While driving, the engine revved up to around 5,000 RPM?

SJOLO312

MEMBER
2006 ACURA TL
3.2L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

I have a 2006 Acura TL automatic with about 170k miles. While driving, the engine revved up to around 5,000 RPM but the car didn’t accelerate and just coasted like it was in neutral. After turning the car off and back on, it drove enough to get into my garage. The transmission fluid on the dipstick is dark, not red. I also sometimes hear a grinding noise from the starter area when starting the car, but it comes and goes.

Monday, December 1st, 2025 AT 9:08 PM

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

It sounds like the transmission is slipping, I would service the transmission first to see if that helps. Next, can I ask if you have a check engine light on? we should run the codes to see if any are stored, this video can help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV3TRZwer8k

Please start a new question for the starter issue. Here is a guide to help with the transmission service and the type of fluid you should be using.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Always use Acura ATF DW-1 (ATF Z1 has been replaced by ATF DW-1, Honda Service News Nov 2010). Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on. Check out the images (below).

Images (Click to make bigger)