Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

igiban

Can it be cut just for opening the door, a spare key in case you leave a main key inside?

tcl

You can go to Wal-Mart have one make for 98 cents. It can do everything except start the engine.

igiban

My ES key can't be cut by regular machine because the way it is made (laser cut or something). There's good and bad either way I guess.

Another thing is that AAA won't even bother to open my ES door one time when the key is left inside. They said Lexus cars can't be done with that thin stick. Not sure if TL's that 'secure' too? Another both good and bad case on security as well.

tcl

Lucky TL do not use that kind of key. I think Honda Accord use the same kind as Lexus. It is a kind of rare. Some one told me that kind of key just cost more ( big profit) but will not stop a professional theft. It is easy to break the window too.

jlary1

Bought a 2004 TL Nov 2 2003. Almost immediately off the show room floor experienced a whine and roar 21-25 MPH and 42-48, with mostly a roar in the 52-58 range. I drove the car to the first oil change (6732 miles)before discussing with dealer. They immediately replaced the transmission due to the whine. Also balanced the tires. That reduced the level of the whine/roar/vibrations, but still have basically the same thing. Also at this time the car was pulling to the left and they found the car out of alignment. They re-aligned and that seemed to fix the pulling problem. Drove the car then till 15884 when the rear tires wore completely bald over a 1500 mile trip. They found the rear axle badly out of alignment. Re-aligned and replaced all four tires. The dealer claimed I hit something(?????) Also replaced the engine mounts due to vibs, which service manager noticed during a test drive, at idle. Now the pulling to the left has come back and the dealer says nothing is wrong with the alignment (and confirmed by a second dealer). I still have the whine/roar/vibs, and getting worse. Last week in Atlanta in the cold weather the car literally SHOOK in the first few miles. This is my third Acura, and sadly to say may be my last.

jlary1

I have one 2004 TL since 11-2-2003 and as far as I am concerned the problem with vibs/roars/whines is 100%. I have 32000 miles and the driving quality is extremely poor and getting worse.

jlary1

The vibs/whines/roars are all affected by throttle position: coasting or pulling or cruising varies the situation. Felt through the seat of the pants and in the steering wheel. High frequency, not related to tire speed.

revras

This car seems to excel on the hwy but on city streets feels like its jiggling all over the place transmitting a rough, uncertain feel. Any suggestions or is this just the way the car rides?

armand

Its the Bridgestone tires. I recently put on snow tires and the TL rides somewhat better. What a surprise.

cfgpd

sam447, is your car a 6MT? Where is the leak coming from, or can you tell? The reason I am asking is I just had an oil leak taken care of on my 6MT. The transmission was over-filled from the factory and it was blowing out the vent and running down underneath the transmission. It looked at first as if it was either the engine rear main seal or the transmission input shaft seal but it was neither, thankfully. They called Acura tech support and were told that they had several reports of cars coming out of the factory with over-filled transmissions. They did a drain and re-fill and it appears to have solved the problem. Hopefully that's all it is with yours. BTW, mine is an '04.

flipper6

Revras, I too have found the TL to have a great highway ride but lack a little on city streets. It seems that choppy pavement does not let the tires get a good grip on the road. I have a 2000 Solara and when I go over some of the same rough patches, I find the Solara much more controlled. That being said, the TL is great fun to drive and the choppy handling over rough pavement is more of an annoyance than a safety problem. I have 2004 six speed and am very pleased with it.

tcl

Is anyone have the problem with the HID headlight stolen for the 04, 05 TL. It appears to be a big problem on the Maxima and the RX330. May be TL have a better proctection built-in. Thanks.

rmg

I have Acura 3.2 TL (year 2000). Recently I moved to Ottawa Canada from California. After I crossed the US border into Canada the navigation system stopped working. I would appreciate if somebody tell me what parts to replace, where to buy them for a better price, and how I can do it myself.

