My TLX SH AWD A-Spec loaner experience
#41
Went to get my plates today. I put the X3 in Sport Plus and hit the throttle on short entry highway ramp. Never once did I fear for my life like I did doing the same thing on the TLX in Sport mode. I'm sure the Type S would have been a different story but it wasn't around in the Fall of 2020.
I don’t understand this at all. I drove the ASPEC in Normal/Sport modes and not once did I feel the brakes were unresponsive or “scary”. This is after driving the Type S so that says something. My friend with an ASPEC doesn’t have any concerns either. So I don’t really know
If I could make a video to show you what I'm talking about without getting pulled over I would. Maybe after I install a dash cam...
#42
Thanks for your response, I’ll add some extra information about your points;
- the sound system, it was mostly radio, I admit, but I played some tunes from Spotify through CarPlay. The audio was a lot better than the TL that I have, but I didn’t feel like it was leagues above my 2011 Odyssey Touring Elite (elite has a better stereo than the touring). Perhaps it’s just my ears (I am no audiophile) but factory systems lack a little low down bass (by contrast finding headphones that are not bass boosted is a challenge). So, I will agree, you are right the TLX audio deserves better than “pretty good”. I will add as a reference that I had a listen to the Burmeister system in a Porsche and I didn’t get anything special out of it and I don’t fully understand the price of that option.
- regarding the gauges, do all TLX have the same colors? On the 3rd gen the TypeS has red and the base models are blue themed. As for the analog gauges that’s the only thing I had a hard time with, the lcd middle bit was crisp. I could adjust the dimmer to correct it, but it depended too much on light conditions. The rental didn’t have tinted windows, perhaps that would help? On my TL though the numbers are backlit white, I think my eyes just struggled with the red, I always needed half a second to regain focus. As for my age, well, I’m 41 years old physically, 11 mentally, and 80+ emotionally (permanently grumpy).
- regarding the brakes, when I wrote that, I wasn’t aware of other thread(s) discussing this topic. Is it something you can get used to, yeah probably. But it felt to me like the braking force was not just a factor of how far the pedal traveled but also how rapidly you pressed on it. I had another small event in the parking lot when someone was coming out from behind a utility van so I transitioned from the throttle to the brake very quickly (light press on both) but it felt like the car registered it as a panic brake and I basically chirped the tires from 5-6 mph to a dead stop. None of the cars I’m used to driving regularly would have done that.
- the lurching was when using the engine auto start stop, and it was in situations when the engine needed to restart before the light was green. It was like going from park to drive or neutral to drive in an older auto transmission. Even with your foot hard on the brake the car bucked forward once.
- good to know the boost gauge can always be there, I did mention it was likely me not exploring the menus sufficiently, I am glad you can display it regardless of driving mode, thanks for pointing that out.
- as far as the steering, that’s definitely something I would get used to quickly and I didn’t tweak anything in the individualized settings. I should have checked how many rotations the wheel does lock to lock, but it just felt like they were trying to get the same wheel turning angle by reducing the full steering rotation by 1/2 a turn (1/4 turn in each direction) so they sped up the last bit of the rotation. As you pointed out, the on center feel and small inputs was very nice, but without being too sensitive. It was just something new to me, the “daily” cars I have still have hydraulic systems, and the EPS cars I have (or have driven more frequently) didn’t do that.
Haha! I enjoyed the “another man’s meh” comment!
The TLX was better than Meh! I did say at the bottom that I would definitely cross-shop / consider a TLX if I was in the car / sedan marker. However, if my message conveyed that my thoughts on the TLX were “meh”, that’s on me. I should have been more clear.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how bad the TLX is or isn’t, at least it’s not an suv .
(sorry I couldn’t help myself, too many nice folks with X3 in here, I had to throw in a dig )
thanks!
- the sound system, it was mostly radio, I admit, but I played some tunes from Spotify through CarPlay. The audio was a lot better than the TL that I have, but I didn’t feel like it was leagues above my 2011 Odyssey Touring Elite (elite has a better stereo than the touring). Perhaps it’s just my ears (I am no audiophile) but factory systems lack a little low down bass (by contrast finding headphones that are not bass boosted is a challenge). So, I will agree, you are right the TLX audio deserves better than “pretty good”. I will add as a reference that I had a listen to the Burmeister system in a Porsche and I didn’t get anything special out of it and I don’t fully understand the price of that option.
