mhbill

My 2012 TL is 4 mos old. During this period I have logged the gas cap message 4 times and the 'replace battery' message twice - Very annoying. The 1st battery message logged in the first week of ownership, and the 2nd replace battery message occurred following a 1 week vacation where the car was left sitting in the garage. Has anyone else been having these problems? If so, what is the fix? Thanks.

potmilkz

sounds like you got a semi-lemon car..

what did the dealer tell you?

Stew4HD

I have had the "Tighten gas cap" message a couple of times on my '12 as well. It goes away but is annoying. I find that it happens when I fill and then take a hard right turn when full.

I have not had the battery message

fleming23

I too have had the tighten gas cap message a number of times. Generally it is right after filling up (which I guess makes sense as I had the cap removed) but does typically go away by the next day. I haven't addressed this with the dealer as I am sure they would need to duplicate the problem to do anything. Maybe I'll fill up right before my next service and see if I can get it to do it.

When I was in for my 1st oil change the dealer did replace my battery on my 12 as the CCAs were registering low. No MID warnings though.

joshibuwa

I got the same two msgs on my new 2012 TL. This happened when I first filled the gas it was there for couple of minutes and then it went away .
I have not used the car for couple of days and this morning I get the msg as replace battery which is for also couple of minutes and then it went away . I guess if you do not use the car for couple of days it will show that msg. but it should go away.

mhbill

Thanks for the feedback. I've received the gas cap message immediately after filling the tank and weeks after filling the tank, driving on the highway - and at different ambient temperatures....so, it appears to be random. I'm waiting for my first oil change before I speak with the service department regarding these issues, but need to prepare a response to the expected dealer comment "never heard of this problem before".....Thanks.

misu

The dealer warned me about both of those 2 messages when I picked up my car. Something about sitting on the lot for 3 months make them do that. Both messages went away.

mhbill

In my case, I have 4k miles in 4 months. So, the battery should not discharge in only a week! Yes, the messages go away, but the problem is that you don't really know if it is a 'real problem when they continually appear for no apparent reason......don't want to return to my car after a weeks vacation and find the battery is 'really dead.

weather

I must be lucky as I never had any of those issues so far...not even the gas cap message. On my 2009 TSX, it would happen once in a while but so far, nothing on my TL.

What is it with these weak Acura batteries? You would think they could put something more robust. I never liked how long it took for the seat warmer to reach the proper temperature on my TSX, I wonder if it better on my TL...I'll have to check it out. In my TSX, it would take forever to warm up the seats, and never was really sure if the seat warmer was what warmed them up or my flatulence!? *lol*

MrFungo

Call your dealer and ask if the softwear update is ready. I believe it effect 2010-2012 tl's

wingt

There has a software update for the fuel cap message now, i have the same problem too, and i got it updated.

mhbill

Hopefully, this software fixes the gas cap message, but doesn't create problems somewhere else! Thanks for the feedback.

fleming23

Do either of you have the service bulletin so I can tell my service advisor? If I go in and say there is a software release that is supposed to fix my tighten fuel cap issue I expect the service advisor to stare at me with that stupid blank look I get half of the time. I have found if I don't provide everything in baby steps I don't get the results I am looking for.

Thanks

Mr Marco

4G TSB's https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/4g-tl-technical-service-bulletins-tsbs-701767/

fleming23

That would be helpful IF there were a TSB listed about the tighten gas cap....Or a section for the 2012 in general....So like I said, does anyone have the service bulletin #?

wingt

I have the bulletin on my hands, i work for Honda and i can access the Acura info, the bulletin no is : V-3-11. but i am in Canada, so no sure the number will be the same or not in US. i did the update myself in my dealership, and after update i don't see that message anymore. used to see that almost everyday i drive.

jjsC5

I've had both messages once - but in fairness they were justified. The battery message was on a day when I had the car sitting in the driveway downloading music without the engine running for quite a while.

The gas cap message came on and I discovered I had not closed the outer door completely.

Neither one of them has come on again.

webs

Just picked up my 2012 on Tuesday and have had both messages already...last night the tighten gas cap and this morning the check battery. I was worried that I left something on overnight.

EazyRider562

Is it possible that the 2012 is a lemon year?

Mr Marco

jjsC5

Yes, to make up for the fact that it is no longer fugly

Stew4HD

I have had the "TIGHTEN GAS CAP" message 2 times since April and both times, it went away within an hour or so.... hardly makes it a lemon... and why would a message minder make a car a lemon? LOL!

jiiglesia69

My 2012 TL Advance only has 1200 miles on it and upon filling my first full tank the "Tighten Fuel Cap" message appears. I reopened the cap and tightened it above 3-4 click and the message still shows up upon the starting of my engine. 2 days later the message disappears. Hope it doesnt come back.

