Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

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  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    I gave it a try - no beep when my phone unhooks from the TL's blue tooth. The beep only happens once in a while - strange.

    I have also had a minor issue with my remote (I am driver #2) - when I unlock the car it displays DRIVER 2 DETECTED - but does not always adjust my seat & mirrors. When this happens if I manually push the # 2 button on the drivers door it does nothing. If I adjust everything push memory then #2 and then hold the lock & unlock button on the remote TWO times - then it seems to work fine. Strange - this has happened 3 times now. It is like the memory on the #2 driver (in the car not the remote) is getting lost - my wife is driver # 1 and hers has never failed.
  • jrourkejrourke Member Posts: 72
    Are you leaving your lights on and letting them auto-off when you hear the beep? Haven't really tested the theory, but noticed a beep today when locking after getting out of the car which I don't normally hear. Lights were on and phone not paired.
  • kennyg8kennyg8 Member Posts: 225
    The following question is also posted on the price and buying experience thread. I am concerned that it might not be the right place. So, I am posting it here as a problem and solution. Hope the admins are kind enough not to delete it. Thanks.

    -------------------------------------------------

    My understanding is that the last 5 digits of the VIN represents a sequential production number. This means the bigger the number, the latter the production date. Is that correct?

    I am going to buy a new 06 TL, and it has a VIN with the last 5 digits being 26xxx. Does this mean it is an ealier production? I notice some of the new owners have much higher numbers, like 54xxx. Should I care about a new car with an earlier production date? How many TLs have Acura sold/produced in 06?

    Does anyone have better info on this issue? Thanks.
  • jrourkejrourke Member Posts: 72
    My understanding is that the last 5 digits of the VIN represents a sequential production number. This means the bigger the number, the latter the production date. Is that correct?

    How to Decipher VIN

    http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131067&highlight=construction

    How many TLs have Acura sold/produced in 06?

    Don't have the original link where Honda releases the data at hand, but a quick search found the following:

    The Acura Division posted July sales of 18,203, with record July sales of 3,799 units for the TSX. The TL luxury performance sedan was Acura’s best-selling model with July sales of 6,304 and year-to-date sales of 42,601.
  • jrourkejrourke Member Posts: 72
    It doesn't matter if the lights are on for the beep. I found I get the beep if I'm pressing the lock on the fob a second time i.e. it's already locked. I discovered this because I recently read that if you leave the lights in auto-off mode, hitting the lock twice turns them off instead of waiting to time out which is true.
  • dutch56dutch56 Member Posts: 4
    Does anyone else have a connection problem with the Blackberry bluetooth connect in the TL? Mine connects for about 2mins. then loses the connection. I sometime do this 4-5 time driving to work. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.....
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    Do you set your device for 'always seeking a Bluetooth connection'? I do mine (cell phone tho), and it links up within a few seconds every time I turn on my car (06 Auto).
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    It was my phone making the beep after all - the first time I tested the car must have been set to driver #1 (wife) - I went out and turned the car on - hands free link hooked up like it always does - when I shut it off and my phone did nothing - I assume my wife's phone - that was in the kitchen - made a beep.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Hmm...my phone makes no such noise. :confuse:
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Kewl...

    Ya know, I always wondered why the car always pairs to my phone before the wife's.
    I never considered the thought of it being paired to driver memory.... is that how it works?
    Driver 1 looks for my phone?
    Driver 2 looks for the wife's?
    Hmm....

    Anywho, my Moto V3M does beep when the bluetooth drops.
    Speaking of that...

    When I'm on a call and want to switch to the phone, I can just hit the bluetooth function button and say "Transfer"

    But if I'm driving down the road and want to use my phone without the car's speaker phone, I have to drill down into the phone's settings and find the bluetooth connection and drop it... a real pain in the neck.
    Is there is easy way around this?

    I also notice that the voice recorder function in my phone doesn't work if it's paired up to the car.
  • ggesqggesq Member Posts: 701
    scottm123,

    Did you choose the TL over the IS or are you talking about your MDX?
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Have not yet made that decision.
    The MDX does have that same system though

    That decision will be made in the next few months.
    I have to choose between the IS250 AWD, IS350, GSx, and TL Type-S

    I'll drive all 4 and then make a final decision :confuse:
  • ggesqggesq Member Posts: 701
    Is 07 G35 not an option?
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    You need to link the remote to the car - press lock and unlock at the same time - the little red light on the remote - blinks once it is linked - blinks twice when it unlinks (?).

