hey guys/girls, i just got my 1999 acura tl and registered it with acura, unfortunately it shows no history for my car. this either means my car has never had an issue (LOLLLL) or that whoever had it before me did all repairs themselves. i would like to know if there is any way for me to do some basic maintenance as well as find out if i have an old tranny or a replacement tranny myself. any and all help is appreciated. and how much will it cost on AVg to just get it looked at?

 

You can try calling Acura. When I called they updated the car's owner information, then I casually asked what its maintenance history was and they told me what they knew.

This would probably only work the first time, when they change the owner record, so make it count. Be enthusiastic about being a new Acura owner. Tell them what they want to hear so they'll tell you what you want to hear.

 

on your acura.com account- there is a page that shows what warranty work such as trans has been done

The maitenance stuff is entered by the owner
How many miles on it?
Spark plugs air filter oil- normal things are very easy to do on the TL
Assume any used car needs a full service
The TL needs water pump and timing belt about 100k miles

Call acura at 1-800-382-2238 x5 6am to 5 pm pacific

Tell them you are a new owner- register you in THAT system, and are there any warranty outstanding or repairs they have record of?
Its not an issue to them- its their job- and helping you know about your car instead of listening to someone bitch about how the dealer scratched their rims....
hands down, work with the new owner for 20 minutes!
Welcome to the forum!

 

Some basic stuff that you should be able to do on your own if you are somewhat inclined

-Oil change
-Tranny fluid change
-Spark plugs
-Brake pads/rotors
-Tire rotation (duh)
-Greasing hinges/locks
-Flushing coolant
-Air filter

Other than that the TL doesn't really need much maintence. The timing belt/water pump service is a bit more involved. It's also expensive.

 

thank you guys, ive already dont the breaks, oil, tranny fluid, and tires. ill get on the rest next day off. is there any way for me to identify the tranny visually? oh yea! thanks for the quick responses, i love this forum, been visiting befor i had a tl

 

The trans fluid change is 3x3 method- thats drain 3 qts-refill- drive 5 minutes- drain 3 refill repeat 3 times. The trans will only give up 3qts of its 7. something at a time.
That gets max trans fluid change safely- the only approved method!
Use only honda atf

The trans that have been replaced are very easy to spot
Look at the bolts that hold trans to the engine
If the ends are painted BLUE- you have a replacement unit

acuras 800 number will know every warranty thing about your car- they are there to help

 

There is a cabin air filter you need to change too- remove the glovebox and its behind that
Buy Bosch filters at autozone

 

I just came back to add that one. lol

I like how these cars are very easy to work on, and don't require much anyway.

 

yea, they seem to be a good starter car for me, im trying to get into the car modding zone. i really would love this as a hobby but unfortunately it seems like its impossible to find aftermarket parts for a 99

OH, how much are those things? i had no idea, my air smells pretty clean but ill take a look at it any way

thanks! thats exactly what i wanted to know about the tranny , and i didnt know thats the proper way to change the fluid, thats great advice!

 

forgot- warm by driving 15 minutes on freeway before trans fluid change- then 5 minutes drive between each change - so its really warm to start- then not scalding to work on

There are plenty of mod parts for the 99-01 TL--- I know.
It was only Feb of this year I was shocked at 45 bucks for a set of spark plugs!!
Now see my sig, and it doesnt disclose ALL the mods~ Tein ss enroute

cabin air filter- you will be surprised at what is in there
17$ for the box-which contains 2 panels- you need both

 

thanks 01 looks like im changing the tranny fluid allover again haha, oh well. your right there are alot of performance mods, but i guess i should have stated that it is very difficult to find a lip/body kit for the 99 without them being too ricey, do you think lowering the car without lips will make it look cheap? i found some tein springs for about 200$