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 2018 TLX.
The 2018 Acura TLX is a passenger car driven by a nine‑speed automatic transmission and specified for 0W‑20 oil with a 4.4‑quart capacity, while the EPA rates its fuel economy at 21 city, 30 highway and 24 combined mpg. Owner‑reported issues total 93, with the engine emerging as the top complaint area and four recalls recorded for the model year. Across the 2012‑2025 timeline, complaints peaked at 340 in 2015 and hit a low of just 1 in 2012, positioning the 2018 well below the worst year and indicating a comparatively cleaner reliability record.
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 35 · 440 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 (S9) |
| Overall length | 190.6 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3519 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 63 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 21 / 30 / 24 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TLX 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | V-6 SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.20 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2018 | V-6 SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.50 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | V-6 Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.20 sec | 290 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | V-6 SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 5.80 sec | 14.20 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | V-6 SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.40 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.80 sec | 15.40 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 7.20 sec | 15.60 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4.1-4.3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.8 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Use Honda Type 2 antifreeze |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 6.7 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 10.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 68.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | Exhaust: 64.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242.0 |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181.0 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Acura |
| Spark Plug Gap | .039-.043 in |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.05-1.16 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.33-2.86 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 35 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 440 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 57.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 64.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0-64.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 60.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 67.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 60.0-67.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min psi / Maximum Variation 29 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min psi / Maximum Variation 29 psi |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 53; Rear: 26 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101; Rear: 80 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| 1 | 48 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 30 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 120 degrees | 120 degrees |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 37 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 89.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees. Only if you are using a new pulley bolt or crankshaft, tighten the bolt in the following steps: Step 1: 52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: loosen bolt, Step 4: 89.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 90 | 89 ft. lbs |
Prep Bearing cap bolts:
| 1 | 26.0 ft. lbs. | 26 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 41 degrees; 8MM bolts: 16.0 ft. lbs. | 41 degrees |
Prep Bearing cap bolts:
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 47 degrees; Side cap bolts: 36.0 ft. lbs. | 47 degrees |
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 federal record for the Acura TLX generation shows a significant peak in complaints and TSBs in 2015, followed by a general downward trend in issues over time. The 2018 model year sits in a stable period of this arc, with 93 complaints and 4 recalls, representing a slight increase over 2017 (69 complaints, 3 recalls) but fewer recalls than the 2019 model (6). For 2018, the primary complaint areas are the engine and engine cooling systems, although the data does not specify the root cause of these issues. This year also recorded 3 investigations, 3 crash complaints, and 1 fire complaint. Because it avoids the high volume of issues seen in the early years of the generation and remains consistent with subsequent mid-cycle models, this is a good year to buy.
All 93 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed…
Showing 5 of 90 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B22-009 | 2025-07-07 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle… |
| B24-022 | 2025-02-19 | Engine | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set… |
| B24-022 | 2024-11-22 | Structure | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into… |
| B23-035 | 2024-01-10 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the… |
| B23-035 | 2023-12-15 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the… |
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.
4.4 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.