I have a new TL < 500 miles. It pulls to the left over 40 mph. The steering wheel seems basically straight even when drifting. I have had the car aligned at the dealer and it still does it. There seems to be a good amount of complaining about the stock tires. Could this be causing it? Any advice?

 

I just got my 04 TL last week and I have the same problem. Haven't had a chance to take it back to the dealer yet, but I think it's both the alignment and tires.

 

same problem here. at first i thought it may be the road. but one night i drove about 20 mph on a recently fixed road in my neighborhood and same thing. i'm going to call up the dealer tomorrow and ask them what they can do about it.

 

Try rotataing your tires. Also check your tire pressure as well

 

Check the tire pressure... usually the problem.

 

Thanks for all the info. The dealer tried all those things, including 3 attempts at alignment and rotating of tires. Dealer is putting 4 new Michelins on the car in an attempt to fix the problem.

 

My prob got fixed by simply changing the wheels and tires... so it wasn't the alignment prob... it's those damn cheap tires acura uses (or better say all car manufacturers)

 

I ahd the same problem. If you ise a road force balancing system like the Hunter GSP9700. It will tell you what the total radial force balace weight is of the wheel and tire combo. My first left front EL42 was 33 lbs. The spec for that size is 26lbs. I had the dealer replace the tire, and it got even worse, it pulled to the left severly. The radial force total weight for that tire with the same wheel was 42 lbs. Even further out of spec. Slapped on a set of Mich Pilots A/S and all is well. Here is a link to Hunters website that explains how a tire being out of radial force balance can cause the car to pull.

http://209.176.154.132/pub/features/StraightTrak.cfm

Here is a buttload of other information regarding the Hunter GSP9700. http://209.176.154.132/pub/technical/index.cfm I've mentioned this machine here many times. But I swear by it, and would recommend it any chance I get.

 

exactly - pulling to the left. This started after I got my tires rotated at 5380 miles. Before rotating my tires, the drive was almost perfect, minus the annoying vibration on concrete roads.

So I've been back to the dealer three times for this now:

The first time, they said it was the tire pressure, but nothing changed.

The second time, they performed an alignment, nothing changed.

And this last time, after "fixing" the tire pressure again, its still the same. It pulls to the left.

I also have a Lexus ES300 (2000) and compare the alignment and as god as my witness, I can drive the ES300 without having hands on the steering wheel for a good 30-40 seconds!!! I try that with the TL and right away it tries to hit the guy in my left lane.

So from my experience, some of these EL42's are just not built properly, as my rear (originally front) tires never gave me any problems (minus the vibration), but ever since the rotation, the originally rear (now front) tires obviously have a defect in them that it has thrown the alignment off.

I am actually going to print this entire page and your guys' comments and take it to my dealer.

My dealer has been great with everything so far, and I know they'll resolve this as well, but the back and forth is really ridiculous, Acura should've never used the EL42's.

I'll keep you guys posted, please do the same!!

 

A question: Which Michelin tires (Rock Dog) are you guys talking about as replacements for the EL42's??

Can I get a link please?

When I went to buy the TL, the first thing that didn't sit well with me were the bridgestones, I knew that just didn't look right!!!

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (All Season).

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Mike

 

Did the dealer charge you anything for the new tires? And how do they look on the car compared to the EL42's?

 

I have the Potenzas and the same left pull problem, particularly at high speeds.....and it ain't due to rotation or pressure issues. Bridgestone has lost my business, for sure.

 

Alright guys, so I have an appt. with the dealer this coming Friday and the regional rep for Acura is supposed to test drive my car.

I mean when he drives it, its gonna be for a short period of time, and I highly doubt he will notice any negative results by not driving it the 2-3 hours a day I drive it.

Any advice or suggestions on how can I convince him to get me new tires??

 

Good news guys! GREAT NEWS. Acura of Westchester gave me two new (2K old) tires to replace the defective tires that were causing my car to pull to the left. The rep swapped his tires with mine.

I am one happy camper!!! If any of you guys are looking for good, I mean GREAT service, sales and service - buy your car from Acura of Westchester in Larchmont, NY.

 

I got my car from there.

What tires did they give you? what do you mean 2k old?

 

The tires they gave me have 2000 miles on them, and their the same EL42's. But no issues with them thus far - i'm speaking after 30 miles of driving the car mind you.

 

FYI, I replaced my Potenzas last week with my Dunlop M3s and the left pull problem disappeared.

 

My Goodyear Eagle F1's did that when I first got it. 1 visit. Rotated. Fixed.

BTW - I once had this problem with my 2000 Mustang GT. The dealer said it was band separation in the tire. They rotated the fronts and it went away. They told me that if the rotation didn't fix it, it was time for new tires. Has anyone else ever been given this excuse?

 

Hi TL-SOSO, May I ask how did you make the dealer changing the tires for you. I went to the Acura of Boston this morning, the manager told me that it is normal due to the road is concave. Since I cannot prove that it is not working as designed, nothing I can do. Is there any thing on the net that I can show him that it is not working correctly? Thank you. Stranger

 

you have to get an alignment......if it pulls....if the wheel shakes u need your tires balance...

 

are dealers paying for the alignment and/or rotation? My car is 6 weeks old, will they fix it for free?

thanks

 

yes they should bc its under warranty.....but it all depends on your dealership

 

Ok great thanks, time to call the dealer...

 

I have a pulling problem which doesn't seem to be tires or alignment, since it tracks dead straight with my foot off the accelerator or in neutral. The pulling is always to the left on acceleration and is more noticeable with more vigorous application of the throttle. The dealer's most experienced alignment man says " yep, it pulls", but doesn't know why. I also have the apparently common vibration at 55-62 mph , which was not corrected by changing the tires . Could this be a suspension or motor mount problem ?

 

I had the same problem and hypothesized to them about the tires being the culprit in many of the problems I've been having, noises and vibrations in addition to bad alignment. I met with the rep and he agreed to go 50/50 on new PILOT A/S's to replace BS42's...ahem...EL42's. I say for those who are unhappy just try diplomacy and dialogue. The rep I met with was also a "Michelin" and so I was able to gain his support. I am just as frustrated with many other things, but I'm finding that I am being worked with on a reasonable level. I think we can all readily admit that before we purchased our 04's a small part of all knew problems would come with the 1st build. I know I did and I'm still happy with the car.

 

At 6 weeks old you should have no problem getting an Acura dealer to do and alignment, balance or rotation.