(Part 2) Best products from r/Acura

Most of the complaints for that car are for the auto-stop/start engine and with the 9 speed transmission. Also the infotainment is pretty outdated as you've seen...

Aside from that you are getting an excellent V6, best AWD system, high reliability, quiet and smooth ride, and great looks. Not to mention Acurawatch on the advance.

If you could get it for $22k I would say go for it. There are not many cars with more pros than the TLX!

As for the lack of carplay, my suggestion is this https://www.amazon.com/SCOSCHE-MAGVM2-MagicMount-Magnetic-Phone/dp/B00PMOCI72/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1527216510&sr=8-8&keywords=vent+magnet

I also recommend the 3M kit. It took about 90 minutes of work for both headlights, but they turned out great. I sprayed a Meguiar's Headlight Coating after I was done. I restored it only 3 weeks ago, so I don't know how long the coating holds up. They UV coating spray was only $9, so I gave it a shot.

Don't use a carwash was that uses those rubbery bands that slide across your car. Those cause micro scratches that can easily be seen on a black car. Take your car to a carwash that hand washes the car or you can use the two-bucket method to wash the car yourself.

Between washes (black cars get dusty quick!) I take my car to an automatic carwash that uses just a water spray and dry it down carefully with quick detailer and good quality microfiber cloth.

I use this for my Pixel XL mounted on the air vent between the steering wheel and the center console. It's not the prettiest mount (and neither is the brand name) but it's sturdy and holds the phone very well without needing magnets (which I'm afraid of having near my phone). It gets in the way of the windshield wiper stalk a little bit, but the tradeoff is that it's a perfect mounting position in my opinion. Right next to the steering wheel plus it's not in the way of the windshield and not too low that you have to take your eyes too far off the road to see your phone.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XENFWUI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Calls only unless you get something like the [BlackBerry Music Gateway](https://www.amazon.com/BlackBerry-ACC-41596-001-Music-Gateway-Packaging/dp/B008736UWO. Pair your phone to the gateway and then you can play music off your phone. I've had one for several years and it's worked perfectly.

I made the switch myself! The bulb set was 100 dollars. Easy to install, pretty much plug and play.

http://imgur.com/gallery/GYLoLKo

And these are the bulbs I used: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EG8ACMC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Y1x3Db71T3C15

Not sure what to suggest with the rattles, you just gotta chase them down. Did you swap struts already? On one vehicle I owned I installed KYB 'sport' struts and they brought out every rattle in the car. Gabriel (or Honda OEM) are a lot softer. Tires and inflation pressure can make a difference in terms of NVH.

On most Honda/Acuras the blower motor is easy to remove, just a cover panel and a few bolts. I bet there's an acorn of two inside the blower housing.

What I recommend for issues like your door rattle is some mastic butyl tape sealant. It's a rubbery sticky tape.

https://www.amazon.com/Sealant-PROMOTOR-Sealants-Installing-Windshield/dp/B07CTQ67X9/

You can get some products in the roofing dept at Home Depot that's like a cheaper dynamat:

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Roofing-Gutters-Roofing-Roofing-Tools-Accessories/Roofing-Tape/N-5yc1vZc938Z1z0lp9y

The 'crunch' and vibration on acceleration could be an engine mount, however it could be lots of things like carboned-up EGR passages, need for a tune up, transmission needs service, etc.

Make sure you have no exhaust leaks and your air filter is snapped shut properly.

04 owner here. You can change both sides without removing anything. Make sure you have the correct size security torx bit and an adapter to use it in a 1/4 ratchet or a flexible screw driver like this https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Flexible-Bitholding-Screwdriver/dp/B003GDIT1U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474927535&sr=8-2&keywords=flexible+screw+driver

Here's my recommendation:

Transmission Fluid

Since you are a fellow DIYer, follow this writeup:
Acurazine How To

Use GM Syncromesh with Friction Modifier for MT. You can Google "GM Syncromesh Acura TL" and find lots of positive reports on using this fluid versus Honda fluid.

