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Acura TSX Maintenance and Repair

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  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Let's hope the solution is just using premium fuel, because rattles are notoriously difficult to fix, and can really spoil the new car experience (as a TL owner, I know that all too well! :sick: )

    Otherwise, how do you like the new TSX? You find the power and torque from the 4 cyl motor sufficient?

    Cheers.
  • stones3131stones3131 Member Posts: 21
    I love the new TSX. I fell in love with the body style and the interior has all the little gadgets I like to use. The seats are very comfy...
  • stones3131stones3131 Member Posts: 21
    Also, should I try buying one of those octane boost things from Pep Boys or something?
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    I own a 06 MT tsx, bought new 11/17/06. It now has 55,000+problem, rattle free miles on it. I use 87 octane gas, get excellent gas mileage. When I take my car to the dealer for service I get complimented on how well the car is maintained.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Personally, I don't trust any of that fuel additives.
  • biker4biker4 Member Posts: 746
    It's either a "rattle" in which case it's not the fuel you are using or it's engine "pinging" (which you may think is a rattle) in which case it's very likely that it is gas related. I would think an honest tech would know the diff right away. Even if it is engine "pinging" from using regular gas there might be an issue with the engine ECU - it should be able to compensate for lower grade fuel to prevent the pinging.
  • stones3131stones3131 Member Posts: 21
    I am replying to my own thread and it's now been over a month since my original post and sure enough I still hear this rattle. I went to another dealership to get a second opinion. Truth be told, the first two full ups of gas I had was used with 87 octane, but the three fill ups since have all been premium. I went to another Acura dealership and the tech drove my car and he heard the rattle, then he drove the two "loaner" TSX's and he heard the same sound in them. He said it could very well be a characteristic of the car. I too drove one of the "loaners" and kinda/sorta heard the sound.

    Is this really a characteristic of the '09 TSX? Will the rattle eventually go away as I keep putting premium gas in? If this is truly a characteristic of the car I'm wondering why other people are posting...
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I have used nothing but premium gas in my '04 TL, and under load, it still pings slightly. It's not enough to bother me, and I have to listen for it, but it's there. So maybe it is a characteristic of Honda engines.
  • tblazer503tblazer503 Member Posts: 620
    turn up the stereo... you have 400 watts of power there... =o)

    all kidding aside, i'm not sure why you would put 87 octane in a car that has an 11:1 (10.5?) compression ratio... yes, you can probably get away with it, but it's also a good way for the dealership to void your warranty IMO. it's ~$3 per tank difference (@ 20mpg, that's $.01 per mile difference), and while the engine management MAY be able to compensate for most of the problems, there is no way for your ECU to adjust the compression ratio of the motor.

    I guess for some people it's worth saving maybe $150 a year in gas(at one tank per week) on a 30k car.
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    We previously owned two cars with turbo engines-91 mazda mx-6 gt and a 98 eagle talon tsi-awd. They both recommended (not required) premium gas. We used regular gas-no problems. The 91 mazda had over 250,000 miles and the talon had over 100,000 miles when we sold them. They both had the original engine, turbo, clutch, transmission and ran excellent. We use regular gas on our 06 tsx, bought new 11/17/06. We have all of it's service done at acura dealers. They have complimented us on well maintained our car is. Our warranty was never voided it just ran out when it was 18 months old (50,000 miles). We now have just over 60,000 problem free miles.
  • LadyKTLadyKT Member Posts: 1
    So I bought a used 2004 tsx a few weeks ago...didn't notice anything particularly wrong with it, until I took it to the car wash yesterday. The wiring that hooks into the center rearview mirror came loose and now my instrument panel, windows and turn signals do not work. It looks as though it could be as simple as figuring out with of the three sections of wiring goes to what plug, but that's the whole issue. I can't tell what section of wiring goes where. For all I know it might also be something that the previous owner messed up. If anyone could possibly help me, it would be very appreciated! I'm taking the car to the mechanic later but just figured i'd ask around first so I could avoid the trip. Thanks a lot for any help that can be given!
  • SweetRiSweetRi Member Posts: 4
    Hi,
    I own a 2004 tsx and I've been experiencing a very odd problem. This first occured maybe about 1 month ago....I was driving down the road and kept noticing a flash in the corner of my eye...I didn't notice anything really and assumed it was the sun rays reflecting off the dash...
    This event kept repeating itself until one day I looked and DID notice something: my dash board lights were completetly shut off!! The odd thing is that my music was still playing..
    When I mean dash board I mean the whole center console that contains : Clock (very top), radio and temperature adjustments.
    everything just...shut off. I tried adjusting my contrast but it was already at MAX and my driver-side dashboard was still on. (guages)
    I also tried turning off my car and back on...nothing.
    The light eventually came back on but ever since this has been happening...it shuts off, then comes back on...sometimes it last 10 seconds, sometimes up to 10 minutes...
    I have studied it and found no relation between this problem and...the temperature in the car,or bumps on the road, or the time I had been driving the car for...not relation what so ever.
    It just happens at random times.

