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I had the torque converter flash update performed on my 2012 TL on 11/18/2016. Did a trip from Dallas to Austin/TX and back, and realized that the mpg had dropped by about 3-5 miles-per-gallon. I know that the instantaneous mpg readout is not accurate, but I use it as a gauge to keep an eye on the performance and possible future issues. I have done this trip under similar conditions more than dozen few times and always get around 34 mpg, for the entire trip with the best being 36!. But, yesterday it was 29 and the car felt sluggish/heavy.. I am pretty conservative driver and don't take-off and brake etc. etc. Is this behavior to be expected after the software update ? The drive/acceleration was noticeably better and smoother before the update.
I am also having issues with the dropped MPG. Especially now that the weather has dropped. Right now I am getting 17L/100KM. I am accelerating slowly, changed my air filter, used 93, tire pressed is 30psi, oil life at 60%. I don't know what the issue could be so I may drop it off at Acura and ask them. I may try doing the battery method to reset the ecu.
I guess I can't do anything about it? Maybe just got a batch of bad mixed gas? I was thinking it was the air filter and MAF but I only saw a little difference in that. Its only really been -20 Celsius here in Ontario, which isn't even our coldest. I would expect maybe 13L/100KM not 17L/100KM if it was the weather and winter fuel mix.
I'm glad this thread was created because I too noticed a drop in MPG after the torque update on 10/21/2016. I kept blaming it on my city miles but I really haven't done anything different after the update. I also installed a new battery a day after the update so the ECU reset is out of the question. My tire pressure ranges between 30-36 psi.
I also went to a wedding on 11/12/2016 that's 30 miles away (mostly highway) hoping to see a big MPG gain after filling up and it only gave me 16.03 mpg. The last two numbers (12.71 mpg and 13.08 mpg) were the lowest I've seen.
I remember reading something about the software update may cause losses in MPG when looking at the letter they mailed me. It could be considerably worse because of the colder weather too. Not sure what to do but I need my MPG to improve or ill have to sell and get a different car.
I declined the flash update when they offered it to me.
My car (knock on wood) drives fine and shifts well so I did not want them to mess it up.
Impossible to know what would have happened but if It aint broke.....
This was when the car was in for the new air bag inflator, which was a quick R&R, once they got the part.
I travelled on the highway to Toronto and Burlington. My average (according to the car) was 9.7L/100km. Not bad but I have gotten way better on this car. It may be a combination of update, winter fuel mixes, winter tires? I do need some air in my tires however I didn't think it would cause this.
Lee, is your car FWD or AWD?
We have a 2010 FWD TL, and we usually get around 10.4 L/100 km average overall. It would be a bit higher in winter but not 17.
On a long trip at a consistent 120 - 140 kph the best we have got is about 8.5 L/100 km. Optimum mileage is obtained at about 100 km/hr steady speed.
The reading takes a while to stabilize after you fill up, the first little while will read high as you probably have seen.
If your car is AWD and/or 6MT it (mileage) will not be as good as a FWD only car.
Jim, my is the AWD auto. I think it may have been the gas. I put 93 in from Esso and it was horrible. I now put in 91 from Shell and its back to normal? Weird....
This is absolutely correct.
I have also have a 12' TL SH-AWD Auto TECH, got the flash about two weeks ago, have seen reduction in fuel economy.
The TC update has programmed the car to keep the average RPM higher, stays around 1400 instead of 1100 .
This reduces the mechanical stress on the TC, and prevents the degradation of the ATF, (power is transferred through the TC, in more cycles or rotations)
THE HIGHER average engine rpm will result in a LOWER average fuel economy..
This is absolutely correct.
I have also have a 12' TL SH-AWD Auto TECH, got the flash about two weeks ago, have seen reduction in fuel economy.
The TC update has programmed the car to keep the average RPM higher, stays around 1400 instead of 1100 .
This reduces the mechanical stress on the TC, and prevents the degradation of the ATF, (power is transferred through the TC, in more cycles or rotations)
THE HIGHER average engine rpm will result in a LOWER average fuel economy..
The car feels better,
Cheers,
AD
If you are cruising, then the torque converter should be locked and your RPM should be determined by the transmission's gear ratio, should it not? I've only seen improvements on acceleration.
I have a 2012 FWD 6AT, and the TC update did appear to improve the performance on acceleration. The 1-2 shift is still way too quick (although it holds 1st pretty long in S mode), but the 2-3 and 3-4 are much improved (very minimal to no more bouncing), and the overall shuddering is gone. The transition to lock up is also a lot smoother now at high gears and low speeds (coast then start accelerating in same gear, revs up raise by 500 or so, then drop back down as the TC becomes fully locked). Unless that's not normal, then I have a problem...
As far as fuel consumption goes, I haven't seen a change. You'd be more likely to see a change as the gas stations go from a summer to winter blend or whatever.
I just got 2014 TL SH-AWD Tech, certified with 30k miles, so I have no clue on the past history of the car, but I definitely feeling the dropped MPG compared to my 3G TL that I traded in. Both TLs are rated identically, and I was expecting very similar or even better results with the newer one, but instead, I am averaging 18 MPG with about 60-70% highway drive. My 3G TL on the other hand during the same conditions would average 23-24 and about 25-26 during the warmer months. Lower MPG and the harsher ride (even at 32 PSI) are probably the only two dislikes I have about the car thus far.
I had the flash update on my car about 3 months ago and have noticed huge drops in fuel economy. I was able to get 670km on a full tank of 91 octane beforehand and now under 550km in similar conditions. That's pure highway driving. A full tank with city driving only gets me 450km, which is abysmal.
Has anyone spoken with Acura to find out if there's a fix for the loss in fuel economy?
11-23-2016, 08:28 AM
