Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

bodble2

gregory28

I'm hearing a rattle in the steering wheel- probably the air bag. I'm also hearing a rattle in the stereo area.

To all '04 TL owners, please bang your steering wheel lightly and advise if you hear a rattle. Going over bumps usually produces the rattle. Thanks.

I'll report back after I get it serviced.

drdarell1

I have friends that have both TL & TLS and they have no problems running regular. These engines are really smart and the timing is adjusted so you don't get a ping, so you won't hurt the engine. Premium will give you slightly better performance, but doubt if you would be able to tell any difference in normal driving.

mmm17

gregory28-I've had my '04 TL since 10/22. no rattles. I banged on the steering wheel as you suggested and I didn't hear anything. Car is nice and solid, better than my 2000 TL.

Regarding prem. fuel: you pay thousands to own, insure and maintain the TL, so what a few extra dollars for prem fuel? Amortized over a year, it can't be more than a few hundred dollars....

njdriver2

the only rattle i hear appears to be coming from the dvd system. i wonder if the cd/dvd's are bouncing around inside their holding trys?

kfhmail

My two cents worth on color...

1. White with Gray int.
2. Red with Gray int. (whoops they do not make that one...but they should)
3. Gray on gray.
4. I have not seen a white with black int. but would like to.

gregory28

Getting it checked out tomorrow. Will report back.

wlmbrm

I've read on here and also posted that it's frustrating that this "cream of the crop" car doesn't have auto on headlights. Well in playing around last night I kinda came up w/a workaround. Don't turn the headlights off...let the automatic off kick in after you lock up. Then when you go to unlock the car, headlights are automatically on. I know, I know...not the best solution but it does work. And, it doesn't hurt to drive w/headlights on during the day!

Cheers all!

wlmbrm

Have read a couple of others having problems similar to what I'm having.....no caller ID using the Bluetooth connectivity. I've got the Nokia 3650 and have it all hooked up and working beautifully. But sure would like to get the caller ID identifying the incoming calls...all I get now is "incoming call" on the dashboard. Called the Acura assistance number and turns out I was really talking to Johnson Controls who manufacturer this feature. They haven't heard of this problem yet and said I should be getting the phone number unless it's not offered or if it's blocked. Verified that is NOT the case as caller ID worked on my other phones w/out a problem. I've got my cell phone set to just show me the name of who's calling if they are programmed into my Nokia's phone book and Johnson agreed with me that perhaps that is causing a problem although it shouldn't. I'm going to play around with it some more to see what I can find out. Anyone else still having this problem??

Thanks!

gregory28

I had the rattle in my dashboard fixed today. It turned out to be a loose bolt contained in the dashboard. I had a periodic quieter rattle in the center console, but haven't heard it recently.

My first impression with the service dept. is quite good. I found them to be professional and courteous and competent. The service manager made it a point to look into my problem personally since I had just bought the car.

amk2003

Just recently bought this car. Currently ~1600miles. Right in a middle of the first trip got a problem. Could not start the car for 10-15 minutes... ! During last 6 weeks had a few cases when car started after 2-5 attempts. Last Friday my wife used the car (she has you own keys) and she had the same problem all day. This week I've brought the car to the local dealership. The service guy could reproduce the problem effectively right away! He asked for a couple days and gave me the loner (RSX). When I called them (the guy was out) they told me that they could not reproduce the problem any more. And do not know how to address it! Saw a few articles about using the TL key separately from other keys or metallic parts (interference). However, my wife and I have TL keys togeter with Lexus RX 300 keys and others and never have problem with Lexus or RSX. Any suggestion will be highly apreciated.

mcc1959

I have this annoying beeping noise coming from my 2002 TL Type S. First it was every ten minutes or so. For the last few days it is about every two minutes and says battery is low. It is driving me nuts. Oh, also, my CD changer crapped out. Won't play or eject just gives error message that says see dealer. Any ideas on either of these???????

pg48477

Is the slot where you insert your cd's open or closed, if it's open try to push CD that got stuck with another CD or any other object that fits in the slot. If it's closed I would go to the Dealer, they should fix it under the warranty.

njdriver2

I recall reading in the operations manual that you will only receive the caller id if the phone you are using is programmed to transmit that information via the bluetooth handsfree protocol. i've been using a sony t610 and the phone number is displayed. however, that was before the entire system locked up and now i can't use anything.

redsoxx1918

I have a Silver/black 2004 TL/Six speed. Awesome car!!! Two small problems. No vibration, however, the car seems to drift to the right. I am going to have the alignment checked. Also, I get a faint anti-freeze smell in the cabin with the heat on. Has anyone experienced similar problems?

