Acura TL Care and Maintenance

hauss

Hey scottm123, my '06 TL came with an Acura trunk liner that isn't bad at all but your post had me wondering if the one from WeatherTech might be better. My only real complaint with the Acura trunk liner is that it is a fairly stiff plastic and when I've had stuff spill into the liner and then tried removing it to dump the stuff out (sand, etc.) it was a pain getting the liner out because it was so unflexible. What is the WeatherTech material like? Is it pliable? Also, does it really keep stuff in the back from sliding around?

tl_2007s

Here comes a stupid question...just trying to figure this thing out...
So, with Zaino products we are polishing and not waxing. Correct? :confuse: What should I use for waxing?

Also, for the non-leather part of the interior, what is recommended to use? Are Armor-All Cleaning Wipes OK?
Thanks,

laurasdada

Hmmmm. After a couple of topcoats of wax, would I have to then Dawn and start again should I want more coats of Zaino? Or just Zaino on top of the wax? I'll have to research the Zaino site...

scottm123

The WeatherTech mat is actually very pliable.
It's not plastic, but rather more like a rubber material.

In fact, when I received it, it came in a long narrow bow and was tightly rolled up inside.
I just unrolled it and placed it into the trunk.

Here's some pics:

scottm123

There's lots of options for interior cleaning.
Here's a few suggestions...

1Z Cockpit Premium

Meguiars has a full line of products as well, which can easily be found at places like Wal-Mart.

Meguiars

carteach

I have the same color on my '06 TL which is only five months old. I've used the winter mats so far because we've had a wet/muddy spring in the Northeast. But, I had a 2002 Saab with mats that color and I was very careful not to step in mud when I got into the car and used a product called Capture(you can get it at Home Depot or some carpet stores) and cleaned any spots/dirt with that. When I sold the car in November, my mats looked just about new.

Hope that helps.

scottm123

After a couple of topcoats of wax, would I have to then Dawn and start again should I want more coats of Zaino? Or just Zaino on top of the wax?

This is a super question... but if using a high quality 100% Carnauba Wax like Pinnacle, this is not a concern for me.
The Souveran Carnauba Paste Wax only lasts for approx 90 days, as the carnauba wax has a low melting point, and is also easily removed.

Zaino does wonders as a non-abrasive polish, but I'm a strong believer in also having a top coat of wax as well.

Let me know what you find with Zaino back on top of wax... I'm curious now too.

billyperks1

I can tell you for sure that you need to start over.I have been using Zaino now for over five years, a poster here called TMart introduced me to it (I saw a picture of his TL that he posted here)I never went back to the Auto Zone products-well maybe the car wash liquid soap and tire dressing.The product that I find hard to use from Zaino is their Plastic Majic cleaner, it dries real hard and its a pain to get rid of the white residue.When I sold my Type S last year the guy who bought it was so impressed with the up keep, he wanted to know all there is to know about Zaino.

scottm123

I'm a strong believer in re-Zaino-ing every 6 months.
I go once in the Spring, and once again in the fall.

When re-applying, I always Dawn, clay, wash and polish.
So, I'm re-applying every 6 months anyway.

Between these Zaino sessions, I personally prefer the protection and shine of wax.
This, I reapply much more often, like every month.

I have not yet tried their Z8 product, but I suppose this would also work, if I'm happy with the outcome.

ggesq

Z2 and Z5 are both waxes right :confuse:

My understanding is that when using the Zaino product line, you wouldn't need anything else on top of it i.e. except other coats of Z2 or Z5??

laurasdada

Z2 & Z5 are not waxes, visit zainostore.com for all the details...

And I agree with your understanding, you don't need anything other than the Zaino products. I think Scott has found an additional step which he feels improves the shine, in a shorter term, even more. The Zaino shine/protection lasts longer than a typical wax. Scott, do you Z6 over the wax?

This is my 3rd Zaino season, I'm not quite as hard core. I have put many coats on, in no regular time frame. Generally, as it is a time consuming process to wash/dry/Z6/Z5/Z2... I do it when I can from roughly April-October. Like Scott, I'm a New Englander, Ma Nature at some point puts a halt to my Zaino'ing!

I did the intial Dawn, but haven't since. I'm still quite pleased with the way my Abyss Blue TL shines, and how long Zaino retains it's gloss. Maybe I'll stop being so lazy and Dawn/clay/wash/Z6... next year. For now, I need my second coat of Z5 (which I believe will be coat #20 since I bought Zaino a couple of years ago) and then maybe a monthly Z2.

