Greetings! I recently purchase a well maintained 04 Acura TL. It has 155K...mostly highway miles. The PO did most of the schedule maintenance with the Acura dealership, including the major maintenance at 100K.

This is my first Acura. When I test drove the car, it felt very solid. However, when I got up to about 50mph, I felt vibration and quite a bit of road noise. I accelerated close to 60 mph, and let the car coast (no load) and the vibration was still noticeable. So, I knew it has something to do with the tires/wheels and not part of the engine or transmission. Took it to my friend who owns a tire store, and he confirmed my findings. Tires were cupped and out of balanced.

I bought the car, and put new tires on it. Car drives a whole lot better, but when I'm cruising at about 55 miles (little load on the engine), I still feel a slight (tiny) vibration with a low hum. I am pretty sure it is not coming from the tires. I am suspecting it might be the transmission or engine mounts, or maybe the struts?

Car drives smooth as silk during acceleration. Annoyance only happens cruising at low speed. Have not really tested it at higher cruising speed. Plan to do so over the weekend to see if I feel that low humming vibration.

Appreciate the advise and help...

Thank you.

VT

 

Congrats on your new ride, VT. I'm sure you'll get your vibration situation figured out.

 

Congrats on your new ride, and welcome to the forum! With the know-how around here I'm sure your "vibration situation" will get sorted out in no time.

 

Congrats on the new ride, have you had an alignment done?

 

congrats, im sure that the vibration is nothing. Probably just the roads...

 

Yes, wheels has been aligned and balanced when I got new tires for the car.

VT

 

Where are you getting vibrations? Steering wheel, accelerator/brake pedals, through the seat?

There are various areas where you can get vibrations, knowing where you feel it will help us to solve your challenges.

and Congrats on the purchase

 

could also be a bearing on the way out

 

Is it AT??

If so, sure sounds like TSB 05-017, "5th Gear Vibration or Drone"

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-technical-service-bulletins-tsbs-3g-garage-j-016-a-613659/

Here's the epic thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90614

 

nfnsquared,

I believe you hit the nail square on the head. As I have never owned an Acura before, I could not really put a finger on what I was really experiencing. But the TSB 05-017, "5th Gear Vibration or Drone" is exactly what I am experiencing! It does NOT happen in any other gears, and the Drone/Vibration only appear in 5th gear at lower RPM.

I'm going to call my local Acura dealer to see if they are willing to extend their "goodwill" since the car is out of warranty.

Thank you again...

VT

 

**update:

Called the Acura dealership this morning. Spoke with the service manager who worked closely with the previous PO. Told him I put new tires on the car, and did the balance and alignment, but felt the vibration/drone on lower RPM in 5th gear. He immediately knew what I was talking about and said there's not a fix for it.

I asked him about the specific TSB...and there was a slight pause. He said the goodwill was limited to 120K (mine is @ 155K). I told him this is my first Acura, and I was looking forward to a good ownership experience. He said he would talk to his general manager to see if they will extend their "goodwill" to me. His GM was on vacation and will not be back till after xmas.

He seems sincere, and wants to earn my business. We will see if the GM is willing to do anything for me. If not, I'll purchase the part from http://www.oemacuraparts.com/ and take care of it myself...

VT

 

Well, I think he's blowing smoke up your ass or he's just clueless. (The "slight pause" is probably telling: he just realized that he got caught in a lie about there being no fix). For one thing, the GM doesn't determine Goodwill, so that's total BS. Goodwill is determined by the District Parts and Service Manager or the Zone Office. Go back and ask him why you have to wait for the GM to find out if it's going to be Goodwilled...

And I'd also tell them that if Goodwill is denied, you plan to take it up with Acura Client Services and request Goodwill directly from them since this is a very well known issue on 04 ATs.

Did you buy the car from the dealership or from the PO?

 

Thanks for the advise! I'll double check with them and let you know...

VT

 

Hint - next time you test drive a car and identify a potentially expensive problem; don't buy it.

 

When I test drove the car, I knew the tires were shot, and confirmed it @ the tire store. Other than that, the car is in pristine condition. The PO kept all maintenance records, and the engine pulls strong. There were no oil leaks, and all the major maintenance were done on schedule. I do a lot of DIY on my track car, so I can identify the condition of the car. I think many people (like the PO and my wife) would not have identified the issue. However, I am extremely sensitive behind the wheel and the TSB confirms my finding...

VT

 

Hint - next time read the OP's original post more closely