Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

17677798182110

Comments

  • bartalk3bartalk3 Member Posts: 692
    I may go to synthetic on my new TL also. However, I think I recall the instruction manual saying not to change oil the first time until the indicator says to do so. Seems odd to go so long, although, as I recall, BMW recommends oil changes only every 15,000 miles or so.

    The problem with changing oil "early" in the TL, as far as the monitor goes, is that if you reset the monitor after, say, 3,500 miles, that throws off the other maintenance items that are linked to the oil change.

    Do you know if Mobil 1 is available in 5W-20?
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    After series of issues i took my 2 month old car(06 TL) to the dealer to fix.. Here is a list of things that were addressed

    1) Steering vibration: Front left wheel was bent . Dealer said i may have hit a pot hole.. I would have known if i hit a pot hole. Got new wheel out of my own pocket. fighting with Acura client services for refund. Will keep you posted
    2) Door and speaker rattle in right front door: Dealer fixed it by adding felt tape and some kind of foam. No problems so far.
    3) Right passenger seat squeak: Two rivots ( that is what dealer said) loose .. tightened .. However problem came back the vey next day ... took it back .. They now think there is a prblem with the sensor and replacment part ordered. Problem still not fixed
    4) Faded dash: Dealer used three products sold in their shop to clean it up. Took them four attempts to get it looking new. The problem is still there .. Is the dash leather or vinyl.. Dealer said use laether treatment products on the dash ..

    Last Customer service: I had a note in my car aplogizing for the problems.. That is nice .. However my brother-in-law bought a lexus last week and he had to wait 20 mins extra for delivery.. The dealer gave him $50 gas card for inconvinience.. Now that is service

    After all this i still like the car .. But if the issues keep comming back i am not sure if i will keep it ..

    PS: Acura TL uses honda pasrts for glass , blinkers etc.. Howver i drove a TSX ( loaner) it had all ACURA parts.. BTW TSX is not a bad car at all.. the car sounded much solid than my TL :)
  • petomlinpetomlin Member Posts: 103
    Yep - Mobil 1 is available in 5W-20. Link: http://mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_5W-20.aspx

    I'll take another look at the owners manual to see what it says about the oil change intervals. My dealer never went over any of that with me. It's funny you mention other maintenance items liked to the oil change. Nothing is simple anymore.

    If you have an independent shop change the oil, will that matter as far as the warranty is concerned? hmmm.....
  • bartalk3bartalk3 Member Posts: 692
    You can have any independent shop change your oil and do any routine maintenance and that will not affect your warranty.

    My salesman went over a few things about the car when we took delivery and gave us some misinformation. He said that only the dealer could reset the maintenance minder, implying that I should have the oil changed there or I would get the mileage on the minder all screwed up in terms of oil change intervals, etc. Actually, in the owner's manual it describes how to reset it yourself--and it's no problem at all.
  • 99solara99solara Member Posts: 51
    My 2000 TL rearview mirror started leaking today and is also quite blurry. I have heard that Acura has a "secret warranty" on the mirror. Does anyone have experience having Acura pay for this repair?
  • tinatinatinatina Member Posts: 388
    Hello,

    Although I do not own a 2006 Acura TL, I do own a 2006 Honda Accord which makes a popping/rubbing/tak noise at low speeds (5-15 MPH) front/left when the car is warmed up. I would say that is may do it more when going up a hill. Please note that I posted this same concern at the dedicated Accord Thread, but I only got one reply stating that it may be the weld issue (from a 2003 TSB) during the manufacturing of some cars at that time. I also read somewhere that Hondas are experiencing these issues across all lines. Is this a bad shock or some other proble with the springs, etc.? I can duplicate the problem by shaking the wheel a bit when the car has really been warmed up. The dealer now maintains that the car is operating normally, but they initially changed the wheel bearing. I have no confidence in the personnel at that dealership. The car has about 700 miles on it, and I just purchaed it a brand-new a couple of weeks ago.

    Again, sorry for posting here but some of the posts here appear to be related to my issue. Any thoughts/tips/suggestions are appreciated.
  • maximafanmaximafan Member Posts: 592
    Chalk me up as one of those people that
    gets the oil changed in my car every 3,000
    to 3,500 miles. I've been doing it that way
    for the last 18 years of cars that I've
    driven. Even though I've been told that it's
    not necessary, that you can do it every
    5,000 or 7,000, I still keep to the 3,000
    mile rule. Some habits are hard to break.

