Acura TSX - Interior

carguy000

I'm concerned by something that manavi pointed out. I didn't realize that using less than premium might damage one's engine. I was under the impression that it would just reduce performance, and possibly gas mileage.

manavi

It's on page 152 of the TSX owner's manual.

lb55

I'm a prospective buyer, love everything about the car, but got spooked by the November, 2004 Consumer Report's comment that "some drivers needed more lower-back support". Since I have lower-back problems and a test-drive doesn't allow for a decent evaluation, is there an owner out there with a weak back that can supply some commentary on this issue?

Thanks.

johnny420

The TSX's seats are both the most supportive and the best seats overall of any car I've owned. Not quite sure what CR is referring to, but the seats are very good. They are firm, but they're very well-shaped and supportive.

Johnny

celine

I was not aware of the CR caveat on lower back dis-comfort. Nice to know I am not the only one. Spent a lot of time fiddling with the power seat adjustment before sticking a small pillow back there. LB pain ensued within ten minutes of every ride. Did not find the answer in the car's lumbar support tab. Dis-concerting because I love everything else about this car--but the prospect of back pain (which I'd never experienced before) every drive was a bummer. Recently have removed the pillow and re-fiddled with the seat settings with some improvement. It's an ongoing project. Other car is a 94 Camry and those ole fabrics are comfortable as hell by comparison.

jkobty2

The reason for lower back support issue is that you cannot raise the bottom portion of the seat vertically with respect to the back portion of the seat. The entire seat moves up or down. although they have lumbar support, if you are an average build, the lumbar support will be in the middle or higher of your back instead of near the bottom of your back. I have lower back pain too, and that is the first issue I noticed sitting in this car. But it is for my wife, and her back is just fine.

marc10

I want to buy oem fog lights for my tsx, so I can saver on the dealer costs. How much do they cost to install at a dealership and privately, and how do they put the fog light switch into the car? Will in the on side of the wheel or below near the stability control?

flicmod

I bought fog lights for my TSX. I was going to have my dad install them since he's a mechanic, but he never installed any fog lights on a TSX or any Acura before, so I had the dealer install them. I think the price total was pretty close to $500 if not slightly over. I think the lights themselves cost around $420 or so. The switch for it is mounted on the left stem on the steering wheel column for the other lights. It's basically a circular piece around that stem that you twist to turn on and off.

Good point about the oil pipe lines. Most people probably never realize that all oil companies provide the same oil and gas, let alone how many pipelines it would take to accomodate each oil company.

meg9713

Is the Parchment hard to keep clean?

indybob

Have Black with Parchment TSX non Navi Auto purchased in January. Interior not hard to keep clean. On seats buy some Meguiers leather wipes that really work great. Have had some spots on carpet, but regular carpet cleaner works. Agreed that Parchment interior looks better than any of the black or grey interiors, but only think it looks good on black or white, not crazy about the red available.

frisconick

I prefer a low-gloss finish too, thanks for the info.

tcwat

Got the cargo nets on my TSX and am a bit unsure of how useful they are. It's nice put put a small bag of groceries in the net itself but I am use to using the net to keep stuff from sliding forward. If I put, say, a box between the net and the bumper, the box can slide under the net. Anyway to make the net more secure at the bottom?

saruhhh

I too got the useless cargo net. An expensive piece of junk. I just have a locking lid Rubbermaid tub that I let float around the trunk. I don't know of a way to make the net more secure at the bottom.

rko2

I have a tub in my trunk too, and I pin it to the side with a bungee cord. You can clip it to the middle side clip and the rear side clip, and it will keep the tub in one spot. It works pretty well and can secure other things as well.

dianka555

Hello,
I'm new to the forum, and not sure if I'm posting in the right place, but I had a question for the TSX owners...
I'm considering the car, and like almost everything about it. But, was wondering about the seats. It doesn't have bucket seats but sports seats. I don't think it's a problem in short distances, but I was wondering if in long distances the sports seats are still comfortable? Currently I drive a car w/ bucket seats.

Thanks in advance!

indybob

Dianka555,

Purchased an '05 TSX auto for my wife over a year ago and IMO the seats are a little firm, but comfortable. Longest trip was Indy to Knoxville, TN and found little difference between TSX seats and those on my '02 Bonneville SLE. I think it's just terminology of sports seats vs bucket seats.

dianka555

Thank you very much...

derekg

there are no directions, and it doesn't make sense. Can anyone help? I carry sporting equipment in my trunk, so the net is a necessity. Thanks!

johnny420

I can't link it directly, but go to hondaacuraworld dot com. They have downloadable PDF instructions for all add on TSX pieces. Once you get to the Honda/Acura parts page, click on "Instructions" at the top of the page and you'll find it there under TSX.

gjustus

I got my 2006 TSX at the beginning of February. It only has 3400 miles. I am very particular about my material possessions; therefore, I have been very careful with my car. I noticed some scrapes on the driver's side seat. It is on the part of the seat that I call the wing. I'm not sure if that is what it is called. It is on the wing closest to the door. My best guess is that a button on one of my pants must have caused the scrapes. Also, there are a couple of worn places on the seat where my back and posterior touch the seat. Again, these could have been caused by a button on my pants. Regardless, I don't feel with so few miles the seat should be so delicate that it should have scrapes on it or it should look worn. Does any think I have any hope of having this issue remedied by Acura?