    Not sure why you need to hit unlock then open the door to activate the driver 1 or 2 setting - if you open the door first you can't use the remote.
  • dutch56dutch56 Member Posts: 4
    I have a Blackberry 8700 model. It asks to link up each time I turn on the car. That link lasts about 1-2 mins. Battery is fully charged and signal is strong. I went to the Cingular store and they said it's not the cell phone. The TL manual says if you have problems connecting, it's not the car. One big circle.....
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Oops, my bad....
    I made a typo.
    I was actually referring to the 07' G35x

    I'm a little concerned about the G, but I'll give it a good look.
    A lot of 06 owners are complaining about rattles and a horrible bluetooth system.

    I know it sounds small, but the bluetooth is a huge factor for me.
    The system in the MDX is absolutely wonderful, and I'll never go back to using a headset in the car again.
  • semezsemez Member Posts: 36
    This may be a stupid question but I am curious to know answer. I just had an Oil change and didn't notice until it was completed that the oil used was synthetic.. In the past regular oil was used. My question, does it make a difference? and if so is it worth the premium I paid?
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    This question has been asked and debated on Edmunds many times. There is no "right" answer.

    I would say its a personal preference.

    Some use synthetic and drive 10,000 miles between oil changes.

    Some claim better MPG when using synthetic.

    Some claim oil leaks caused by synthetic.

    Some say its a big waste of money.

    Some (including Mobile who makes Mobile1) say you should still use the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

    The TL was designed to use regular oil - and the maintenance minder system is based on regular oil - so there is no real need for synthetic.

    If you drive in extreme weather - very hot or very cold - it could be an advantage - or if you plan to keep the car for many years it may be worth the extra $.

    Other wise I would stick with regular oil.
  • bob289bob289 Member Posts: 14
    I was wondering if anyone else have run into this problem? when someone is sitting in the passager seat and while the car is in accerlation or a breaking (mild-hard breaking) there is a creaking noise coming from the bottom of the seat. ive tried several things such as moving it back and forth and tilting the back in both direction. i also tried to jerk forward while sitting in it to mimic the breaking/accerlation motion. i can simulate the problem only when the car is in motion and either i accerlation or brake. this problem has just recently started and ive bought the car back in early july. is this something i should take to Acura or is it an easy fix i can do myself. being that the nearest Acura is an hour drive.
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Please don't take offense to this question, but who is sitting in this passenger seat while you are driving?

    I ask because I have a passenger seat that creaks, but only when my 290lb co-worker is sitting in it. :)

    Could just be an issue of the seat being under excessive distress.

    My seat on creaks with him in it, never with my wife, who is less than half his weight.
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    This may not be the same issue as yours but i used to get creaking noise when accelarting or braking on passenger seat.dealer fixed it. A rivet on the seat rail was broken ..
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    I had the same problem - and found the solution on Acurazine.com - it also has a fix for some other rattles.

    Basically all you do is take the passenger side seat front bolts out - put some felt between the bracket and floor and reinstall the bolts.

    It seemed too easy - and I could not believe it actually worked. Mine made the creek with and without a passenger. This fixed it 100%.

    I am not sure if this link will work - if it does not go to acurazine.com and search gen 3 TL form.

    http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125087&highlight=seat+rattle
  • trojans4metrojans4me Member Posts: 5
    Anyone have a serious problem with tire wear? Firstly, the original equipment Turanza's that Acura put on the TL's are really poor...terrible for rain, and from what I have read, snow. I have 20,000 miles on my TL with Navi since May 2004, and the tires already need to be replaced. What a jip. Anyone have any suggestions?
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    That's normal wear... in fact, you should be thankful that you got a full 20,000 out of them.
    For the size tire, you can expect that.
  • bdemarrbdemarr Member Posts: 25
    Yes, I got about 16k off of mine...total BS
  • trojans4metrojans4me Member Posts: 5
    Check this out.

