I just picked up my 2004 from service while they fixed my rattles and I had a 2005 TL as a loaner. Both have the auto transmission. I noticed the 2005 loaner can had quite a bit more pep than mine and the shift points were much better (higher in RPM). When I returned the loaner, I mentioned this to the service advisor. He told me Acura changed the programming of the ECU and TCU for 2005 to get more performance and that it's not compatible with the 2004. Has anyone ever heard this before? I'd love to be able to reprogram my control units to behave like they did in the loaner. There was virtually no lag in the downshift when I needed to accelerate on the freeway while, in my car, I have to stomp my gas to the floor to get it to downshift for acceleration. Because of this, I use the SS a lot, but that's not why I bought the AT this time.

Regarding the rattles: They fixed virtually all of them, but a couple different clicks are now happening near the center of the dash's top. I'll let the car settle in for a couple of weeks before I take it back for them to run another pass on it.

 

Never heard of that.

 

First time hearing it... sounds like BS to me - especially because they said the "upgrade" is not compatible with the 04's. Can anyone confirm this?

I think you just need to reset your ECU and drive your car "hard" and let it learn your driving habits again - this should raise the rpm at which the computer shifts for you.

 

That's what I was thinking. Now, regarding the reset of the ECU...

How many "runs" does it take to learn the new style? I put 150 miles of mixed driving on the loaner and it never seemed to change.
Is there a way to lock it in? I generally drive quite economically, but I want the car to be ready when I stomp it.
Is there a way to reset the ECU without disconnecting the battery and losing everything else?

 

I'm not sure how many "runs" it takes for the ECU the learn it, but I believe the first drive is crucial.

I disconnected my battery for the CAI install, and surprisingly, all my settings were still there (Ron A pointed out that there was a back-up battery).

 

I also think it was BS. I have an 05 and had a slightly earlier build 05 as a loaner a few weeks back. It too seemed more responsive than mine. How would your guy explain that I wonder?

I think it must be the traning thing and model/model variation.

 

I don't think the hardware is any different. I have heard of different ECU flashes, is that the same thing?

 

Is there a list somewhere of which "memories" (HFL, ECU, radio code, etc.) get lost and which are saved when the battery is disconnected? Does it depend on how long the battery is disconnected (within reason, of course)?

It would be great to be able to fully reset my ECU for fresh training, but I'd rather not have to reset everything else.

 

don't believe them, they know nothing and lie on just about everything.

 

I say "BS" as well. If they did indeed do that, they would have to re-certify the car with the EPA, which costs a bundle.

And where are the performance stats to back up the claim?

The car "learns" fast - a few full-throttle downshifts and the car re-calibrates to the point where I can notice it. It does not require dropping the power to the ECM, either. The car goes back to my fuel-saving, Granny-shift mode just as fast.

I use the S2000 as my interceptor - the TL is just a 26 avg MPG hauler for my azz and my Family's.

 

My theory on this is all loaner cars are driven like they are stolen. So now the ECU is trained for hard riving.

I am sure from day one this car was driven like a damn race car and now the ECU programmed itself for that type of drivng.

 

I can't my car to relearn, it seems. One day, I made every start a "floor it to the limit +5" start just to try to get it to figure me out. Yet, at the end of the day, it still upshifts at less than 4k RPM. It's pretty frustrating, except that I, too, average about 25-26 MPG on each tank.

 

Does the ECU only learn on AT TL's only? If it does learn on MT TL's, what does it affect?

 

To be honest, I love my 2004 TL, besides the freaking brake squeak (now that I have ASPEC PADS ON) when driving for an extensive amount of time and weather is too hot. I basically have absolutely no complaints. Yes, butt prints are annoying, but I can really careless about that.

overall, I love the TL.

 

Does the ECU learn actively? For example, a newly licensed driver may drive not so aggressively in the first few months of having the car, but as he/she gets more experienced, he/she will undoubtedly push the car more.. Any ideas?

 

All ECU learn actively, to compensate for fuel quality, driving habit, wear and tear of sensors, etc, thats why when you replace your O2 sensor your car may drive rough for a few days or a few hundred miles.

On OBD2b cars that are built after 99 or 00 (I forgot which one), there is a mandate for reflashable ECU. The hardware and main program are the same, the fuel map, ignition, shift point, etc, can be different based on different year, which state it is sold in, or different car (i.e. sharing the same engine on different car).

I am not too sure about TL but other brand/model do that all the time. Thats why you sometimes see the same car are rated different HP in different years or in different countries.

Check out hondata, they had a flash for ECU on TSX and RSX that makes more HP, and flashes that takes advantage of simple bolt on like intake or header.