Older Acura TLs

taxesquire · September 2005

Glad you love your car - welcome to th club!!!

ggesq · September 2005

Hey guys,

Does anyone know when the next Navigation DVD update for the TL be released?

terryl · September 2005

I have noticed that my car does not lock automatically even though I only see 3 options in the keyless remote settings and they all concern how long before the car locks automatically. I haven't been too concerned that my car wasn't locking automatically until it was "broken into" :mad: (i.e., opened an unlocked door) last night and someone stole some things (interestingly, they took the Acura folio). Am I missing something as far as the settings go?

Thanks in advance,
Terry

liferules · September 2005

Terry,

The automatic lock options have to do with when the car locks when YOU ARE IN THE CAR and driving. There is no automatic lock as far as walking away from the car after getting somewhere. Is this what you are doing? In fact, I don't know of ANY cars out there that lock automatically after you leave, even the keyless systems require a touch of a door button, etc...

terryl · September 2005

Hi there:

Thanks for your reply. Actually, these are two different settings. You are referring to "Auto door lock" when you can set the car to lock after you put it in drive, after 15 s, etc. "Security Relock" I thought refers to when the car locks after you exit it. I did have an older Acura (1.6 EL; only available in Canada) that did do this.

Thanks for any other thoughts!

Terry

snackdaddy · September 2005

I currently have an MDX that displays fuel economy information, distance to empty, etc. I am considering purchasing a TL after driving one as a loaner for the past week while my MDX was getting a new transmission. During my "extended test drive" I could not find similar information on any of the TL displays. All I could find was oil life %. Did I miss something, or is this information simply not available any of the TL's displays?

:confuse:

liferules · September 2005

I don't know anything about this. I have an 05 TL w/nav here in the US and there is no automatic relock, except the relock w/in 60 sec if you unlock the car by keychain button but then don't open the door...

Sorry I couldn't help.

liferules · September 2005

Yes, the miles to empty, outside temp, trip computer, and MPG are all there...it just is sometimes tricky to push the right button combination to get to them...

snackdaddy · September 2005

Thanks for the reply. Where can you get them to show up?

taxesquire · September 2005

no - try posting on the TL nav board. Someone keeping tabs on that forum might know.

taxesquire · September 2005

liferules is right. I believe the "autolock" that confused the original poster is the setting that relocks the car after you unlock the car with the keychain, but fail to open it in time.

taxesquire · September 2005

You know how you used a toggle switch to rotate between outside temp & oil level? If you go further to the right, it's says something like "display". For some reason (and this is a peave of mine), Acura makes you then hit the enter button to display the MPG ave mph, etc. It constantly irks me to have to do this b/c I can't think of a reason a driver would scroll to that and not want it displayed.

Keep in mind, there is no "instant mpg" and the miles to empty is on the following screen.

terryl · September 2005

Thanks to "liferules" and "taxesquire" for the input. This makes sense!

Terry

laurasdada · September 2005

On the way to work, I drive along an "Automile" which includes an Infiniti dealer. This morning I noted an Anthracite TL sitting right in front in the Used Car section! Must have traded for an M...

stickyman · September 2005

It is the only way that they could get people to look at their dealership :P
Please don't get me wrong but, the M series is nice, but, the TL has a better look and feel so, they are trying to get attention with the TL

bodble2 · September 2005

Very few factory security systems offer the automatic locking/arming (ie. you drive somewhere, park, exit, close the door and the system locks and arms itself after a set number of seconds). In fact, I can't think of one model that offers that. But interestingly enough, Honda used to sell dealer-installed security systems that can be programmed to do that. We had a '97 CR-V that had such a system. It had auto locking/arming, auto relock, a siren (which also beeped when you armed/disarmed), and glass-break sensor. It was an excellent system, IMO. I'm not sure if Honda still offers a dealer-installed system like that. Of course, it wouldn't be applicable for Acura since all Acuras come with factory security systems. But I've often wondered why Honda would not use such a system for their factory systems.

terryl · September 2005

Thanks! I had two 1.6 ELs (Acura upgrade to a Civic, built in Canada) that did it. I think it is a nifty feature...oh well, I've learnt my lesson.