    Can anyone help??? I'm afraid this one of those problems that will cost me an arm and leg because no one will know what it is and the dealership will spend hours trying to figure out and charge me for it!

    Help? :(
  • ninjaguyninjaguy Member Posts: 21
    Acura released Service Bulletin 04-021 on 1/23/2007 (supersedes version dated 2/15/2006) that explains what to replace and extends the warranty on the audio/HVAC display to 7 years / 100,000 miles. You should have received a notice in the mail.
  • SweetRiSweetRi Member Posts: 4
    THANKS!!!! I went to dealership and had it fixed for free!! :)
    All they did is change a module in the center console, took them about an hour and a half, WHAT A RELIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):)

    Thanks a lot!!! :):):):)
  • senseless1senseless1 Member Posts: 16
    With the exception of oil changes and air filters, I haven't done any routine maintenance to my '06 TSX. I read the manual, but couldn't find a mileage chart for suggested maintenance.

    Should I just wait for the dashboard reminders to pop up?
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    I folow the maintenance minder on my 06 tsx- (not by mileage) I now have 76,000 miles onn it.
  • climbergraceclimbergrace Member Posts: 1
    Normally, I leave my sunroof cover open to get the light in. Lately, I have noticed there is a lot of wind noise coming in when I am going over 40. It basically sounds like a window is cracked open a little bit. When I close the cover, the sound goes away. Any one else having this problem? Any ideas what I can do to fix it?

    Thanks!
  • oilcoguyoilcoguy Member Posts: 1
    I purchased the TSX in Feb of 09. Shortly then after heard a rattle/pinking from the engine area. When I returned to the dealership they told me it was bad gas and suggested to use Mobil premium. ( I work for a major Oil Company,and know my gasoline. I have been using 92/92 octane.) But I went along with there suggestion just to help eliminate any possibilities. After three tank full of Exxon/Mobil premium 93 octane the noise continue. I again returned to the dealer. They then suspected the exhaust piping that connected to the manifold and replaced the piping and gasket. The noise continued. I contacted the Acura customer service center. They stated that they would work with the dealer ship to help resolve this issue. According to Acura, (you'll enjoy this) "no one else has complained about the noise." After many phone calls back and forth I was told that the noise is normal for this vehicle. They had me drive 2 loaner cars. One made the noise the other did not. I took the car to my mechanic who is a former Honda certified mechanic. He believes the noise could be coming from the torque converter. Honda had problems in the past with a rattle coming from the torque converter.
    There was no fix for the rattle. :D
  • romicvaromicva Member Posts: 6
    check this out - engine pinging

    http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=684180
  • bluejetta02bluejetta02 Member Posts: 3
    I test drove a 2007 TSX over the weekend. I noticed the driver's seat leather looked very worn and cracked. I asked the salesman about it and he said all TSX's after 2006 are known to have the problem of the leather cracking or becoming worn.

    Any of you noticed this in your TSX? Is this a common problem?

    Thanks
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    did you look at other 07 tsx's. Sounds like b.s. to me. If they were properly maintained they should not be that worn or cracked.
  • peterb12peterb12 Member Posts: 3
    This is the same TSX that the guy wants the rip-off price of $26.6 k for a non-certified car with 25k miles for? You're being lied to in several ways, then. If the leather is cracking, then it wasn't properly maintained. And I gotta wonder about a car dealer who is willing to slag off his own product just to move a crappy used car for way too much money. My response to "All TSXs after 2006 have a leather cracking problem" would be something like "Gee, I guess I don't want to buy an Acura, then."

    The problem here isn't the car, or Acura. The problem is the dealer.

    It never pays to take stuff like this personally, but the guy has obviously identified you as a sucker. He's suckering you on price, and now he's suckering you on the condition of the car. Here's what I would do:

    (1) Do research on Edmunds and elsewhere and try to come up with what you think the car should actually cost. Remember to evaluate the condition of the car accurately: factor in things like the crappy seats.
    (2) That number needs to reflect what the CAR should cost, not what you think you can afford.
    (3) Contact several dealers on the internet asking for offers on a comparable car.
    (4) If you like, contact the sales manager at this dealership. Tell him you're not happy with your interaction with the sales guy, and that you've decided to buy your car elsewhere, but you'll give them one more chance to earn your business, by accepting an offer on car X and (price you have determined in advance), take it or leave it. If he says no, say "Have a nice day" and give up on that dealership.

    From what I can tell, Edmunds says that a 2007 Acura in "Average" condition with 25,000 miles should be about $20,700 in dealer retail. No wonder the salesman is willing to slag off his product. He'd pocket an additional $6k of pure profit off of your ignorance.