- regarding the gauges, do all TLX have the same colors? On the 3rd gen the TypeS has red and the base models are blue themed. As for the analog gauges that’s the only thing I had a hard time with, the lcd middle bit was crisp. I could adjust the dimmer to correct it, but it depended too much on light conditions. The rental didn’t have tinted windows, perhaps that would help? On my TL though the numbers are backlit white, I think my eyes just struggled with the red, I always needed half a second to regain focus. As for my age, well, I’m 41 years old physically, 11 mentally, and 80+ emotionally (permanently grumpy).
- regarding the brakes, when I wrote that, I wasn’t aware of other thread(s) discussing this topic. Is it something you can get used to, yeah probably. But it felt to me like the braking force was not just a factor of how far the pedal traveled but also how rapidly you pressed on it. I had another small event in the parking lot when someone was coming out from behind a utility van so I transitioned from the throttle to the brake very quickly (light press on both) but it felt like the car registered it as a panic brake and I basically chirped the tires from 5-6 mph to a dead stop. None of the cars I’m used to driving regularly would have done that.
- the lurching was when using the engine auto start stop, and it was in situations when the engine needed to restart before the light was green. It was like going from park to drive or neutral to drive in an older auto transmission. Even with your foot hard on the brake the car bucked forward once.
- good to know the boost gauge can always be there, I did mention it was likely me not exploring the menus sufficiently, I am glad you can display it regardless of driving mode, thanks for pointing that out.
- as far as the steering, that’s definitely something I would get used to quickly and I didn’t tweak anything in the individualized settings. I should have checked how many rotations the wheel does lock to lock, but it just felt like they were trying to get the same wheel turning angle by reducing the full steering rotation by 1/2 a turn (1/4 turn in each direction) so they sped up the last bit of the rotation. As you pointed out, the on center feel and small inputs was very nice, but without being too sensitive. It was just something new to me, the “daily” cars I have still have hydraulic systems, and the EPS cars I have (or have driven more frequently) didn’t do that.
Haha! I enjoyed the “another man’s meh” comment!
The TLX was better than Meh! I did say at the bottom that I would definitely cross-shop / consider a TLX if I was in the car / sedan marker. However, if my message conveyed that my thoughts on the TLX were “meh”, that’s on me. I should have been more clear.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how bad the TLX is or isn’t, at least it’s not an suv .
(sorry I couldn’t help myself, too many nice folks with X3 in here, I had to throw in a dig )
thanks!
#43
When someone is sorry about what they got, then you get something else that you are happy with. I'm sure ELIN is now happy but then don't come back and say this and that about the TLX that he had problems with. I very happy with my TLX and after 23,000 miles with zero problems.
He doesn't have anything good to say now about Acura so he should enjoy his BMW and input his love on their forums.
He doesn't have anything good to say now about Acura so he should enjoy his BMW and input his love on their forums.
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
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silverTL6 (11-05-2022)
#44
Went to get my plates today. I put the X3 in Sport Plus and hit the throttle on short entry highway ramp. Never once did I fear for my life like I did doing the same thing on the TLX in Sport mode. I'm sure the Type S would have been a different story but it wasn't around in the Fall of 2020.
https://www.caranddriver.com/acura/tlx
https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/x3
So when I started the TLX Owner's Thread everything was good because I was on the "correct" side but now that I no longer own an Acura I need to be shown the door?!!!
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
Last edited by Legend2TL; 11-03-2022 at 01:06 PM.
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#45
So when I started the TLX Owner's Thread everything was good because I was on the "correct" side but now that I no longer own an Acura I need to be shown the door?!!!
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
#46
So when I started the TLX Owner's Thread everything was good because I was on the "correct" side but now that I no longer own an Acura I need to be shown the door?!!!
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
I really hope this is just a facade for the forums and not the real you. Life is too short to be chasing former owners on a virtual soap box.
