TLegit2quick

My TL shifts way too hard and its just not smooth enough? Any idea?

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

WOW you TL shifts hard ?

or does it lag while shifting....we need more info buddy....

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Always wonder why anyone would want to change to soft shifts on the TL, as this is the way the transmission is designed. In fact, our '04 shifts hard, both up and down and always has. Want soft shifts, purchase car with a CVT.

GKinColo08TL

Ain't that the truth!

Will Y.

The shifting sensations may be based on driving style, given that the TL 5AT is adaptive-- see if driving smoothly for a week helps.

My TL shifts up pretty imperceptibly-- smoother and lighter than most auto trans cars-- in normal driving, while the downshifts are quicker and more perceptible in rush-hour crawls and under hard braking.
Harder driving, with more throttle, makes the up-shifts firmer and more apparent.

Babnik

A hard shift may be a sign of a failing transmission.

You can replace the pressure sensors. Their job is to reduce line pressure and control shift timing in order to provide soft shifts. When they start to go bad, shifts get harsher.

More info here: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/very-interesting-conversation-my-transmission-builder-tl-721508/

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

It’s the wife’s car and see certainly doesn’t drive it aggressively or hard, nor do I, so there is no reason why it would change the shift sensations to give a harsher shift. Now let me say this, not all shifts are hard, 1-2 and 2-3, especially at lower speeds, are more noticeable than the others from what I remember, haven’t driven the car since last September, but definitely firmer than most and downshifting when descending can put you through the windshield.

Then the trans in our ’04 has been going bad for the last 5 years as the shifting has remained the same.

I guess it boils down to personal perception as to what one might describe as a hard but firm shift when compared to other vehicles.

Majofo

Change your mounts.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

WRONG

when the tranny lags in shifting, you change the pressure sensors....not when the tranny is shifting hard....

THIS

OP, check your mounts, they should not be broken
check the color of the tranny fluid, it should be pink and shudnt have a burnt smell to it

do a tranny drain and refill if need be....

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

The new TL has touted smoother shifting and it's not because of the motor nounts, it's because of the newly deisgined 6 speed A/T.

Transmission fluid is dyed red/pink to distinguish it from other fluids and will turn color to brown over time, perfectly normal.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ and their newly designed DW1 fluid....

either way, dont get me wrong here but how does that comment of yours help the OP ?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Sure does, it lets him question the quality of the trans fluid. If he looked at the fluid and it wasn't pink, sorry, but according to you it's no good, and as stated, motor mount replacement as a way to change the hard shifts is certainly subjective to say the least. As far as the new TL with a softer shifting trans, this statement is certainly pertinent to the discussion as Acura has realized that the "older" transmission afforded a hard shift, which is normal, so decided to soften up the shifts in the 6 speed.

Very difficult to determine the exact cause of any complaint over the net, as with a quick drive we could figure or determine the cause, normal or otherwise. It's always a good idea for anyone to drive another stock TL to see if any noticeable difference is perceived.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ LOL

read post#2 ....your just echoing info LOL

but well, maybe you have a different point of view which am not seeing, so

Evan Himmel

I had the same issue with my 08 TL. Dealer said the transmission was fine and would reset the computer as it adjusts to driving styles. It's been about 5k since the reset and I notice a slight change in shifting. My other issue is stiff steering.