Hey guys, I just leased a 2003 TL-S and I have a few questions. First of all driving home from the dealership the car stalled twice. It stalled while it was idling, and it has happened about 5 more times since then. I noticed that it idles a little low. It has stalled in Park and in D5 and yesterday it actuallu stalled when i was slowing down from about 20mph to about 5 then it just died. Has anyone else had this problem? I picked up the car on Monday, and it is now Sunday (happy easter) and has about 350 miles on it. Ok another question i have.... the dealer told me not to go above 3500 RPM for the first 1000 miles. I have been following this very carefully, I went over once on the highway to pass someone without realizing it the first day I picked it up. And last night I was dying to have some fun with it and I redlined it twice. This shouldnt be a big deal should it? I wont let it go above 3500 anymore but I needed to feel the pick up. How did you guys treat your car during the intiial 1000 miles? BTW I absolutely love the car, everything about it. The stalling out is a very minor thing and does not bother me at all... but it is a brand new car and I dont like to see this happening.

 

Never heard/read about anyone stalling out in a new stock TL. Sounds like a major problem to me.

The 1000 mile break in period...I only broke it in for 600 mi, and I think this has to do with breaking in the engine somewhat, as well as the brakes. I redlined it a couple times too in the break in period What can you do!?

Back to the stalling, I would take that to the dealer ASAP.

 

Thanks for the reply, yea I am going to take it in very soon. I leased it from a dealership in Brooklyn and I live in Staten Island so thats why I havent already brought it in. About the break in period, its so hard to resist! I wont do it again tho, ill wait till at least 600 like the manual says.

 

You leased it right? Do you plan on buying it after the lease is up? If not, then you probably don't need to worry about the break-in period too much, unless you're trying to be nice and ensuring that the car will last the person who buys it after you miles and miles of happiness

As far as the stalling goes, my car has never stalled in the 9000 miles that I've owned it, definitely should be taken in to be looked at.

 

I absolutely babied my '03 TL-S the first 500 miles. Never went above 3,000 RPM, and no abrupt braking whatsoever. This was almost impossible, since I usually drive like a maniac.

Red-lining during break-in is, of course, not a good idea. "One time should be okay". No. The seals are not properly broken in, and you have to give everything inside the engine enough time to sit properly. Even redlining once at the wrong time could potentially do some damages. Besides, most new cars come with break-in period monitors now, especially on the more expensive ones. What that does is, it monitors and records the RPM's, MPH, and other necessary information during the break-in period. Something goes wrong with the engine, the dealership pulls the info out of the computer and if they see that you redlined it on more than one occasion, they have the right to void your warranty.

That said... stalling with a 5-speed automatic, especially in a brand new Acura, does not sound right. Duh. If it dies during coasting to a stop, then there could be something wrong with the torque convertor. I would definitely have the car looked at by the dealership asap.

Good luck, and congratulations on the new purchase.

 

maybe someone redlined it during test drives?

 

if my car stalled on the way home from the dealership, it would have been a quick uturn and a new car for me. that is NOT a good sign.

"The stalling out is a very minor thing and does not bother me at all... " you crazy bro? on a brand new car, f^ck that, i'd be pissed. no offense, but i think you may be taking that a bit too lightly

 

Your completely right, but it was not me driving it was my dad. He drove it home from the dealership and I followed in his truck. I didnt know it broke down until we got home and he told me. MY dad was stupid not to turn around and go back to the dealership, but we were home so what could we do. I just brought it in and they said they will check it out, it might be the throttle body or just a low ide. I live in staten island and we leased it in brooklyn so it isnt very convenient. Hopefully this will be fixed and I wont have to worry about that again.

>>>>if my car stalled on the way home from the dealership, it would have been a quick uturn and a new car for me. that is NOT a good sign.

"The stalling out is a very minor thing and does not bother me at all... " you crazy bro? on a brand new car, f^ck that, i'd be pissed. no offense, but i think you may be taking that a bit too lightly

 

Stalling is a PROBLEM.
Should be looked into immediately.

I never "broke the car in". My dealer said there is no break in, drive as you want he said.

 

SINYTLS, I think your first problem is leasing it from Plaza Acura!! I'd strongly consider a trip into Jersey to another Acura dealer!!! Most people on the board use Park Avenue Acura, which isn't too much further than the ride you're taking into Brooklyn now. I definitely wouldn't accept a brand new car stalling; if they can't fix it within three attempts, definitely lemon law it!! Other than that, welcome to the Acura family. I assume you're young because your dad drove the car home for you. What college do you attend?

Noam

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. We took the car in on Wednesday and got it back on Thursday. The service manager was extremely nice and helpful. He said all he had to do was clean the throttle body because apparently someone must have started the car a few times before I got it and not drove it. He said since they didnt drive it around, only started it, that it caused the throttle body to become very dirty. Bull****? maybe, but since I got the car back it has not stalled and it runs beautiful as it always has besides the stalling prob. My Godfather new the manager at Plaza Acura and we got a very nice lease, absolutely no bull**** or hidden costs and he was extremely nice and helpful. My father and I were very impressed with the service and I absolutely love the car. I just turned 20 last Monday and that is when we took delivery. The only reason he drove home from BK was because I drove a 4cyl 130 hp camry for 3 years and he thought I would be a little too excited so he drove it home. Anywyas i goto CSI (college of staten island) and it sucks. Anybody here from staten island?