Just don't turn into a bear
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ELIN (11-04-2022)
#47
It's not the real me as I am almost 76 years old and still love cars (esp. my TLX). Just some of your comments rub me the wrong way (like the last one "We have really short and tight entry/exit ramps in my area. Always a harrowing experience entering the highway with the TLX" and I reacted. I live on Long Island and the Southern State Parkway has some entering lanes as little as 50 feet and I never had a problem with my TLX merging into traffic or exiting. The TLX is not a slow car, not the fastest either, but for everyday driving it's very good in doing its job.
Just don't turn into a bear
Just don't turn into a bear
When we hadn't heard from Bear for a while, I was genuinely concerned because I knew he was an older gentlemen. Many of us feared the worst but were relieved to find out he was still around.
When we eventually have to go and say goodbye to all our friends, will we be remembered for the good things we did or random postings on a forum?
#48
Went to get my plates today. I put the X3 in Sport Plus and hit the throttle on short entry highway ramp. Never once did I fear for my life like I did doing the same thing on the TLX in Sport mode. I'm sure the Type S would have been a different story but it wasn't around in the Fall of 2020.
Last edited by mapleloaf; 11-03-2022 at 10:33 PM.
#49
For arcade racing now, Asphalt-8 on the Apple-TV is lots of fun (for the whole family). You can use the Siri Remote (and it's gyro) as a "steering wheel". Also, it's easy to learn to Drift.
On the PC (Steam) I'm really liking Need for Speed Hot-Pursuit Remastered. Pretty easy to get Sony DS4 Controller (with Accelerometer) running in Steam's Big-Picture Mode. Forza Horizon 4 is also good.
Last edited by Tesla1856; 11-03-2022 at 11:54 PM. Reason: more info
#50
Yes, the Test-Drive games were fun in the 80's and 90's on PC , but we had it on the Amiga also.
For arcade racing now, Asphalt-8 on the Apple-TV is lots of fun (for the whole family). You can use the Siri Remote (and it's gyro) as a "steering wheel". Also, it's easy to learn to Drift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSG...annel=Gameloft
On the PC (Steam) I'm really liking Need for Speed Hot-Pursuit Remastered. Pretty easy to get Sony DS4 Controller (with Accelerometer) running in Steam's Big-Picture Mode. Forza Horizon 4 is also good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeRn...l=NeedforSpeed
For arcade racing now, Asphalt-8 on the Apple-TV is lots of fun (for the whole family). You can use the Siri Remote (and it's gyro) as a "steering wheel". Also, it's easy to learn to Drift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSG...annel=Gameloft
On the PC (Steam) I'm really liking Need for Speed Hot-Pursuit Remastered. Pretty easy to get Sony DS4 Controller (with Accelerometer) running in Steam's Big-Picture Mode. Forza Horizon 4 is also good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeRn...l=NeedforSpeed
Ah the good old days...
#51
Could you perhaps enlarge on what happened when you went on throttle in Sport Mode? Also, how much "on throttle"? I don't usually drive that way, but I do get on throttle occasionally in Sport in an entry ramp and feel the grab of the SH-AWD, As I do in any other mode. Not being contrary, just curious. I am by nature, a generally safe driver but do enjoy some fun when safe
I pull up to the entrance on US 46 and come to a full stop due to a STOP sign (I've noticed there are way more STOP signs compared to YIELDS in NJ for whatever reason). As the entry ramp is typically at an awkward angle like 45 deg into traffic, I not only have to come up to full speed to enter 46, I have to angle back into the right most lane so that I don't accidentally enter the middle lane (see pic and remember the STOP sign is right where 46 meets the entry ramp). As I'm trying to enter the West-bound side of 46, I'm entering a portion where the drivers already on 46 are in a state of euphoria after having driven past the slowdown that is the 46/route 3 merger. In other words, they'll be making up for speed they lost and are typically zooming by at 60-80 mph. I get out of Normal/Comfort mode on the TLX by going into Sport mode. When I slam the throttle to the floor, there is a slight hesitation after a split second that makes me think "yup, I'm getting hit by oncoming traffic." I think we all agree that the 2.0 TLX has a bit of turbo lag. Eventually I got used to this hesitation, but going from 0-60 and trying to find an empty spot to join traffic has always been pretty dicey at intersections such as these.
Please let me know if this is descriptive enough to describe my issue. Note that the pictured entry ramp is considered "middle of the road" lengthwise. I've had shorter ramps that are only 1-2 car lengths again with a stupid STOP sign and similar angles.
