AcuraRLX2016Overview/acura/rlx/2016/base/

2016 Acura RLX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 RLX.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Acura RLX is a passenger car equipped with an automatic (S6) transmission and EPA ratings of 20/30/23 mpg, with routine service requiring 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. Across the 20142020 complaint history, the 2016 model year generated only four owner complaints—far below the 83 recorded for 2014—with steering flagged as the top complaint area and zero recalls issued. That low-complaint profile places the 2016 model among the most reliable years in the RLX’s production span, part of a broader pattern that saw complaints drop to a low of two by 2020.

Model year202020182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/30/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/40R19 W/TECH, ADVANCED PKG, U.S. TECH AUDIOOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.5 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight4365 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 30 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RLX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.9–5.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.90 sec — 2018 Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Advance Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014Advance Package 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec310 hpFWD
2014Advance Package 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec310 hpFWD
2014Advance Package 3.5L V65.90 sec14.40 sec310 hpFWD
2018Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.1-kWh4.90 sec13.60 sec377 hpAWD
2018Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.1-kWh4.90 sec13.60 sec377 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Acura All Wheel Drive Fluid in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilAcura All Wheel Drive Fluid
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.0-4.8
Engine CoolantUse Honda Type 2 anti-freeze/coolant,
Engine Coolant Capacity8.5 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidHonda part number 082069002

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630-730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)900-1000 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap1.0 - 1.1 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.25 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.95-1.10 lbs
Oil TypeDENSO ND-OIL 11

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)57-64 psi
Engine Compression135 min psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 26 /; Front: 37; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101; Rear: 80 /; Front: 101; Rear: 80
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.063 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .315
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .315

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Acura RLX sits in a notably stable middle of its generation's federal record, well past the volatile 2014 launch year that generated 83 complaints and 5 recalls, and showing continued improvement over the already-cleaner 2015 model (11 complaints, 3 recalls). Complaints had collapsed to just 4, no recalls were issued for the target year, and the 2 open investigations had been carried over unchanged from prior model years rather than being newly opened against 2016 — a sign the platform's known issues were already on regulators' radar. Technical Service Bulletins were still flowing at 97 for 2016, but the downward trajectory across the generation (188 → 157 → 97 → 50 → 21 → 15 → 10) suggests Acura was systematically addressing the early-build gremlins rather than letting them persist. The four complaint areas tied at a single report each (Steering, Electrical System/Structure, Suspension/Wheels, Air Bags) point to no concentrated failure mode, and the lone crash complaint with zero fire reports is reassuring. The data doesn't specify root causes for these isolated filings, but the pattern indicates the 2016 is a meaningfully better bet than the 2014 launch-year cars and essentially on par with the 2017. As a used buy, the 2016 model year represents a strong value position in the RLX generation — most of the early teething problems are behind it, recall exposure is zero, and the single-digit complaint count compares favorably with most luxury sedans of the era.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
97
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Steering1
Electrical System,Structure1
Suspension,Wheels,Unknown Or Other1
Air Bags,Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 97 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B16-0082024-09-04EngineService Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area…
ONL6R5082120232023-08-21SteeringWarranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the…
ONL6R5071420232023-07-14SteeringOwner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from…
BBOM060920239012023-06-09SteeringDealer Message - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear…
B23-0222023-06-09SteeringService Bulletin - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RLX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 RLX take?

4.5 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 RLX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RLX get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined mpg.