Acura TL Care and Maintenance

vickib2 · February 2006

Hi,
I'm an occasional lurker here, and I need some quick advice. My husband departed this a.m. for a three-day business trip and left me with our 2005 Acura TL. He drove our old, second car to the airport. I was just headed out to the grocery store and was surprised when I couldn't get the car to unlock using the key fob. I unlocked the door manually and tried to start it. Everything is absolutely dead. No click. No nothing. I pushed on the reading lamps, and they are very very dim. So, I guess that means it's the battery, right?

I'd like to take care of this on my own. My husband says I always have a crisis when he is away. Can I just ask for a "jump" from a neighbor? Seems to me I remember that some luxury cars shouldn't be jumped. I really don't know any of my neighbors, and come to think of it, our battery cables are in our "old" car which is now parked at the airport. Maybe I could call one of my husband's co-workers.

I don't know why the battery is suddenly dead. The reading lamps weren't left on. I live in Baltimore, and it has been cold but not any colder than it has been for the last month.

If worse comes to worse I can just wait until he gets back late Thursday night, I suppose.

So, is it okay to jump my TL?

Thanks in advance.
Vicki

ggesq · February 2006

How about trying contacting Acura Roadside Assitance to help you? I am sure they will know what is the best course of action :confuse: Good luck.

vickib2 · February 2006

Our TL was a certified pre-owned Acura, and it looks like the roadside assistance extends for 12 months/15,000 miles. We've had the car about 16 months. So, I guess that's not an option.
Vicki

pat · March 2006

Really? Acura Roadside Assistance used to be good for four years, but maybe that was only for the original owner.

However, you can contact them anyway - you'll just need to pay for the assistance. Sounds like you are going to need help to either get it started or get it to someone who can look at it.

Normally a battery lasts a lot longer than a year or so. I don't mean to scare you, and I could easily be way off base, but you might have something more serious going on.

If I were you, I'd have the Roadside Assistance send someone - if they can start the car, I'd get it to the dealer, if not, I'd have them tow it there. Unless you have someone else you'd rather get it to to have it looked at.

Good luck - keep us posted.

vickib2 · March 2006

I think I'm going to have to call my husband and tell him because I just don't know what to do. *sigh* he claims that I always have a crisis when he travels. And I know that whatever I opt to do will be the "wrong" choice, if I make the decision on my own.

My first thought was that I just needed a battery jump, but even if the car started, I wouldn't want to go anywhere in it for fear of getting stranded somewhere.

And now I remember something that happened when I was getting the tint taken off the windows (had to do it to pass inspection here in Baltimore where we moved in December). The guy who did it remarked to me "hey, after I finished everything, I couldn't start your car -- the battery was dead. I put it on our charger, and it seems to be okay now. It may have been because I had the doors open for a long time, but you'd better take it somewhere and have it checked." But, of course, I didn't.

Another question -- should the battery purchase and replacement be done at an Acura dealer or can it be done anywhere? We're new to this luxury car thing.

Thanks.
Vicki

vickib2 · March 2006

I just called my local Acura store, and they tell me that the Roadside Assistance IS still good! Yea! So, I'm trying to decide if I should get the jump and then head for the dealer and have my battery checked and a new one installed.

Vicki

pat · March 2006

You can get a battery replaced anywhere, but a 2005 car should not need a new battery. You said this is a CPO, that means you bought it from a dealer?

Get the Roadside Assistance to get you to the dealer (you don't need to tell the Roadside Assistance what to do, just tell them to get you to the dealer. They can figure out whether you need a jump or a tow or whatever to get there) and then tell the dealer that if a 2005 car needs a new battery, or if anything else is the problem, they just need to take care of it. It's just short of being a brand new car!!

How is it you came to buy a 2005 TL as a CPO 16 months ago? Why wasn't it new at the time?

taxesquire · March 2006

Sorry I couldn't reply to your posts sooner, but I don't check these boards that early. I had a battery problem with my '04, but my problem was the battery overheating (or something like that).

ANyway, just want you to know I had my battery jumped twice with no problems. I would ultimately take it back to Acura - my battery was under warranty and they replaced it free.

telco59 · March 2006

I have a 2005 TL, with Camel interior. I've had the car for 6 months, and love it. Is it too soon to put a leather conditioner on the seats? Are there any brands that you've had good experience with, and can recommend?

vickib2 · March 2006

Pat, we bought the car with 5,000 miles on it for $29,900. The salesman said that the previous owner "couldn't keep the payments up". I had my doubts about that story, but my husband fell in love with the car.

