I am the new owner of a 03 TL. The tranny seems to hesitate a little shifting into second and third gear. No hesitation shifting into 4 or 5th. Is this a sign that my tranny may be going, or is this normal for a TL?

 

could be good news or bad news- ~depending on your vin number~
register the car on acura's site- then look in recall section for info on the trans extended warranty
there are a few recalls on 03s- like the timing belt pulley is misaligned and wears out belt- so they replace the belt and pulley free- smart people pay a little to have the water pump replaced at that time- its behind those removed parts, saves you several hundred on the 105k miles service whichi s timing belt/water pump!!

http://owners.acura.com/registration...rstepone.aspx- need VIN number handy
call 1-800-382-2238 x5- same thing

give VIN number -register as the new owner- ask if you are part of the transmission extended warranty cars- thats 7 years+9months or 109k miles
and ask if your car had the RECALL to install an oil jet kit done?
Any other recalls or extended warranty you need to be aware of like SRS airbag sensors and seatbelt latches...

the initial signs are shudder or hard shift 2nd to 3rd- you are correct
smell the trans fluid on the dipstick- make that call and web check
Even if your car is not covered vin and over 50k miles- we can help you get full, or very close to it, - coverage from acura

 

Mine went out a few weeks ago. I didn't even notice any shifting problems until I could compare it to the new tranny. Until it completely failed, all the signs were pretty subtle. Mine did have a very slight pause when shifting from 2-3 and sometimes 3-4. It was such a slight pause I barely noticed it, but then a couple weeks of that and the whole thing goes out. I was not covered by the extended warranty and even if I was I was over on the miles (112k). But the dealer did a full goodwill replacement. Total cost, $0.00.

 

When you say hesitate, are you referring to the shifting in tip?

 

Thanks all for the advise. I will follow up with Acura and see what happens. Will keep you updated.l