swttsx007

Hi all,

Perhaps it's just me, but does anyone else have a hard time parking their TLX? I have a 23' TLX-S, and for the life of me, I seem to have the most amount of trouble pulling into spots. Today, I scraped my front splitter for the second time when I was relying on the parking sensors to help me out. What is the trick for parking this huge beast besides getting out of the car to see how close you are to parking curbs? I totally need a front camera, but financially, it makes no sense for me to dump my 23 for a 24-model year.

I like the car otherwise, but when it comes to tight parking and pulling into spots, I absolutely hate this vehicle!

Is it just me? I guess I just suck at gauging the length of this vehicle. Frustrating!

thoiboi

Back up into the spots!


I think it's definitely user error

swttsx007

Ugh, I do back into spots as much as possible, but sometimes that just isn't possible. Either way, I guess I'll be buying a new splitter in a few months.

ELIN

I made an observation in this related thread:

​​​​​​​https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-2021-466/one-expensive-burger%85-996203/

QuickStix26

Going on 3 months of ownership for mine. The first few days were scary. Coming from a smaller Lexus RC 350, this thing felt like the size of a tank. Took some getting used to. Don't feel bad. I too sometimes get out and look at how much space I have in front of me.

GunnerX

I have to change the guidelines on mine to static. I find it easier to park that way. I couldn't get used to dynamic as I couldn't get used to how the lines moved on the screen. I use the 360 camera a lot on mine. But it's a Type S, not sure if other models have it.

ELIN

You have the surround cameras for your Type S because you're in Canada. US versions don't have it (and really really need it)!

22TypeS

Yes the front end is susceptible to being difficult to park. The rear camera is fine for me.

Flapjackura

Due to the long hood, visually I always feel like I'm a lot closer to whatever I am pulling in toward when parking nose-in than I really am. The sensors do pick up curbs if they are high enough. Usually I start getting beeps, inch up a bit until the beep speed increases one notch, then stop. Then I get out and check to see how I did, and there's usually almost a foot of clearance left. But, you're right, it feels like trying to dock an aircraft carrier.

swttsx007

Well, I'm glad to know that it's not just me that has problems with gauging nose-in parking distances.

I'll just continue to get out and check. I've thought about buying an aftermarket front camera, but I'm not sure if it is really worth the money and time to have it installed.

ELIN

If the RDX is any indication, chances are Acura will keep the TLX Type S more or less intact by the time you are done with your current lease. Starting w/MY24, Type S in the states have the surround cameras.

swttsx007

Yeah, we will see. I'm not so sure I am going to stick with Acura, though. I want to go back to an SUV, and if Acura doesn't released a RDX Type S, I most likely will be exploring my options. I do like the BMW X3M40i, so who knows.

ELIN

Don't forget that for the sake of "modernization", MY25 X3s will lose quite a bit of physical controls! The good news is that the latest iDrive software has HVAC controls persistent on the touchscreen so that you don't have to go digging menus for climate control!

swttsx007

That works for me! I was able to drive a M340i, which was really nice. However, I want to move back into an SUV next vehicle. I am definitely considering an X3!

harpazo

Angle parking to the curb is very tricky, even with the front camera. I’ve made contact a couple times and now I’m super conservative whenever I park.

rabbit73

It's definitely a handful. I came from a Ford Fusion, spec sheet identical front biased AWD 3.0L V6 sedan. The TLX is noticeably larger both physically and the way it feels. I still have problems backing into the garage and getting the nose all the way in. I have to get out and check the door will close before I shut it off. The Ford already had the tuning radius of a battleship so I'm used to that. I dread parallel parking for the first time. FWIW I've noticed the front beepers turn red and I still have a foot to go to the curb, but the back beepers have almost let me back into something before going red. It's like they're mounted too high up.

swttsx007

I have trouble backing perfectly straight into my garage. No matter how many times I do it, I am always somewhat crooked. It's not a big deal, but I never had issues with my previous RDX.

If the Integra Type S came in AWD, that would be the perfect car for me!

F23A4

Honestly, I have a much harder time parking my MDX due to its own proportions. Haven't had any issues with the TLX though.

ELIN

Large cars I've owned:

2011 Sienna
2016 GL450
2018 MDX
2023 GLS450

The TLX was still the most difficult car to park compared to the above list!

obbshu

I have a Type S and had the same issue. Purchased a Brandmotion curb detector and had it installed by my detail shop. Works great, mounts on the lower front of the car, and beeps when you get close to a curb. You can also adjust the distance to how close you get, works for me every time so far.