    Best of luck.
  • ramstein317ramstein317 Member Posts: 47
    Hi All!
    I have a 2008 tsx, with navi with about 34,100 miles on it. Only services that I have been doing is Acura Oil Changes, and non Acura- Wheel balancing, Tire Rotation, and Allignment. I want to know what kind of filters do I have to change at this point, and how? I haven't changed any filters except when the car goes for the oil filter changes for engine oil service. How can I change the filters, if I wanted to do it on my own? Thanks!
  • armishanksarmishanks Member Posts: 14
    Well, you should look at changing your air filter and your cabin air filter. Your manual has the info, and www.acurazine.com has some good DIY posts on how to save money ordering and installing both.
  • 326326 Member Posts: 8
    I just bought a 09 TSX (slightly used - 13k miles) from an Acura Dealer. It is White. On the body, just below the rear doors (rear corner) is a small piece of clear protective tape (about 1" wide x 7" long and, very similar to the factory accessory called "Door Edge Guards").

    It is really noticeable when the car is dirty... as it tends to collect dirt at the point where the tape meets the car and that dirt being BLACK... it ends up looking like a thin black line, outlining the tape!

    I asked the Dealer could it be removed and he said it is Factory applied to protect that section of the body from chips from small rocks, etc. He said Acura decided on this appliqué as a remedy to numerous complaints about paint chipping, in that particular area, from road hazards (small rocks and the like).

    Any comments on:
    1) Removing the tape?
    2) Veracity of the Dealers statement?
    3) Experience with paint chipping, in that particular area.

    Thanks
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    I own a 06 tsx, bought new, 11/06. It now has almost 86,000 miles and it is loaded with paint chips-on the front hood-not on the door edges. The paint is lousy but I still love the car.
  • pj_columbiapj_columbia Member Posts: 12
    I've got a problem where my 2005 TSX won't lock/unlock when I use the FOB. I hear the system trying to lock, but the knob on the door won't go down. When I try to unlock, the outside lights flash as if it were unlocking, but it doesn't unlock. I can use the key to manually lock/unlock. I've tried using the spare FOB I got with the car, but that hasn't worked either. The problem doesn't seem to be with the FOB, it seems to be in the door. Anyone else experienced and had the problem solved? Appreciate your help!

    PJ
  • spedprofspedprof Member Posts: 16
    Folks,

    Sorry if this has been asked before, but I tried and could not find a similar question.

    My 2009 Acura TSX is running fine. The maintenance reminder for the first service is set at 10,000 miles. I'm an old fashioned guy who recalls that oil changes used to be needed every 3000 miles. My driving is primarily suburban... some local, some highways, some traffic, some cities.

    Should I wait until the recommended 10,000 mile mark/

    Thanks.

    Spedprof
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    The oil from the factory is formulated to aid engine break-in. Leave it for 10,000 miles.
  • radhayradhay Member Posts: 17
    My 2007 TSX reached 49.9K miles now. Wondering if I should go ahead and buy extended warranty for 48k miles more. Acuras are supposed to be reliable cars so wonderng if I should spend 1100 USD for extended warranty?
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    My 06 tsx, bought new 11/06, has almost 88,000 problem free miles and I did not buy the extended warranty. I follow the oil life (maintainance minder) and have had all the service done at a acura dealer that I think is excellent.
  • load96load96 Member Posts: 1
    I've got a 2004 tsx with about 90k miles. A year ago, it failed to start. I put the key in, turned it and heard what sounded like an electric motor for a second or two, then nothing. I was able to push it and pop the clutch to get it going. I took it to a local service station and they said it was the starter, which they replaced.

    This March, it fails to start when I have it in for other service at my local dealer. They diagnose it as a starter. Since I have a warranty on the repair, I want to take it back to the original shop that repaired. I take it over there (car starts fine many times for me) and they replace the starter. 2 months later this may, it again fails to start. I rocked the car back and forth a few times, then try again, and it starts. Everything is fine until last week it again fails to start. Again, I rock the car back and forth and it starts. I took the car back to the service shop and ask them to look at it. They tell me they ran a full electrical test, bench tested the starter and everything checks out. They then proceed to tell me that my flywheel has a few broken teeth, and that is probably why it is not starting. They say when I rock the car back ad forth, it moves the flywheel a bit to a better spot ad then it starts.

    I really don't know what to believe. It feels like they are feeding me some bull. I will probably call the dealer and ask them to look at it again, however if it is another bad starter, I want the service station to honor their warranty and replace the starter. However I don't know if they really know what they are doing.