    I don't know. Maybe this is why I've had
    such great luck with the reliability of the
    past four cars I've driven in that 18 years.
  • malladuccimalladucci Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2005 TL w/Navi. My car is literally in perfect condition. No scratches or dents, and the interior is flawless. However, my steering wheel, after only 1 year of owning and 11,000 miles, is beginning to look terribly cracked. At this point it looks like it is made of vinyl. The car is always garaged and I NEVER park in the sun. Has this happened to anyone else? Will a dealer replace the steering wheel under warranty? Any help would be greatly appreciated. :confuse:
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    I managed to hook up my sony ericsson K750i cell phone with the TL's bule tooth system. This phone is not in the approved list by Acura. I called thier hotline and they said at this time this phone is not supported. However i tried once more yesterday and voila we have a connection .. So i guess you can add this phone to the list of compatible phones for TL blutooth
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    When I bought my 06 MDX, they claimed that my Motorola V710 was also not supported, but it paired up perfectly as well.
    Another one to add to the list. ;)
  • bartalk3bartalk3 Member Posts: 692
    I have a new TL and want to get a phone that I can hook up to the car's speakers, etc. I know zero about these things. Will a Samsung 900 work? Where do you find out from Acura which phones will work with the car?

    Thanks.
  • bdemarrbdemarr Member Posts: 25
    Stick with Sony/Erickson.. I do not know anything about the Samsung...good luck
  • bdemarrbdemarr Member Posts: 25
    I have a '04 TL and no problem with Sony/Erickson..not sure what ACURA was talking about...
  • bdemarrbdemarr Member Posts: 25
    That is not normal..contact your dealer, I think they will cover it. Prob. just needs a new leather wrap..
  • samirpsamirpsamirpsamirp Member Posts: 2
    I cut deep into my pockets to get the new acura TL. 3000 miles later, one fine morning, it has started producing rattling sounds.

    I browsed through the forums for noises/rattling but none seems closer to what I am experiencing.

    Whenever I start my car after it has been parked for few hours, it produces loud humming/screaching sounds ( i dont move the car, just turn the steering around and sound continues). When I back it up & drive it a bit, the rattling slowly fades away.

    I have a feeling it is some problem with my steering ( i had a similar one on my honda accord before & was root caused to that).

    Dealer has other thesis - every summer we hear these complaints. Moisture gets locked/frozen in brake pads and thats what causes the sound which dissappears in a bit.

    I have a second more unreproducible problem - whiff of gasoline inside the car at occasions.

    Once again: dealers thesis - some warning should come on dashboard if gasoline is ever leaking.

    any folks here have some insight? I have driven cars for quite sometime to be familiar with what is a good sound & whats a bad sound but my technical expertise can be assumed to be fairly zilch for purpose of this discussion.

    Englighten me !
  • maximafanmaximafan Member Posts: 592
    I don't know about the screeching part, but
    the humming noise was something I was getting
    on my 2002 Maxima about three weeks ago, and
    after finally figuring out that it only
    happened while turning the wheel, I took it
    to my independent mechanic and he said the
    hose to the power steering mechanism had a
    leak. Now, mind you, my car is over four
    years old and has a little of 60,000 miles on
    it. I can't imagine a brand new car having
    something like that with only 3,000 miles.

    But, that's something to consider. Good luck,
    and I hope the problem gets solved.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    While it is unusual for the steering mechanism to develop a problem on a car with only 3000 miles, it could happen. Since the noises only happen when the steering wheel is turned, and the car stationary, he has narrowed it down to something to do with the steering, which is more than 1/2 way to solving the problem!
  • beejer73beejer73 Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2004 TL and have been using the HandsFreeLink Bluetooth with my cell phone. It had been working fine, but three days ago the system locked up. "Phone" continues to be displayed on the dash and Navigation display (even when i do not have the phone in the car) and nothing seems to resolve the problem. I am now locked out of making any calls using the car, using the HandsFreeLink for anything (navigation, thermostat, etc), and cannot even operate the radio. Basically, the car thinks that the phone is in use.

    Has this happened to anyone?

    I have thought about disconnecting/reconnecting the battery, but was not sure if it would create additional problems. Is there a way to reset the system? I did not see anything in the manual. Any advice is much appreciated.

    Brad
  • bdemarrbdemarr Member Posts: 25
    Brad: Sorry, but this has never happened to me with my '04 TL. I am not sure if you have contacted your dealer/sales rep? I have had nothing but great accolades for mine here in Houston. Have you tried disconnecting the phone battery and putting it back in? I don't think I would disconnect the car battery either w/o contacting the dealer. Good luck and keep me posted on the solution...Brad
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Pulling the battery from the phone will do nothing to resolve the issue of a locked up nav/bluetooth issue in the car.
    The problem isn't in the phone.

    Make sure you have the unlock codes for the Nav and Stereo, and then pull the negative battery cable.
    Replace it after about 30 seconds, plug in your codes and you should then be all set.

