Hello all, I just bought an 07 silver TL last week this beauty has 87k miles. While doing the test drive with the seller I did not notice any problems with the car that really bothered me. I haven't even put 100 miles on it but already starting to see that something is up. Not sure if this problem is transmission related, hoping someone may know what's going on.

As I drive and just coast before a stoplight when it's red, I notice around 5-10seconds after I start coasting the RPMs kind of hop and the car jerks, as if I'm shifting gears on a manual at the wrong time. This doesn't happen all the time usually when I'm coasting at slow speeds, haven't tested this out at higher speeds as I don't want to make things worse. As far as I know the previous owner hasn't done an ATF change, just kept up on the services. On a side note the car service sensor is saying that it will be due for "Service A13" soon. I have been browsing the forums a little and seen that many problems get solved here, just looking for some feedback to this current problem and helpfull tips on things I could do to keep this car happy. I would like to do simple DIY stuff myself, but if anything major needs to be done I would want a local professional or Acura dealer to do the job. I do plan to keep this car and maintain we'll any/all feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

As far as I know atf change is part of the services. Check the fluid yourself and see what it looks like. It should be reddish-brown (but more red than brown), if its brown or black you need to change it. Do a 3 by 3 atf change. Also you could change the 3rd and 4th pressure switches while youre at it, though I don't think the 2007 Tl's are known for the pressure switch issues. That would be where I would start as its a somewhat inexpensive diy. Report back on what your atf looks like, but either way the car should not be doing this, especially because of the low mileage and the fact that the 07's are not as/less known for having trans issues

 

Grade Logic Control System?
Read owner's manual pg 257

 

My 07 will occasionally downshift hard. I think it's just the nature of Honda transmissions.

 

Sounds like grade logic. Just shift into sport shift when you want to coast. Not much else you can do, its just the way the transmission was designed.

 

It's using the engine to brake

 

Thanks I'll post a picture of how the dip stick looks, it's more on the brownish side but slightly red too. As far as the switches go I'll have to do some searching on the forum on how to find those

 

Sweet found it, yup seems like that's what's going on. It's just a little rougher at times, like if I'm braking and it downshifts it's almost no noticeable, really only noticing it while coasting or going slightly downhill. Glad to know the tranny is not dying on me yet

 

I won't cause any damage by occasionally going in and out of sport shift? (Newbie question, I'm not all too familiar with riding in manual mode)

 

Here's the ATF dipstick





Throught I'd show the Oil while I'm at it

 

honestly, the 07-08 tl transmissions do shift a little bit rough at low speeds. I'm hesitant to say "rough" because its a subjective term. It's rough if you compare it to a camry where you wont feel ANY shifts. It's extremely comfortable if you compare it to sports cars. For example, if you think a TL shifts are rough, try driving an auto 370z in manual mode. I guarantee you will feel every shift it makes. I've heard similar things about M5's and other sports cars, but I dont personally know.

 

My 07 auto tl downshifts rough around 3rd and 2nd gear too. From what i been told, changing the 3rd and 4th gear sensor should help a little.

 

Fluid looks like it has been maintained well. Honda/Acura recommends changing it every 30k miles, with that said it looks like you're coming up on your 3rd change. Do a 3 by 3 and you should be good for another 30k. Maybe do the 3rd and 4th pressure switches while you drain the transmission, that way you get less leakage too when removing the switches.

 

Thank you everyone!! I'm gonna aim to get this done tomorrow, how long does the whole 3x3 process take some of you? I can tell you now from past experience jacking up the car by it self 3 times will take me about an hour ��

 

That's not correct.
Only at Mileage minder 3, but if driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds results in higher transmission temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission fluid changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).

 

I do my every 10k miles, thank to houston hot summer.

 

I did it a few weeks back and it was my first time. Oil change + 2x3, I spent roughly 5hrs, but one hour was completely dedicated to running back and forth to the store to buy tools and dump the oil and ATF fluid off. Plus driving around for about 10min in each gear.

My last 3 quarts of ATF will go in the same time that my new oil has to go in. Ran out of time the day I did it and haven't had time since to do the last 1x3

 

I have my trans drained and refilled every 2-3 oil changes at the dealership. It cost a lot more to have the dealership do it, but it saves me the hassle and it's piece of mind knowing that an Acura tech is working on it.

 

I do the same thing. It runs much better now at 260,000 miles than most do at 120,000.

Only issue mine has is when it starts up, if you put it in gear, the rpms jump up and down until the car is warmed up. Anyone have that issue or know what the fix is?