Terry

taxesquire · September 2005

Hmm...I would think that kind of a system would need to be pretty complex and have a sensor to check if the key was still in the ignition so that it doesn't lock you out if you leave your key in the ignition while you get gas (which you shouldn't do :mad: ) or are sitting in the shut-off car waiting for your spouse to come out of a store.

Anyway, if it worked well, it'd be great. If it didn't, it would be very frustrating, inconvenient and time consuming.

billyperks · September 2005

I have the same system on my 1994 Camry- it was installed by the dealer and it works as good as new.The only thing is, the Camry has been sitting in one of my rental property garage for over two years now- the tranny went at 168,000.00 miles.

bodble2 · September 2005

Well, at least you know it's locked and armed! :P

bodble2 · September 2005

I believe any keyless entry/security system are deactivated if the key is still in the ignition. Of course, you could still get screwed if you inadvertently put the key down, say, on the passenger seat and exited the car!

But I loved that system. For me, it worked great. Sometimes, when my hands were full carrying stuff from the car, I could just push the door close with my foot and have it lock and arm itself. And of course, another benefit was I never had to worry about whether I had remembered to lock the car. Great system. That auto-lock feature should be made available at least on a user-programmable basis.

frisconick · September 2005

This the first time I have had a car that people check in a long time. The last was my 69 Mustang 390 fast back. :P The TL is a very distinctive looking car.

giovanni1 · September 2005

Nice car nick, I used to have a 69 Torino GT fastback. Anyway, I bought the TL for my wife last month and sure it's distinctive looking but I think it'd be a lot more distinctive looking if I didn't see at least 10 a day. :-)

On another note the sound system is amazing (much better than the bose in my Audi) and we just ordered a few DVD-A discs including Eagles Hotel California and Zeppelin's How the west was won, can't wait to hear these through the system.

habitat1 · September 2005

I have to agree that the proliferation of TL's is tending to water down their distinctive looks. I was at a golf tourney last week and in a parking lot of perhaps 120 cars, there were 7-8 TL's parked together at one end of the lot. There were probably as many or more late model 3-series, but the variety of coupes, 4-doors, convertibles and M3's makes them seem less ubiquitous.

Even after 5 years of production, when I traded my Honda S2000 for our TL last May, sightings of other S2000's were rare enough that we usually waved or tipped our hats in passing. If I did that in our Anthracite TL, I'd get some funny looks. Now I just check out the front wheels to see if extra brake dust is a tell tale sign of a 6-speed, which at least retains some limited exclusivity.

Guess proliferation is the price of success - and it's hard to fault Acura on that.

delmar1 · September 2005

Yes...there may be more TLs than in the past...but it still is pretty distinctive looking and will be more lasting than many other makes and models. When I look out in Southern Cal....there are way too many G35s and you cannot differentiate them very well.

As for the TLs...there are a few colors which are more ubiquitous than others. Anthracite and Silver being the more common color (and that is why I went with the deep pearl green...wanted to be the oddball...and that color is being discontinued in 2006).

As for the BMWs looking distinct....yes. However...if you are a bmw owner and they switch over to a new body style...wow...all of a sudden your car will look really dated and old hat.

I got a compliment yesterday just as frisconick did. An engineer at my company just salivated over the lines and totally impressed with the tech.

billyperks · September 2005

1).Fog Lights
2).Seperation of color on the tail lights
3).SH- AWD with more horses added
4)Turn signals on the outside mirrors
5)18" standard wheels
6)Rear Sunshade

I know its coming on the 2007, because that's the way Honda works, they did it on the previous generation TL in 2002.
My list is very short for next summer's purchase, so Acura better improve the car if they want to get my money.

aaargh · September 2005

1. It already has Fog Lights - Just not in a separate location like most cars.
2. I Agree
3. They'll never do it. It would kill RL sales.
4. I agree, but no big deal. There are turning indicator lights on the side of the car already.
5. I diasgree. Make 18" available, but not standard.
6. I disagree. My preference though - I do not like sunshades. I park in the shade. :shades:

bodble2 · September 2005

The side markers don't blink, I don't believe.

habitat1 · September 2005

Well, Billy, it's been awhile since we had a lively debate and since I now have a new 2005 911 Cab S in my stable of cars, lets go at it:

1) Fog lights - as indicated, they are already there.

2) Tail light design - not a big deal, I hope?

