crazyjkz

I currently own and drive a 2002 TL-P with a Comptech Icebox CAI, Greddy SP2 cat-back exhaust, and DC Sport headers, and although I do enjoy driving this car very much I have been seriously considering upgrading to a 3rd gen TL Type-S 5AT.

My main concern is the tranny. I am well aware of the 2nd gen TL 5AT 3rd gear clutchpack issues and premature failures, and although my post-February 2005 2nd gen TL tranny hasn't had any problems or issues what-so-ever, I was concerned about the 5AT in the 3rd gen TL Type-S.

I have read and heard that the 3rd gen TL-S has the same engine and transmission as the 2nd gen RL, is this correct? Also, is the 5AT used in the 3rd gen TL-S known to have ANY reliability, longevity, and/or durability issues of any kind?? Is this a strong and durable 5AT that can handle spirited and sporty driving and some basic N/A bolt-ons without having to worry about reliability issues?

Keep in mind that I am VERY meticulous when it comes to basic maintenance, I change my engine oil every 3,000 miles religiously and I change my tranny fluid once a year, along with all other maintenance schedules that pertain to my vehicle. I do drive my cars spiritedly on occasion but nothing too crazy, I NEVER abuse my cars in any way and I don't race them on a regular basis or anything like that.

My second question is regarding the rest of the car. Is the 3rd gen Type-S known to have any reliability issues that I should be aware of prior to purchasing one, and is their anyone else out there that has moved from a 2nd gen TL to a 3rd gen TL Type-S that can give me any feedback on the change?? Thanks in advance.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

read up on these two threads, will help you greatly with the tranny

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/racing-atf-764322/

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/very-interesting-conversation-my-transmission-builder-tl-721508/

Bearcat94

I've got an '02 TL-S (96k miles), basically stock, and I can tell you the 3G TL-S is an upgrade in every way. It is a much better car. I'm on trans #2 on the '02.

The TL-S engine and trans are not identical to the RL, but are based on it. In '07 Acura moved all TL's to the RL based transmission. So far many of the failures have been pre-'07 TL's, but it's too early to tell if the '07/'08's will fare better. The place to ask might be the RL sub-forum.

3rd gen has some rattles, most of which are fixable with DIY's on this site. Front OE brake pads can wear quickly and dust a bunch.

Battery life is suspect. Other than that, I'd say there are few reliablity issues. Care and maint go a long way. The car takes mods pretty well, but it'll never be a drag star.

I'd would buy again.

crazyjkz

Thanks for the info. I do remember reading somewhere online that the 2nd gen RL and the 3rd gen TL Type-S uses a newer four-shaft transmission design that is stronger and more durable than Honda's three-shaft design A/T from the 2nd gen TLs and pre-2007 3rd gen TLs, and that the four-shaft A/T can also handle higher horsepower and torque outputs. Can anyone verify and/or elaborate on this?

I do realize that the 2007-2008 TL-S hasn't been around as long as the older TL models so there isn't as much of a track record to go by, but I guess before I actually start going around to dealerships to buy a 3rd gen TL-S I would like to know if the tranny is overall a solid and durable design and whether or not it is prone to any of the reliability issues of the previous TL's automatic trannys.

I tried to do some searching on Yahoo and Google but I couldn't find any good general design info on Honda/Acura automatics.

murph145

78K miles here and no probs on my tranny and havent even changed the tranny fluid

Bearcat94

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...-tl-powertrain

crazyjkz

Thanks for the info, that link had a lot of good general info on the powertrain details that I was looking for. So basically it is a newer four-shaft design that is not only stronger and more durable but it's also more compact and more efficient than the previous three-shaft design. I also like how the Type-S A/T has an external tranny cooler as standard equipment.

I'm feeling better and better about buying a 3rd gen Type-S the more I read about them and the more info I gather. I've always liked the styling of the car inside and out, and now that the transmission reliability concern isn't much of a concern at all then I feel even more comfortable about getting serious about buying one.

BigPZ

I had a 2G TL, and was one of the lucky ones who never had any tranny issues before I sold it (with 100k) and moved up to a 3G TL-S. I've only had it for about 2 months, but the difference is night and day. It puts a smile on my face every time I take an on-ramp.That in itself is worth every penny I spent.

crazyjkz

My scenario is the same. My 2002 TL-P has about 90k miles on it but is in mint condition inside and out and has been VERY well maintained. It has no tranny issues what-so-ever, it shifts smoothly and quickly without any problems. I've had it for about 3 years now and haven't had a single problem or issue with the car at all, and although I do like it very much (especially with the mods that I've done to it) I have been thinking a lot lately about moving up to something newer and better, and the 3rd gen Type-S seems to fit that bill for me very nicely based on everything I've gathered so far.

I think my next step will be going down to a local Acura dealership this weekend and taking out a 3rd gen Type-S for a test drive. I've driven a 2006 TL 5AT before and it was very nice so I'm curious to see how a 07-08 Type-S drives.

cisco kid

I just traded my RDX on a 08 Type S , silver color and I love it. Once thing I can say about the RDX is that its front seats are seriously confortable, I like the TL seats but I found the RDX gave a better wrap around feel but time will tell, it is quite the change in driving a sedan.

So far i really like the car and I am just getting through the manual learning how the nav system works and importing my contacts to the bluetooth. So far good and my car has 40K miles on it, I did a triple flush on the tranny, power steering fluid flush, cabin filters and oil fliter flush. I will switch to synthetic in 2K miles and run that for good.

Nancys

I have a 2007 TLType S. I'm having a problem with the fan staying on after the car is shut off. I just put a new battery in. Is this normal? The engine is not over heated. It's in the normal range. I've never noticed this happening before.

peter6

Relay or temperature sensor. Try searching as there should be couple threads saying what to check.

corrado85

iTrader: (1)

That has been an indicator for me in past that my radiator is leaking. And my temp gauge was reading as normal. Check for leaking fluid. Otherwise, it could be sensor or relay

To OP, I feel TL-S is best bang for buck in today's market. The engine is SO resposive and transmission actually clicks gears very fast for a 10year old. I am even on my original 3rd/4th gear switches which I need to replace (for maintainance)
The only downside I feel is that the transmission downshifts pretty aggressive to where you feel it every time. After change the transmission mount, it lessened but it's still there. Part of design i guess

Nancys

Thanks for your reply. I did check the water in the radiator. It was fine. I ran the car for a while and when I turned it officially the fan shut off too. My engine light is on. When I took it to autozone for a check they said my powertrain needed to be reprogrammed. Does this sound right to you?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Did they give you the specific codes which are being thrown by the OBD-II system?

Nancys

No. I should be able to retrieve them still right?

truonghthe

yeah I trusted Autozone. I remembered a guy trying to tell me put high temp grease on the brake pad (around the edge of pad material that made contact with rotor) yeah i was like "you do it on your car first and I will be watching"

LeVeL

If AutoZone gave you a printout, it'll have the actual code on it. Let us know what it is (if you have it) and we can go from there.

Nancys

They never have me a printout. I think the guy was pissed that I bothered him. He just told me what it was. I guess I should go to another one and get a printout. I'll do that tomorrow/today.