Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 TL.
The 2005 Acura TL is a passenger car that came equipped with a 5W-20 API oil specification requiring 4.5 quarts, paired with an automatic (S5) transmission delivering EPA estimates of 18 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined mpg. This model year falls within Acura's long-running TL complaint history spanning 1995-2014, during which it accumulated 387 total owner complaints with Structure emerging as the primary concern area alongside 7 recalls issued. Relative to its complaint trajectory, the 2005 TL sits below the peak of 551 complaints recorded in 2004 while remaining well above the lowest point of just 1 complaint in 1995, suggesting a moderate but notable reliability profile compared to the model's historical range.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 189.4 in |
| Overall width | 72.4 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3494 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.8 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TL of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | A-Spec Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.60 sec | 14.30 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.40 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | A-Spec Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.25 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.80 sec | 14.50 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.44 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.78 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.2 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | Acura part number 08798-9031-A |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4.6 |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Valve Cover Bolts | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Honda |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing | 10 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.10-1.21 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.00-4.50 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0-64.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.009 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.011-0.013 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 41 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.004 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.35 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2005 Acura TL sits on the descending slope of a pronounced complaint arc that peaked at 551 in 2004 before falling to 387 in the target year, though recall volume held at seven — tied with 2002 for the generation high — while TSBs dropped sharply from 123 to 71. Structure-related complaints dominate the 2005 profile at 89, followed by combined Air Bags/Structure (56) and Air Bags alone (46), with Power Train at 29; the data also records seven crash complaints and three fire complaints for the year. Compared to the 2002–2004 cluster where complaints ranged 352–551 and investigations reached five, 2005 shows meaningful improvement but remains well above the 2006–2008 plateau of 124–247 complaints. The sharp TSB reduction suggests manufacturer response to earlier issues, yet the sustained recall count and structural/air bag complaint concentration indicate unresolved systemic concerns. For a buyer, this is a transitional year: better than the worst but not yet at the reliability floor of later models — acceptable if priced accordingly and the specific structure and air bag campaigns are verified complete, but not a standout "good year" in the generation.
All 387 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may…
Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| DORE5C4S09 | 2019-07-11 | Suspension | This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of… |
| BJA46167 | 2017-01-01 | Equipment | Sending vehicle data to tech line. |
| B05-018 | 2016-11-23 | Equipment | SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION. |
| TAKATA_FLORIDA D | 2016-08-29 | Air Bags | LETTER SENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT… |
| BPAS-05122016902 | 2016-05-12 | Electrical System | DEALER MESSAGE - AHM IS INVESTIGATING CLIENT COMPLAINT OF HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.