G35C033

Just registered for this site a short while ago, searched on the brake rotor tsb and have (2) other questions regarding supposed 'service issues'.

Dropped off the wife's TL-S for its 30k service this morning (purchased new in 4/02) and a rec'd a call from the friendly service writer indicating the rotors were warped (as suspected) $215 to resurface & pads, along with suggestions that I should consider flushing the tranny fluid ('it's brown) for $160 and clean the throttle body, $90! Both of these suggestions seem premature to me......30k miles & tranny fluid flush, huh? My wife drives the car easy, basically back & forth to work 15 miles each way, mostly highway and we average about 14,000 miles annually.

Wondering what recourse I have with the brake/rotor tsbs, given the car has 30k. I understand the problem could have occcured from over torqueing the lugs, or that the rotors may have failed prematurely as a result of a defect.

Looking forward to any suggestions I might use when getting back to the dealer.

Regards,


G35C033

ABLUETYPES78

Warped rotor's should be resurfaced and pads replaced for free...there are many memebers on this board who can vouch for this. Dont listen to the BS of the dealer!!! I have had mine done twice already at no charge.

I have changed my tranny fluid on my own...1st time at 15k and soon at 30k. Just buy the fluid yourself and stick to Honda fluid.

G35C033

Thanks for your reply abluetypes78. Not being a do-it-yourself maintenance man, I rely on the dealer, whom i've not had any previous concerns with. So you think 30k on the tranny flush and tb cleaning is legit?.....that's what i'm trying to confirm.

ABLUETYPES78

the fluid is most likely brown and needs to be changed but if you have a shop or mechanic you go to besides the dealer then you will get a cheaper price. The dealer is over priced but its something you need done...i am not sure about the throttle body..............maybe someone else can answer that

clc

According to my DEALER'S maintenance checklist, I noticed there was a tranny fluid change every 15k miles, although it does not specify it in the owner's manual. I noticed this line item was included after the tranny malfunction thing went "full-blown." I seriously doubt that changing the tranny fluid will keep the tranny from malfunctioning, if the tranny is defective in the first place.

I'm like you--I don't want to do maintenance. However, a tranny fluid change is around $200 each time. I have a '02 TLS purchased brand new in March '02 (60k miles now), and have had 2 tranny fluid changes at the dealer (the third change came free of charge with my 2nd transmission ), and I'm about to head in for 60k service this Friday.

Basically, I don't have a straight answer for you, but I guess just try to choose the lesser of two evils every 15k miles.

G35C033

Thanks for your reply CLC. As the tranny flush does not appear to be a factory scheduled service item at 30k miles, i'll pass this time and re-consider over the next few 7,500 services.

Any one on the tb cleaning?

Appreciate the help.

Regards,

G35C033

69ssrscam

There has been some history of TBs getting gummed up on TLs with high milage causing idle fluctuation etc... but with less than 30K, no way. I would wait till 60K or so before I would do the TB cleaning, unless you have some sort of problem. Just MHO of course.

G35C033

Thank-you for the input 69ssrscam. Although I fully believe in regularly scheduled maintenance, the service writer appeared realtively new, telling me he moved over from a Saab dealership a couple months ago he seemed slightly 'eager'.

I'll get back with an update re: the rotors.

G35C033

SMF-TLS

G35C033,

I have an '03 TLS with 18K miles. Just last week the dealer REPLACED my front rotors and pads due to the rotors being warped. You should not pay for this with less than 50K miles on your car. Just my By the way, I notice you are in Connecticut - which dealer are you using?

G35C033

According to the service manager, the rotors/pads were less than 1/2 worn (something about 8mm thickness was now 5mm) and therefore he readily agreed to machine the rotors and replace the pads at n/c. He indicated the warping will recurr over time as the rotor is the same part that was used on the Vigor and subsequently carried over to the intro. '99 TL. He went on to say now 'it's found on a car with significantly greater horsepower / torque and resulting dynamics'. I queried him on why, in his opinion, mfgs. don't upgrade components (rotor) to handle extra power/heat, etc. Aside from the obvious cost considerations (I'm sure most wouldn't mind spending a few more $ here to avoid the hassle), there's also the impact on CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, even something as relatively minor as hanging a stouter rotor at each corner.

Regarding the tranny flush, after looking at the fluid, which was a very light brown and in the service mgr's. opinion not indicative of a burnt unit, I decided to pass. Service mgr. said they generally recommend flushing between 45-60k miles.

I used Morande Acura in Berlin and so far have had pleasant experiences, both sales & service. By the way, the rep. that sold us the car in 4/02 is still there!

Thanks for everyone's input.

G35C033

pianoman41

The tranny fluid flush is not required at the 30K service. It's *recommended* but not required even at the 60K service. It's definitely not a bad idea at 60K, just not required. I changed my tranny fluid in my '97 Maxima for the first time at 100,000 miles. The fluid was just as pink as the day the car was new. My '02 TL-S's tranny fluid was nice and pink at 24,000 miles. 700 miles later it was brown and 100 miles after that the tranny failed. A modern car with 30K miles should not have dirty tranny fluid, period--unless there is some other underlying problem. And knowing the history (firsthand) of the tranny problems of these cars, I would be suspicious of your tranny at this point.

G35C033

Appreciate your input pianoman41; that was my initial thought too....30,000 miles and a flush??. I asked the service mgr. if passing on the flush this time would jeopardize a potential warranty claim, to which he replied no.

I'll check the fluid in another few thousand miles to see if it's changed color and go from there, hoping for no interim surprises!

G35C033

SMF-TLS

G35C033

Morande acura seems to be pretty good. I use Schaller Acura for convenience. I really like their service, although I did not buy my TL there.

Good luck with your wife's TL

G35C033

Thanks for the feedback on Schaller; i'll use them as a back-up.

G35C033

SMF-TLS

No problem - welcome to the group!