    Your system is in a hung state and will remain that wat until you cut the power from it.
    Pulling the Negative cable will not cause any issues and should correct this issue for you.

    If that doesnt work (Which it should), you can then ping the dealer.
  • beejer73beejer73 Member Posts: 5
    Thanks!

    Any idea of where i can obtain the unlock codes for the Nav and Stereo?
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    The only problem I have encountered is not being able to answer calls on my phone after using HandsFreeLink. To rectify, I had to turn phone off, then on again. I'm assuming this procedure does nothing to rectify the problem you're encountering?
  • jrourkejrourke Member Posts: 72
    Any idea of where i can obtain the unlock codes for the Nav and Stereo?

    (a) Sticker in glove box
    (b) card (business card size)in pocket in owners manual case
    (c) Seem to recall some finding it in fuse box under hood
    (d) Also seem to recall a post mentioning a place in the trunk but specifics escape me now.
    (e) Dealer can look up info and unlock. Most will not do it for free and want $$$
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    I have 9900 miles on my TL. I have no vibrations, no faded dash, a minor rattle in one of the cubby doors in the dash (I just leave it open), no funky smells or sounds or whatever. I do get 32 mpg on the highway, can hit 110 mph when I want (on I85 in the boondocks), and love XM radio.

    All car models have a few bad apples. Mine isn't one of them.
  • jacksonkidjacksonkid Member Posts: 9
    I was having the same gas smell in my cabin as well ('99 TL). I took it to my independent mechanic (Acura/Honda specialist) who checked it and said it was the Fuel Injector or bad O-Ring. I opted to just replace the entire Fuel Injector (one of six) just to be on the safe side. My TL has 130K on it and I wouldn't know why a car with 3K would do this. I would definitely get the car checked out, ASAP.
  • beejer73beejer73 Member Posts: 5
    Thanks a lot. i really appreciate the help and your time.
  • jacksonkidjacksonkid Member Posts: 9
    I noticed tonight that the drivers side front headlight (low beam) was out. However, the dash board indicator did not come on to notify me that it was out or there was a problem. Could there be another issue beside the bulb? I would hate to replace the bulb (at $120) and that not be the issue. Any suggestions or similar issues?? :confuse:
  • sestessestes Member Posts: 2
    Update to Fogged Radio Glass:

    The dealer wiped down the dash and door handles with some product they use. Really, it’s only OK…seems to trap dust and appears sticky. I think “compatiblizer migration” is code for “poor materials.” We have owned Volkswagens, Toyotas and now an Acura. I have never seen any kind of dash aging like this in the lifetimes of our other cars. We park our Acura in our garage and it is garaged at work. We only park it outside when we are taking trips or on errands. Total case of style over substance, IMO. We heard the same things about using Windex from the service dept. Blah blah blah. My experience with ArmorAll has been that it fogs up the windshield when it evaporates from the dash. Thanks for the link to the 303 Aerospace protectant, although my hunch is that UV deterioration is not causing this problem.

    Plan to replace the tires with Michelins at a later date.

    And on to the fogged glass….The dealer ordered new glass and is going to install it, although you will probably be hearing from me later about dash noise.

    Other than that, we really do enjoy the car. Have the Blackberry bluetoothed and have found it to be a wonderful option. Love the engine…found the Lexus models to be sluggish and less responsive. Gives us the German engineering feeling without the maintenance headaches.

    Our greatest complaint is the customer service of the only Acura gig within a 100 mi radius of our home. We have found a wonderful local shop that specializes in maintaing Acuras and Hondas. We only have warranty maintenance done at the dealer and grit our teeth every time we have to schedule an appointment. Everything else goes to our shop guy. Wish us luck! :blush:
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    It will be a little bit more work -

    Switch the bulbs - if the side that worked before still does and the side that did not - still does not then your problem is not the bulb -

    But if the side that worked before the switch does not work after then it is the bulb.
  • jacksonkidjacksonkid Member Posts: 9
    Thanks z71. I went to the dealership today and was informed that it was the inverter. When they tried to turn on the light it worked without fail and the inverter was the decision made. They then informed me that the part costs $500 which I later found to be false. For the same OEM part was $207 online. I am totally miffed by the dealership now. :mad: :mad:
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    What is an "inverter" and why the heck does it cost so much?? I'm sure it has something to do with the HID thing, but can you explain more about it, if you know? Or anyone?

    I've been under the impression that the expense of HID bulbs was in replacing the bulbs themselves - not "parts" for them.