Thanks! RMG

sam447

I believe so, must the car will not know who you are.

sam447

Well, service told me today that they are going to replace the entire fuel pump and replace the timing belt! Yeah...so not sure what the deal was? Tell you when I pick it up.

jlary1

Had the same deal on my 2003 CL. Dealer said it was a "normal" characteristic. Then got my 2004 TL with same thing----dealer said it was a "hydraulic damper for the engine mounts pressurizing---Possible the ABS system? Or is it old time "carburetor spit back on start--I'm telling my age-------

handson

My new 2005 TL is great, except when it goes over any little bump or ripple in the road. Then it feels as though I'm on an airplane that is going through a storm. One jolt per bump. Not a smooth ride at all. Do all TLs ride like this. The service department said all '05s ride like that.

fbmac14

Hi, I recently bought a used 2001 TL. So far I love it. One problem however was the light for the clock is out. Can anyone tell me how that is fixed? I thought it was a fuse so i got fuse happy and after the clock fuse wasn't the problem i played with a few other i.e. instrument panel light fuse.
Now after my fuse experiment the check engine indicator light and the SRS indicator light remain on. Can anyone help me with these small problems...thanks!!!!

bodble2

I, too, find the TL is quite jarring over bumps. Probably a combination of a sporty suspension and low-profile tires.

bodble2

The maintenance minder has come on in my TL telling me that service is due soon. Great, I don't mind being reminded. I press the reset button and it goes away. But the darn thing comes on everytime you start the car! Is Acura trying to nag you to death?! Wish there was some way you could make it so it doesn't come on everytime.

armand

Its the tires! Do you have the Bridgestones or the Michelins? I have the Bridgestones and they are terrible.

tcl

Check the owner's manual. there is a way to reset set it until next scheduled reminder. All Hondas have the same features but reset in different way.

igiban

Is there a fine line between road feel and smooth rides? Cars like ES is so smooth that people say it's too isolated with not enough road feel. Then they come to the sportier TL but say it's too bumpy and not comfortable enough. Just can't get no satisfaction?

bodble2

I think BMW is probably the leader when it comes to achieving ride compliance yet maintaining handling and road feel.

bodble2

Thanks. I know what you are referring to, but I don't actually want to permanently reset it (until I take it in for the service). I just wish there is some way I can get the reminder to not pop up everytime I start the car, and force me to push the reset button everytime. You see, even after you turn it off, the display shows a small "envelope" icon to tell you there is a message. I figure that should be sufficient.

pagolfer

2001 TL. At 49,000 my check engine light came on. The dealer replaced the oxygen sensor and put the hard press on for a service contract. I declined. 10 months later, same problem and still under the warranty for the work they did at 49,000. Dealer called, deficient oxygen, not same codes as last time, $85 to diagnose and that does not come off service work. I told him no thanks since they said different codes and won't be under warranty. I took to Honda dealer a few weeks later when inspection came due and for $56 (I was told was discounted), they told me fuel injectors and it would be $700. I called the 1-800 number at Acura to express concern that it might have been same problem as when first diagnosed at 49,000. The woman told me after some research, fuel injectors covered to 70K miles. So I told Honda not to do work so I had to pay 56 for diagnosis and 45 for the rental car since they did not get the work.
Two days later I went to Acura, the 70K is only for California cars.

I made a sincere and logical argument about the amount of time I had wasted. I told them to get my car and they were surprised I did not want them to do any work.

The manager came out to my car and we had the gasoline grade conversation. I asked if that was the issue, why no problem for 50,000 miles. No good argument. I then respectfully asked for him to look at the codes from the warranty work at 49,000 vs. when I took in the they told me $85 to diagnose. Unfortunately, the 49,000 report did not have notes and he would have to go to the file room. I asked if he thought if the technician had done that when he called me and told me the problem. He did not have time to run back to the file room since he did not put me on hold and I doubt he did the research.

The manager offered to split the injectors and I told him I appreciated that but would like to make a different offer.

I told him I would use 93, save my receipts and if the lights came back on, he gives me my half back. He then said how about I do the injectors for free and then we are done with this.

I said deal

revras

Does the suspension have any adjustable points to soften the ride? The seats also seem very hard which seems to transmit every bump as well. I suppose you could re upholster the seats to provide more cushion?

carnaught

Anybody know how to turn off this annoying little notification once oil change has been done?

bodble2

The dealer should have reset it for you, but there are instructions for resetting it yourself in the owner's manual.

golfnut5

The Cadillac CTS has a very good handling / ride setup.

bodble2

It certainly put on some good moves in Bad Boys II !

handson

I have Michelin tires. The air pressure are all at the required 32 lbs.

shelly

I just had the dealer remove all my Bridgestone tires after 2700 miles and put on the new michelins that they have on the 2005 tl big difference. Called acura hot line they did not want to do a thing I finally persuaded acura dealersip who I had a good relationship with cost me $200.00 Acura is making a big Mistake by not admitting to the vibration, flatspoting etc etc etc problems ss

monica

Patrick,

How did you open up a case with Acura? I'm currently have my transmission replaced on a 2003 TL type S for the second time. But, I'm concerned that it's going to keep having problems. This is 2 in one year. Thanks.