    A "TSB" is a Technical Service Bulletin that the manufacturer issues whenever a production problem exists for a particular make/model. This is a "Service Bulletin" number 05-076 that was issued by Acura on 12/24/05. Do a Google with the following terms:

    +Acura +05-076 +Turanza or try these links:

    http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B05-050.PDF#search="+Acura +05-- - 076%20%2Bturanza%22

    http://www.robertcotran.com/files/B05-076.pdf

    So here's the Cliff notes version of the issue: 1) Certain 2004 / 05 TLs outfitted with Turanza EL42s exhibit premature wearing and Acura is willing to replace them under a prorated basis. 2) IF you have:

    0-10k miles, 100% free
    10k-15k miles, 75% covered...you pay 25%
    15k-20k miles, 50% - 50%
    20k-25k miles, 25% covered...you pay 75%
    25k miles plus...you are SOL

    Read the Bulletin carefully to see if you indeed have the tires in question. Acura did not notify me...I found out about this from another discussion and went to the dealer today. Since I have 20,900 miles on mine, I'm gonna be out about $700...better than the $1,000 it would cost, but it still sucks. Atleast these tires will last longer, they do some kind of adjustment (installing bump stops - whatever that is), replace all four tires with a newer model Turanza EL42, and align the vehicle. It's a problem that should have been nipped in the bud by Acura, but somehow it's fallen on the responsibility of their customers to find this stuff out.

    Apparently, this should be done to all 2004 TL and 2005 TL from VIN 19UUA6...5A000001 thru 19UUA6...5A008976 (looks like they made about 9000 of these until they realize they screwed up).
  • rachelle49rachelle49 Member Posts: 1
    I have 2004 TL with 2 concerns.
    1.) when starting with a cold engine sometimes the engine "lunges" a little before I accelerate. I was told by the service manager that this was a cylinder filling. What could it really be?
    2.) when lightly braking sometimes the brakes grab to the point I get reactions from my passengers. This only happens when lightly baking. The dealer said they could not find anything.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I have not experienced the engine lunging, but the TL's brakes can be a bit grabby when stopping from lower speeds, at light to moderately light pedal pressure. But it's also something you learn to adjust to over time.
  • g_rocg_roc Member Posts: 9
    It sounds like the same problem in my 2005 TL. I had to take it back to Acura and they changed the bottom rails. It was a pain because they forgot to calibrate the air bag sensors when I got it back.
  • bartalk3bartalk3 Member Posts: 692
    q roc: I also have a creaking sound from my passenger seat. What do you mean about Acura forgetting "to calibrate the air bag sensors" after they fixed the creak? Why do they have to re-calibrate the air bags when they adjust or change the bottom rails?

    I'm about to take a 3,000-mile trip with my wife, and I don't want to have the creak fixed if there's any chance the air bags would not work properly afterwards.

    Thanks for the clarification.
  • crushergcrusherg Member Posts: 10
    In Northern Jersey has anyone found any one dealership to be excellent in service and honesty?
  • starman98starman98 Member Posts: 119
    WEll my dash is fixed all the dealer did is wipe come conditioner on it...now it looks good as new!
  • cecilt1cecilt1 Member Posts: 74
    AS posted, the dealer knows about the creaking passenger seat and they will install a dampner where the seat hits the floor. This is metal on metal. Go figure Acura wouldn't have engineered this little thing before production. My dealer is fixing mine next week. Simple as a DIY but why bother.
  • dutch56dutch56 Member Posts: 4
    That was it.....works great now.....Thanks
  • drcohendrcohen Member Posts: 20
    MY Original post.....

    #4082 of 4261 Dead Battery by drcohen Jul 25, 2006 (10:02 am)

    2005 TL Auto w/Nav., 8700 miles.

    I returned from an 11 day trip and my TL was dead. I mean dead. I had AAA come out for a jump and the battery was not holding a charge. Funny thing is I had no prior signals that any problem was brewing, no idiot light message, etc. I took 11 days for the problem to reveal itself.
    I went to the dealer 6:15 AM waited until they opened at 7AM. Within the hour, they took the car, confirmed the problem and replaced the battery. No cost, under warranty of course. I sent the service Mgr. a letter of thanks. (I would have also sent a letter for negative reasons).

