Good to hear....at least you are happy with your car now!

Oddly enough, after test driving a Lexus ES350, the wife and I were surprised at how similar the ES is to the RLX and not the TLX.

For the price of the RLX we were expecting a bigger difference. I know I lose the AWD but I dont feel its important enough to spend that much more $$$.

 

Stew: Congrats on getting the dealership to do you a solid and make it right with you. I hope you have better luck with the RLX.

To anyone else with issues like Stew had: I hope that either Acura will make it right for you and you can enjoy your car as you hoped all along or you can get a chance to get out from under it like Stew. Either way, I wish everyone could be lucky enough to not have to deal with these issues, but we all know how new model cars can be and sadly, some things slip through and the end user (us) has to deal with the results.

Good luck everyone!

P.S. Stew, when can I expect to see your first book?

 

Thank you, kind sir. This RLX model has been out a couple of years and seems that the kinks have been worked out, so I should be worry free for a while.

Like you, I hope that no one else experiences the troublesome transmission that I did. I went through a lot to get his car. I could write an entire chapter on just that part. It was one thing after another.

 

^ Just dropped my TLX off for the A1 and a revisit of SB-40. I'll see what happens.

I looked at the RLX's while waiting to check in - funny that the flagship $60,000+ Acura has a 7 speed trans. Guess 7 speeds was good enough for the flagship. Wish they stuck with what worked for the TLX.

The SH-AWD Premium Hybrid I was drooling over was way north of my price range, but in 2.5 years a used 2015/2016 with a gentle 25K on it, might be my next car.

Stew hope you enjoy yours!

 

Stew...congrats and best of luck with the RLX. I did a weekend loaner with one last year and got a couple of hundred miles on it....very nice car and very smooth ride. Hope that it treats you very well for many miles!

 

Congrats and good luck on the new ride Stew!

I'm looking forward to a write-up on the differences between the TLX and the RLX.

 

My dealer called and said they applied some kind of "forced relearn" (part of SB-40 I think). I'll see what the paperwork says and be more specific - will report back after the drive home.

 

Took the RDX back, as much as I like the transmission the rest of the car is a down grade in terms of fit/finish and overall quality.

Of the vehicles in Acura's line up, the TLX far exceeds the "entry" level luxury comparables for the price paid (ILX / RDX). I'll have to put more seat time in and see if the tranny gets it's shit together as I've only had the car for 800km's (15km when taken delivery).

Hopefully they'll have the tranny issue sorted out MMC. I truly love everything else about the car except 3rd gear.

 

This was interesting. So what the dealership did was a, "teach in / clear and relearn torque idle learn". I have a 20 mile drive home and I have to say the 2-3 shifts were perfect. Absolutely unnoticeable.

I know some others had some temporary relief and it came back in a week, so I'll monitor and check back. But if this was the permanent behavior, I'd be thrilled.

 

This seems stupid, but is it possible that this whole problem just comes down to the gear ratios?

2016 Acura TLX | Specifications | Acura.com

Compare to the RLX:
2016 Acura RLX | Specifications | Acura.com

The ratio between 1st and 2nd is larger than (I presume) an ordinary 6 speed/7 speed RLX, and the gap between 2nd and 3rd is relatively giant compared to those.

Again my point here isn't to say the problem doesn't exist--it's to try to get to the bottom of it. If the issue is really 2nd-3rd and (to a lesser degree) 1st-2nd, we should look to see what might be different about them compared to transmissions of the past. This seems like it could be a big factor...

 

OK, let me take a crack at this.

I'm no rocket surgeon or brain scientist but I don't think the issues people are having is related to the gear ratios.

I would have to think that it's a combination of a lot of gears and associated dogs and clutches (mechanical) and the fact the transmission is a "learning" type (software). This is more than likely the reason that a TSB software update will alter the dynamics of the problem, if only for a little while in some cases. If it was a gear ratio then it would seem reasonable that every car with this transmission would exhibit similar problems. I think that Acura and ZF were trying to marry a lot of unproven technology together and it's not quite ready for prime time yet.

