam plate causes the cam plate to begin turning. As it does, three balls per clutch roll up curved ramps, creating an axial thrust against a clutch-engagement plate. This thrust force compresses the wet clutch plates, thereby engaging drive to the corresponding rear wheel.
Unlike mechanically actuated four-wheel drive systems, the VTM-4 system is infinitely variable. The amount of torque provided to the rear wheels is directly proportional to the electric current sent from the ECU and can be adjusted from zero to a preset maximum. This current constantly changes to deliver the optimum rear torque calculated by the ECU. An internal gear pump circulates VTM-4 fluid to cool and lubricate the clutches, bearings, and gears within the rear drive unit. Use of high-strength, low-weight materials - such as die-cast aluminum for the housing - minimizes the bulk and weight of this hardware. In fact, the weight of the entire all-wheel-drive system is about 212-pounds, only two-thirds the weight of comparable equipment carried by the Mercedes-Benz ML320.
There are three distinct modes of VTM-4 engagement. The first - called the acceleration torque control (ATC) mode - is unique to this system. It works even on dry pavement to distribute driving torque to all four wheels as the MDX accelerates from a stop to cruising speed. One notable benefit of this mode is that traction is immediately available to move the vehicle from rest through a slippery intersection before slippage occurs. (Once a wheel slips, the traction available for forward propulsion and lateral restraint is significantly diminished.) A second advantage is that apportioning drive torque among all four wheels greatly diminishes the likelihood of torque steer. Handling dynamics are also improved. Reducing the propulsive force carried by the front tires leaves more adhesion for steering the vehicle into a tight bend or for holding cornering arc in the middle of a turn. In other words, the MDX's dynamic balance is greatly enhanced by ATC logic.
Rear wheel torque rises smoothly from zero to the maximum setting in proportion to vehicle acceleration (both forward and reverse). At higher speeds, the front wheels are capable of providing the desired thrust with excellent handling so torque delivered to the rear wheels automatically diminishes with speed. While cruising, all driving torque is delivered by the front wheels in the interests of smoothness, quietness, and fuel efficiency.
The second engagement mode uses wheel slippage control logic. If the difference in rotational speed between front and rear wheels rises because of a slippery surface or poor traction at the front of the vehicle, that condition is detected by wheel-speed sensors which are monitored by VTM-4's ECU. In response, the ECU commands an increasing amount of torque for the rear wheels. Torque is proportional to both slip rate and the rate at which the slip rate is increasing. This operation is similar to conventional slip-based all-wheel-drive systems already on the market.
The third mode of all-wheel-drive engagement activates when the driver taps a lock button mounted on the instrument panel. The maximum amount of rear-drive torque is locked in until the vehicle gets moving and exceeds six mph, at which time rear drive torque is gradually diminished. By 18 mph, the lock mode is fully disengaged. When vehicle speed drops below 18 mph, the lock mode automatically reengages. The shift lever must be in the first, second, or reverse-gear position to use the lock mode.
The maximum torque del - 31 degrees (60-percent slope) - with a two-passenger load on board. The MDX will also move from rest up a 28-degree (53-percent slope) dirt grade. On a split-friction grade (different amounts of traction at each wheel), VTM-4 automatically provides sufficient rear-wheel torque to help the vehicle climb a steep, slippery driveway to enter a garage.