I have a 2011 tl AWD tech auto with 33K miles, and I've noticed that my rpm needle moves up in increments when changing to the 5th gear. This makes the shift rough. There's times when the needle moves up and down before changing for the other gears. Also when cruising once the gear has changed to 5, instead of a slow and steady drop to cruising rpm around 1.5, it suddenly drop very fast which causes vibration when cruising afterwards. Any input to this issue would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Sounds similar to the torque converter issues a lot of these are having. I've had mine replaced in my 2012 AWD. Search torque converter (TC) issues on the forum and see if you are having similar experiences.

 

I've had the exact same issue but the issue doesn't happen enough. I'm worried if I bring it into the dealership and have them diagnose it, and find no issues. I'm stuck with another bill of half hour... Going to wait a bit since I still have warranty.

 

Definitely sounds like your torque converter is going. Think they have a 100,000 km warranty on that torque converter because a lot of 4th gens are having that problem.

 

The warranty has been extended to 7 years 160 k kms,also there is a software update that the dealership will do free of cost as a first step to help alleviate this issue.

 

Thanks KarKraze. Does this new extension cover the entire drivetrain or transmission. Or just the torque converter?

 

The extension is for the transmission and i think it is 6/160 kms not 7/160 kms. I can look for the letter I received to confirm the years.
If you call Acura Care they will confirm that info for you.

 

Software update has already been done. Seems like it got worse over time. Went to dealer several times last year and they keep saying it's normal and that if the converter is bad, the engine light will come on.

 

Did you try going to a different dealership? Sounds like they are giving you the run around.

Did they do a monitored road test? that is where they hook a computer to the OBD port and the technician monitor the readings during a test drive to see how the transmission shifts and when the lock up engages.

When i first felt the vibration and took it to the dealership they did the software update,it felt better but then returned.

I took it back and they told me they had a new update,we took the car for a monitored test drive and the technician could not find anything wrong,however they did that update and changed the fluid all free of cost,since then i have not had any issues.Mind you i caught mine early when the car had 7k kms,i now have 20k kms.

 

Definitely try another dealership, no light will come one with a failed TC. Mine went at 26k miles, I took it to them three times, they did the software update twice and finally on the third time diagnosed it as a failed TC. Replaced the TC and no problems so far (at 31k miles now)