I was wondering if anyone has noticed this weird sensation from the RL transmission. I have a 2005 RL and noticed recently that when I don't drive it for a day or two and I shift to Drive, it pauses for a 3-5 seconds before engaging. If I step on the gas immediately before it engages, it would lunge forward. Problem cannot be replicated throughout the day. Only happens when it hasn't been driven for a couple of days.

I had a 2002 TL type-S that had similar problem and the transmission needed to be replaced. Don't tell me a made in Japan RL has the same problem >.<

 

Mine has a slight delay, we need to both check the fluid level. over time a valve body can get sticky. They don't repair these things in shops anymore, they are rebuilt at shops that do nothing else, but this is not necessary. Just give it a few seconds and let it engage. When it stops working altogether then you get it replaced. The cost of the transmission would pretty much be so high that you'd just donate the car to the mechanic. How long ago was the transmission fluid replaced? I am trying to determine that now as I just got my car. The fluid is not clean bright red so I am thinking to get it done at the next oil change.

 

How many miles on your car, OP? That'd help. Checking/changing the tranny fluid is a prudent first stop here.

 

Oh yeah forgot to include important information . It has 76k on it. Bought it used, but I don't know if the tranny fluid has been changed. I'm pretty close to my next oil change so I guess I'll have them change the transmission oil too and see if that solves it.

 

With that many miles I doubt it has been replaced. Silly if you ask me, but the manual states 60k miles for worst case conditions. I just replaced mine at 48k for peace of mind. You may want to go with the 3x3 drain/fill when you do.

 

vojm, i have this same "issue", however my transmission and drive shaft were replaced under warranty last year, and it still does it. I wouldn't say mine is 3-5 seconds, mine is more like 2-3 and have grown used to it. I've noticed that if i shift while the car is still moving backwards slowly, it engages immediately.

I've been out to the dealer numerous times, and they've even let me take a couple of their CPO's out to try and they all had the same behaviour. My independent shop also agreed that it was "normal" - but with a new transmission and 3 year warranty on it, i'm not really concerened... all seems well.

If it is indeed 3-5 seconds, that seems awfully long, the longest i've timed mine is at just shy of 3 seconds with a stopwatch +/- human error

 

Yeah it worries me that I don't have warranty on this car anymore so if it does go out, I might as well find another RL. But every since I've been driving it everyday instead of my CL, I haven't noticed the problem. I just know once I leave the car alone for a couple days, the problem will show itself. I've never really timed it, just seemed like 3-5 seconds to me. I'll do the transmission fluid flush this weekend and see if that helps. Seems like a cheap way to eliminate the possibilities.

 

Make sure you only let gravity "flush" the system.

 

Yeah I have that issue on my '08 as well although it lasts only for 1-2 secs.. My mileage is very low though so it might just be an RLism..

 

^That would not surprise me with the complexity of this transmission. I would gladly give it 1-3 seconds for it to make sure all is well before letting me go if it saves me any hassle down the road.

What is the need for launching out of Park again?

 

Someone is neutral dropping, in a hurry to pull out of the parking spot, or rolling while coming out of reverse.

Just like the other issues new(used) owners are finding, these are not mechanical.

 

There is an ABS check the RL (and most Acuras) do when shifting from Park. It checks the ABS system and pulses the brakes, sometimes a slight tug is felt or delay of the tranny engaging. If I remember it does it when shifting into forward gear, maybe not reverse. I tend to back into my parking spaces and garage so I notice it and have become accustomed to it.

I would, however, only only account a 1-2 second delay. If 5 seconds is the reality, I would suspect something else.

 

007 - yeah, there's really no reason to be rushing out, it was just different than my old 93 accords transmission which was immediately in gear, so it just took some time to get used to. I did think there was a problem initially, but now that i've driven so many others and actually have the new transmission in mine and it still does it, i'm relatively convinced that the 1-2 second delay is just an operating characteristic. I do agree with Tampa though, that if it's taking any longer than 3 seconds there may be more afoot here for the OP.

 

Wow..I am new to the RL also (3 months in). I purchased an 05' with 115k on it and noticed the exact same thing. I did a full 105k service with a tranny flush. I noticed this lunge forward too..I would say I have 1-2 second delay also. I am little concerned that maybe the tranny has seen better days..but I have noticed if I give her a second prior to stepping on the gas all is is good.

If what TampaRL has stated is true, then that is a great piece of mind. I had my reservations about buying a vehicle with this many miles, but I am firm Honda/Toyota believer. I had a may-lay with a defective new spark plug after the 105k service, but it seems to be resolved. Beyond that I absolutely love this car. I have slowly been doing little mods thanks to all the great info and support on this site. I hope all works out for yourself.

 

Let's all keep in mode here folks that no one here has documented a single faulty transmission, at least that I know of (and please correct me if I am wrong). These aren't the Accords and TLs of the prior decade we are dealing with. It's all going to be okay.

 

When they drain the fluid, try to capture it and pour it through a fine screen or cheese cloth. Look for any metal flakes.

 

 

Yes, everyone, note what I have said, and what 007 has said. I don't think the 1-2 seconds or even 3 seconds is anything to be concerned about at all, I had it on my previous transmission (which was replaced for a whine in 5th gear) and my old drive shaft (not that that would have anything to do with it) as well as my new transmission direct from Acura, and new drive shaft. It is exactly the same. Even the whining transmission likely wouldn't have failed, it would have just continued to annoy me

I have an '03 Pilot with about 150k miles and it whines at about every speed above 30mph, but you can't hardly hear it because it's so loud in the cabin anyway - we've had that sound and pilot since we bought it at 107k miles and I still love that car too.

 

The drain plug has a large magnet attached to the end of the bolt that catches the majority of metal flakes. When I did my flush for the first time at 48k miles, the magnet was indistinguishable because of the accumulation of flakes. Still, a certain amount of flakes are to be expected for the first replacement of any fluid.