Hello all, this is my first post on Acurazine...and I'm sure it won't be my last. I'm also sure reading about all of your cars will force me to spend thousands on mine...

I just bought a 2004 Acura TL with Navigation. Unfortunately it's auto...I would have like the 6 speed but for what I paid I couldn't pass it up. Paid 13k it has 68k miles, body is MINT, some minor wear in the back seat, they had kids.

So here goes. According to my trip computer I am only averaging 19 mpg. Granted the car is new to me and I'm having a hard time keeping the petal off the floor, but it seems like I should be doing better than that.

My car has 68k on it and I know from previous experience that a full fuel injector cleaning can really improve MPG. Especially if it has never been done before, and some house wife drove it before me so I'm guessing it hasn't.

I called up Goodyear to see what they charge and what they do. They say they use BG products and do a 3 step cleaning and all that jazz. I also talked with him about a transmission flush, he said that they are recommended at 60k. Again I doubt this was done. He said that if I do the services BG will warrenty my fuel system and tranny for 30k.

So to get to my questions:
1) What does everyone thing about the BG products? Would you put them in your cars?

2) Does anyone have experince with the warrenty? Or is it just a hussle and they don't really cover anything?

3) A little off topic but...What is the first thing I should do to my new ride?

 

First off welcome to acurazine, and congrats on the new ride

Most importantly, DO NOT, NEVER EVER flush your transmission with cleaners. It is bound to kill it. The proper method is to drain and refill the trans 3x with Honda/Acura fluid. that way 96% of the fluid is changed with some fresh fluid. Its recommeneded to change the fluid every 60K, but 30K intervals are much better since the fluid gets dirty quick, it should be pinkish red, not brown.

For the BG products, why pay someone to do it? Go to autozone, get some seafoam and dump some in the gas tank and then follow the "How to seafoam the motor DIY" here. You do the same thing the right way yourself and save a ton of money.

Warranty, do you have an acura extended one or an aftermarket one? the acura one is ok, not the best, but it helps out quite a bit.

First thing you should do to your ride is give it a nice bath and clean it up, nothing beats a clean car.

 

yep -get all the crumbs out of the seats, make sure nothing was spilled on the center console shifter area

Read the owner manual and follow it!! many operating tips on a very trick car
The first few tanks go fast!!- then you learn to keep it half throttle and under 4000rpm

register with acura as new owner 1-800-382-2238 x5 and ask about any recalls or extended warranty you need to be aware of

 

Cool...I have always been weary about those products. Figured it was better to ask first.

With the tranny fluid change...I should drive between refills? If so how far? Like run it for a week, or just a couple of miles?

I have no warranty at the moment. Is it worth it? I am planning on putting an Ingen intake, and maybe some pullys.

Great tip on registering with Acura...I had no clue you could do that!

Trust me...I cleaned and waxed the living crap out of the thing the first day I got it. The next morning I walk up to my BLACK car and realize I parked next to the poorly aimed sprinkler...water spots ALL over the left side! To top it off my apartment complex uses "reclaimed" water...i.e. toilet water minus the solids. Let me tell you that made my day.

 

For the trans, drain and refill. Drive it until it hits every gear a couple times. Do 0-65mph a couple times. Don't forget reverse then drain and refill again.

For fuel injectors, you have to be careful with some of the products. They can be harsh not only on fuel system components but also on the oil and bearings. You're better off filling up with Chevron or Shell that use Techron and calling it a day. At 68K, unless the previous owner was running no name gas, you don't need an injector cleaning.

19mpg is normal for around town driving, especially if you like to put the pedal down. Don't worry, on the freeway it will jump up to 30+mpg.