I may buy the maintenance kit as I'm out of Z6 and haven't tried the Z7 wash but a co-worker says it is fab. Of course...

And, once my Z2/Z5 are gone, maybe Z-AI0 & Z-CS. For the increasingly lazy me.

scottm123

I Z6 between every coat of Z5 and/or Z2.

I have to say that Z6 doesn't impress me much.

First application - Z5, nice.
Next layer - Z6, nice. not any nicer.
Next, Z2 - Looks a little better.
Next, Z6 again - Looks okay.
Next, Z2 - Starting to look very good.
Next, Z6 - Looks great.
Next, Z2 - Unbelievable!
Next, Wax - I had a tear in my eye, the finish was absolutely phenomenal!

Between treatments, Z7 Car Wash and Z6.
Once per month, new coat of wax.

Currently, this works for me, but as I read more and get more enthralled in the whole car detailing world, I'm learning that Zaino is only scratching the "perfect finish" surface.
When my Zaino runs out (will be years from now), I don't think I'll refill.

laurasdada

You've got it bad, Scott...!

scottm123

Yeah, my wife says that it's like I'm having an affair.

I had gone down into the garage for something, and an hour and a half later, the wife came looking for me.
I had walked into the garage, saw the car sitting there, and spotted a small spot of brake dust I had missed while washing.
I wiped it off, and then figured, what's a quick coat of wax on the wheels gonna take.
I waxed the wheels and then figured, since I got the wax out... and lost all track of time.
My wife found me, micro-fiber in hand, in the garage at 11:45 pm.

laurasdada

Same here, wife think's I may love the car more than her...

Last month, we had one of those 70degree (of course followed by a 45 degree day, I think!) days so at work I decided to wash the car when I got home. Started around 6pm. Well, since I washed, might as well Z6. Ok, might as well mix up a batch of Z5/ZFX and apply. A final Z6...now it's almost 9pm, wife comes out sees me wiping on/off Z6 in basically pitch black and mutters something "lovingly" and closes the door.

Hey, we wanted to be alone! If only I could lock the wife inside the house!

You still win, though.

billyperks1

Do you really beleive Zaino scratches the paint? I have to disagree, I had my TL for four years and there is not one swirl or scratch on the car -same can be said for my wife's 2004 Accord.My neighbors marvel at the shine every time and they laugh at the time I put into detailing these car.When the new addition(GS350 or RL or Redesign TL or e350 or Audi A6 4.2) arrives in the family in the Fall or Spring they will laugh at me more.

scottm123

I said, scratching the surface.
It's a figure of speech.

What my exact words were:
Currently, this works for me, but as I read more and get more enthralled in the whole car detailing world, I'm learning that Zaino is only scratching the "perfect finish" surface.

ie, Zaino is only one of many possible treatments... many of which, out perform.

Zaino, although a polish, is completely non-abrasive.
No, it doesn't scratch.... but that's not what I said.

I'm also not "Zaino Bashing"
I bought the kit and enjoy the ease and finished results.

billyperks1

Maybe I dozed off a little too much in English 101.

tl_2007s

Ok friends. Zaino kit has arrived. Fortunately there is a 3-day weekend in case I need that much time

But I want to review the early steps prior to Zaino entering the scene. Last time I washed a car, it was more than 10 years ago!

Basics: We use a two-bucket system. One for soapy water and other for rinsing. Wash in the shade. Wheels/tires first. Instead of car shampoo, use Dawn (blue kind). Use 100% white cotton towels for drying. I assume this is all right so far.

Questions:
1) Should I use wool wash mitts?
2) For the wheels, a site suggests using Meguiar's Versa Body Brush, Meguiar’s Wheel Face Brush and 1-Inch Round Natural Detail Brush for tight spots. OK ?
3) To clean the wheels, using something like Sonus Rim Bright or P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner...

Thanks in advance for any corrections, suggestions...I am actually looking forward to this.

laurasdada

Only use Dawn the very first time. Unless you want to strip all old wax/Zaino and start from scratch... Seperate wash bucket for wheels/tires vs. car body.