kipodom

I recently purchased a 04 TL with the 6MT and nav system. The day after I drove it off the lot during an acceleration in first gear the transmission "popped" out of first. The problem was consistent with any acceleration in first. I returned the car to the dealer with less than 500 miles on it. The service department was extremely cooperative, but they were finally told to replace the transmission by their technical headquarters in California. Since the car was brand new, this was not acceptable to me and I asked for a new car. Acura has bent over backwards and is in the process of finding me a new car. My only concern is that this may be a prevelant problem instead of an isolated incident. I am not a teenage driver and have a lot of performance driving education under my belt, so this is not a drivability issue. While I know there are very few 6MT TL's out there, has anyone else experienced or heard of this problem? Thank you in advance.

bodble2

Drifting/pulling has been a problem reported by quite a few '03 Accord owners. The new TL is based on the same platform, hmmm......

takki2

Apparently bluetooth technology does not work with Verizon. They do not even have a bluetooth phone available. To all you TL owners using bluetooth....what service are you using and what phone?

njdriver2

i use t-mobile. i've used them for years. the reason verizon doesn't have bluetooth phones is because not many companies make bluetooth phones for the CDMA network. if you want a bluetooth phone, your provider choices are: at&t, cingular, and t-mobile. i am happy with t-mobile, but you will definitely have more dropped calls than you do with verizon. verizon has the best infrastructure in the northeast. at&t has the worst infrastructure in the nation. i'd stay away from them. the thing i like about t-mobile and cingular is that you get a SIM card. this little card is found under the battery and is easily removed and inserted into another SIM card phone. you don't need to go back to the provider to do this. the benefit is that i can buy phones from europe that are state of the art and not have to wait for them to get to the u.s. then once i have the new phone insert my SIM into it and presto, my new phone is working with my old number and i didn't have to go back to the provider. lots of flexibility and easy to upgrade. try t-mobile. i am using the sonyericsson t610 from t-mobile and it works fine with my car's HFL.

bodble2

Is it really that simple? I've always thought your phone service provider has to support that particular brand of phone.

chas083

I too have a Sony-Ericsson T-610 that works well with the handsfree in the TL. My question is about the caller ID. Is it supposed to show on the center display on the non-nav models or just the small display when receiving calls? Is the name and the # both supposed to show? On my car only the # is displayed in the small display to the right of the steering wheel.

njdriver2

just the number appears in my MIDI, but as write this i realize i haven't been called by anyone programmed into my cell. I'll give this a test and get back to you.

jeffxp

Sony Ericsson Camera phone with Bluetooth. Set up after a few attemps, works well and shows caller ID.

Not a single problem with my car... That acceleration is amazing... I am so happy with the handling.

killertl

Just bought a new 04 TL 6MT. Silver with Ebony interior. Awesome car...gas mileage impressive with loads of power...unbelieveable sound system. Only issue I have had so far is the brakes squeal a little but that may just be a break-in kind of thing. Acura put out a message to their service centers saying to expect a little more brake noise than before due to the big new brakes on the front. Anybody else had this issue?

kfhmail

I had my second test drive today. Both times I have noticed 2 things that are a negative to me and a problem with the new TL. But everything else really looks good and I like the way it drives.

1. The seat back cushions/side bolsters - These bolsters on each side hit my shoulders (blades) and make for an uncomfortable drive. I am average size for someone that is 6'1".

2. The rear view mirror has limited visibility. Do not know if the mirror is just too small or the wrong shape...or if it is a combination of the mirror being too small, the rear window, and/or the problem of the rear seat head rest blocking the view. This could be dangerous. Do not know if I could buy the car and be happy with this limited visibility.

debis04tl

kfhmail, about 4 yrs. ago I sat down and made a list of features/options I wanted in a new wife. Two months later she came along. Now after three and one half more years I can say that she has lived up to all 21 of my specifications.. IF ONLY picking a new car were that easy!! On a more serious note.. I tested 2 G35 sedans and 1 coupe, all before the introduction of the TL. Made the deal for the G35 on monday, saw the TL on wednesday, got my money back on friday, bought the TL on saturday. I did like the exhaust sound on the coupe but in the end the TL with ground effects and wind deflectors and spoiler will be sporty enough for me and all for less money before extras.. Now I wonder what I can do to make the TL exhaust sound like the G35 coup??

gregory28

kfhmail: I find the seats to be quite comfortable. I will say that my buddie's 530i's sports package includes side cushions that make his seats even more comfortable than my TL's. His car costs $12k more. His car is atrociuos in snow, the sound system sounds like a hand held AM radio compared to the TL's and no hands-free cell through the sound system. I do feel the BMW handles a tad bit better.