Just my opinion, but based on the fact that people are having many different symptoms leads me to believe it's not strictly mechanical.

Oh, and I'll just throw this out there as well. Honda and Acura are considering even more than 9 gears for future transmissions. How does that make you feel?

 

6 speed, but yeah....they left the 6 speed in their flagship while forcing the 9 speed in their other refreshed vehicles. I believe it was the same 6 speed that was in the MDX until the 2016MY.

My brother in law had a '11 RLX and that had the same 6 speed as well....he said of all the automatics he's driven, that was the best. Shifted when you expected it to, the shifts were firm without being jarring, etc. Never acted weird, never "lagged" for no reason.

He tested a TLX and loved the fact that you are doing 1500 rpm at 80mph, but my sister of all people complained about all the shifting it was doing (presumably because of all the extra gears)

There were similar issues with the 7AT in the G37 and M37....it acted better in the M than it did in the G. I dont think the gear ratios were different, though....a lot of people were thinking it was because of the dynamics of the two vehicles. The M being heavier and less agile with the G being lighter and handling different/better. Similar to why there might be less complaints about the 9AT in the MDX than in the TLX.

It could even come down to clientele.....people in an M37/MDX are less apt to "toss it around" or "drive aggressively" than people driving the much sportier G37/TLX

I think there are just too many variables to know for sure.....the best that can be hoped for is a happy medium that makes most people happy.

 

Isn't the 2016 RLX 7 gears?

 

The RLX is equipped with: 6-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control

 

I believe the Sport Hybrid model is 7 speed.

BTW, I test drove a 2016 RDX yesterday. The RLX is out of my price range. I loved the 6 speed in the RDX. I agree, the interior quality is not as good as the TLX, but I would sacrifice that in a heart beat to be in a car that shifts smoothly.

I am now so distracted by trying to get my gas pedal pressure just right, the acceleration just right, and switching drive modes and trying different things, that I am getting distracted from actual driving.. let alone, distracted from enjoying the many other great qualities the TLX has.

 

I want pictures of RLX! Keep us updated on the car.

 

I'll get some pics soon. I am waiting to get tint, splash guards and deck spoiler installed

 

I feel so narcissistic for quoting myself.

So on the drive in the shift was not as smooth as last night. Better than before, but I'm still seeing a hesitation. Although the hesitation is not as long. Not a good sign that it's going the wrong direction - we'll see what the rest of the week brings.

 

I love the 6 speed in my TSX for those exact reasons. I can practically control what gear I'm in with my right foot. Predictable and smooth.

In truth even if the shifts were all perfect, for me 9 speeds is too many. I drive 50 miles a day in mixed highway / city. I have a lot of places where I stop at lights, then the road is 50 mph. I'm going up and down through all 9 gears over and over again. Also, I don't like the fact that when you need to make a move, there is way too much thinking going on while the tranny decides what gear it needs. I'm probably just going to avoid cars with more than 7 or 8 gears in the future - not a good fit for me.

 

That's mean I'm not the only thinking TLX with 6speed wouldn't have been the best car for me, at least.

 

I don't even have 100 miles on the TLX so I'm a noob, but I test drove several and I put 20 miles on the car I ended up buying. This transmission is definitely different than a more traditional 5 or 6 speed. It may not be as radical as a CVT, but I bet we see more and more of these trany's. If the TLX had the carry over 6 speed it would not have the fuel efficiency that is has. Some wouldn't have minded, some would have picked a different car. But the 9-speed is part of the trade off on this car for the great FE.

It is different and I'm sure I'll adapt to it. I hope mine does not develop the hard shift behavior that some have. I guess I'll find out in a few hundred miles. Overall it is a great car.

My only wish on the 9-speed is that they programmed more 'sport' into the sport mode.

 

The 06 TSX auto was a 5 speed. I just changed from my 14 TSX 5 speed auto for a 9 speed V6 TLX and would never look back. Always in the sweet spot while accelerating without the CVT rubber band feel that many competitors have. 70 mph tach is 1500 versus 2300 in the tsx. Quiet and great fuel economy. Even the 6 speed in the '12 - '14 TL feels antiquated.