    I also have a 99 TL.
  • jacksonkidjacksonkid Member Posts: 9
    The inverter can also be called the ballast. From what the dealership told me, it is the piece that controls the flow of power to the HID bulbs. When it is not properly functioning it can cause the bulb not to light up. I figure there are two per car since only the drivers side failed to light up. I found the OEM part on www.acuraoemparts.com. They were a lot cheaper than the dealership.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Ahh! Ballast I understand! But gee whiz, that's a lot of money, even the $207. Thanks. :blush:
  • jacksonkidjacksonkid Member Posts: 9
    I take it that 200 bucks is somewhat worth it. There hasn't been a problem with the headlights since 99. I guess something has to happen in 7 years.
  • billyperks1billyperks1 Member Posts: 151
    Lucky you- I have a 2003 and my inverter went bad several months ago, my car is still under warranty so I got off the hook easily in terms of the bill.
  • beejer73beejer73 Member Posts: 5
    Just wondering if anyone has ever purchased newer DVDs for the Navigation System. Is it worth it? I noticed that the new TLs have a built in Zagat guide and some other options that my 2004 does not. Does anyone know if these are included in the DVDs?

    Brad
  • stingray2019stingray2019 Member Posts: 13
    Is there something special about using it? I've tried it with the key in and out of the ignition as well as the car on and off / in park and not. The key fab trunk button works just fine, so is this an issue, feature, or broken?

    BTW, band new 2006 TL with Nav / Auto.

    Thanks
    Mark "Stingray2019" Santora
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Check the main trunk switch inside the glove box. It may have been turned off. That's a security feature, which allows you to lock out the inside trunk release.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I think it goes into recirculating mode because that would cool the interior the quickest. I had thought it would eventually go back into fresh air mode. But to be honest, I can't say for sure, because I very rarely use the auto feature. (I don't like the fan on full blast every time I turn the car on).
  • npianonpiano Member Posts: 1
    The AC will eventually go into non-recirc, but it holds on to recirc longer than most cars
  • bartalk3bartalk3 Member Posts: 692
    Thanks piano and bodble for clearing up the climate control settings. I'll leave it on recirc. and see if it eventually switches over.
  • tallbrunettetallbrunette Member Posts: 6
    Hi All, I am getting rid of my Passat a month before the lease has ended. Looking into 2006/7 Acura TL, Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Does any one know the warranty terms? Does this car or any of the 4 I named have Xenon lights? I am looking into a Infiniti and was told it costs $800 to replace if damaged!!!
    Comments and directions please. I use this car for business and travel ~20,000 miles/yr.
  • bhelsdonbhelsdon Member Posts: 134
    Infinity and the TL have xenon lights. The Tl has a 5 year 50,000 mile warranty from the factory and an available 100,000 extended warranty thru Acura.
  • tallbrunettetallbrunette Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for your help.
  • maximafanmaximafan Member Posts: 592
    I believe Acura's warranty is four years or
    50,000 miles, unless something's changed that
    I didn't hear about.
  • seanh2oseanh2o Member Posts: 27
    Hello everyone,

    I had my TL06 with Navi for about 2 months now and luckily I didn't notice any vibrations at high speeds. Anyhow, my issue is one of those things that one can hardly notice.

    It usually happens only after my car has been parked for over night. When I start my car in the morning and drive off the driveway, I hear this thumping sound coming from bottome of the car. It's like one of those sound you can hear when you hit something at the bottom of the car. Sometimes you might confuse it with auto locking sound or you might just think you hit something light at the bottom of the car. However, the sound is pretty distinct. You can hear it or sometimes you just can't.

    In previous threads, some have reported as ABS start up sound. Has anyone dealt with this problem yet? Is this a problem?Thanks!
  • aaarghaaargh Member Posts: 230
    What you are describing sounds like the ABS self test. Do you feel it in the brakes? If so, that's it, and it's not a problem.

    What's weird is my '04 with 36K miles doesn't do this anymore. It stopped around 15K.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "What's weird is my '04 with 36K miles doesn't do this anymore"

    Come to think of it, you're right. I don't think mine makes that sound anymore either! I just hope the ABS is still working!
  • stingray2019stingray2019 Member Posts: 13
    That was it. Damn, I really hadn't even looked in there. I thought it was just a trunk release button as well for the passenger side. Nice feature.

    Thanks Again.
    Mark "Stingray2019" Santora
  • seanh2oseanh2o Member Posts: 27
    Thanks for the input!

    Stil, whether the sound is coming from the ABS test or not, I think the sound is just too unreasonably noticeable. At first, I thought something popped up from the ground. I even asked my collagues who had cars with ABS breaks (almost all cars have ABS), they laughed at me after hearing about large sound from the ABS. hahaha

    Anyhow, someone should raise this problem. I do think it is a problem. It's just too loud.
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