Wait a min....I THINK it's a 2005. It is the 'new' style. It was the first year of the new style...maybe that was 2004. I'm sorry if I mislead anyone. But, still, it only has about 18,000 miles on it.

I just checked. Oh, I am humiliated. It IS a 2004. So sorry. Gosh, I have told SEVERAL people I have a 2005! (how did I lose a year?)

Since it is a 2004, it is more likely then that it IS a dead battery? I think my plan now is to wait until my husband gets back late Thursday, and have him jump the car Friday a.m., and I will drive it to the Acura dealer. I made an appointment for 10:00 a.m. on Friday. There is probably no need to call Roadside Assistance if he can jump it on Friday, is there?

I do appreciate everyone's help.
Vicki

pat · March 2006

2004 was the first year of the latest redesign.

That's still makes it too soon to need a battery, but you could have had one that wasn't right to begin with, I guess. A battery should last close to 5 years, to the best of my knowledge.

Don't mistake me for an expert, I'm just someone who hangs out here because I enjoy it and besides, I happen to be one of the hosts.

So I've read a lot around here and the only time a car of mine would not start because it needed a new battery, it did not behave the way you are describing. The engine wouldn't turn over, but the radio, key fob, lights, etc., all worked.

In any case, I would insist the dealer take care of the problem, whatever it is. It is way too soon to be having an issue like this. You might not succeed with that, but you've got nothing to lose by holding your ground.

Keep us posted.

igiban · March 2006

That pic. assumes using no trunk tray right? At least I've found no good/easy use off the side net when trunk tray is in place. I guess you can cut a hole on the tray but I doubt the side net is worth the damage. I moved the full net closer to the opening also but that way the net opens wide. At times stuff would roll out of net, esp. when you drive spiritedly.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/pf0b2d5e065a7dc303814c099a2869c73/fa- 78b510.jpg

taxesquire · March 2006

it won't hurt to jump the car, whether it's done by your hubby, or neighbor, AAA or Acura. If you need to go somewhere, get a jump - and make sure you have jumper cables in your car.

If you don't want to drive it and want to wait for your husband to come home, I don't see a problem with that.

ed31cincy · March 2006

I have an '04 TL with ebony leather. I have used Meguiar's One Step Leather Care (cleaner and conditioner) every 4-6 months since the car was new. It is easy to use and works very well.

bplayer · March 2006

Yes it does assume no trunk tray. I do not have the trunck tray. Does it block the four connection points on the floor?

igiban · March 2006

Yep. It does mark the spots where the floor bolts are so if you want to cut it you can. But that does not quite make sense since part of the reasons for using the tray is to protect the trunk mat..... Can you make the full net fold like the one in the pic. but all the way close to the opening, or it'd be open wide using side bolts that are apart?

vickib2 · March 2006

The Roadside Assistance guy came today and started the car, and I headed to the Acura dealer. After an hour, my guy came out and said "we have good news and bad news. The bad news is that you have a nail in each of your back tires. We'll go ahead and plug them if you want us to. The good news is that your battery is fine. Sometimes when you turn your car off, the navigation system doesn't immediately shut down, and it can drain your battery. There are a couple of things we can do about that..." I interrupted him with "we don't have navi on the car." He finished his sentence and looked at me and then down at the paper in his lap and said "you don't have navi?"
"No."
"Well, " he said..."let me go talk to the service guy about this...so do you want us to go ahead and plug the tires?" I said "umm..yes. Now can I be sure that there actually are nails in the tires?" He bobbed his head; "oh yes m'am...yes m'am...there are. But I will check this out myself." And off he went for another hour.
When he returned, he said that they drove the car around, and the battery was fine. They plugged the nail holes and then were unable to start the car again. The battery was pretty much dead, "2 volts instead of 14", he said.

He said "I believe that the battery is faulty in some way, and we're going to replace it for you. There will be no charge at all since you have had the car less than 24 months."

He also said that he was sorry about the error...that "my guy doesn't usually make mistakes like that....since the battery seemed to be okay, he just assumed that was the problem...he's really taking a lot of razzing in the back over this...."

Thanks for everyone's help.
Isn't that a funny story?

Vicki

pat · March 2006

Well, it sounds like the flakey battery was almost kinda lucky in that it got your tires fixed before they stranded you somewhere.

Glad everything turned out okay!!

bplayer · March 2006

Tongue in cheek comment. They car would not start so they checked the tires? I guess the leaking air must have caused the TPMS to do a lot of extra work and drained the battery. Oh you have a 2004 and it does not have TMPS, then figured it was the Nav (which is a common problem).

