I've owned 3 Acura TL's over the years. The biggest issue has been a weak transmission. But, other than that, they've been great.
My wife now wants a TLX. Thoughts?
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown
"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor
January 09, 2022, 04:35 PM
vthoky
I don't have any experience to offer, but Sarah offers a nice mechanical review:
It being a Honda product, I could be tempted to have a look at a Type-S. Not surprisingly, no dealer around me has one.
God bless America.
January 09, 2022, 04:48 PM
P250UA5
My TL was a 2000, so not a reference.
I believe the V6 TLX is still a J-series, so still a timing belt engine. It's a nice looking car, looks great on the road.
Mediocre reviews on the TypeS, though. Doesn't seem to be the performance many were expecting.
The Enemy's gate is down.
January 09, 2022, 04:58 PM
Woodman
Mine had the 'weak transmission' but I 3x3'd every 30,000 miles. Went over to 91 octane, did all of the services. When I traded it at 171k miles and 14 years old, the engine was smoother and quieter than a high-end sewing machine.
I'd never hesitate to buy anything by Honda or Acura, especially a new one. Possibly in a few years I'll gift my SIL and her daughters a Honda CR-V or Acura RDX [after I've run up 1/2 or 3/4 of its warranty period].
January 09, 2022, 05:22 PM
chellim1
quote:
Mine had the 'weak transmission' but I 3x3'd every 30,000 miles.
Yep. That's really important. Many people don't keep up with those tranny fluid changes.
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown
"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor
January 09, 2022, 05:37 PM
vthoky
What's a 3x3?
God bless America.
January 09, 2022, 06:16 PM
chellim1
^^^ Transmission fluid change. 3 quarts, 3X. If you drain and fill, you only get 3 quarts out at a time... so to do it completely, you have to do it 3 times.
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown
"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor
January 09, 2022, 06:39 PM
comet24
quote:
Originally posted by chellim1:
quote:
Mine had the 'weak transmission' but I 3x3'd every 30,000 miles.
Yep. That's really important. Many people don't keep up with those tranny fluid changes.
After my first 3x3 change I started doing one drain and 3 new quarts in every oil change. Never had a problem with my 2001 that way. Although I did buy it used and it had some warranty transmission work done.
I loved the TL and if I was looking at a four door sedan today the TLX would be at the top of the list if cost wasn’t an issue.
_____________________________________
Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. Jack Kerouac
January 09, 2022, 07:27 PM
bobtheelf
I test drove a basic TLX and the Type S before buying the car I have now, and the transmission was definitely holding it back. The engine makes plenty of power but it always felt like you had to fight to get it to go.
January 09, 2022, 07:28 PM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by chellim1: ^^^ Transmission fluid change. 3 quarts, 3X. If you drain and fill, you only get 3 quarts out at a time... so to do it completely, you have to do it 3 times.
So, the transmission holds 9 quarts?
God bless America.
January 09, 2022, 07:53 PM
BBMW
What about a flush and fill, hooking up to the cooler lines to a flush machine, and systemically get all the old fluid out and new fluid in? Is that effective?
quote:
Originally posted by chellim1: ^^^ Transmission fluid change. 3 quarts, 3X. If you drain and fill, you only get 3 quarts out at a time... so to do it completely, you have to do it 3 times.
January 09, 2022, 08:04 PM
sunburn
^^^^ Have done the complete drain and flush every 25k miles beginning at 75k on the odometer. A BG transmission flush was used and if done every 25k BG has a warranty if the trans does fail paying 2k to assist replacement.
Lick the lollipop of mediocrity once and you suck forever.
January 09, 2022, 08:46 PM
grumpy1
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW: What about a flush and fill, hooking up to the cooler lines to a flush machine, and systemically get all the old fluid out and new fluid in? Is that effective?
quote:
Originally posted by chellim1: ^^^ Transmission fluid change. 3 quarts, 3X. If you drain and fill, you only get 3 quarts out at a time... so to do it completely, you have to do it 3 times.