Last edited by ELIN; 11-04-2022 at 07:20 AM.
#52
Sure thing.
I pull up to the entrance on US 46 and come to a full stop due to a STOP sign (I've noticed there are way more STOP signs compared to YIELDS in NJ for whatever reason). As the entry ramp is typically at an awkward angle like 45 deg into traffic, I not only have to come up to full speed to enter 46, I have to angle back into the right most lane so that I don't accidentally enter the middle lane (see pic and remember the STOP sign is right where 46 meets the entry ramp). As I'm trying to enter the West-bound side of 46, I'm entering a portion where the drivers already on 46 are in a state of euphoria after having driven past the slowdown that is the 46/route 3 merger. In other words, they'll be making up for speed they lost and are typically zooming by at 60-80 mph. I get out of Normal/Comfort mode on the TLX by going into Sport mode. When I slam the throttle to the floor, there is a slight hesitation after a split second that makes me think "yup, I'm getting hit by oncoming traffic." I think we all agree that the 2.0 TLX has a bit of turbo lag. Eventually I got used to this hesitation, but going from 0-60 and trying to find an empty spot to join traffic has always been pretty dicey at intersections such as these.
Please let me know if this is descriptive enough to describe my issue. Note that the pictured entry ramp is considered "middle of the road" lengthwise. I've had shorter ramps that are only 1-2 car lengths again with a stupid STOP sign and similar angles.
I pull up to the entrance on US 46 and come to a full stop due to a STOP sign (I've noticed there are way more STOP signs compared to YIELDS in NJ for whatever reason). As the entry ramp is typically at an awkward angle like 45 deg into traffic, I not only have to come up to full speed to enter 46, I have to angle back into the right most lane so that I don't accidentally enter the middle lane (see pic and remember the STOP sign is right where 46 meets the entry ramp). As I'm trying to enter the West-bound side of 46, I'm entering a portion where the drivers already on 46 are in a state of euphoria after having driven past the slowdown that is the 46/route 3 merger. In other words, they'll be making up for speed they lost and are typically zooming by at 60-80 mph. I get out of Normal/Comfort mode on the TLX by going into Sport mode. When I slam the throttle to the floor, there is a slight hesitation after a split second that makes me think "yup, I'm getting hit by oncoming traffic." I think we all agree that the 2.0 TLX has a bit of turbo lag. Eventually I got used to this hesitation, but going from 0-60 and trying to find an empty spot to join traffic has always been pretty dicey at intersections such as these.
Please let me know if this is descriptive enough to describe my issue. Note that the pictured entry ramp is considered "middle of the road" lengthwise. I've had shorter ramps that are only 1-2 car lengths again with a stupid STOP sign and similar angles.
The 10-speed in the TLX is better than I expected it would be, but it's still a weak spot in the powertrain/driving experience and not as responsive or snappy as the ZF 8-speed that BMW and so many others use. I think the ZF 8-speed is probably the best automatic on the market today barring maybe dual clutch transmissions that may make a difference for the track enthusiasts out there.
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ELIN (11-04-2022)
#53
I think I get what you're saying. The TLX will sometimes have massive hesitation when I roll up to a roundabout and then hit the throttle to go through. This happens in situations where I don't come to a complete stop and in the transition from slowing down to quickly needing to accelerate again. I've found it's due to clumsiness with the transmission and for what it's worth, I've experienced this hesitation in other cars (2018 Mazda CX-9 with a 6spd auto and 2019 VW GTI with a 7spd dual clutch auto come to mind).
The 10-speed in the TLX is better than I expected it would be, but it's still a weak spot in the powertrain/driving experience and not as responsive or snappy as the ZF 8-speed that BMW and so many others use. I think the ZF 8-speed is probably the best automatic on the market today barring maybe dual clutch transmissions that may make a difference for the track enthusiasts out there.
The 10-speed in the TLX is better than I expected it would be, but it's still a weak spot in the powertrain/driving experience and not as responsive or snappy as the ZF 8-speed that BMW and so many others use. I think the ZF 8-speed is probably the best automatic on the market today barring maybe dual clutch transmissions that may make a difference for the track enthusiasts out there.