    It helps to have all your settings (radio, XM, etc) written down.

    So in the end the Customer Service experience was positive.

    Minor Problems with my TL:
    My driver side window makes a funny noise half way down the cycle, like is not tracking correctly or a moving part is rubbing / failing. Other than that it's been a no brainer.
    There are minor annoyances and finish quality questions.

    After renting a Malibu for 11 days (I’m not knocking it, it serves its function well) I felt the power, suspension and the low emitting grunt of my TL. It felt great and firm in its tracking. I actually smiled, especially when using my manual mode and my right foot. I have POWER.

    I like this sedan a lot, glad I bought it.

    David

    09/06/2006

    My original post dated July 25th says it all.

    Upon my return from a 10 day business/vacation trip yesterday, Sept. 04 for, guess what?......the same problem….DEAD Battery……now at 9900 miles.

    AAA came out, jump start and back to the dealer. This time they determined that there is a drain on the battery and are running test to determine what is causing this problem. Mind you everyday driving, start up, gauges, etc. all work fine with no signs of any charge losses, etc.

    QUESTION:
    Has anyone here had this type of problem? And does anyone have any idea what may cause this slow drain…with all the electronic hardware on this and other sedans, one would wonder how difficult it may be to zero in on the culprit and solve this problem.

    They did provide me a 2006 TL to drive while they diagnose the problem. The service manager is friendly and somewhat cautious in what he says. You can tell they have been trained with stock responses.

    I’m about to find out about Acura’s technical skills are and how serious their corporate customer satisfaction edit is.

    David
  • prigglypriggly Member Posts: 642
    Maybe that Malibu is starting to look better and better now . . .
  • drcohendrcohen Member Posts: 20
    LOL...thanks priggly...that was great.
    I rented a Impala this time.....drove thru the hurricane and it did well. Maybe my love of horsepower and GPS etc. is a expensive but inconvinient luxery
    David....
  • bob289bob289 Member Posts: 14
    Thanks for the help. this site helped alot. but im going to head down to an acura dealer and give them a shot being the car is still under warranty. if all else fails i belive i have to do it myself.

    side note:

    has anyone delt with Gold Coast Acura? i wanna to see how their service department is like. any good/bad experience would be great full! thanks in advance
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I often leave my TL sitting in the garage for a week or more. Just last month, due to a combination of summer vacation for kids, wife being off work, and family summer trip (a cruise), we didn't have to use the TL almost for the full month of August. This morning, I hopped in, cranked the ignition, and it fired right up, no fuss, no muss. Purred like a kitten with almost no warm-up! :shades:

    For whatever it's worth, I am quite anal about turning off the A/C, stereo, defrost, etc when I park for an extended period. Not sure if that actually does anything. Probably just me being anal. :blush:
  • kennyg8kennyg8 Member Posts: 225
    Bodble, my new TL shakes slightly on a cold start, but disappears within a minute or two. In contrast, my 03 Maxima purrs and idles quietly like a sleepy kitten with little or no fuss. Oh, I'm going to miss the heated steering wheel on those cold winter mornings. Jeeeeez!!
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I had a '95 Maxima. No question, the Nissan VQ idles smoother than the Honda V6. Another thing I found with the VQ was that it's fuel mileage did not suffer when it was driven hard. :shades:
  • kennyg8kennyg8 Member Posts: 225
    I agree 100%. The VQ engine is one of the best engines available. It is powerful, torquey and quiet. I love the Max engine, but can barely deal with the rear suspension over bumpy roads. The TL rides much better and gives a more stable feel on the road.

    Can't wait for long trips in the fall to visit our Canadian friends in Ottawa. However, I wonder if the navi's database can handle Canadian major city addresses, even though I do see city maps in good detail on the navi.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "I wonder if the navi's database can handle Canadian major city addresses"

    I would expect it to have no problem. It works well for me in Vancouver.
  • prigglypriggly Member Posts: 642
    I rented a Impala this time.....drove thru the hurricane and it did well. Maybe my love of horsepower

    If you love horsepower and found the Impala not a bad ride check out the Impala SS with the 5.3 liter small block V-8. It is a fabulous ride and you'll be amazed at the power. And with decent mileage to boot!
  • g_rocg_roc Member Posts: 9
    When they changed out my bottom rails they need to pull the whole front passenger seat out. The seat has side airbags (i was told by the service guy). When I was driving home I noticed the airbag sensor was on. I turned around and the service manager and the tech looked at it. They told me the seat needed to be calibrated for the side airbag. who knows, maybe your service department is better than mine.
  • g_rocg_roc Member Posts: 9
    I bought the 2 cans sold by Acura and it was a waste of money. I think I bought it for $12. It didn't work for me. I am thinking of trying Black Magic
  • drcohendrcohen Member Posts: 20
    Priggly, valid points…..

