sorice

hi all,
i have read all the posts here regarding transmission failures, warped rotors etc.
in the 3 months i have had this vehicle('03 tls navi) i have not had it over 5000 rpm, have not used autostick, and have rolled at all stops.
could someone please inform me as to weather these practices are likely to keep my vehicle from seeing the shop? if all my effort is in vain i might as well just enjoy it by driving it the way i would really like too!


thank you,
sorice.

aclonghorn

In my opinion, driving the vehicle easy will definitely improve the condition and extend its life. BUT there are people here who have had 3 transmission changes after 50,000 miles, and there are people who have their original tranny after 100,000 miles. I would suggest to drive it easy going to work, and have some fun with it on the weekends. It's a great car to hod rot every once in a while.

R Man

Ahhh, where should I begin? Your Buick-style of driving? Your obvious age of grandma? Perhaps your "rolling stops" leading to rollovers?

A car like the TL-S deserves better. Perhaps you should sell the car and buy five or six used Ford Topaz'? That way, if you abuse one by driving over the speed limit, you can pull out a spare while treating your primary to herbal baths and scented candles.

Hood massages work sometimes.

Or maybe, just maybe, you could take the car out for a drive and enjoy the experience of VTEC? At 5,000 rpm you must have nibbled on it. Let it rip! Throw it into third and dust somebody.

This car is to be enjoyed, not nursed.

DOLEFEE

I agree with R Man. I've had my '03 TL-S w/o Navi for about 3 weeks now. As soon as I left the dealership w/ only 11 miles, I seated the pads according to the "STOPTECH" article. During the "break-in" period, I drove it pretty hard. I NEVER drove it at a constant speed. Instead, I would sprint from 50 to 80, go back down to 50 then up to 90, then let it wind down again, etc. People on the highway probably thought I was nutz! I've got a little over 1100 miles and I'll tell ya, my TL-S feels quick. A friend of mine has a '02 CL-S and he broke in his car exactly the same way. 63K miles later, no tranny problems whatsoever. Basically, enjoy the hell outta the car!

2_tl_owner

I have a '99 TL and I drive the crap out of the car. Jackrabbit starts, and the VTEC kicks in everytime I drive it, and usually about half a dozen times minimum. My car truly loves me because I drive it the way it was meant to be driven. I have almost 90,000 miles on my car now.

My wife on the other hand had an '01 TL, and whenever we went somewhere together I would drive, and I was given strict orders NOT to drive her car hard. In other words, it was driven gently during it's time with us.

Long story short, didn't matter. Her tranny went out at 21,000 miles.

Live it up and enjoy the car. After reading about the tranny problems for the last couple of years, driving habits didn't seem to play a key role in the tranny failures, so drive it however you would normally. Your warranty is good for 100,000 miles minimum anyway.

FugittiveTLS`03

I have driven mine HARD since day 1...and it halls ASS!!
it has been floored ever since w/ no probs. But then what do i care i have never had a car for longer than a year and a 1/2.
2004's coming soon

1SICKLEX

Nope. If something is faulty, it will go regardless. Ask 1/2 the folks here with tranny issues. Most do not race or speed much.

Cars nowadays are truly built to last, we just need to ensure we maintain them.

fsttyms1

its going to go no matter how you drive. it may take a little longer but if its a defictive unit its going to go!

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

I really don't give a sh*t. If it's gonna break, then it's gonna break. That's not my problem. Acura will fix it. I drive my car like I stole it. I did break it in properly, though. Never went above 3,500 during the first 500 miles, but I drove at constant speeds, and at various RPM's. No way to compare it to a granny-driven TL-S' speed, but I'm taking her to the track soon.

sorice

alright thanks everyone. you all have convinced me to drive it fast already. although, no one will ever convince me to "beat on it" or any other vehicle i have paid for and rely upon to get me to work.

as far as it being "fast" i guess i can't comment until the next time i drive it. still, i think it is probably very quick as far as 4 door sedans go. it is not however going to catch my neighbours z06 with a ken bell supercharger. i wouldn't even bother trying that. that type of behaviour i would reckon is certain to break something. incedentaly my neighbour is like a gorilla and his toy is broken quite often. so i guess it does not matter what type of vehicle one has. driving any vehicle "hard" within it's limits is probably expected by the manufacturer of any high quality vehicle. so i would assume that driving "hard" does not play a role in component failure outright. although, "beating on it" is another story entirely. now i hope i do not start a huge debate here. it should be common knowledge that with any mechanical device abuse will certainly play a role in it's failure. just what constitutes abuse i would imagine depends on who you are talking to. i don't plan on taking driving lessons from my neighbour with the zo6. or even riding as a passanger with him for that matter! call me a grandma if you wish.


sorice.