Please go to message #1880 of 2004 Acura TL Discussion Group and you'll be able to read a tip I left for eliminating blind spots. It's very effective. Like you, I did initially feel that the rear view mirror offers less visibility than I'd like. By configuring the side mirrors properly, you'll learn to relay a bit more on these mirrors

sandrat2

I seem to have one loud cluck sound that sounds like it is coming from the drivers side, close to my feet on my new TL 04. This sound only happens after it has sat for a long period of time. Example: I park my car in the garage and in the morning I back out of my drive way and then put my car in drive (I have an automatic) and usually before I reach 10 miles per hour I hear the cluck. Does anybody know what is causing this noise?

gregory28

You need to remove the hen from the car; that will stop the cluck sound. :-)

Sorry, I couldn't resist. No, I haven't heard that sound.

njdriver2

This problem is discussed in length on the acura-tl.com board. i have it as well. it is only noticeable on cold mornings. i hear a flap open (or close) and a little push back on the gas pedel. it happens within the first 30 seconds of starting the car and only once. the message board says it's the abs system testing itself. I have no idea, but i go into the dealer on 11/28 for other service. i'll ask about this noise and get back to the group.

dtate99

I have an '02 TL Type-S, and I experience the same sound I suppose. To me, it sounds more like a vibrational sound, and it only occurs once I get moving >5 mph. I was also told that it was the ABS system. I've grown used to it, and it sounds like the new '04 models have the same curious sound, too. I haven't driven one yet, but plan to later this week since I'm thinking of upgrading my '02.

nephrojo

I ordered a new TL with the 6 speed MT after only driving the automatic. Started driving it yesterday and boy am I glad I got the MT. Shifts like a knife through warm butter and accelerates at a moments notice. It has never popped out of gear but MAYBE at about 60 MPH there is a slight vibration. Feels like a tire could be out of balance. Do they balance the tires before delivery? Any other thoughts on the vibration. Sometimes more noticeable than other times. Am still looking for excuses to take it out for a drive. I feel like a 16 year old driving for the first time.

2001vertman

Is VR used in all models even those without NAV sys? Does it also include the bluetooth cell phone setup? Getting a demo this weekend to drive. Will look for the various items of concerns I have heard mentioned here.

gkearns56

redsoxx1918: I recently purchased my Acura TL about 2 weeks ago. It got cold quickly here in NC so I put the heater on. I also have the faint anti-freeze smell. The smell wasn't overpowering but enough to know it was there. Did you happen to find anything out about this. I'd like to know so I can inform the dealer when I take it in. Thanx

shenkar

is only a feature of the cars equipped with the navigation system. Bluetooth is another feature of the nav.

njdriver2

i am glad someone else posted this thread. The weather got cold here the other day and i smelled anti-freeze. I haven't noticed leaks and the engine temp. has stayed in the normal range so i assume it's not leaking. i will have it checked after my next service visit. at this point, i have no idea what is causing the odor.

dulnev

How does anti-freeze smell? Is there some common odor that you can compare to? I guess the other way for me to find out is to go to an auto store and open a jug of anti-freeze...

gkearns56

I'm not a service technican but when your car gets warmed up the heater inside the car provides heat from the radiator. Somewhere from the time the coolant get warm, to where the fan blows warm air into the cabin, there must be something to filter that smell out. Otherwise, that smell would be too overpowering and not just be a faint smell. I called the service department and decribed the problem. I'm hoping to hear something early next week about it. I'll post anything I find out.

tedescm1

I have a new TL with 500miles on it and i get a rattle that i think is coming out of the passenger’s side door. Has anyone else had the same problem and how was it repaired?

I also noticed the anti freeze smell but could not find any leaks.

Thanks,

M

billyperks

Maybe this is the engine sealant burning off.

Manufacturers usually coat the engine of new cars
with some sort of chemical/sealant.

I experienced this smell with my Mazda Millenia and TLS, it will eventually go away.

