I just purchased a 04 TL 5ATw/navi w 60k. I've always wanted a TL and I absolutely love everything about the car. I'm a little uneasy about the way it's shifting tho. From a standstill it shifts out smoothly around 2000 rpms 1-2-3 with light (heavy traffic) pressure on the gas. If I'm first at the light and apply "normal pressure" to the gas it shifts into 1st @ about 2000 but seem to lag in 2nd and shift @ 2500 then back to shifting @ 2000 thru the rest of the gears. another thing I've noticed is it gets caught up between 50 & 60 mph where it'll run smooth thru the 60s or hum and drop to 1500 rpms or so and I'll have to apply extra pressure to the pedal to get the rpms up. Seems odd for a 6cyl w 270hp or 258...which ever is accurate. I've a 2000 maxima than shifts out at 2000 rpms smooth and crisp..hence the reason I'm uneasy now. Lastly when making a turn, if I let of the gas then get back on it seems like there's a hesitation and then it goes into gear. Are all or Amy of these normal characteristics or do I need to start complaining??? 2year warranty purchased with the car btw.

 

Sounds pretty normal. Nissan's V6s have more low end torque. The Honda engines need more rpms to make power.

The first thing you want to do to ensure a long life for your trans is replace the 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches and replace the fluid with a Type F fluid like Redline racing or Amsoil Super Shift. These two items will make it shift incredibly nice and make it last MUCH longer. Once you do these two items you won't worry about the shifts, they will feel great and consistent.

 

Do you recommend that for 06+ transmissions too? I'm unsure, but didn't they upgrade or change the transmission from then on?

 

'05 and up have better oiling. The problem is, the switches have been causing the failures since '99. This was only discovered in the last couple years. It can be the best transmission out there but if the switches give bad data to the ECU you're going to have soft shifts with lots of wear.

This is the single most important thing you can do if you want the trans to last. It also gets rid of the double bump when you first shift into drive and harsh downshifts.

 

so its even normal for second to shift at higher rpms than 3rd? or is this having to do with the switches? also, will this be a costly upgrade? (the pressure switches)

 

The switches are about $80 online and take about 20 minutes to change. You don't even have to take the car off of the ground.

I would change the tranny filter too in a 04.

 

If i goto a local auto shop, will the mechanic be able to tell if the pressure switch has been replaced prior?

 

I agree with IHC.... Change those switches... you dont wana be like me & have your tranny die 2000 miles out of warranty.... FML

 

There's no way to tell. This is not a well known fix, acura won't even acknowledge it so unless your car was owned by an enthisiast that visited this site they have not been done.

It sucks to spend money on your new car but this is $90 that will save you $4000 down the road. Also you should do the type f fluid while you're in there and you will never have to worry about the trans.

 

Do i ask for a specific brand name for this part?

My question is if i go to a mechanic and tell them to replace the pressure switch; would they install a factory part onto it which will defeat the purpose of the repair/replacement? Or do i ask for a specific brand name which will correct the problem and extend life to my transmission?

 

The switches are made by Texas Instruments, but the dealer is the only place that I know of to get them. The ones that came off my both of my TLs are different than the new ones, so perhaps they are improved? In any case, the old ones had different resistance than the new ones, so 70 and 80K were too long to wait to change them.

 

Does this switch defect affect the '07 transmissions? Also, I assume you recommend the fluid change for all transmissions correct?

 

Look up a thread titled "very interesting conversation with my trans builder" by me. It has all of the info you could ever want.

 

Awesome, Thanks!

 

I'm new to the site n I'm lovin it already! thanks for the feedback peoples!!! I'm takin mine in for an alignment Friday and I'm gonna mention the switches! as for the fluid, I'm gonna check out that othe thread to get some more feedback on it!

 

Also check out the "racing atf" thread by Inaccurate. That thread has so much info that I don't even need to recommend which fluid to get.

 

I ordered mine online from acuraoemparts.com and then had the dealer replace them. The dealer wanted $200 initially for the labor, but I negotiated it down to $50 with the service manager. I showed her the printout that I had of the DIY from this site and told them I had looked it over and knew how little work it was and they finally agreed.

 

^ Azine DIY FTW!

 

Here are the two threads that "I Hate Cars" mentioned -

1) Very interesting conversation with my transmission builder on the TL (click here)
2) Racing ATF (click here)