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Comments
The product is a leather cleaner/conditioner called Meguiar's Gold Class Cleaner/Conditioner Foam. Meguiar's makes good products in general, and this foam worked great on my 6 month old TL.
The foam was especially helpful because, with the perforated leather, it was very easy to work in to the perforated seats. I have not had perforated seats before, but can imagine a lotion type product being difficult to work with as it might clog up the holes and be difficult to work in without getting dried product in the holes.
The foam is also nice because you can be very precise with it, not getting it on trim.
My seats were also showing early signs of a little wrinkling/bunching at the front edge of the driver's seat bottom (as appears to be typical of the TL, even though I have the newer 3 section seat bottom), and this product helped to tighten this up and it looks like new.
I noticed the 100% terry towels had a little bit of dirt from the driver's seat only (I do not carry too many passengers) and the product appears to have cleaned and conditioned the seats very nicely.
I did all seats and backs/headrests, front and back, just for consistency, even though I am pretty sure only the seating surfaces (fronts of all seats only, hence why manufacturers do not say leather seats, but leather seating surfaces, typically) are leather, a common cost cutting measure for recent cars (I did note the MB offers full leather seating packages for extra $$$ on some of their higher end models, so I guess some manufacturers are now getting extra profit off full leather.) Doing all surfaces led to a consistent very slight gloss from the product. I do not like glossy surfaces, prefer matte, but this gloss is very slight and tends to wear off fairly quickly with this foam product, per my experience with the VW.
In all, this product worked great, particularly with perforated seats.
BTW what did u use for the dash and plastic. I used Armor all. Looks shiny .. Not usre i like that look
Any advise
state. Maybe we can use it as a president
Thanks Vin3
I don't know what was really done. Car still rattels. I called Acura and really was NOT satisfied with their response. This car has less than 500 miles on it. I told my salesman that I wanted a new car. 5 minutes later the head of the service dept. called me & told me that "we won't be going there" that they will fix the rattels. I am dissapointed with the noise. The car has been back 4 times in two weeks. The dealership has never offered any complimentery service for the trouble.
Poor business. Sell a defective car, expect the owner to accept it.
What would you do for wheels in the meantime?
My wife uses the Camry as a commuter car to work, right now the accord is parked up in the garage and used only on weekends.
Since I only drive to train station (approx 2 miles), I will use the Accord when the Acura gets sold.
Acura MDX: Problems and Solutions
My case never went to court. My car had many defects. Everything from driveline vibration (5th GEAR), faded dash, falling headliner,rattles and on and on...
Acura was not helpful and called the driveline vibration a characteristic of the car!
Even with all these problems, the lemon law is really more corporate friendly than consumer friendly. In order to get a new car, your defective car has to be absolutely beyond horrible.
My lawyer advised me to settle out of court and I did...
If I had to do it over, I would just trade the defective acura car for another.
What I gained in money I lost on deprecation. Even, if you win in court, Acura will appeal the decision and then you have to wait another year for a court date.
My car was one of the first off the assembly line I’ll never buy another brand new model. I thought it was okay, because I was buying an Acura but in reality Acura is no better than GM it just has a better image.
My 04 tl always had a few rattles but now that it's almost three years old it is rattling all the time.
I took the car back to three different dealers in an attempt to rid the car of rattles but to no avail.
I think the rattles maybe due to the hard suspension and 17 inch tires...just a thought.
If you go to court, you will not get a new car...believe it
The lemon law is only really effective for cars that have extremely rare and very serious problems. GM is an exception, they are more willing than most to deal with a defect car.
Acura’s policy is one of “we don’t build lemons”
....they don’t fix them either
On the positive.....at least my TL starts every morning ...
The most frustration part of the whole story is that the selling dealer told me I was the only person complaining about the rattles and the harmonic front-end vibration.
Anyway when it's paid for, it will be gone... very frustrating
What did/do the dealers tell you about the rattles? They can't possibly say: "...this is normal". Aren't they humiliated at their own incompetence for not being able to fix your car? What a travesty. I feel for you. Acura should be ashamed.
One mechanic told me that in taking the dash apart to fix the rattles he would be creating more rattles . i think he was right. When my dash faded I had them put in a new dash and now that rattles all the time.
From reading these posts the TL is prone to rattles. As discussed, it must be due to the stiff suspension and low tires.
I love the way the car handles and drives but all the little problems and the one big vibration problem have ruined my experience.
When it’s paid for I will buy something else ..not an Acura!
If it bothers you that much, just get out of it now. A car is a depreciating assett. Its not becoming worth more as time passes and you make payments. You might as well make payments on something you will be happier with.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Remember, you are in a "Problems & Solutions" section of the forum. As a result, you will read and hear about all the problems CERTAIN owners are experiencing, not ALL. Although unfortunate to some TL owners experiencing these types of problems, it is not representative of all the TL's out on the road.
If I had rattles in my TL, it would drive me nuts! The original Michelins on my TL definately "flat spot" which cause a vibration, but goes away after driving a minute or two( not the cars fault it vibrates). I don't have any issues and am going on 15k trouble-free miles. Cars are not perfect, and there will be some problems with any vehicle made by any manufacturer. That is an unfortunate fact of life.
In regards to your purchasing decision, it might be prudent for you to go drive a used TL and see what it drives like i.e. rattles, vibrations, faded dash...blah, blah, blah rather than basing your decision on what you read in a "problems & solutions board" :P
Affirmation
The Ironic thing is: I own an '01 TL. It has been a pleasure. I have 109k miles on it. ZERO rattles! I had to have the transmission replaced at 103K miles, which Acura replaced under warranty. But, that's about the only problem I've had with it. I can only say good things about Acura with regard to how I've been treated.
I just know myself too well- if I buy a car the rattles, no matter how much it costs, I will go insane. I just can't tolerate abnormalities with the interior of a car. I know I'm not alone.
Having said all this - I'll be test driving an 06 TL this week to answer some questions I have, before i decide what the next car will be.
ggesq - what year is your TL?
Good luck with your next puchase and let us know how everything works out.
I definately do not like that glossy, greasy, wet look. Lexol is probably similar to Turtle Wax in that it does not cause a greasy look IMO.
Good to hear your TL DOES NOT have the faded dash issue. Rather, you put protectant on it to enhance its longevity, appearance... and not hide blotches of white fading.
Happy Motoring
Thanks
However after the first application it has turned dark gray.. So ai mhoping second application will restore its natural color
Just curious
I also have a troublesome 04 tl and look forward to trading it in the fall. :lemon:
I'm thinking of going back to a toyota. Either the Avalon or the new Camry.
Gas prices are becoming a factor!
You're telling me!
Yup, in this situation, even the automatic can have significant torque steer. And if also the road surface happens to be uneven....hang on tight to the steering wheel!!