Wow! That's-a-lot-o-dirt!

Having owned my car for just over a year now I thought it would be a good time to change the cabin air filter. If you don't know, many cars built since 2000 have cabin air filtration systems. Want to know if yours does? Check out a site like Google or check in with AutoZone.

Don't try and clean it, just replace it. They average $20-30 at AutoZone and three cars that I've changed the filter on took no more than 15 minutes each. Most manufacturers recommend changing them annually, or 15K miles. It does make a difference! See for yourself (obviously, new filter on the left)...

Car Care Questions Answered

Now that spring has come and most of the pollen is gone it's easier to keep a car clean. I've been asked several times lately what I use to clean the Acura TL with -- and what I use to attempt to keep it clean. So, I thought what better forum to answer those questions but on my blog.

Q: Do you hand wash your car?
A: I'd love to, and when I can, I do. However, I typically visit my local Super SpeedWash and get their Wheel Deal. Though automated, it does an exceptional job washing the car and shining the tires. However, once I drive around the vacuums, I always hand-dry the car with diaper cloth and take it home for the fine details.

Q: What products do you use?
A: I use a multitude of products. Specifically:

• Wash - Mr. Clean AutoDry car wash with a chenille wash mitt
• Wax - Meguiar's NXT Generation Liquid Wax
• Glass - Stoner InvisibleGlass (safe on tint, no streaks)
• Leather - Method Leather Wipes (environmentally safe, biodegradable)
• Tires - Meguiar's Hot Shine
• Exterior Touch-up - Meguiar's NXT Speed Detailer spray
• Interior Vinyl/Rubber/Plastic - Meguiar's Gold Class Protectant (non-shiny/non-greasy)
• Clothes - micro-fiber for all interior work and glass; diaper cloth for exterior detailing; NO TOWELS

Q: Micro-fiber cloth instead of towels?
A: You bet. Towels leave lint. Towels are wasteful. A good micro-fiber cloth cleans incredibly well without any solvent/solution most of the time. I personally use VROOM micro-fiber automotive cloths from Target, but most any will do.

Have more questions? Just ask!

TL: 3575 pounds and 183 inches of goodness

Yes, though I traded cars, I remain "TLdrvr". :) On Friday, April 6th, Stephanie and I became the proud owners of a 2005 Acura TL. It weighs 3575 pounds and is 183 inches long and in perfect health.

This TL sports a 3.2L SOHC V6 with VTEC good for 270HP, bi-xenon HID, XM, 7.1 DTS surround sound, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, and LED lighting all around. Check out our pics on Flickr by clicking the image below of our beautiful TL and gorgeous model.

Transmission, TL, and TSX

Wednesday - "Check Engine" light illuminates on the '02 TL-S that I drive for the first time in the five years I've owned her (yes, it's a her, don't make me explain it). I schedule it for the 90K mile maintenance at my Acura dealer.

Thursday - TL-S goes to dealer, receives maintenance, and "check engine" light doesn't come on for them. Nice. Makes the 50 mile journey home like a new car with no trouble.

Friday - Off to work, drives like a new car, no issues. Leave work, start car, engine "idles" at 1500RPM and transmission will not shift out of first gear. Great. Call dealer and tell them to come get the car... most likely needs tranny which [thankfully] will be under warranty but the 4 days it will take them to do it will suck. Or, will it?

Because I purchased my car from that dealer they loaned me a car while the TL-S is being repaired -- a 2006 Acura TSX. It's a four-banger compared to my usual six-shooter but still packs 205HP, digital gauge cluster with LED backlighting, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink connectivity through the XM-equipped 360-watt sound system, drive-by-wire throttle, etc. While I'm used to another 55 ponies, "it ain't bad at all" in my mind -- a very nice sub-$30K sedan.