Monica

carnaught

premature/poor waring of the leather seats? My '03 TL is four months old and the sides of both front seats (especially driver's) have a very wrinkled parchment paper appearance. It suggests excessive ware and future cracking of the leather. Hate to think of what it'll look like after years of use.

BTW, Im 6'0, 174lbs, so I don't feel my size has played a role.

bodble2

My 6-month-old '04 TL also has wrinkles on the side bolsters of the driver seat, and stretching on the seat bottom part of all the seats.

qwalls

The side bolsters definitely wrinkle easily.

revras

the suspension on this car is unforgiving, I am on my 2nd set of tires and notice no appreciable difference in ride, Bridgstone vs Michelin. The car seems to handle cracks in the pavement fine but uneven surfaces make this car turn into a trip on Mr. Toads Wild Ride. I think I'm gonna have to sell it and take a huge loss but my back will thank me over the next four years. Sad because this car is truly a hot performer with all sorts of techie advances that dont mean dirt to me if I can't appreciate the ride and have a semi predictable one.

tlresearcher

I am getting ready to buy a non-navi 2005 TL. I saw an '05 TL in the dealership today with Bridgestone tires. Do you think it is worth having them switched right now and adding this as part of the total negotiated price? I thought all '05 cars had Michelins but it may possibly be true with only navi models. Any comments or suggestions?

wjwestover

tlresearcher,

I just purchased 05 TL w/NAV and it is true only NAV units come with Michelin tires. NON-NAV still come with Bridgestone EL-42s. Made my decision to go w/NAV a little easier knowing I was getting better tires.

tlresearcher

I am about to get a non-navi TL which has Bridgestone tires. To replace them with Michelins, Mr.Tire's best price is $219 per tire for Michelin "Pilot Sport AS". If it generates $900 of additional expense, a car with navi makes perfect sense for $2000 extra compared to a non-navi car. Effectively the navigation system only costs about $1100 in that case.

handson

Maybe my dealer was just more laid back, but I told him we wanted Michelin tires for our non-Nav '05 TL and he said OK without blinking an eye or charging for it.

tlresearcher

Handson: Thanks for the message. I did get a message back from one dealership that they will get me Michelins without any additional charge. I don't know how it works - whether they swap them with some navi car or get new Michelins. I hope the latter is true to avoid anyone else getting stabbed in the back just because they were not very aware of this issue. Thanks!

bodble2

I suspect there must be some arrangement between Honda and the dealers to supply the Michelins at no cost to the dealers if customer complains.

achadha

Just took my car in for an oil change. I complained about the ride not being as smooth as it should be back at 7000 miles they simply balanced all 4 tires and that was it. This time I explained to them the bumpy feel to the TL's ride and slight vibration from the steering wheel I was getting. He said its probably because you bent ur rim hitting a pothole. Got a call back saying they are ordering 4 new tires for me. My 04 TL was purchased december 2003 so it was an early production one. Lets see if the new tires are any better.

tlresearcher

Achada: You should definitely find a significant difference with the Michelins. I am sure you have been reading several messages about issues with early production cars with Bridgestones. Good luck! Please remember to drop a quick note once you have the new tires to let us know if they helped.

acura02

Hi, I join this forum to present a problem with my 2000 TL. I purchase it off the show room floor in 1999 with only 13 miles. I use the car for commuting 94 miles round trip 40 hrs a week. I still love the car but as all acura owners know there was a recall on the 2000 thru 2004 TL's for possible transmission problems. We begin to have problem with our transmisson took it in to a dealer and was told that our problem wasn't the same as the recalled problem. Disappointed, we end up paying $2997.00. Do you guys think this was fair? any suggestions.

achadha

tiresearcher,

 

I need to find out what type of tires they will be putting on the car. If they are new versions of the Bridgestone I don' think they will help the ride any..

jkgreer2

Has anyone had problems with weak voice transmission by HFL when transmitting phone calls from 2004 TL? My HFL phone calls are faint when received by family cell phones. I will advise after dealer investigates next week.

revras

I dont think the rough ride is from the tires.. to be honest the suspension is calibrated for a great hwy ride on smooth pavement. Over uneven pavement on city streets the car has the jitters and rolls, hops and jumps..to me tires can only do so much to mask this tendency of the car.