I use a wool wash mit, I think Sal would recommend a 100% made in the USA towel... Once done washing alloy wheels (not tires...), I apply Zaino. Makes cleaning 'em much easier!

pat

Sal would recommend a 100% made in the USA towel

100% cotton made in the USA towel, that would be.

hky

Wow, I got to try zaino sometime. I spent the whole last weekend detailing mine - didn't use zaino but use klasse aio, sg + p21s - actually looks better than when I picked the car the first day. The sad thing is - it rains proportional to my efforts - it's been raining everyday since then (fortunately tl still sitting in garage).

Are you going to take off the wheel and wash it? Just want to see how everyone else feel about it, actually read someone wash the undercarriage too - certainly I am not to that degree.

scottm123

When you're done, wax the wheels.
You'll find that they come very clean with just a little soap & water the next time you wash the car.
They sell special wheel wax, but any wax will do.
I prefer something synthetic for the wheels, like Meguiar's NXT, as it hold up to the grime and heat better than natural carnubas.

as for drying towels, find yourself a nice microfiber deep weave drying towel.
Just being 100% cotton is not enough, as the seams in the towel can cause great deals of damage.

I suggest something like these.
This is a good website for first-timers too.

Enjoy your cleaning session.
My first one lasted a total of 6 hours.
Lot of hard work, but I enjoyed it.
The wife thinks I'm nuts though.

laurasdada

Wow, must have been an evil gremlin planted by a Zaino competitor that removed the word "cotton" from my post! Man, these gremlins are just everywhere!

Scott: Ooops, I did it again. Started my wash/dry/Z6/Z5 routine around 6pm. With breaks, finished past 9pm, in the dark again. Wife is searching the medicine cabinet to see if I'm on any new meds. Or off the old ones!

No meds, it's the gremlins I tell ya!

pat

That's all right. One-time Zainoholic standing by to help out.

scottm123

The wife rolls her eyes every time I roll out the hose.

She doesn't understand that a well maintained finish can be washed & dried in record time.

Like I told her, I can wash, dry and detail spray my car in less time than it takes her to choose which nail polish color to use on her toes that day.

tomziegler

You state that Zaino isn't the best out there. What is the best and what will you be buying next? I am curious to see what you have found to be better than Zaino

Thanks!

tomziegler

I currently like Zaino Leather Conditioner. What is the best leather conditioner out there? I see so many options at www.autogeek.net and wonder if they are better than Zaino's

Thanks!

billyperks1

I can tell you for a fact that nothing beats Zaino leather care products-it leaves your leather looking and smelling like a new car off the showroom.The Zaino product I have a problem with is the plastic cleaner, that product is so difficult to work with, if you let it dry,heaven help you to get that white residue out.

new2cars

Hello all,
Okay, I'll admit it- I've never washed my car myself but after buying a beauty like the TL, I'd rather take matters into my own hands. Okay, I need to know the basics! Will someone tell me what I need to do? Does the reference to Dawn mean the dishwashing soap? I live in San Diego where the water is very hard. Is this detrimental to the paint? What do I use to wash the car with? A sponge or a towel? My ignorance is obvious but I'm willing to learn!

laurasdada

Hello: We were just in SD last week, FishWorld. Good time feeding/petting sharks and dolphins. Dined with Shamu...

Zainostore.com has a bunch of info, especially related to their products. Dawn is only to be used the first time you wash a car to strip off all waxes in preparation for a start from scratch cleaning/polishing routine. Dawn/dishwashing detergent is too harsh to use regularly. Wash with 100% cotton towels or lambswool...

Zaino is great, somewhat expensive, stuff. But the TL is a great, somewhat expensive, car!

sicktls4me

respond to both "scottm123 & laurasdada"...

i'm sure my wife thinks the same too, but, she has never actually said it to me - love my car more than her - however, what she knows is, my car detailing enthusiasm is very therapeutic for me. so, you guys can use this excuse next time and see what kind of response you get from your love one. let me know what she says! :shades:

- kinetic blue'07

andywuwei

Hi guys, just bought a new 07 TL w/o nav. Like the car except one problem. There is a small noise coming out from the central console area especially at a speed of 30-40 mph on not-well paved road. Sounds like a tiny parts inside is loose. The little noise is getting more and more annoying. Anybody here has any idea about what it is? I may want to have it checked at the dealership during my car's first service. It could be months from now and I'm not sure if I can bear with the noise for so long. Thanks.

chkntony

probably coming from dashboard area.
I had the same rattling noise coming from there.
I went to dealer about 5-6 times but they couldn't fix it completely though it got less severe.
they said the wire was loose and they put some sponge around it. hope it helps.
This is what its bad about TL

andywuwei

Thanks for your reply. I'll have it checked next time when the car is in service.

andywuwei

I found out that the rattle actually comes from the front speaker! when I use my hand to cover the speak and push it a little bit, the rattle disapears. It's really a shame for TL to have this kind of low-level problems.

vivsethrr

I heard that Vinylex is really good for plastic and the leather as well.