Here is the fluid I'm talking about: Amazon Link

Oil Leak

So potential leak sites on the engine include the oil pan flange to block, the oil pump (located between the crank pulley on the RH side of the car and the engine block), and the main seal between the engine and transmission. On my 140k '06 TL the oil pump was leaking, which coated the RH side of the engine, and the RH subframe with oil. Like this.

To fix this requires removal of the oil pump, which requires removal of the timing belt and oil pan. I needed to do the timing belt, so I bit the bullet and knocked it out. Here is a YouTube video of a pro doing this.

PS Pump

There was a bulletin from Acura to replace an oring on the pump.
Part 13 on this diagram. The replacement oring is orange in color. There is an Acurazine post on rebuilding the PS pump as well, [here](https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/diy-105-
power-steering-pump-overhaul-pics-sm-scans-841134/).

GL with your UA6. I want to run mine to 300k miles.

It’s not software there’s a box you can buy which adds aux Bluetooth and usb. If I recall correctly 2006 MDX had handsfreelink.


Here’s the adapter
GROM Audio HON1B3 for Select Acura Honda Bluetooth Adapter Hands Free Wireless Music Streaming car kit, aux capable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOFS908/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WYfKAbF7XDY53

It plugs into the aux port and runs off a battery. You'll have to manually hold the button for about 2-3 sec to turn it on, but it'll automatically turn off so you won't waste power. I'd recommend it for cars that don't have Bluetooth connectivity. However, I'd stick with the stock Bluetooth that comes with your car, despite the audio lag imo.

If you prefer that it automatically turns on with your car, you can check this model out.

Ordered these lights and this fuse tap and added to an open fuse so the lights turn on with the car (remain running during the day).

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They can be dimmed (at its brightest in the picture) and aren't distracting at night. Took me about 25 minutes to install and hid all the wiring without having to remove any trim!

I have this VAVA dashcam and it works great. Has a built in battery too so if it senses a collision when the car is off, it’ll kick on.

Another favorite feature of mine is that it uses its own GPS to log speed and mapping trips. Other cams I’ve had relied on my phone, draining battery and making it hot.

Thank you! I didn't realize that the clouds and sky would open up like that at the end. Here's the cannon I used MATCC Adjustable Foam Cannon 1 Liter Bottle with Chemical Guys Pink Suds

I've had my TL-S for almost two years and probably used the HFL <10 times. The cost of replacing the box depends on how much you use the phone in the car.


I found a great option for audio that I use everyday.
https://www.amazon.com/Rockford-RFBTAUX-Universal-Bluetooth-Streaming/dp/B00I4WYXAO

Acura EL is a RSX with a civic front end. And RSXs never came with factory remote start, so I highly doubt you car has a system in it already. I'm fairly certain that the 2nd gen MDX was the first model to get a remote start accessory from the dealership.

Edit: On my Integra I used a Viper 5606v alarm module with remote start, and then bought a bypass module that is only active when the remote start is active to bypass the immobilizer. Crime stoppers Honda sl3

How difficult of a job is it? I consider myself pretty mechanically inclined (replaced the alternator two months back) but I like to know what I'm getting myself into. This seems to be the exact part?

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Honda-36162-RDV-J01-Control-Solenoid/dp/B00KTLPAUU

Please put your phone down while driving. It looks like you're using navigation and you have a passenger considering how the picture was taken. I suggest have the passenger hold your phone while you drive, and investing in one of these...

https://www.amazon.com/Maxboost-Universal-Magnetic-Mounts-Compatible/dp/B01M0GTZDN/

said it above but i'll comment here for visibility. Something like the link below is what you want. bluetooth fm adapter. they're cheap and they work, you just tune it to an un-used FM station set up the pairing and away you go. they're not a great looking option but they're also not permanent.

https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Smartphones/dp/B018E0I01I/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=bluetooth+adapter&qid=1569938840&s=gateway&sr=8-13