I am taking delivery for my new TL 1 day before I need to take a 400 mile trip on the weekend. Should I take it out on the open road or garage it for the weekend? I would hate to be on the thruway and have the engine light go on or something like that.

 

If it is a pleasure trip...take the new TL. You will love it and get a chance to play with all the electronic "goodies." Like the navi and the XM radio. I took my TL on a 3,000 mile trip two weeks after delivery and never regretted it! Enjoy the automobile!

 

How is the TL on long trips, particularly in the back seat? I have yet to drive my TL for longer than an hour and a half or so on the interstate and I was just wondering how it is on long trips comfort wise?

 

Take it and enjoy it. The only recommendation is that you avoid using the cruise control. The engine will supposedly break-in better if it's not sitting at one RPM level for any length of time.

I got my car yesterday, and after a week of local driving I will be taking it on two longish day trips next weekend. I may get through my 600 mile break-in period by next weekend.

Good luck with your car.

Regards,

 

no engine light should come on, if you drive it in a sane way.

Remember to go easy during break-in period, and don't stay on the same speed for too long (ie don't use cruise control for long, only to test).

I took mine on a 1250 mile trip and back, with absolutely no problems, I arrived with a big smile.

 

Thanks, That is what I thought. It should be fine. And I guess I can get through the break in period within a week or so. If anything goes wrong...I can test out the Acura TLC system.

Does anyone know how much QA is done on each car before it leaves the factory? They may only run the engine for a minute before shipping. I know that if something is not right, it will break very early in the life cycle. I think they call it "infant mortality".

 

i also went on a 1500 mile trip just last weekend in the TL. it was a 10.5 hour drive down to little rock and it was the most pleasant expirience of trip taking yet. even after 5 straigh hours of driving my butt wasn't numb and i didn't have any trouble walking b/c of stiffness in my legs and such. TAKE THE TL itll be great.

 

I know that the "maintenance journal" that comes with the car has an extensive dealer checklist. I picked up my car yesterday and saw that the delivery prep person has to check off everything that is on the list and sign off that everything was checked and is OK. The person who finalized the sale took the "carbon copies" from the journal.

My car was delivered with ten miles, so it obviously ran for more than a minute. I know they gassed it up off premises. Either way, don't worry (be happy!). You're not at all likely to have a catastrophic failure and you will genuinely enjoy driving the car. I'm looking for an excuse to go for a drive right now!

Enjoy your car.

 

I drove mine straight off the lot on a 700 mile road trip. Don't worry about it. Just drive it. It's a great road trip car (especially if you get the Nav !).

cheers,
derscott

 

It was just my wife and I on a round trip to Florida from Ohio. So be never rode in the back seat but friends in Florida did and said it was very comfortable. But then...so was my 2001 TL. Acura cars seem to be that way.

 

This car was meant to be DRIVEN. Definitely take the TL. I just drove my 15-day old TL from N. Virginia to Toronto roundtrip and it was a lot of fun. It's a great opportunity to check out all the cool features. The "find nearest rest stop" voice command came in handy after drinking a big gulp along the way.

Definitely buy some DVD-A's before you go!!

 

Our TL had over 600 miles by the fourth day that we owned it. No problems and a joy to drive.

 

Right, 04TL man, if having time, you got to drive your new 04TL in this trip, and don't stay in the same RPM/MPH all the trip.

Enjoy.

 

My '04 TL is not that great on the highway, but I really think it the tries fault (WR rating). My '02 TL-S was light years more comfortable on a long trip. Our '04 MDX is what I use if the trip is over an hour, even with the Cross Terrain tires the MDX is a much better highway rider.

Perhaps a softer set of skins will help my TL.

 

watt happens if stayed on same RPM's for a long period of time? WAtt happens to car.. will it self destroy? lol.. joke. but really. watt does happen?

 

This is what I saw over this site. http://www.faqfarm.com/Car/7996


Basically you start off treating the engine very gently i.e. gentle revs and never more than 1/4 throttle. Over time you gradually use more revs and more throttle until you eventually end up using the full range of the engine. It is important to eventually end up using all the power and rev range to wear harden various parts. It is also important that you do not keep to a single continuous speed or gear but vary your speed quite a bit during this time (a long highway journey is NOT a good break in if you just sit in top gear at a continuous speed). This is because things are still hardening up and you can wear a groove into them.


Modern engines break in relatively quickly, often 1000km, older designs took longer as the tolerances were not as precise. The first oil change is often a lot sooner than later ones as during break in rough edges from manufacturing will be worn off and end up in the oil.

 

hey guys i got my tl on monday.. i heard htat u shuldnt keep it at one speed or gear so i rev it up and down .. but i went on 1 2 hour trip also to seaside heights i was doin 85 with 100 miles ont he car is that bad????sum1 give me proper break in period training lol i have 307miles

it hink i jack rabbit staretd the car abotu 7 tiems to see the power but that about it i never redlined it.. will that affect the car ???

 

wstevens, I have not been able to find ANY rest stops with my TL NAVI. Is yours an updated version. (I have a 17XXX vin) One of my complaints about the NAVI is that is does not show rest stops, nor have I been able to locate with VC. Anyone know if the new updates have rest stops or a VC to find them?

PS I took my 2 day old TL on a 600 mile round trip. I constantly varied speed from 45 to 75, didn't push it hard, and didn't use cruise control. One trick I learned from a member here for driving interstates during break in. Every 3rd or 4th exit, get off and then get right back on.

Enjoy

 

I just picked up my TL yesterday (july 3rd). It only had 2 miles on it (delivered from the factory the Tuesday before). I drove it 170 miles home from Acura of Orange Park, near Jacksonville, to Orlando (only a 150 mile trip, but had to take 20 mile detour to avoid the Pepsi 400 traffic on I-95.

No problems.

So I am sure it is fine

 

guys can u answer my post 3 above????

 

i just went on a 3000 mile trip in my tl... not one problem. Went through indianapolis with that huge storm, and it just kept on zooming along...


although its monday and you have already driven the car. hehe awell

 

STOP! STOP! STOP!

Drive your cars! Geez..... You are not driving a Chevy or Ford! Sorry, it's true. Your car is not going to fall apart or get ruined if you stay in one gear for a period of time (like being on a highway). Just drive normally. Now, for all those yahoos that think everyone is racing them then your car will probably not be as reliable. After all this is a "sport cruiser" NOT "formula one wannabe".

 

There should be no problem, unles you did 85 in third gear. I did 120 the same day I bought it, with about 80 miles on it. But I did it softly in 6th gear on the empty hwy.

it hink i jack rabbit staretd the car abotu 7 tiems to see the power but that about it i never redlined it.. will that affect the car ???[/QUOTE]

If you did it with TC on, nothing bad should happen. If you really want to see power, floor it on 4th gear (if manual) @ 80mph going uphill.