Is anyone else concerned about the new 8 speed dual-clutch transmission on the 2016 TLX? I drive over 60 miles per day, and was looking to buy a long-term fun commuting car that will easily last over 200k miles. I was hoping to just get a standard transmission.

Can you change the transmission fluid easily on the 8-speed transmission or is it sealed like Toyota transmission? I am looking to buy an ILX in a year or two, so hopefully some issues can be worked out. I am coming from a 2001 CL so I am well aware of Honda's transmission problems (but I am currently at 170k miles and going!)

I have also been reading the TLX forum, but a lot of people there seem to be leasing and read comments like "As long as the tranny is good for 30k miles and then it's someone else's problem." I don't lease cars, I buy them and keep them until everything fails!

 

I'm sure Acura designed the transmission with long-term durability in mind. But since it's an all-new design, there certainly is a chance they could fail in large numbers before 200,000. Probably not even Acura knows much about that at this point, although it's a good bet they've done durability testing by driving some in vehicles (or at least out of vehicles) for the equivalent of over 100k miles already.

The standard warranty from Acura on all of their transmissions is for 6 years and 70,000 miles. That can be extended for reasonable rates from Acura with an extended warranty (AcuraCare) that will cover the whole car including the tranny for up to 8 years and 120,000 miles. If I were you, I would consider getting one of those from Saccucci Honda or some other source that sells them at a discount:

Honda Care Vehicle Service Contract from Saccucci Honda

I think that kind of plan will cost c. $1500 with 0 deductible for the ILX.

Around how many miles do you drive a year? I assume a lot. Anyway, that still leaves you with 80,000 miles that aren't covered that are a bit of a gamble. Honestly, you might not make it to 200k, but I'd rather gamble on Acura than pretty much any other make on the road.

 

I assume at 60 miles/day your are driving mostly highway? Highway miles are easy on transmissions, so your commute would lend itself to a longer lasting transmission.

Also, I'm not sure there are that many automatic/DCT transmissions that can you can confidently say will last 200,000 miles being made today by any manufacturer.

 

60 miles a day would be about 20,000 miles a year. In 6 years, in other words, you'd make it to the 120k maximum allowed for an AcuraCare extended warranty. I think it would be worth it because an 8 speed DCT with torque converter is obviously a lot more complicated and expensive replace than the 5 speed from the previous generation. In fact, my guess would be that a new transmission for a 2016 ILX out of warranty might be c. $4k for labor + the new transmission itself, making a c. $1.5k warranty seemingly a wise thing to have.

 

Bro - good looking out. Im coming up on 40k miles and am looking to get into one of these extended warranties. Like the Op, Im trying to ride it for the long-term until the wheels fall off!

 

Op - would you consider getting a used manual transmission 2015 2.4 ILX? you said year or 2 so the car would only be a 1-3 years old, maybe 10-25k miles. Still pretty new. Thats what I did. I got mine for $7,500 under bluebook! - the loan people were like "You're getting this car for HOW MUCH?"

 

Yep, most of my miles are easy highway miles, but there are times where there's an accident or "usual congestion" and the highway miles could turn into stop-and-go. So I want a transmission that can last through most things.

I guess I will just wait and see how this plays out. I was just hoping for a traditional reliable transmission, even though I know the performance of this tranny will be much better. For example, I can be assured any of the Toyota traditional 6-speed trannys can last 200k miles easily, even in heavy traffic use.

 

i had a cl type s that had that prob. dealer blew me off. sold it 01 had 66k. bought my ilx. i think honda learned. they did extend the warranty on the trans. till 2010.

 

Don't foresee any issues. The 8-speed DCT, some early programming oddities aside in the early TLX's, will not be something going forward.

Thinking back to 2000-2001 and TL/CL problems are unrelated.

Enjoy the 8-speed and thrash it around, it's fun to drive.