I bought my 2006 Acura TL brand-new from the dealer lot in early 2006; I have had otherwise NO problems with the car since. I've regularly taken it for oil-changes, and made sure the fluids were topped off. I haven't had any problems mechanically with the car what-so-ever.

Other than oil changes, what other preventative maintenance procedures do you guys recommend I do? I think it's time for a "check up" but I have a extreme distrust of many mechanics who would want to take me for a ride should I tell them I want "preventative maintenance." I want to be more informed when I go to the mechanic to ask for things to do. So what would you guys recommend?

 

1. Rotate tires
2.flush brake fluid
3. Change transmission fluid auto or MT
4. Change cabin filter, maybe a new engine air filter
5. Replace brake pads if needed.
You can do #3,4,5 and save alot. The brake flush and tire rotation is best done by a mechanic. Find a local honda/Acura shop, $20 for the tire rotation and $60-80 for the brake fluid flush.

 

how often should you flush the brake fluid?

 

Contrary to what some believe, every three years per Acura.

 

Eat right, exercise daily, don't drink or smoke to much. With these simple rules you should be well on your way to successful preventative maintenance.

 

some people recommend the trans drain and fill every 15k miles or every 3rd oil change

 

how many miles on the car???

 

when do you change the spark plugs on this car, I have 105,000kms on the car...

 

That's about 65,000 miles, so I would say about 168,000 kms, or 105,000 miles, same time as the timing belt.

 

really? wow...i know some ppl on here do it way before that, but I guess your right?

 

No harm in replacing the plugs early if you want

 

I replaced mine (the spark plugs) just before 50k and the ones in there were just fine and I didn't notice any improvement so it looks like the 100k swap interval is acceptable. I replaced them though since i already got them.

 

Hate to admit this, but the daughter's Maxima went 132,000 miles before I replaced them. It was just an oversight on my part, but there was no difference before or after the change, in fact with today's ignition system there'll be no difference noted, only if one should not be firing.

 

Maybe consider the 3rd and 4th gear pressure sensors, as well as the ATF filter, and change tranny fluid? Depending on miles......

 

I am at 101,000 miles. I just changed the oil and was looking into other maintenance as well.

I may wait another 10k mi to do the plugs. How important is the cabin air filter? That seems minor to me.

Also, the timing belt, if it's not loose, damaged, cracked, ect why do through the hassel of replacing it?

Transmission fluid: I did mine about 15k mi ago, will probably wait another 10-15k. What is the interval on those ATF filters?

I know there's a lot of info spread on here that is WAY over cautious. i.e. flushing tranny every 10k and oil changes every 2k, and seafoam at every 1k. I'm just trying to feel you all out (so to speak).

 

seafoam every 1k, are you insane? once a year/15 is all you need- after 2nd time for noobs in a month.. then good for a year
extra: use in gas at oil change if desired, not required

use 1/3 can in every other oil change- keeps it sparkling inside and VTEC runs on changes in oil pressure - you want it clean-
gen3 has issue with sludge in vtec sliders- seafoam the oil and drive 100 miles to clean them, use vtec rpm to get oil in right places

for your main question:
if the timing belt is damaged, loose or cracked in any way- and breaks- which it will eventually do- it damages the valves when piston(s) comes up and finds a few exhaust valves open that should have been closed = bent valves!!
Its called an Interferance Engine for a reason~

Its about $2500 in head damage and you still need the water pump timing belt job done!

cabin air filter is filtering all the air coming in the car- it passes thru it then to the vent directors
EASY diy - first time takes extra 10 minutes, 20-30 total minutes with vacuum out leaves and birds, wash filter holder, put all back together and enjoy

Look at pics in cabin filter threads diy- Black Lung looks healthier than those filters after a few years
Acura says every year replace the filter
Charcoal or antibacterial treated or baking soda added filters are a bonus

iirc acura (Im gen2 and book may change but reality doesnt) says first brake fluid flush at 3 years
then annually after that- thats every year
anyone who has changed theirs at 2-3 years and finds grey gunk- had severe moisture in there,,,
Its cheap to keep the fluid fresh- results in better braking pressure and better pedal feel- Protects expensive abs controller and prevents piston sticking inside the calipers

Moisture compresses and is pushed to the calipers thru the brake fluid, then turns to micro rust particles--not cool around rubber orings

gen2 section is a good place to see how your car is going to wear--we had the trans prob- 04 05 carried it..RR wheel bearing is a popular failure now

 

at 100 you are due for plugs now
seafoam it, then do the plugs a week later
dont wait PAST the makers suggested max- thats max life at 105 assuming never operated in severe service realms like traffic or driving~

 

I waited until 104k to do my plugs. I should have done them earlier.

 

I would absolutely do this. My car had the shudder at low rpm when cold in 3rd and changing the sensors took care of this.

 

hey, is it better to change the trans fluid or do a trans flush? or is that the same...? I also have an 06 5AT TL

 

Whats the quick theory on the seafoam and then changing spark plugs? Are you saying its necessary to change plugs after seafoaming the gas tank? or are you speaking of the seafoam in the oil?

About the transmission fluid:
It is best to flush. This is because your transmission still retains 1/3 of the fluid when you drain so a once time drain and fill will retain 1/3 of the fluid. (It may not be exactly a 1/3 but something like that). So the principal of draining 3x's and filling 3x's minimizes the amount of old fluid. There's a good DIY on this.

 

if you have a lot of miles- 100k on the plugs, they may get loaded up with some of the crud from foaming--they are pretty weak spark at end of life

So the theory is do the intake vac port- a few days later the crud will be well blown out and install new plugs in a clean workspace
If you have low miles- 50- you can seafoam and it will NOT hurt the plugs as long as you do a good afterdrive- thats the key
If you have new plugs and decide to foam now- it wont hurt the plugs

engine oil- add 1/3 can foam and drive 30 minutes, or change filter and drive 150-200 miles then change oil and filter

gas tank doesnt matter when- 1 can to half tank for cleaning dose

see severe service part of owner book- most of us are in it and calls for early replacement on plugs and tbelt etc 60k miles!

 

`flush` is a dirty word around the TL- shops that hook up a machine and power fluid thru trans will do bad things to your trans!! and not use honda fluid!!

Acura says just drain and refill 3 qts for regular service

Some ziners like to do the 3x3 which does push old fluid forward to the drain and get most of it out
just do it manually -with 5 minute drive between drains using each gear up and down- no need to go over 25-35 mph

power steering flush is good idea if 60kmiles/3 years or over

 

I never understood why the trans machines were bad for the TL. I know they have piece of shit transmissions but there are some machines that just run off of the fluid flow and have no external motor to force the fluid through.

 

Anyone knows how to change the fuel filter??