I've been wondering about this because me and my gf were wanting to take a road trip over Christmas. Maybe about 2k miles back-n-forth, I'm a little nervous about getting stranded so far away. Should I even worry about it, I mean I trust the car just kind of have that voice because of the transmission. I'll probably go about it anyways and hope for the best but was wondering about you all. Have any of you taken your car(s) for a long trip?

 

as long as u dont beat on your car for 2k miles dont worry about a thing. if your tranny is showing some symptoms go get it checked before hand

 

I had similar concerns since I just bought an '03 TL-S. I bought the car because all I do is drive, day in and day out. Mine had an open recall, Acura took one look at the tranny and replaced it with the "new" version. Both the service writer and the tech said they hadnt seen the new one blow up yet, so here's to keeping my fingers crossed.

If I had any doubts about the car not being able to make a trip I wouldnt take it on the road, but the dealership I went to convinced me the problem is pretty much taken care of. However, it would really suck to break down 1000 miles from home, I know it has happened to me before. Just call the local dealer with your VIN and see if there are recalls out on the car.

Dont know if this helps, just my .

 

If your that afraid to drive the car get rid of it. My car has been on Tons of 2k+ mile trips. Never worried once. Plus if you pay attention to the car it wont leave you stranded. you will know plenty in advanced if the tranny were to die

 

I'm in the 100k miles club now...had the tranny replaced like 30k ago with the new style. No prob...I'd drive across the country if I had to.

 

Take it easy, I am just concerned and was just a question I'm a firm believer that only people who have problems seem to get the light on these forums vs the majority that don't, but it's just a concern And to actually just get rid of the car has crossed my mind plenty, I just can't bring myself to do it because I had a hard time finding a type-S.

 

Just make sure all your maintence is done. If you arent sure, schedule an appointment at the dealer and tell them you are going on a long trip. They will look over the entire car.

Tires/Brakes
Suspension
Exhaust
Fluid levels/condition.
Lights, wipers and so on.

 

The issue is, what are people supposed to say that will stop your 'worry about it' and being 'nervous about getting stranded'? Just because others have made long trips, what's that got to do with you, your car and your trip? Even if you have the dealer look over your car, what if they miss something? What if they make a mistake and screw something up that was OK before you took the car in?

As for trading in your car.....Every brand and model have problems. Some recent examples.

Volvo just announced a recall of 360,000 cars because a defect in the electronic throttle module in cars built between 1999 and 2002 could cause the vehicle to shift into a "limp home" mode in which the maximum speed is about 15 miles per hour. Volvo owners have something to worry about.

DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group was recalling about 128,000 Pacifica sport utility vehicles because of a problem with the software governing the fuel pump and power train control. The NHTSA said the defect could cause the engine to stall in some cases. The recall applies to Pacifica models built between 2005 and 2006. Chrysler owners have something to worry about.

Ford Motor Co. recalled 1.2 million large pick-up trucks, SUVs and vans in August because of a problem with the vehicles' cruise control system that could lead to a fire. Ford owners have something to worry about.

Toyota recalled 368,000 SUVs in July because of a defective carpet clip that could interfere with brake usage. Toyota owners have something to worry about.

Drive your car and enjoy it. If you had a hard time finding a Type S, that means not many people are trading them over worry.

 

Of course it'd give me a peace of mind about the 'issue' but that aside, it was just a question, wanted to see if people do take the car for long trips etc. Reliability is obviously an issue which is why I was wondering about it, nothing more. I'm not bashing the TL, don't get the guns ready sheesh. And generally other people's experiences with similar cars does mean a lot, specifically about subjects like this IMO. And if I had gotten the volvo over the acura and learnt about recalls etc, i'd probably be on there asking the same question.

 

A - A
C - Car
U - Usually
R - Reliable
A - All year long

So have no fear just drive like your flying it.

 

Feel confident in your trip. Unless you have any jerking, hesitation, loud "kachunks" when shifting out of park/reverse/D5 or any lights coming on, I would take it in. If not, happy trails and trust the TL will do you right. I had about 6 months notice that my 1st tranny was on it's way out

 

last week, i drove from toronto, to quebec city over the weekend, wasnt afraid at all, at least 1200 mile trip, drove with a broken front motor mount, and didnt hesitate to think of the tranny dying...



since i got a new one last month......

 

I don't see why you would buy a car if you werent comfortable taking a long trip in it. Id drive my car from NY to CA if i had to. Acura's are very reliable cars. Just get it checked, or check it yourself. If there are any problems have them addressed.

 

how are you worried about such a recent car blowing up....

i would be worried if you a 1990 sentra with 280,000kms on it

 

I put 28000 miles on my 99 Acura TL in the last 14 months. So far replaced a burnt out rear brake light=$3 Bucks and the battery died last week=$55.00. Surely you can't be concened about reliability? How many miles do you have on your TL and what year is it? I wouldn't hesitate to drive across the country and back.