I have read from multiple sources NOT to flush the transmission on a Honda and instead just to drain and fill. I had a 2001 Honda where a shop flushed the transmisson and it was never the same after that, where it was fine before the flush. At that time Honda said to due transmisison service at 100,000 miles however that has changed and our 2014 has transmisisin service every 40,000 miles I believe per codes that flash on dash when service interval is coming up.
January 10, 2022, 07:00 AM
Woodman
quote:
Originally posted by comet24: After my first 3x3 change I started doing one drain and 3 new quarts in every oil change.
Yes, after a year or so that is also what I did. But didn't want to confuse the uninitiated.
"Failure of the third gear clutch pack" I hear, on certain models. A power flush is the quick path to a $3800 rebuilt transmission on early 2000 H5 transmissions.
January 10, 2022, 07:33 AM
rbert0005
I worked for Acura, in service, before we moved south.
I would recommend any Acura. The TLX will not blow the doors off of everything on the road, but it is sound and fun to drive.
Bob The NSXs were also fun to drive :-)
I am no expert, but think I am sometimes.
January 10, 2022, 08:26 AM
chellim1
quote:
I worked for Acura, in service, before we moved south.
Any thoughts/comments on the 3.5 or 3.6 6 cylinder v. the 4 cyl.?
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown
"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor
January 10, 2022, 09:12 AM
rbert0005
The 4s are what's in the RDXs and is a great motor. That little tubo does it's job well. It is still relatively new though. No long term data.
The 3.5s have had major issues with oil consumption. Acura has stepped up and has been rebuilding the problem engines.
The 3.6s, I believe, have replaced the 3.5s. Issues resolved.
One caveat, I was a driver for the dealership, not a tech.
Nice cars, indeed, but not the best in class.
Bob
I am no expert, but think I am sometimes.
January 10, 2022, 10:51 AM
Russ59
quote:
Originally posted by vthoky: So, the transmission holds 9 quarts?
Not necessarily. The trick is getting the entire volume exchanged without removing the transmission. Hence, drain 3 quarts, add 3 quarts, drive around (get the fluid exchanged throughout the trans and torque converter), repeat two more times.
I did this Saturday on my daughter's 2009 Fit. Drain 2.6 quarts, add 2.6, drive a few miles (hitting all the gears), repeat. I actually did 2.5, 2.5, 2.5 and 2.0 quarts. There's a logarithmic equation that will determine how many flushes to achieve a certain percentage of fresh ATF.
P229
January 10, 2022, 12:29 PM
P250UA5
quote:
Originally posted by rbert0005: The 4s are what's in the RDXs and is a great motor. That little tubo does it's job well. It is still relatively new though. No long term data.
The 3.5s have had major issues with oil consumption. Acura has stepped up and has been rebuilding the problem engines.
The 3.6s, I believe, have replaced the 3.5s. Issues resolved.
One caveat, I was a driver for the dealership, not a tech.
Nice cars, indeed, but not the best in class.
Bob
quote:
Originally posted by chellim1:
quote:
I worked for Acura, in service, before we moved south.
Any thoughts/comments on the 3.5 or 3.6 6 cylinder v. the 4 cyl.?
IIRC, the 1st gen TLX had the J35 (3.5 V6) and K24 (2.4 I4) for engine options
The current TLX uses the K20 (2.0 turbo I4) or J30 (3.0 turbo V6)
I believe the majority of the oil consumption issues were with the J37 3.7 V6 from about 09-14, and with the 1.5T in the CRV (oil dilution).
Haven't heard anything about oil consumption with the J35, but I haven't kept up with the newer Acura vehicles recently.
The Enemy's gate is down.
January 10, 2022, 04:49 PM
4MUL8R
The Honda / Acura transmission and transfer case and axle lubricants are formulated for function, not durability. Friction modifiers (a component of such lubricants) are by nature short-lived, compared to base oil. Following the Honda / Acura schedule is optimum.
On various vehicles, I have flushed and refilled using our ATF machine. I have drained and refilled (the thread 3 x 3 method). I prefer the 3 x 3 method.