    Anyone else out there had this type of problem with their TSX? Does what hte shop is telling me even make sense?
  • biker4biker4 Member Posts: 746
    If there really are broken teeth on the flywheel it definitely should be fixed - it could mess up the starter if it interferes with proper engagement. The flywheel does not move when you rock the car unless you have it in gear. It could be another bad starter especially if they put in some cheaply reconditioned unit and the unit got messed up by the flywheel. Something is really wrong for teeth on the flywheel to break off. At that mileage you might want to consider replacing the clutch while they have the tranny out to replace the flywheel. If they put in another starter ask to look at the old one - the teeth on it may show wear from improper engagement with the flywheel.
  • senseless1senseless1 Member Posts: 16
    I used the manual shift feature of my '06 TSX the majority of the time, until my transmission failed at 45,000 miles. I'm wondering if revving the engine and trans with the manual shift feature may have caused it's premature demise. Was this a freak thing or is it better to just leave the car in "D"?
  • biker4biker4 Member Posts: 746
    Unlikely, unless you're doing this around redline. If you do this most of the time why didn't you just get the MT in the first place?
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    I agree.
  • senseless1senseless1 Member Posts: 16
    Why the automatic choice? The manual transmission requires a clutch, don't forget. That's where most of the work is.
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    All three of the vehicles my husband and I own have manual transmission so it is easy for us,
  • acuratsx2007acuratsx2007 Member Posts: 4
    Hi, I was wondering what type of service do you have to do in the 30 k maintenance and my quote from dealership is $680. Is that to much?
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    I follow the maintanance minder on my 06 tsx-not mileage. What is the dealer doing for that $680.00. I just had the A12 service done-which included oil/filter change, tire rotation/balance, cabin and pollen filters changed, calipers cleaned, complete check on car. Cost $180.00 (including tax).
  • acuratsx2007acuratsx2007 Member Posts: 4
    Did you get yours service at the dealership? And did you get a transmission flush
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    My tsx has manual transmission. I am getting the MTF and brake fluids changed in Nov. when my car turns 3 years old. I have all the service done by acura/honda dealers. My car probably will have or very close to 100,000 miles by then. I bought the car, new, 11/17/06.
  • 326326 Member Posts: 8
    09 TSX: Steering - wanders, oversteer? Your Experience?

    I returned my leased 06 TL and purchased an 09 TSX (Used - dealer executive car - 13k/milage, Acura certified).

    My TL had a nice tight front end. On the highway, it held the road really well. Never experienced any wandering or oversteer (is that the correct term?)

    I've had my TSX for 2 months and especially on highway driving i notice that is is not even close to being as firm or as tight a front end as the TL.

    I notice that I the front end has a tendency to feel sloppy. (it seems to want to wander) You need to be very mindful of keeping the car "on track"..... by using a little back and forth with the steering wheel.

    Has any one else noticed this in their TSX????

    I will be bringing it in for service in about 3 months and will address the issue with Acura....... but I wanted to see if I can get any feedback from these forums.
  • tarheeldadtarheeldad Member Posts: 2
    No hunting with my TSX steering Have you checked the tire pressure? If that is not the issue then why not bring it to the dealer. No sense being annoyed for three months. Have the alignment checked. You are bumper to bumper warranted after all.

    THD
  • akkjettaakkjetta Member Posts: 6
    Hi,
    The front passenger door of my 2009 ACURA TSX 2009 was hit and damged. Does anyone know of a reputable body shop in the Silver Spring, MD area. I called a couple of Acura dealerships and they said they do not do body work on cars.

    Thanks
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    Sorry to hear. Call your insurance co and ask for recommendations.
  • 326326 Member Posts: 8
    thx for your reply. I, of course, will have the dealer look into this. It is not so bad that i need to make a special visit to the dealer. but, as I said, i was comparing it to my TL.... and I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on whether or not the front end of the TSX was or was not as tight as the TL.
  • acuratsx2007acuratsx2007 Member Posts: 4
    Man i feel like i just got rip off by a Acura Dealership. I just did the 30 k maintenance and they charge me 850.00. This is what they did to my car. Transmission Fluid, Coolant Flush, Break Fluid Flush, Oil Change, Rotate and Balance Tires, Engine filter change and Cabin Filter. Can someone tell me how much this really would cost. I feel so rip off.
  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    Sorry to tell you-but you did get ripped-off. I own a 06 tsx, bought new 11/06. I follow the maintenance minder not the mileage-my car has almost 90,000 miles. I have all the service done by an acura dealer. Under their advise I am getting the manual transmission and brake fluids changed in Nov (when the car is 3 years old) Never had a coolant or brake fluid flush (not necessary) Basically the service I have done is oil/filter change, tire rotation/balance and had the engine and cabin filters changed at approx. 26,000, 55,000 and 80,000 miles. I wait until the oil life gets to 15% and it shows a code of what service needs to be done.
  • acuratsx2007acuratsx2007 Member Posts: 4
    Hey thanks for the comment, now i know what im getting myself into. i appreciate the help, now i know what to do.
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