That true?

chkntony

Yes that is what exactly happened to mine too.
That is from dashboard+speaker.
It's very mild... but very annoying.
If you get it resolved please let me know thanx.

drcohen

For about three months I've had this squeeky noise coming from the rear passenger side where the rear seat, speaker tray, trunk etc are. I've had my wife drive me while in the back seat listening to it. Attempted to remove all lining from trunk...not possible, but could not isolate problem...attempted to tape latch linkage cables to wheel well....but unless I get in the trunk with the wife driving......with all the lining removed...guesses at best.
I will take it to the dealer Friday..but who knows what that will yield and how much time it may consume. After all, it's not generating revenue.....
Anyone have any ideas....

DC

gvb

Just purchased a new TL, and didn't want to pay the $1,200 they were asking for the permaplate which included interior work. Can anyone recommend a good leather maintenance product. Something that would not only keep the leather properly oiled, but also provide some protection against UV rays.

billyperks1

Try the ZAINO cleaner and conditoner-its very good and not at all oily, it also has that new car smell to it.I used it on my previoulsy owned TLS and I am currently using it on my wife's Accord.

scottm123

I like the Zaino Z-9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner but I am NOT a fan of the Z-10 Leather in a Bottle.
I've found that Z-10 rubs in nicely and does smell like leather, but a week or 2 later, can bleed out if the leather is exposed to moisture.

For leather care, I'd suggest something better, like Lexol

billyperks1

Never experience any bleeding.

carteach

Anybody here get a tire pressure warning when one tire dips below the others?

What is the minimum tire pressure for summer weather?

Thanks

birdie4

I had my oil changed for the first time on my '04 TL that I just purchased. The place couldn't reset the computer. I read the book and it wouldn't reset for me either. I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong. I'm wondering if others have had problems. I paid 25 from Exhaust Pro.

taxesquire

you can reset it yourself. I don't know if I can properly explain it (it's just one fo those things I can do in the car ), but if you search through this board, I'm sure you can find the details. I'm pretty sure I posted on this before, so maybe just do a search for my board name?

anyway, it's something like hitting the reset button 10 times or holding the reset button for 10 seconds while the screen is displaying the service reminder. Hope this helps!

birdie4

I just bought an '04 TL. I had the oil changed when the oil life was down to 15 or 20% left-I can't remember for sure. Anyhow, I pushed the button and held it in for 10 seconds like the manual said and the computer reset it to 0%. Shouldn't it reset to 100%? Am I doing something wrong?

taxesquire

Shouldn't it reset to 100%?

Yes. It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. Is it possible that some sort of glare made the 100% look like a 0%? Maybe a glitch in with the 1st 2 digits? :confuse:

twmark

I have a 2006 TL with about 16000 miles and recently have noticed that the green drive light (the "D" indicating the gear) is blinking. When I turn off the engine and restart the car the blinking resolves. The car appears to drive normally and shift gears normally when I use the auto-manual. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

alicia4

Hi I recently purchased a 2007 Acura TL. I started out having a cosmetic problem a scratch on one of the display panels(had to talk with gm to get fixed). second week I noticed rust on the rotors. Service dept stated it was metal against metal and this is noticeable on all new vehicles. He took me to some other new 07 and 08's and showed me the apparent rust or dust or whatever. I kept asking him why do they allow this on new vehicles and he stated there was nothing they could do about it? Thirdly this car doesnt absorb anything, when I go over a bump it feels like I'm about to be thrown out of the seat. I have went through all the posted forums and cant seem to find anyone that is having the problems I have listed if anyone can help me please let me know. Should I contact Acura corporate office about the rust on the rotors and the overall driving experience presently it has 1000 miles on it or am I still in the "breaking in period". I dont think I can take too much more of this shake rattle and roll of a vehicle. I do like the the standard features(leather,bluetooth,6cd changer). Is it ever too early to trade a vehicle? Please help