 

LOL at always being in the sweet spot.. *snicker snicker*

 

I'm trying not to annoy everyone with updates but day 2 with the "teach in / clear and relearn torque idle learn" procedure is going really well. It's settling in on some consistency now. I'd say probably 50% of the shifts now are clean with no delay. 45% are much better than before. Maybe a small delay but you'd be hard pressed to detect it if you weren't really paying attention. Maybe 5% are detectable. By comparison, before the relearn 100% were detectable.

If this is how it remains I'd actually be very happy. I'd consider it very acceptable. While I'm still not a huge fan of the 9-speed in general, I'd be OK with this shifting behavior.

 

^^^ Good to hear!

 

Congrats on the RLX Stew, at least you got to stay with your dealer.. Enjoy the new car.

 

The GM saved the day on that one.

 

Glad that worked for you. I have yet to come across a bad 9 speed yet. Wonder if some are having issues due their car sitting on the dealer's lot for a long time and possibly dead battery before selling. Just jumping the car and delivering it without service check might be the culprit. Our inventory turn is very quick and each delivery goes through service for battery, tire pressure and fluid check before gas and detail.

 

I just noticed your RLX is a 2015. We sold out of the 15 RLXs in late March right when the 16s started to arrive in early April. Why did you get a 15? Was it used? Do you know of all the added equipment the 2016 Tech model offers? Lots of the same safety stuff that was on the 15 advance.

 

I don't have a 2015, it's a 2016.

 

LOL. I have never used this before in text.. but this is the perfect time...

*SMH*

 

Unfortunately Louder I thought same thing but the harsh shifts start to come back like the others mentioned . It's not yet as initially was but definitely is coming back bit by bit. It happened more often than after the update.
To be honest I'm pretty disappointed .
Good luck with yours !

 

That is good to know. The 16 Tech is one of the best values with the added features that many had to pay more for in the 2015 Advance model. We sold 3 Techs last month and now just have the advance models left which are a little harder to move. You will enjoy the RLX, it is a large comfy car. I was on the edge with the deals, but liked the ride in the TLX better and wanted the latest tech.

 

How long did it take to come back? Just curious if it was a few days or a few weeks. I had it done Tuesday, and so far it's holding.

 

*thud*

I have the Advance model. It has everything the TLX Advance does plus the 360 degree cameras, folding mirrors, rear window shades, electronic steering column adjustment, etc. Just pushing the truck open button on the remote and the trunk opening all the way is an upgrade to me!

I find that I like the smoother ride too... though not a straight comparison to the TLX I had because that one was stiffer due to lowering and, of course by lowering it caused all other TLX's in the world to have transmission problems. Of that, I am truly, truly sorry. I wish to be absolved od that guilt ASAP.

 

When do we get to see pics of the new ride?

 

I was hoping to hear from the dealer that my spoiler was in and ready for install along with tint and splash guards. I haven't washed it yet this week but pics are forth coming

 

About 5 weeks now...I don't know if related but now it's colder in the morning . Anyway it happens even after the car reach the normal operating temperature..

 

I had my TLX in the shop today for the hard shift updates, 38 and 40 installed (they said they put on the latest software level). I spoke to the tech who did the update when I picked it up, he just happened to be walk by my service guy, and he said he noticed the shift before the update and not after the update. On my drive home, it is definitely better. I have no complaint if it stays like this. I see some of you think it comes back after a few weeks, so I'll be watching. So far, so good. Thanks all for your feedback.

 

Stew, glad you are out of the car and into something that is a great car and should be reliable. My Parts Manager drives one and loves it. As for me, i am as perplexed as ever about the discrepancy of experience - a large group with no issues; a group with major issues, and perhaps a third group like me, who after a so called "learning" period (about 8k for me) is pleased with transmission performance following a few concerns about those first two shifts. I wonder if not having any transmission updates (generally not available in Canada) explains any of this. It's a MYSTERY!. I do think individual sensitivities to such things is a factor, as it usually is, but not to the extent that it explains the major concerns some have experienced. Anyhow, congrats and I look forward to a pic, although I haven't checked the RLX forum.