Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

delmar1

The description by 'poidog1' appears to be the ABS self-check.

bodble2

No, I don't think so. The abs self-check does not happen when you shift from D to Reverse, or vice versa.

delmar1

As I understand it...it is a different self-check other than the diagnostic performed at the time you turn the ignition key (ie...what you see on the instrument panel).

The sound I am referring to occurs when shifting from reverse to drive after the car has set for a period of time.

Once again...I would have to hear the sound in person. I would suggest going to get a second opinion from an alternate dealership who can listen to the sound personally.

bodble2

ABS self-check noise occurs when you drive off, at about 5 mph or so, and has a crunchy sound, not a pop or crack sound. The popping noise when you go from D to R, I believe, has to do with the calipers adjusting themselves.

delmar1

I will buy that description.... Better discription of sounds...and that is correct.

cerauli

I know that the 05's come with only Michelins now. Tried to get Acura regional to swap the Bridgestones off for the Michelins and they basically laughed at me.

I read an artice about the 04-05 Honda Accords having a vibration issue... Service bulletins recommended replacing the transmission mounts to eliminate vibration? Any thoughts out there???

tedescm1

buy American ...it's cheaper and the quality is the same.

sue11

I have a 2000 3.2TL.
My daytime running light indicator (DRL) intermittently goes on and off while driving. When it is off both daytime lights are working. Any idea?

delmar1

Allow your car to break-in a little...vibration may subside. Mine did and it is fine.

battrl

Michelins are only standard on the '05 Navi-equipped models. Don't ask me why.

frisconick

I have had my TL for a little over a month, and no vibrations at any speed. :shades:

cerauli

That is what I have been thinking in the back of my mind... how many miles do you have now? I just turned 7,000.
Thanks!

tedescm1

I think the vibration issue was mostly in the 04 and perhaps the 05. I'll never buy another first year car! And, because of the way i've been treated by acura, I'll never buy another honda product.

live and learn....that was an expensive lesson

delmar1

I have approx 1,000 miles after 2+ weeks. I think my first tank of gas was where it was the roughest...and rougher than the test drive of the same vehicle.

Figured it was potentially a bad tank of gas...filled it up after half tank....and the ride improved. Filled it up again after the 2nd half tank...improved. On perhaps the fourth tank of premium grade gas...and it is without vibration.

My guess is that I had a bad initial tank of gas...and it was also in the break-in period.

delmar1

Perhaps consider switching dealerships you visit for your servicing. It is not necessary to go to the dealership where the vehicle was purchased.

I have been very pleased with the various Acura dealerships I worked with for the servicing of the five Acuras I have owned.

frisconick

You can go to any Acura dealership for repairs in the country, it does not matter. In fact, they will welcome you with open arms.

delmar1

And your newly selected dealer will even throw in a new license plate frame with their dealership name imprinted on it as a welcome gift !

goodfellawzguy

I'm about to take ownership of my new TL, automatic with Navi. I was wondering if Acuras have break in periods where you need to keep the speed and/or RPMs below certain levels. If so, what are those levels and for how many miles?

Thanks in advance!

delmar1

In he Owner's Manual...you will find information regarding break-in period.

Basically..it states not to drive it hard for the first 600 or so miles....and not to change the oil until the maintenance reminder indicates for the change (which may be close to 10,000 miles).

I found my TL to really become more limber once it hit 1,000 miles.

As for the oil change...refer to my previous post regarding the initial oil change. Basically...the initial oil fill from the factory includes a special additive to aid in the break-in process and owners should allow it to remain until the first indicated oil change.

Enjoy your fantastic new car.

spillmar

I purchased my 2005 TL in Feb 2005 and received delivery the next month. Having 30 days to wait I read and read this forum and shortly felt with all of the problems described that perhaps I may have rushed into a purchase I would regret.

Well anyway, I received the vehicle and sure enough I started to nit-pick and obsess about everything: an offset seam in the leather, weird discoloration in the carpet and strange and unclean welding in the door, vibration from the tires, etc., etc., etc. Then I read about the tire problems....oh no I have the Michelins, what do I do ?....I have a slight vibration at high speed, who do I scream at?....and lastly I have a high pitch engine whine at high speeds...must be the infamous tranny problems everyone is talking about.....