 

I kind of feel the same way you do but for differerent reasons. Well for one thing theres no reason for my family to take my car on long trips my mom has a company car so we always put the miles on it since they give her a new car every 2 years. Also I dont want to take on long trips not because I dont trust the car because I fully trust it but because I dont want to add all the extra miles onto it. I figure keep the miles low keep the resale high.

 

Cars are meant to be driven, and the ones that are driven often have the least amount of problems.

I know what you mean about resale with the miles, and if that bothers you get a beater car for short trips.

 

No no no no no dont get me wrong I do drive my TL alot and everyday. Its about 10K on the highway to get to my school so its on the highway and driven alot I just dont want to put an extra 5k on a trip that doesnt need to be there. Maybe on sundays it wont get driven but besides then its usally driven enough on the highway (I always take the highway when I can I hate city driving compared to the highway).

 

It wont let me edit my last post but that should be 10 miles not 10k, my bad.

 

I have 98,000mi on my TLS, and I take it on 2,000mi round trips multiple times a year....never a problem except hitting a deer on I-80 two miles into Illinois from Iowa. The TL is a very pleasant car to take road trips in.

 

I drove mine 1900 miles roundtrip from Mobile, AL to Chicago and no problems at all. The trip up, I drove straight through only stopping for gas and to pee....so the car ran good and hard for 13.5 hours. I also drove in the heavy city traffic there adding another couple hundred miles totaling around 2100 miles in a 4 day weekend....car was perfect. I recently drove 1300 miles roundtrip to Dallas....both straight through trips, no problems. It's a good car.

 

It's weird, but on all the road trips I have done, I rarely see other TL's (2nd Gen) out there with me when I travel to Memphis. I-70, I-135, I-40..never!! Maybe one or two. I got to a rest stop and a guy with a Honda Accord 98-99 model asks me...what kind of car is that? I was like..Huh??

Anyway, road trips in the TL are a pleasant experience. My only complaint is I am tall and I can't stretch my right leg that much with the console in the way..but I stretch at pee stops. (don't read to much into that comment LOL!)

 

yo people in the states dont really know much about imports... alot of people in central USA who dont live in big cities grew up on ford and chev... they dont even have any acuras in their towns probably

 

Today drove the car from B-more to NYC no problems 2nd trip on the new car 03. Hit 40k on the car today while driving.
hit 120 a few times while driving down and had some fun with a beamer driving on the way to new york also.

 

great. =) I feel much better about it. I did not learn of the transmission issues until after the purchase which shook me about a little but after reading through a lot of that I feel a lot better. And yes I purchased the car to drive and I drive it a lot it's an enjoyable car. Tranny was replaced in march '06 I believe so it looks like I'm the clear on the trans problems anyways

 

I drove from NY to FL, and back with my 02 type S, with the replacement transmission, didn't have a single problem, you should be fine, get an oil change and hit the road Make sure you got good company, if not, have some good music to keep you company...

 

I just drove my 03 for 800 mi with-in 24hrs and no problems. To bad theres no lumbar support.

 

2 round trips ..SF to LA over the lat 2 weekends...original tranny, 03 TL-S, 59k..no problem

 

1400 miles to Kentucky and back over Thanksgiving week. My TL is the finest traveling automobile I've ever owned. Mrs. CanopyFlyer even commented on how much better it is than her Camry. It even managed 32mpg as opposed to her Camry's typical 34mpg with the 2.4L 4cyl. I'll give up the 2mpg for the additonal power anytime.

As far as the transmission problems go do what I did, take a deep breath and say; "I will deal with it IF it ever happens. In the meantime I'm going to love driving this car."

 

I forgot to mention I have 47k miles and no tranny problems yet. I just go the car so I don't know if has been changed already.

 

I just took a trip from vegas to magic mountain and back with the just replaced tranny. Honestly last trip we took to magic mountain the tranny died on the way back. Should have seen the signs, the revs were going up and down very erraticly. The worst thing about the whole thing besides the dealership was not having AAA. Had to pay 300 out of pocket for a tow. Acura did reimburse me but it took a month. The only thing I would worry about is having a good motor club that will cover some distance in case you need a tow so you will not have to pay out of pocket. The new tranny is alot better. Shifts much smoother and quicker. As others have mentioned try to take it easy and you should be fine.

 

just drove all the way to laughlin from vegas to a little more into arizona to lake mohave and back. no problems. the only thing i ran into was my AEM Intake mount braket broke and i was worried about my wheels. the only thing i worry about is my wheels cause i run 35 series tires any pot hole will eat them alive haha. but no worries no problems and half a tank of gas left. they are reliable. but i know your concern. but nothing on the tranny though. just maintain the car well she will treat you right as long as you do the same.

 

Huh? My driver's seat has an adjustable lumbar support.