Thats what you call the new engine smell.:)

redsoxx1918

I recently took my TL to the dealership for four items of concern. Three were minor cosmetic defects caused during shipping. The third was the steering wheel being off to the left. All cosmetic items were satisfactorily repaired and the dealer confirmed that the steering wheel was off. They aligned the car and this rectified the problem. I have other issues that I have not had addressed yet because of time constraints, but I will be bringing the car back in shortly. Current issues: Faint anti-freeze smell in cabin with heat on. This is my forth brand new Acura and I've never experienced this; memory settings disappear when the car has been idle for a day or so; my wife has had to reset her settings many times; excessive brake squeal when traveling slow and turning, such as when pulling into a parking spot. I will add that this is my forth Acura and I love this car. All problems are minor but a little annoying. I'm sure the dealer will take care of them and I will get years of enjoyment from this fine automobile. I must say that I am surprised, however, at the number of minor problems. I am not used to this with Acura.

montreallou

I posted this in the TL 2004 section, but perhaps it is best posted here.
Now that there is real life experience with the TL, has anyone noticed any long braking distances as reported by some reviews? Has it been a concern to anyone?

dulnev

Only one review (C&D)mentioned longish stopping distance, as far as I know. I've seen another review, I think from Motorweek, that said that TL's stopping distance was very short and "comparable to a Porshe they recently tested".

These braking distances are measured at the extreme, when you need to make an emergency stop from 60-70mph. It's a lot more important in day-to-day driving to be able to drop from say 60 mph to 30 mph quickly, when the car in front of you suddenly drops its speed. Brake pedal feel and responsiveness are more important in such cases than the size of the rotors. But I've never seen such measures published.

mishima8105

I don't have the new '04 TL yet, but I'm curious to read about the kinds of problems people are experiencing with the first production of the redesigned '04 TLs.

As for the cluck sound some of the readers have been experiencing with their new '04 TLs, my 2000 vw jetta glx makes a similar sound, more like a faint vibration, scraping sound at about 6-9 mph after the car is started up. I took it in to the dealer, and the tech said he wasn't able to reproduce the sound.

I took it to another dealer and drove the service writer around. Of course he didn't hear it at first, so I had to stop the car and turn off the ignition and start it up again. After a few times of doing this he finally heard the scraping sound.

He had the senior mechanic take my car for a test drive, and he eventually heard the scraping sound. He thought it was peculiar and asked to keep the car another day to check it out.

The next day he said that it was the abs system and that all the other new jettas he test drove made the same barely-audible scraping sound and that it wasn't a problem. I haven't given it a thought in over 2 years until tonight.

klunkman

I too have a rattle that I thought was coming from the center dash area. But every time I leaned closer toward the dash it would stop. It was maddening, until I realized it wasn't coming from the dashboard. It's coming from the front of the sunroof. The airdam mechanism that folds up when the roof is closed rattles somewhat. For some reason, I can deal with it better now, since it's not anything that's broken or flawed. Plus, if it really bothers me, I can close the sunshade and that muffles the sound completely.

bodble2

You sure it's the airdam mechanism that's rattling and not the infamous moonroof gasket rattle inherited from the provious generation Accord/TL/CL?

klunkman

Positive. The gasket squeak problem has not reared its ugly head yet. And judging by my inspection of it, I think they either changed the gasket rubber, or improved the design, because I don't think the squeak will appear.

FYI - I fixed the gasket squeak on my '02 TL-S with a thin coat of Vaseline around the perimeter. Lasted the last 6 months I owned the car. I had previously been using silicone spray, which only lasted about a month.

klunkman

#87 of 100 Voice Recognition(VR) by shenkar Dec 04, 2003 (2:23 pm)
is only a feature of the cars equipped with the navigation system. Bluetooth is another feature of the nav

Oh, thanks Shenkar. So I guess the voice activated Handsfree link I've been using in my non-Nav TL is a malfunction.

shenkar

Quote: "Oh, thanks Shenkar. So I guess the voice activated Handsfree link I've been using in my non-Nav TL is a malfunction." (Dripping with sarcasm)

Please forgive me klunkman if I misinterpreted what I read on the Acura website about the Handsfreelink.

Quote: "The 2004 TL is available with the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™....when the vehicle is paired with a Bluetooth® mobile phone, clients can direct-dial the locations stored in the navigation system using the HandsFreeLink™ system."

I took that last reference to the navigation system to mean that it was exclusively a feature of the navigation system.

Even though you jumped my case on this, you really did me a favor cause I had been thinking the only way to get the Bluetooth setup was to buy the Navi. Thanks. Others may have been confused on this issue as well, but I hope I didn't add to the confusion.

klunkman

Hey, I'm here to help. What's cool about setting up your phonebook with the HFL is that the system records your voice for the name of the person you're storing. You can then play back your stored list of numbers and it plays back your recorded voice stating the names of your contacts and shows the numbers in the multi function display in the dash. You can then interrupt the playback at any time and say "Dial" if it gets to the name of someone you want to call.

The difficult thing to choose is whether you want a male or female voice. I went with the female, because I didn't want any of my homophobic friends to think I had some "thing" going on with my car.

Sorry again for the sarcasm.