LawnPro

Weather, i think the acura batteries wear out sooner on the tl. the tech package will draw more juice

And the security light constantly blinking 24/7 when the car its off, draws juice as well.

led lighting also maybe.

ATL126AM

seems like a common problem.. kind of scary

audi_to_TL

iTrader: (2)

Started my car this morning and was surprised to see a replace battery message since the car is 1 month old.

After driving 2 minutes the light turned off.

Should I bother making an appointment or letting the dealer know about it??

potmilkz

yes,

have them replace the battery.

Acura2010

i also have had both of these messages appear. will have this addressed at my first service

Acura2010

Just booked my service for Thursday, hope to have these issues resolved.

3rdGenHybrid

Honda/Acura has an issue with there new battery management system, Honda does have an update that updates the pcm software, im sure acura has the same update.

As for the "Tighten Gas Cap" when this message appears, and your gas cap is loose, shutting off your car, tightening the gas cap, and starting your call will not shut the light off. This is because your car runs an evap test on your vehicle when the parameters are within spec. Engine Temp, Fuel tank Pressure, etc., the test doesn't run every time you drive your car/start the car, but usually it will reset within 1-2 days after you tighten the gas cap(if it was loose). If the gas cap was loose, and you tighten it, the display should turn off automaticly within a day or 2. If the gas cap was never loose, and the system ran the evap test again after the intial test was performed, the tighten gas cap light will turn off, and the CEL would illuminate for an Evap System leak. It seems as though acura is having an issue with the evap monitoring system, if the "tighten gas cap" displays, and there is no check engine light appearing several days after. Let me know if there is a fix, i can always use more food for my brain.

slick316

I must be lucky with this one, I've never seen these messages on my car.

I didn't read the entire thread but I did see that there was apparently a software update for this? Maybe mine has it already?

Acura2010

just got the car back from dealer, they ran all the test on battery, charging system, and fuel system, said everything is normal. They said that there is an update for the MDX but nothing on the TL. So, for me in canada no resolve for the issue.

3rdGenHybrid

Ya, Usa vs Canadian are different when it comes to sb and even warranty, a Canadian car cant be covered under warranty in the US, .... good luck, hope they can resolve your issue

3rdGenHybrid

11-012 is the sb# for gas cap PCM update

weather

Well...the LOW BATTERY light has come on my TL this evening. As soon as I started driving it went away but I guess I will need to have that checked when I bring my car for service next. My dealer is quite far away so if that fails, I will need to have some sort of backup plan. I'll keep you guys posted.

*** Just realized....Its a good thing Acura don't make Hybrids yet. Given their horrible batteries, can you imagine how bad these hybrids would be *lol*!!

Shellyduchsk8s

Thanks for the service bulletin number! Just had the tighten gas cap message on Tues night, immediately after a fill up, and upon quick acceleration from about 40 to 80mph (merging on I95). I freaked a little bit, but as of yesterday afternoon, the message was gone

weather

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question...I seem to be getting the low battery message on my car recently. I don't drive my TL alot in the winter and that could be the problem. I don't have a dealership nearby so I don't want to put 600 miles or so (Back and forth) to go see my dealership for that. The car still starts fine and drives with no issues. I was thinking of buying a battery charger that allows a slow charging and replenish the state of the battery. Do you guys think that would do the battery any good or once its in the "low battery" status, she can't be salvaged? I don't mind investing $40 for a battery charger as I don't drive my car alot in the winters as we drive the wife's SUV and protecting my Acura. Any advice? Thanks in advance...

Treblig

I don't use my car during the winter months either. I do keep it on a "Battery Tender" during its down time. I did the same with my previous RL. I used to get that battery warning signal after several days of non-use. However now, two weeks later she starts right up, no signal!

weather

Thanks for the response...I assume that by a "Battery Tender", you are referring to what I am alluding too. I never heard the term before....can you include a link of the device you are using. It seems we have the same taste in cars, colors and driving habits *lol*

Thanks in advance....and do you think that by using a device from now on will reverse the battery depletion?

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

If constantly plugged into the wall A/C, these devices will trickle-charge the car battery and will keep the battery top up all the time.

Works very well when going away for long vacations, without the need to disconnect the car battery to retain the charge.