ELIN

I get that there are various after-market solutions that can make the TLX ownership more enjoyable (i.e. wireless AA/CP adapter, etc.) but these are the type of things (surround cameras, better curb detection) you expect on a $55k+ car w/luxury let alone premium aspirations!
Probably too lofty for Acura but Mercedes has the technology and tools to notify you when someone has hit your car while parked (BMW has a Drive Recorder that can record accidents but car can't be parked).

https://www.reddit.com/r/mercedes_be...20drive%20away.

Just a hunch but I'm guessing it's easier to park an Accord than the TLX!

obbshu

AND you are paying for it.

ELIN

The Mercedes feature I mentioned is available on the Mercedes Me app (not sure if it disappears once the trial runs out) and theoretically available on the least expensive C-Class.
In response to your comment, yes, I'm paying for it as MSRP on my X3 was $54260.

How much was your Type S?

obbshu

Out the door, my Type is was 57,900. But it came with dealer-installed blacked-out badging, lighted door sills, and upgraded floor mats. The C Class is a nice care I looked at that and drove it but chose the S over it. I thought it handled better, and looked better, when I pull into a parking lot there are other C Classes, M-340's and CTE-5's but you will only see one Type-S and everyone comes up to me and asks about the car. Is it worth the extra cash? Absolutely, especially if you don't want to blend in with all the other cars out there.

ELIN

I hear you about the uniqueness of the TLX. When I got my A-Spec in the Fall of 2020, it was just about the only new gen TLX on the road and this was true for a while due to the Pandemic. I've also never received more compliments for a car than the TLX!

My reasons for giving up the car are well documented in the Owner's thread so no need to repeat them here (though I suspect swttsx007 is hitting on similar pain points!).

swttsx007

Yep, I think I am experiencing a lot of what you were that made you decide to give it up. Honestly, I think the TLX Type S is one of the best looking cars on the road. However, there are definitely a lot of shortfalls that I am currently experiencing. Since I am in a lease, I am going to ride it out (or most of it anyway) and then move back into an SUV.

If I didn't have a Type S, I don't think I'd keep the TLX. The main redeeming factor of the Type S is the "fun" with the V6 turbo engine.

ELIN

That's true. The V6 makes a big difference as it was much easier for me to give up the very mediocre turbo 4. FWIW, the 4-cylinder X3 gets a lot of hate (even amongst the Bimmer crowd) but I find it to be far more responsive than the A-Spec I gave up!

frainc

Just a hunch that parking a TLX is a driver's problem and not a car problem! Hell, I drove a 1978 Chev caprice for 6 years, now that was a large car, and it didn't have any safely stuff or apps, just saying. I park my 2023 TLX in the garage front face and I get in and out fine. Don't know why people back into a garage. Hey, don't like the car, then you get something else, as you did. What's the matter, the BMW forums no good that you keep on coming here every day and say the same old stuff over and over?

ELIN

I didn't start this thread. I'm just commiserating w/someone else who had a similar experience.

It's still a free country, yes?

frainc

Yep, it's a free country, so I could post my stuff also,

TLow4g

back it in

mvl

I had the same isse when I moved from my civic to rsx. Front is just much longer than most cars. I bought a front and rear cam with user-adjusstable gridlines to fix.

Acura solved this by adding a 360 cam to the 2024 type S, so for those who otherwise like the TLX you can upgrade.

I've gotten used to these cameras on all my Acuras, with traffic becoming terrible with all the return to office mandates, I'm using them more and more.

Baksju

Driven tons of car in my life, from small shit like fiat 126p to things like LX570 or f250+tow, that said my 23 TLX is probably one of the worst to “feel” when parking it, always afraid I’ll scuff my PMC rims or damage front lip (I lowered it by 1 inch all around). 360 camera would help but it wasn’t an option on this $64.5k car in 23 in US lmfao, regret not going with M340

MarcoTLX

I say go balls-to-the-wall and consider an X3M Competition for your next SIV

spacious enough for you and quite exceedingly quick.


As far as parking goes, it’s not that bad I do wish I had 360 Camera as it certainly helps. But I have no issues parking in most places.

At my job I park in a garage with diagonal parking spaces on the outer ends of the garage. Spaces can be pretty tight & really makes me take a visual comparison as to how big the TLX is compared to the space size and the size of the 2011 RAV4 that usually parks beside me.

I usually back in everywhere I go and only occasionally parking face forward in a space. Pretty much how I avoid splitter scraping.

wizardjjr

It was rough parking it for the first few months. However, with enough practice I eventually learned how to park it with no issues. For daily garage parking, I just used a marker on the wall of the garage to line my mirror up with. Easy.

dcrandon

Any way to do a hack and add this on?