Kudos to that service department for doing more that just what was reported!

vickib2 · March 2006

So..here's another question. What about those tire "plugs"? Does that mean we have to replace them or do you just drive on plugged tires as you would unplugged ones? The guy really didn't mention how long I could drive on them. He just said that one nail was close to the curve of the tire, and to "watch it" to see if the tire seems to be leaking air.

Vicki

bplayer · March 2006

Just drive as normal. If they are seated properly they should not leak air, but they are in an area that is subjected to a lot of bending. If it leaks they may need to patch it from the inside.

vickib2 · March 2006

Another problem has arisen...the radio doesn't work, and of course, our blue tooth phone isn't working correctly, either. Apparently when the battery goes dead, you must reset the radio and enter a code. Problem is, we can't find that code. Acura website says that the code can be found on a card that is inside the car, but we haven't come up with that "card" or paper or whatever. Hubby is mad that the service dept didn't take care of this when they changed the battery. I have an appointment on Thurs. to have my oil changed, so I guess I will take it up with them then.

The Acura website says if you cannot find the code info, to "call your dealer." Would that be the dealer we bought it from, or any dealer?

I'm clueless here...
thanks-
Vicki

billyperks1 · March 2006

Yes.
Also they are going to charge you for resetting the radio code warranty or not.

I think you should check your Acura case for the radio code- the case they gave you when you purchased the car, the spare keys are also included with that package.

taxesquire · March 2006

I had to have my battery replaced, which they did. I didn't notice any radio problem, which either means my radio did not need to be reset or that they reset it at no charge.

vickib2 · March 2006

My husband called the dealership where we bought the car, and he told him several places in the car to check for the radio code, and he found it at the first suggested spot: on the side of the glove box door after you open it. Yea!
Taxesquire, I'll bet they DID reset it for you.

Vicki

billyperks1 · March 2006

That is what they told me approx. four years ago when I purchased my TLS.

The Sales rep said "if you loose the code you will have to pay for us to reset it."

Maybe its just that particular dealer.

taxesquire · March 2006

OK - maybe they just looked in my glovebox and saw the code in my manual. I think what you're talking about is a charge to reset the code, not a charge to reset the radio.

billyperks1 · March 2006

Correct.

skerb1 · March 2006

Hi All,
Just got a 2006 TL/Navi AT...
I can't pick up the car until monday and I
was wondering if there is a site where I can
print out a copy of the owners manual in pdf
form. There does not seem to be a link on acuras
website or the owners link website. Just impatient
and want to start going through it...=P

gc1112 · March 2006

Hey Guys!

The TL's basic warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles. Does the extended warranty (dealer or after-market)run concurrently with the basic or kick-in after the basic expires? What is the cost for Acura's extended warranty? Is it worth it?

chilamm · March 2006

Hi all,

Just bought my 06 TL, very happy with it so far until I noticed scratches on my plastic side and floor plastic entrance.

The plastic side I am refering to is the piece that is in line with the front seatbelt, I am guessing that the scratches came from people flying their seatbelt back to its original position instead of guding it back slowly.

The door entrance plastic is I think when people step in and scratches it?? Any how, the scratch is white..making is very obvious to see on those really dark plastic surface...

Help...how do I get rid of those? Thanks

bhelsdon · March 2006

What color are those pieces of plastic? Mine are black and I just use a meguiers leather wipe. That seems to do the trick for me.

pashi · March 2006

Just did a quick search in this forum and saw a reference to a pre-'04 TL. Does anyone know how to reset on an '05? Just had an oill change and tire rotation for my "servce B" level service and it cost $209. I won't name the dealership, unless I hear that is an outrageous figure, but I will assume all Acura dealerships are part of this conspiracy

In any case, if I can help it, it will be the last time I make a trip there for routine servicing.

TIA,

Pete

aaargh · March 2006

For $209 they had better have done something else besides oil and rotate. Those two shouldn't cost anything above $80, and that's a high number. What did the $209 include? Was it an alignment?

The dealer is supposed to reset the maintenance reminder. If they didn't, give 'em hell for it. There is no excuse for that. :mad:

If you were ripped off, please do expose them on this forum so others may avoid them.

laurasdada · March 2006

I just had my "B" service done a few weeks ago, total cost was $95 which included oil/tire rotate and "a lot" of inspections. Also some warranty work. Included a wash and a loaner, too. I consider $95 a bit high, but the loaner is a consideration...

chilamm · March 2006

i got a black on black TL, those plastic are real dark color close to being black.

where do you get the meguiers leather wipe? and with what kind of cloth or soloution do you use the wipe with? thanks!

sultan49 · March 2006

Hi, I have question about engine oil for '06 TL, in the manual they call for 5W-20 weight oil. I have Lexus GS 300 and I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil with 5W-30 weight. My question is can I use the same weight for the TL? with 5W-30 Mobil 1 or I have to use 5W-20.
thank you

bhelsdon · March 2006

You can get them at any automotive store. They come in a black container with gold and red writing on it. They are little wet towels that you pull out of the container and use until they dry up.

highender · March 2006

I forget the cost of the extended warranty, but it was over $1000. It kicks in after basic warranty, no matter how good it sounds...it just extends the current warranty.

