mossman77

Not sure if this is actually a problem or if it's normal, but I don't like it. A lot of times when I'm driving on an incline at a steady speed, my TL will remain in a high gear such that the RPMs drop to near 1100 to 1200. I get some rumbling and the engine labors to maintain speed. If I press the accelerator it downshifts, but I feel like it shouldn't do this to begin with. I had a 2004 Infiniti G35 that did this and a transmission flush took care of it. My TL has 62,000 on it, so a trans fluid change isn't due for another 58k, but I'm considering doing it anyhow. Waiting until 120k to change the trans fluid seems risky to me. Anyone else experience this?

S power

It is the lazy program logic of the transmission software so that the tl can achieve 100 mpg. Makes it look good on papers, which results in torque converter failure on long term.

Side note, if i wanted a good gas mileage, I would buy a tsx. I chose the tl for the v6 performance but it still acts like a civic(.

mossman77

Do you think sport mode will prevent it from doing this?

S power

Sports mode will hang your rpm up there but not your everyday thing you want to keep it at. You will run into oil consumption at a higher rate. Dealer can/will update your your pcm software to fix the low rpm problem. Its a hit or miss as some on here reported the tranny still acts the same after the update. Its under acura tsb and extended 105,000 miles/8yr warranty.

csmeance

Trans fluid should be replaced every 30K miles for longevity, 120K miles is WAY TO LONG!

You can try replacing the transmission pressure switches for 3rd and 4th gear and it may help.

mossman77

Do you have firsthand experience with this? In other words, have you run into this issue before and it was remedied by switching out pressure switches?

Reorge

OP, help us to help you. What year is your TL? 2009-2011 have 5 speeds and 2012-2014 have 6 speeds.

csmeance

It has helped the 3G TL folks and I plan on replacing 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear switches when I get to 105K or do the timing belt service.


Replaced 3rd gear pressure switch on my MDX and shifting into 3rd and 5th (controlled by 3rd gear switch) improved quite a bit and I had less "lag" when having the car downshift from 5th to 4th when passing or going uphill. Have 4th and 2nd gear switching waiting to be installed.

mossman77

My fault. It's a 2011 TL with 62,000 miles. I've been putting it into sport mode when cruising on the roads where it occurs which keeps it in 3rd at 3,000 RPM. Sometimes I'll switch it to M4 and that's seems to work fine, but then I forget it's in manual mode next time I take off from a light. Wish there were someway to exit manual mode while remaining in sport mode without moving the lever to D then back to S.

BartmanEH

+1 I wish so too