3) SH-AWD: There is no such thing. It's "super handling" isn't super at all, IMO. The RL weighs as much as a bloody M5 and a basic 330i or 530i with sport package will run circles around it in the handling department. Taking the already too heavy 3,450 lb TL and adding another 200+ lbs to it will only serve the market that is looking for AWD to keep their butts out of ditches in heavy rain or snow. But it will not satisfy me, you or any other driving enthusaist as an improvement in performance. Someone actually said that adding the extra weight is good, because it will better balance the car from it's 60/40 bias. Yeah, so will putting my mother in law in the back seat. And I'm not about to do that. If Acura wants to really turn the TL into a "BMW beater" (and I concede, they probably don't), then the TL needs RWD and to lose about 100 lbs, not gain anything. We don't need another bloated Audi wannabe.

4) Turn signals on outside mirrors - right up there with the tail lights on my priority list.

5) 18" standard wheels - How about a RWD setup, suspension and chassis upgrade to make the car handle more like a sports sedan than just wheels and tires that look the part?? The intorduction of the 6-speed for the 2004 model, with Brembo brakes and a stiffer suspension wnet a long way. But 18" wheels as standard on a FWD car is simply a waste of money up front and when you replace those puppies.

6) Rear sunshade - add to the mirrors and tail lights list.

What Acura did do for 2004 was give anyone willing to accept the FWD compromises, a highly competent and enjoyable sport sedan in the form of the TL 6-speed. PLEASE tell me that you you don't have all of the above items on your wish list for a slushbox equiped TL???

Have a nice day!

P.S. For other posters, please don't take my "heckling" of Billy as anything other than good fun. We had many debates as to whether his automatic TL-S was quicker than my old Maxima SE 5-speed. We never settled it on the road, but the dueling in Edmunds was fun. I think/hope he feels the same way.

Kirstie_H · September 2005

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat - it's open mic night, so come and discuss whatever's on your mind.

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h

yakuza · September 2005

1) Foglights are already on the car but I wouldn't be surprised if they moved them like in the '06 TSX
2) I'm pretty sure they'll change the tail light design since it's a relatively easy (inexpensive) way to change the look of the car, making it look "updated and refreshed".
3) There were hints in the past year from Honda that this could become a reality. Would you sacrifice more weight and a bump in price for it? I can pretty much guarantee there will be no 6-speed with AWD too.
4) That's a good possibility!
5) I agree - the 17" wheels look too small on the TL IMHO.
6) Maybe - I'm pretty impartial to this option.

I bet there will probably be some front air dam and rear area sheetmetal changes too. I'm just crossing my fingers that the new iPod integration package can be retrofitted to my '05 TL!

frisconick · September 2005

The Torino was a great car!!!

I don't see 10 TLs a day ever. I have been counting, and the most I have ever seen was 9, and I work in downtown San Francisco. I see must see at least 100 BMWs and Audi's. I even see more MBs. Maybe the TL is just not that popular in the SF bay area. :P

giovanni1 · September 2005

LOL must just be in San Fran cause I'm out in the east bay and there are 4 alone (not counting my wife's ) in our apartment complex. :-)

One thing I wish the TL had was a radio on volume like in the audi so I can set the volume of the sound system from level 0 - 20 no matter what the volume was when the car was turned off.

taxesquire · September 2005

I agree - the auto volume is a really nice feature.

carfan3 · September 2005

Hey everyone. I am interested in buying the TL but with the Rear, Front and Side spoilers. The problem is, i am worried that they are so low that it might hit / scratch / dent on bumps and high driveways. For example, my driveway leading to the garage is higher than the street, and i usually have to drive up at an angle to avoid the exhaust pipe and bumpers from hitting the floor. Would spoilers make it even more difficult for me to get to my driveway? are they very low? Has anyone had problems witth their body spoilers hitting and smacking everywhere?

frisconick · September 2005

LOL, in San Fran German cars are much more popular than Japanese, I mean lux cars.

mjflood · September 2005

I love my TL and it loves me. I live in the Houston Area and evacuated today because of Rita. We headed to Dallas. Thank god to my TL and its navigation system. It is taking people 15 - 20 hours to make a normal 4 hour trip. With my TL navi we made it in 8 hours. It showed my all the back farm roads and was well worth the money after this event. I may get even closer to my TL after the storm if I don't have a house to live in the TL will be my new home.

taxesquire · September 2005

I may get even closer to my TL after the storm if I don't have a house to live in the TL will be my new home.