#54
Ah yes the dreaded lag when you stomp on the gas while rolling at a slow speed. For whatever reason, it seems to be totally inconsistent between cars. On my initial test drive, I found it to be really bad. We ended up test driving four different ones on the lot and found that two of them suffered from this hesitation while the other two didn’t. Chalk it up to poor QC maybe. In any case, forcing the car into the right gear before smashing the gas pedal fixed it, so I suspect it has something to do with the kickdown logic to protect the drivetrain.
https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-.../#post16665721
https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-.../#post16665721
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ELIN (11-04-2022)
#55
Ah yes the dreaded lag when you stomp on the gas while rolling at a slow speed. For whatever reason, it seems to be totally inconsistent between cars. On my initial test drive, I found it to be really bad. We ended up test driving four different ones on the lot and found that two of them suffered from this hesitation while the other two didn’t. Chalk it up to poor QC maybe. In any case, forcing the car into the right gear before smashing the gas pedal fixed it, so I suspect it has something to do with the kickdown logic to protect the drivetrain.
https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-.../#post16665721
https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-.../#post16665721
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ELIN (11-04-2022)
#56
Ah yes the dreaded lag when you stomp on the gas while rolling at a slow speed. For whatever reason, it seems to be totally inconsistent between cars. On my initial test drive, I found it to be really bad. We ended up test driving four different ones on the lot and found that two of them suffered from this hesitation while the other two didn’t. Chalk it up to poor QC maybe. In any case, forcing the car into the right gear before smashing the gas pedal fixed it, so I suspect it has something to do with the kickdown logic to protect the drivetrain.
https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-.../#post16665721
https://acurazine.com/forums/6g-tlx-.../#post16665721
I always felt it was firmware and/or programming (like to transmission, engine, gas-petal, etc.). Reportedly, some other cars didn't suffer from it. My only explanation was maybe they were running a different version of firmwares, and since Acura didn't acknowledge the problem, the other cars never got rolled-into Service for checking and/or application of all the latest firmwares.
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ELIN (11-04-2022)
#58
On a related note, I always loved the 3.5 Six Cylinder TLX motor, unfortunately the 9 speed ZF drove me back to a 4 cylinder TLX. I enjoy the 2.0 turbo but would be interested if Acura went back to the 6 in the TLX, which won't happen. I just finished a day+ with the 2022 MDX with the 10 speed amd 3.5 engine. That is a pretty tasty combination. Very smooth and seamless, not the power obviously of the MDX Type S which I had the pleasure to drive recently as well. The 25 speaker ELS in the Type in the Type S Ultra is outstanding, btw.
#59
My guess is this hesitation is torque management programmed to be over protective of the SH-AWD hardware. I noticed this with my 21 TLX A-Spec SH-AWD and to a lesser extent in my 22 TLX Type S, but not in the Accord Sport (with the same engine and transmission as the A-Spec) I had test driven a year or so ago. I did have a Ktuner tune on the A-Spec for a while and that definitely reduced it quite a bit but didn’t eliminate it completely.
I’m sure Acura is doing this for reliability reasons, though I wish they would just beef up the hardware instead. I’m not someone that floors it from every stoplight, but if you drive a car with AWD, especially a performance oriented AWD, the occasional hard launch should be part of the fun 🙂
I’m sure Acura is doing this for reliability reasons, though I wish they would just beef up the hardware instead. I’m not someone that floors it from every stoplight, but if you drive a car with AWD, especially a performance oriented AWD, the occasional hard launch should be part of the fun 🙂
#60
I used to ponder that from time to time when I raced a Lotus 18 back in the days before the dinosaurs died. Considering the dry sump's oil tank was nestled between the back of my seat and the firewall, while the fuel tank was directly over my legs, all the flammable stuff was on my side of the firewall. I often wondered how well the Nomex longjohns and suit would hold up.
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PhilB81 (11-05-2022)
#61
I used to ponder that from time to time when I raced a Lotus 18 back in the days before the dinosaurs died. Considering the dry sump's oil tank was nestled between the back of my seat and the firewall, while the fuel tank was directly over my legs, all the flammable stuff was on my side of the firewall. I often wondered how well the Nomex longjohns and suit would hold up.
with that said, cool car!
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