Hi, I have a question about the brakes on my grandmother's 2004 TL auto. I don't drive it often, but when I do it always freaks me out. The brakes are very poor. When coming to a stop from 25 mph, the pedal needs to be depressed at least half way, and it is very light and I don't get much feedback. I'm used to BMW's, where a tap brings you to a halt, but I think there is something seriously wrong with these.
She does not go on the highway, but when I was exiting, at about 50 mph, it was slightly damp (but nothing to worry about, there was plenty of grip) I braked because the light at the end of the exit ramp was red. At the engagement point (about half way) it immediately went into ABS. I got really freaked out since I knew I could not stop in time and I had reached maximum braking power. I swerved onto the shoulder, hit the hazards, and slammed the brakes as hard as I could. It went into ABS-frenzy, but I did stop in time, and it did stop faster than I expected. In a BMW I would not even need half pedal travel to get the same braking.
After that the car stopped normally (1/2 pedal) and when I examined the brakes they did not smell or were smoking. The tires have enough tread.
This was a few months ago, and she says everything is fine, but I am worried.
Is this normal?

 

^ This is absolutely not normal. The car should stop on a dime. Inspect your rotors, and of course change your brake pads ASAP...

Also, what's the condition of your tires and psi?

 

The TL's brakes ain't the greatest but something is definitely wrong....get 'em checked out before your Grams has an incident!

 

an 04 is ready for a fluid change- that helps the pedal feel- it will NEVER feel like a bimmer as those cars use totally different concept of material and hard pads with soft rotors

Without a real inspection- wheels off- calipers off- you are likely ready for front brake pads and possibly rotors depending on miles- the TL had weak rotors prone to warping

When the ABS is active the ABS light cones on- and the brake pedal pulses very rapidly under your foot while you hold it as hard as you can. You did what the designers intended- stomp and steer around the obstacle!

Get a real brake inspection if you are not a DIY car repair kind of person- TODAY!
Crashing is expensive~

 

^ agree...

Eventhough I have brembos now, my 2G with Rotora slotted and EBC stopped on a dime everytime, but as with any car, braking system and tire thread/psi must always be checked. I do this religiously once a week.

 

Ok, thanks. The car has done this since new. Tires had about 26,000 on them and were properly inflated. In the winter she had a blowout at 30mph...the tire literally exploded and fell off the rim. So much for TPMS). So now I check the tire pressure regularly. After that we put new tires on.
I will tell her to bring it into the Acura dealer.

 

major issue with your VSA modulator and possibly master cylinder.. there was a TSB for this.... it ended up leading to an accident for me with my 06 TL

 

agree- I remembered a TSB on the issue---goodwill warranty type issue?

 

04 MY TL's do not have TPMS.

 

^haha my bad...might have helped though.

Thanks for the info guys...

 

Something like a speed sensor could easily have been damaged in the tire blowout- there are some delicate parts down in that area
Have that looked at as the cheap and simple solution

 

The blowout didn't change anything. This has been the problem since new (2004).

 

tsb for the abs modulator introducing air into the brake system.. take the car to the dealer, give them an explanation and it should be covered under your warranty