Thank goodness for the ventilated seats!!! :P Great post - and good luck. Keep safe.

pat · September 2005

Yes, stay safe and best of luck - to you and all in the area.

strbz70 · September 2005

Whats everyones feeling on the XM radio?
Who continued with the service and who gave it up?

I personally dont like it and think that Im not going to continue with it once the 3 free months expire. I rented a car this summer with XM and dont think that it even comes close to Sirius. Sirius' programing and selection is FAR superior to XM.----IMO!

kennyg8 · September 2005

Same wishes from here. With all that flood water, perhaps making an amphibous TL should be in the works.

I know it is a better joke, but it may not be a bad idea somewhere down the road.

delmar1 · September 2005

I bought two Acuras this year and both came with the intro package. Of the two....I allowed mine to lapse and my wife decided to continue.

The special deal is that when you get close to the 3 mo mark...they will try to entice you to stay. The special is 12 mos for something like $70. That may be worth it.

laurasdada · September 2005

I let it expire. 18 presets, 6 disc changer and a casette player. I see no need to pay for what I already have.

habitat1 · September 2005

We kept XM in my 2004 TL and when it came time to replace our SUV, factory installed XM was a factor in my wife's preference for the MDX.

We do a fair amount of 500 to 750 mile rountrips to visit family. Standard FM would go in and out and often give your choice of 4 country stations. Around town, I like MSNBC and the variety of news and sports stations, in addition to the music alternatives.

XM vs. Sirius is probably a personal choice at this point. XM has more stations and variety. Sirius will have Stern. Personally, an overpaid foul mouth shock jock isn't going to entice me one way or the other. That's partly what I was trying to get away from.

I will be having XM installed in our new 911 Cabriolet. After 650 miles inthe first week, the engine is still my preffered music, but I had forgotten just how bad DC area FM stations are. And there are times when I want to listen to something other than my own CD's. But not 40 minutes of commercials and dumb butt DJ's thinking they are witty.

To each their own, but I think XM is here to stay.

taxesquire · September 2005

I discontinued XM even though I really liked it. I enjoy listening to the radio more than cds, but the commercials are annoying, and morning radio has become all talk!!! Still, my commute is only 30 minutes, and since we take my wife's car when we travel as a family, the cost didn't seem justifiable.

frisconick · September 2005

I hope you are safe and dry. Let us know how things are going.

roar1 · October 2005

Motor Trend magazine has had an '05 TL in their long -term test fleet. In a recent issue they mention that the interior seems to scratch and dent easily. Also,
the top of the dash seems to be fading. Is this generally a problem with this vehicle??

I can see where magazine staffers would treat the test cars the way alot of people treat rental cars. :sick:

I will be purchasing a new vehicle in a few months and the TL is on my short list.
Your opinions are appreciated !!

liferules · October 2005

I haven't had this problem with my TL of 6 months. The paint on one of the door handles chipped when someone opened an adjacent car door onto it, but otherwise, looks and drives great!

ggesq · October 2005

roar1,

I haven't experienced any dents on the inside of the vehicle. However, I did scratch the back of my driver's seat though. When I go to work, I put my briefcase behind me driver's seat. I guess the lock on the briefcase had scraped the back of the driver's seat and now I see a few scratches back there. I tried to wipe off the scratches thinking it was only superficial but they did not come off. I do believe I can get the scratches off if I work on it though.
In regards to the dash, I bought my TL brand new and from the first moment I got in it, I noticed the faded dash and just thought it was faded because of transport from the manufacturer and/or dust. However, I tried cleaning the "dust" off and I soon found that it was not dust and the dash was actually a little faded. Some people have actually had their dashes replaced with brand new ones and that fixed the problem. Others have applied product to their dash to compensate for the faded look. I have done neither. I don't want to take the chance of experiencing shakes/rattles with a new dash and/or I personally don't like the "wet" greasy look of applying product to the interior.
BTW, I love the car. It is a blast to drive and the Navi IMO is worth it.
Hope this helps.

sb55 · October 2005

Will the dealer really replace the dash? I noticed that the perforated rubber section above the instruments "fades" or "chalks" when wiped. I was going to apply Armorall, even though I hate the shine it gives. Is there a better product to put on it?

Older Acura TLs

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy