Nicky Pass

I have had Acuras for 15 years....it started with a CL Type S and I now have a 2010 TSX that I got a great trade value on and an incredible price on a 2015 TLX V6 AWD. I was at the dealer yesterday working the numbers, then when I got home I started my research. This whole VCM vibration scares me. I do mostly highway diving as I have a 65 mile a day round trip. I don't want to get into a car and regret my purchase and be stuck! I test drove a tech AWD and I didn't notice anything, but then again, it was around town driving. Does the 2016 RDX have the same issue...do all of the V6 Acuras vibrate at cruising speed? I was going to do the deal today of or Monday, but now I'm not sure...

KeithL

I have had 3 Acura's with VCM and all are buttery smooth. She had a 14 RDX now a 16 RDX and I have 15 TLX AWD and I have yet to be able to tell when VCM is engaged or not. The only clue I get is likely when the MPG gauge shows 50+ MPG. To me the biggest complain is the 9SP AT which so far I am happy with, other than it si a slow off the line occasionally likely due to fast up shifts, it is fine. Sure there are some early people that are still having issues, but they released some new software that helps a lot. Also check the build date of the car, I was lucky to get a car built in 9/15 so it is very fresh with all the latest TSBs from the factory. If you are worried take the car out for a highway test drive and see what happens when you are flat low drag pavement. the MPG gauge will jump way up even while RPMs may be around 1500, I would bet VCM is engage them.

dezymond

No issues with vcm for me the past 2wks of ownership. It still amazes me that I get this kind of gas mileage with a v6! Coming from a 3g TL, the TLX mpg blows it out the water in terms of gas mileage. I was filling up every 4, maybe 5 days and now I can push a tank through a whole work week if I really wanted to

I haven't noticed any abnormal vibrations with vcm. All smooth driving and great mpg

jswift2000

@Nicky Pass - check the build date on the car as KeithL mentioned. There is a sticker on the drivers door jam that will include the build month/year. I would also ask the dealer if you can take it for an extended drive, maybe overnight. Like the above posts I can't tell when the VCM is engaged. 70mph and the car is almost idling.

I would also put the transmission through its passes during the test drive and speak to the dealer if you sense anything out of the ordinary.

Good luck.

weather

Nicky Pass....I had an RDX with VCM and there was never any vibration associated with it. There was a small and very brief shutter during the cylinder deactivation/reactivation but it was very very subtle. I have no experience with the TLX but as others seem to be saying, it appears to be minimal.

There has been some reports of vibration in some TLC but don't think the VCM is the cause.

I did decide not to get a TLX when they came out after reading all the transmission issues and other problems. I am waiting until 2017 before I give Acura another chance

mapleloaf

I would base your decision on your own experience with the car. Although I recently felt some steering wheel feedback at low cursing speeds, i also noted my tires were under inflated. No longer an issue. Highway speeds has never been an issue. VCM will always be noticeable if you hyper focus

spoiler900

3,300 miles on my tlx sh-awd and drives perfect and smooth. its a hit or miss i dont think its worth not buying the car u want because you MIGHT have problems

datadr

I have no issues with VCM and any vibration. I have only noticed a hint of vibration when the weather turns cold and I need to top off the pressure in the tires. I also have no complaints with the 9AT. I would take the car out and get some highway time with it. Make sure you like the way it drives, then make your decision.

JLawrence

I purchased my FWD V-6 Advance TLX in August of 2014--the first month they were available and now have 18,000 on the clock. I have no VCM issues. The only way to tell VCM is engaged is to audit the instantaneous mileage indicator. Plus, I have no transmission issues. There are simply no hard shifts. Whatever you may have heard about transmission or vibration issues, they simply do not apply to every TLX.

JLawrence

MrSparkle

Honda's VCM has been around for about a decade. My wife has a 2011 Odyssey with J35A7 with VCM and my V6 TLX. I have never had a single problem with VMC. I have had my TLX for 6 months and our Odyssey for over 2 years. Honda has done a good job with the software that controls VCM. When I'm on the highway and need to pass VCM turns off very quickly. I even tow a boat with no problems with VCM. The only problem I have had with the TLX was hard sifting between 3rd and 4th but the deanship fixed that wit a software upgrade. It's the best car I have ever owned.

9SpeedTran

No issues with VCM for me either. I think it is great technology.

ostrich

1+ year later with my TLX SH-AWD Elite and absolutelyl ZERO issue with my VCM!

It's a great car and I love it. Get it - you won't regret it!!!

Rocket_man

I bought an Aug 15 built TLX Advance PAWS and no VCM or hard transmission shifts. I did about 20 miles on the car before I agreed to buy it. I'd test drive THE car I was going to buy. Get it up to 70-80 mph (pretty easy in this car) and see how it handles. If you want more peace of mind, buy a 2016. There is some indication, but not proof, that ZF has made some hardware update to the 9HP. But no one knows for sure nor when it was updated.

Overall the car is great. Mileage is better than my I4 TSX. I'm really enjoying the car. I haven't even figured out half the things this car can do. I don't quite have 1,000 miles on it.

vishrit

Bought my car Aug 30th 2014 (the first batch of V6 - PAWS TLX at the dealership). Have 10k miles on it. Have driven on the freeways getting 38 mpg (so I know the VCM was engaged) and have felt 0 vibrations ever.

csmeance

the only way you'll be happy is if you experience it for yourself.

Find a USED TLX and test drive it. It'll have some miles on it so you can feel if any vibration or issue is really present. Drive a few for safety and to confirm your findings.

Best of luck with the new car search.

youngTL

I think he's actually better off testing out specifically the one he's looking at getting on the highway. That way he will be assured it's good. The reports of vibration have been on cars that were brand new anyways from what I can tell and it either does it or doesn't do it. It's not very widespread unlike the 2-3 abrupt shift issue.

EverythingGoodWasTaken

I've owned my 2015 V6 AWD for almost a month now and I haven't felt anything undesirable (that includes the rough shifting/jerking 9 speed). I too was concerned with the VCM and transmission but took the leap none the less. I've been one happy TLX owner everyday since.