My TSX started vibrating when it is started since the outside temperature has dropped. This goes on for longer than it takes to get warm air out of the heating system. When the engine is fully warmed up it stops but comes back after the engine is off for even 15 to 20 minutes. The dealer tells me it is normal but it seems way out of line for such a nice car. Anyone else having the problem and have you been able to solve it? Thanks.

 

Sounds like it's the A/C kicking on.

Next time when ylou start up your car, turn the A/C on and off and see if that makes a difference.

 

Turning the AC off and on makes no difference. The car ran a bit smoother in the warmer months when I cycled the AC to off but this vibration is way beyond that minor vibration caused by the AC. Thanks.

 

Hey Don...

Not sure where you're from but here where I am (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) it gets down to -35 Celcius in the winter and I have also been experiencing the vibration you describe...almost a "grinding" noise from the fan.

I have gotten this vibration with every car I've ever owned (lived in cold climates all my life)...it just something you have to get used to I guess.

Although, I have found that plugging in the Block Heater helps to keep the vibration down (if the engine is warm then there's no vibration).

 

I live in PA in the states. Not quite as cold here. My last car was an 02 Acura CL. While it was a V6, it was smooth as silk in all weather. The temps that I am talking about are not all that low. Like 45 F. I still don't think that the car should vibrate. I am working with the dealer and will let you know the outcome.
Thanks for your comments.

 

I think I get the same vibration. It only occurs if I leave the car parked outside in the cold (Alaska) for a while. Then when driving slowly (0 - 30 mph) it is fine. But once I pick up to 40 and above I noticed some vibration rocking back and forth.

It seemed to go away after about 20 seconds when I maintained the high speed and never returned for the duration of that drive. I've noticed that it only happens when I leave the car outside, if I pull out of my heated garage then it doesn't seem to do this.

I haven't tried disabling VSA to see if it stops. I'll try that next time.

 

Check your spark plug!!!!! One of the plug might be warped, or oil got your plugs which causes unsmooth ignition starts.

It happened in my civic. =)

 

Thanks to all for your comments.
I just got the TSX out of the dealer's shop yesterday after they had it for 3 days. They called the Tech Line at Acura and got recommendations. They adjusted the motor mounts and then adjusted the valves... it still vibrates after a cold start just like before. The technician rode with me and said that he hoped that Acura headquarters would supply a fix as he now has noticed the same vibration in other TSX/s. The problem is certainly much more pronounced in the auto tranny versions as it stops when you put it into park and neutral. So... I will call Acura today and lodge my complaint again. This is driving me nuts and frankly I would not have bought the TSX if I knew that this would happen.
I will keep you posted should I get a fix.

 

My car does this as well and I am pretty sure its normal for the high compression engine. Just to get an idea, can you explain how bad it actually is? My car doesn't vibrate the cabin or anything like that. Sometimes you can hear the radiator shaking. But this all goes away when the engine temp reaches normal...

 

The vibration shake the entire cabin, not violently but kind of like when you are sitting in one of those vibrating reclining chairs. You feel it much more in the the steering wheel. Someone sitting in the passenger seat can also feel it. It does go away when the car is fully warmed up but starts all over again when you park it for more than 30 minutes when the temp is less than 45 and it shure hasn't been 45 for a while.
It did not do this in the fall when I bought it. So I don't think that this is normal. People frankly wouldn't buy one if they felt this when they test drove an automatic trans TSX.
The customer service rep at Acura told me that there is nothing he could do. So I will check the provisions of the lemon law. What a mess.

 

I think this is something that is inherent to inline 4 cylinder engines. Every car i've owned has had an inline 4 and they all have done this to some degree, Toyota, Nissan, and now my Acura.

There is some reason inline 4 cylinders behave this way and I think some engines have something called balance shafts and/or dampening engine mounts that help minimize the vibrations. I don't know all the details though. I'm sure someone out there knows more about this stuff than me.

 

I did notice this when i test drove it and was hoping it wasn't true. I noticed that any gas I gave the engine stopped it and it was smooth sailing from then on. Maybe the idle is set 100 rpms too low?

 

I understand from the dealer tech, that the idle speed ,rpm, is not easily changed as in the past. No screw...just software. When the engine is started it runs at about 1500 rpm and then drops back to 800 when it is fully warm. Should be high enough to keep the engine smooth.
You are right, when you give it gas when in park or neutral it does smooth out. I believe that is the habit of 4 cylinder engines. The vibration I am experiencing only occurs when the car is in gear and the engine is under load. And it also occurs when you are making a low speed turn like in a parking lot. It seems that the power steering assist is triggering the vibration as well.
By the way my gas mileage just plain stinks. I am getting under 15 which seems low in spite of the weather and the gasoline winter formula used in this part of the counrty. I am also using 92 octane and have not been driving hard at all because of the snow we have here. This may be conected to whatever is causing the problem.
Thanks for the comment.