IF you sell the car before the warranty period is up, they prorate the price and send you a refund. I got the refund back from Hyundai when we sold the XG-300. Am applying for the refund for the TL warranty.

I just traded in my TL for an Odyssey, and still bought the Honda care warranty for the Ody. Just make sure it is a good plan...not too many exclusions. I would advise you to be careful on the after market warranties...as they are in business for the money only...and will dispute most claims...unlike Honda and Acura, which still has their reputation to consider (of course, they will try to wiggle out of some cases).

highender · March 2006

taking good care of your TL will result in high resale prices....

I had the TL 2004 with Nav and A-spec package....and traded it in yesterday for a Honda Odyssey ( we adoped a kid, so need more room)....

The TL retained its price really well !!!

I paid about $ 35000 for it...

and got about $28,000 trade-in for it (23,000 miles on odo)... NOT bad considering all 4 rims were roadrashed so severely (every inch of circumference was marked badly and could be seen 30 ft away)...and there were other dents, paint chips, spoiler scratches about 1 ft long ( 3 areas) and lost one key remote...... And this is the dealer. I know I could have gotten more if I do it myself...but I saved all the hassle of fixing it up and selling it....

We were pleasantly surprised at the nice car...it looks so good....we are sorry to seee it go....

Good luck you guys...this car retains its value and it rocks !! ...just keep it in good shape, not like mine....

hondaura · March 2006

Hello, I have a 2004 Acrua TL with NAV and 2005 Honda Odyssy with Nav. I just received a DVD update for the Odyssy from Honda for some software fix. Do you know if the old DVD Navteq ver 4.12 can be used in the Acura TL or not? Since the Acura DVD is a year older than the original Honda DVD, I would like to use the newer one - it does have some nice features and also the graphics is better. I want to make sure that the Honda DVD won't break the Acura NAV. Thanks for your help.

bplayer · March 2006

It won't break it, and it does not work as it is processor specific. The TL has an older version processor.

hondaura · March 2006

Since you mention it won't break it, it is worth it to put the DVD in and see what happens. If it doesn't break it, I can always put the old one back in. Thanks.

taxesquire · March 2006

scroll through your computer display until the maintnance minder appears; then you either (I always forget which one it is) push and hold the reset button for about 5-10 sec.s or push-and-release the reset button repeatedly. You might have to do this 2 or 3 times for it to "catch".

Also, $200 for an oil change and rotation is outrageous!

pashi · March 2006

Sounds like I got ripped on this one. I will check with the dealer, but my invoice shows nothing more than, filer, oil (around $28) and the balance in labor. :mad:

pashi · March 2006

Thanks for the directions on how to reset. The dealership did reset it, but I don't plan on going back to them. BTW, just talked to the service manager and he was honest enough to let me know he has received four complaints in the last month that their prices are too high. He told me they had their prices pegged to other dealers, but looks like they need to rethink their model. He offered a free oil change the next time I come in. Problem is, there isn't another dealership within 70 miles of here :sick:

taxesquire · March 2006

go somewhere else for your oil-changes (after the free one, that is) and use the dealership for warranty stuff

ezracer · March 2006

Your owners manual tells you how to reset your service indicator light !!

stevebaltomd · March 2006

RE Acura Extended Warranty:

The price is negotiable - best deal at time of purchase. EG - 5yr/100K advertised at 1450 w/50 deductible --purchased at 1000 w/no deductible.

You have a 60 day grace period to cancel- %100 refund..prorated after that. But if you financed the refund will be applied to your balance...not cash back to you.

The coverage is NOT the same a original factory warranty. Read the fine print carefully. There are exclusions and exceptions.

Depending on price/term - you may have a deductible $50-100, even if there is no problem found.

Considering the very high reliability of the TL especially 05/06 yr. You are better off putting the money in a bank/CD. Check with your service dept. and ask what kind of repairs they seen. So far my dealership and reading the boards there have not been any trends/big ticket items, other then the Bridgestone tires wearout...but newer models have replaced those and car warranty would not have covered that.

gc1112 · March 2006

thanks ........ My main concern for the extended warranty is the navigation system. Is it covered in the basic warranty? What about the extended warranty?

Acura TL Care and Maintenance

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