Well after 3,000 miles and stepping away from the fixations of this board, I did notice that the car dollar for dollar was the best investment I had made vehicle wise. After awhile I noticed the good things more and more: the great sound system, the power and reliability of the engine, the clean, stylistic and volumous interior, and the solid and safe cabin. I was no longer enviable of the BMW or the Lexus..and sure enough after awhile I forgot about the problems amplified in this forum and guess what....the tires began to gel and no longer did I notice vibration, but a firm grip....the leather was no longer unseamly, but supple yet durable...oh and what happened to that high pitched engine whine, how do you fix the tranny problem, huh ?

Thats the humorous part....I called Acura's dealership and Acura headquarters and declared them incompetent and disingenuous in selling tranny's knowing that they are poor and subject to problems like I was experiencing...."I know I had read it on this board and there is a growing class of outraged buyers like me !!I"
I wrote a scathing letter to my dealer and took the TL to the mechanic and they could not fidn the problem diagnostically. I even got an independent tranny shop to look it over before again leaving it with the dealer......what was the problem in the end ....a piece of paper !!!

The dealer and I had a good laugh when I called a week later after I removed the dealers' license plate advertising insert in the front. All this time the wind at higher speeds had been blowing through the paper and causing a whistle and whine just like if you were blowing on a reed of grass..well aside from feeling like a total idiot as well as a jerk to the dealership and the mechanic, I was relieved. My car was fine, I was fine and the world goes on.

Anyway, I guess besides poking fun at myself, my point is don't obsess to find fault to this or any vehicle...step away from the forum enjoy the car and assess it based on how it compares within a reasonable standard of performance for the brand, price and style. If you have a problem of course take it for service, but you catch yourself obsessing and starting a rant with "come to think of it" or "I think I heard that" or "I felt that now that I read it" - just go for a drive and enjoy.

(Don't misunderstand - I am not slamming the usefulness of the forum, but the recipient like myself - the board has been helpful in many other ways like having me cancel the $1990 extended care the dealer attempted to rip me off and providing a great community of discussion).

bodble2

I think for sure some owners have legitimate problems, and I empathize with them. But as you have illustrated, I think many of us car nuts also suffer from automotive hypochondria! :sick:

frisconick

automotive hypochondria! :P LOL

lf05tl

VERY, very well said. The TL is a great car, period. Nice to hear your enjoying yours.

ac4life

I've had my TL for about 4 months. I only drive it twice a week, so it sits for 3-4 days without any use. Everytime I drive it, I have to charge the battery. I've already tried not opening the trunk while the car is off (that's what the service technician suggested) and I've also changed the battery. It's not the ignition switch, since there's only one off mode, and it doesn't say goodby like the RL, which has the same problem (hence TL too).

Any, I just wanted to check to see if anyone came up with a short term fix until the manufaturer figures this out. I'm almost ready to trade it in for a 5-series BMW.

frisconick

That's nuts, your battery is being drained by something else. A couple of idle days shouldn't drain your battery that much.

cgillis

hi there . i have a 2002 tl that i purchase from dealership in may 2002 it was the owner of the dealership's car that came in oct 2001. it had 20000kms on it. it now has 206000 kms but the transmission went last week . honda canada is covering the cost of the new transmission (at least i hope its new) but i have to pay labour cost of 630 dollar . i'm not pleased ! i only ever used premiun fuel and serviced at dealership . i am the only operator this car was not abused! they said it was covered on extended warranty . what warranty ? it has 206000 kms so clearly their accepting liability for this issue but i'm not happy about the labour costs. i just sold my 1994 integra with 435000km no transmission problems with that . i'm as concerned as you . if i wanted to have problems i would have purchased a focus. just curious about what costs you incurred.

takki1

I can't find the darn owners manual and the dealership is no help. The car constantly say that the phone is "in use" even if the phone is nowhere near the car. I have a verizon V710 and the bluetooth has worked perfectly for 6 months. While the phone is "in use" you can't use the radio....Does anyone know what the manuel says about how to cancel the bluetooth and how to reinstall. Like I said I can't find the owners manuel so any specific instructions would be helpful.

bhelsdon

I would say the easiest solution is to unhook the battery of the car for about 30sec. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CODES TO YOUR RADIO AND NAVIGATION IF SO EQUIPPED.

nightcrawler29

Never heard of anything like that happen!!....maybe the car is possesed!!

carnaught

I've had the same problem two or three times with my Moto v551 with Cingular. It just seemed to "reset" and correct itself by giving it some time. By the sound of yours, it has not seemed to do that and you'll problably need a trip to the dealer's service dept.

metals

When getting a blue tooth phone from Verizon, do I have to buy any other stuff to make it work? Just the phone right?

frisconick

Good question, I don't know.

darren77

Hey everyone, I just recently bought a used TL (99) and the owner's manuel was missing in action. The "TCS" light just came on and I'm wondering if any of you know what that means? Thanks, Darren

rob_passat

TCS = traction control system.