    My Impala was the LT V6, 211HP, 3.5L VVL, it had ample power, handled decently (did not push the envelope, I scare my relatives enough with my driving) and I got 24 MPG in 645 miles of urban / US64 driving in Va. I can see how the bigger V6 or for that matter the V8 may be an excellent buy decision.

    It’s unfortunate that GM / Chevrolet have been so marginalized by the general buying public. Much of it GM’s fault in the past and some part solely on current public / media perception.

    TL - My dealer rep tells me yesterday that they have zeroed in on the problem, well sort of. After 2 days of tracing the different leads and sources, they think that the back-up tail lights may be the source. They went through 116 points just to get this far. With the wire harnesses on these sedans nowadays it must be a nightmare and time consuming to get to the culprit.

    It would seem to me there are endless possibilities and while test equipment is important and critical, there is no “How to Book” on every problem, some perhaps unique to that model and not often experienced. I’m thinking “Service Bulletins” being the obvious and known. But they can’t forecast every possible problem. You, I and all of us are the “Mule”.

    Who knows, my worst fear is that they will tell me they found and corrected the problem. However, I will not be confident or convinced until I return from a business trip or vacation and the car starts.

    David….
  • hmerrickhmerrick Member Posts: 2
    Not a normal sound. Mine does the same from rev. to park to drive and back. Acura mechanics were surprised to hear. 2005 Acura TL is the worst car I've owned that is new. This is being compared to Lexus IS300 (2001). 1st, car rattles like crazy and mainly in part to tranny. 2nd, loud loud loud on road. Major road noise especially on hwy. 3rd, front tires bald after 19000 miles so I'm running it into ground and hoping they pop and destroy rims. 4th, after rain falls, water sits on top of car and when window opens a crack, water pours in like a civ. Tan leather in mine gets dirty and can't be fully cleaned......AND the back seat and back dash and back roof are filthy from BRAKE DUST POURING IN and I can't clean. 5th, no F'ing MP3 player but only a BS DVD audio which is totally useless because there are barely any out there to buy. 6th and the MOST IMPORTANT THING......this is confirmed as "par for the course" with a 05 TL by the dealers, when cruising at 45(ish) MPH, the gear is typically in fifth and when I commit to a pass or punch the pedal down the tranny MANDATES that it fully engage fourth before going into third and therefore taking an extra second to execute. Anyone who drives with a passion or seriously and anyone who has owned a quality sports car would know that is not the norm. Many close call accidents because I didn't account for the extra second or two when I commit to passing. 7th, brutal shift shock in this P.O.S. 8th and last........if ACURA does not get enough feedback about specific issues that individuals have with their rides.........then they don't and won't fix. On a positive note (to stay objective), the car is wayyyyyy comfortable and so is the leather and it's peppy but only truly at RPMs 3500 and above. I don't recommend this car if you are performance enthusiast. Mark my words, those who disagree aren't passionate drivers and probably suck behind the wheel of a car and shouldn't have a license. To be honest......I have talked to several who own this car and they're kind of nincompoops BUT, everyone seems to love this car. Lexus is the tightest car I"ve owned and way more bang for you buck.
  • bartalk3bartalk3 Member Posts: 692
    q roc. The service department pulled out my seat, looking for the creak, couldn't find it, so they just pulled a new passenger seat from a new TL and put it into my car. Great service.

    Service manager also told me they "re-initialized" the air bag, whatever that means. Has something to do with calibrating it so that it doesn't go off if seat is not occupied.
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    "front tires bald after 19000 miles so I'm running it into ground and hoping they pop and destroy rims."

    LOL :D
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