Thanks

Glen

johnny420

Those "wings" are called bolsters, and since what you described is normal wear, I doubt there's much Acura will do about it. Leather wears in such a way that's it's not always going to look brand new. That's just the nature of the beast.

Really, it's a niggling issue. Perhaps you can just chalk it up to normal wear and tear and get on with enjoying your car.

sjonesrones

On the driver's seat of my '04 TSX, I have been noticing that the "high traffic" leather surfaces are wearing and discoloring. Specifically, the left side bolsters and left-most edges of the seat are turning a light blue color (esp. noticeable with the parchment leather). These are the surfaces that are rubbed each time I enter and exit the vehicle.

I'm willing to accept a measure of wear, however I think this might be a quality of materials issue. Here's why (bear with me): there is a seam on the left edge of the lower seat that joins two pieces of leather together. One piece of leather is wearing/discoloring, the other is fine. Both see the same level of wear as I enter and exit the car. Same deal on the left bolster. My hypothesis (and I'm by no means an interior materials expert): one piece of leather is meant for high traffic. The other isn't rated for high traffic (rather for looks). Acura didn't anticipate the need for a more wear proof material on the side of the seat.

Is anyone experiencing a similar wear pattern?

P.S. -- the car has been outstanding otherwise. I'd get another one even if Acura goofed on this minor point.

Thanks

dottie2

We have and 05 TSX and have just noticed the blue discoloration. The dealer said it was wear, but that can't be right. The bluish color is on both sides, and there is hardly every anyone in the passenger seat. Besides, the car is only a year and a half old! It's an Acura. I expect more than that. Have you contacted the dealer?
I'll be interested in a response.

sjonesrones

I ran it by one of the Service Advisors when I took it in for an oil change/rotation. He said that it might be due to a leather jacket (which I have) rubbing on the edges of the seat. I did some research, and found that clothing leather is pretty colorfast. Ditto for jeans -- which I've heard that some dealers cite as a cause of the discoloration.

I've seen some pretty old cars (ex. 1980 M-B 200D) with light leather interiors and none of them show this kind of blue discoloration.

Check you vehicle to see if my theory bears out (i.e. seating surface leather is more resistant to bluing than the leather that covers the outside edge of the seat and bolster).

Let me know what you find. If it's a similar situation, we may be able to elevate this to Honda/Acura for resolution.

clove

Can those of you that have the gray or the Black Leather tell me how they are wearing??
We live in Colorado and I park in a garage and under shade at work (of course grocery shopping is another thing) -- will be getting the tint on the windows.
I have a 14 month old baby as well to add in to the factor.
We have had two cars with tan leather and I know about the wear and the black marks that never come out in the creases.

pat

clove, "Acura TSX - Audio" #84, 28 Aug 2006 11:06 am

mrgold35

I have the 06 TSX with quartz and so far it has been very easy to keep clean. The only problem I have is my 8 year old son jacking up the back seat. I purchased the all weather mats mainly because of him and he is “banned for life” for eating, drinking, coloring, chewing gum, and touching the windows with his hands. My 97 Accord is too far gone in the back seat because of him just being a kid.

If you condition the seats a couple of times a month that will go a long way toward delaying wear marks and staining. You have to start conditioning before you get wear/tear on the seats.

dmaccioc

I know this is probably random, but I was conditioning the leather on my now 3-week old CG TSX with Ebony interior, and I noticed that light reflects off of just about all of the holes in the perforated portion of the seat. Has anyone else noted this? Is this "sparkle" effect intentional or just a by-product of the perforation? I'm sure it's the latter, but this vehicle is so chock-full-o-feature-content that I wouldn't put it past Acura to think about such a minute detail! =)

I also decided today that I hate the hooks for the driver's floormat, such a pain to dislodge it when cleaning. But, other than that, everything is gravy.

ellen4

I have a 2004 TSX with a light tan interior. I noticed that my drivers side seat has a bluish discoloration too. I drive with a grey seat wedge that covers the seat. I thought that the discoloration might be due to that. However after reading your post, I'm having second thoughts.

acuratsx06

Also have a '06 CG TSX since April and noticed the same sparkle, especially on front pass seat -- has reduced over time. Ditto on mat hooks.