In my 03, there is a button for the TCS. I believe if you turn it off a warning light turns on.

mute

About my car: Red TL with Parchment, Automatic
I like everything about it except....

1. Anytime I have a passenger in the front seat, there is a creaking sound. Particularly over bumps. Anyone know what this is?

2. The car feels like its pulling to the left. Its only in the left lane at speeds greater than 70 that this happens, however, I never had this with my Audi or Maxima. THe dealer says the alignment is fine. ( I should mention that they drove it too, didnt have a problem, but I dont think took it up to speed). Any thoughts?

Also, anyone notice that the TL pulling with hard braking?

I would hate to dump this car with only 3K on it, but these two things are driving me nuts.

bob71

Yep - just the phone. If you have Verizon, you need the Motorola V710. Then you just need to follow the instructions in your manual to pair the phone to your TL. Once that is done, you are good to go. Also, make sure you have the bluetooth on your phone always turned on so the phone and car will automatically link (otherwise you need to manually connect every time you start the car or turn on the phone).

bodble2

The creaking sound may be from the seat leather rubbing against something. You could try raising the headrest a little so it doesn't touch the seat, or move the seat either forward or backward a bit.

mute

Not the head rest. That's up. Almost sounds like the seat is not bolted down... Cant be that. Its a clunky creak.....

carnaught

I don't know how many miles you have on your TL but hopefully it will not develop multiple clunks and rattles as some of us have.

frisconick

I have had the car a lot higher than 70 with pulling. You might be on a road with a high crest causeing to drift a certain direction, same could be true with breaking had. No creaking in my TL.

frisconick

I have had the car a lot higher than 70 without pulling, I meant.

bodble2

"but hopefully it will not develop multiple clunks and rattles as some of us have."

A good chiropractor may be able to help to some degree. But otherwise, no problem with your TL? :P

delmar1

Here are possibilities to solve the two issues:

1) If the creaking only happens with passengers....dump them and drive solo. Ok...honestly...could it be that you have something under the passenger seat? Have allow another to drive and you sit in the passenger seat in attempt to isolate? Pretty strange...who knows.

2) Two thoughts on the pulling. Really odd that it only happens above 70mph. Perhaps try to rotate your tires...could a flat spot have happened with your heavy braking? For me....no pulling at all at any speed or with any braking...no noises at all...idle fine after the break-in period.

frisconick

It may be the passenger creaking.

goodfellawzguy

I'm having the same creaking noise problem. Mine is coming from the passenger door. There are previous post concerning this problem, but have not seen a solution

I did notice the name plate under the door (the steel plate that says ACURA) is a little loose compared to the one on the drivers side. I was thinking that might be the problem, but really not sure. I guess the only way to check is to go over a bumpy road with the door open and press down on the metal plate. Any thoughts? Is your's loose as well?

Also, my second set of keys is not working. The key won't start the car, and the remote will not unlock the door. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe the dealer gave me the wrong set of keys.

I'm seeing the dealer this week to pick up my license plates, and I will discuss these problems with them

witt889

Hi, I am a college student and I need a new car to go back and forth between school (aprox. 200 miles away). My Dad wants to get a 2003 Camry, while Im pushing for a 2000 or 2001 Acura. I have heard about their transmission problems etc., but I was wondering if this is a good buy. I dont want a car that will cause me bunch of problems. I currently drive an eddie bower '97 explorer. Thanks!

carnaught

Think Accord.

frisconick

Camry's are probably the most reliable cars in the world, you can never go wrong buying a Camry, especially if you are going to drive 200 miles frequently (400 miles round trip). I would go with the Camry, not a very exciting car, but it's nice, and extremely reliable.

bodble2

One possible source for the door creak is the swing-out map holder on the door. I think that's a poor design by Acura. A nice simple fixed map holder would suffice. They tried to fix something that ain't broke. :mad:

stano49

About 50% of the time, when receiving a call in the car, the answer button on the steering wheel does not work. People usually call back and sometimes it answers as it's supposed to, and sometimes it doesn't. I have a Motorola phone with AT&T, now Cingular. The linking doesn't seem to be the problem, I get the little phone symbol in the control console.
Anyone else experience this?
Thanks.