Acura TL Exterior Door Handles
The Acura TL debuted in 1996 as a mid-size luxury car and was on the market until 2014. Acura divided the TL sedan into four generations. One aspect of replacing parts such as exterior door handles is identifying the year and trim package of your vehicle.
Is the 1996 compatible with the 1999 exterior door handle?While it doesnt seem like much changed between the 1996 and 1999 doors, the models are separated generationally. The first generation cars include TL model years 1996 through 1998. Their car door handles are lift-up black types that are placed within the housing of the part. The 1999 falls within the second generation, and there was a redesign for model years 1999 through 2003. The lift-up handle for the car door again fits within the housing, but the handle for this series is chrome within black.
Acura again renewed the body style for the third generation. The door handles for model years 2004 through 2008 are a lever-style part in black. The door itself provides the indentation space for fingers, while the handle part is a simple lever. By the fourth, and final, generation, the TL body had been altered again. Model years 2009 through 2014 continued with the lever style, but the part was modified to specifically fit the door styling for this generation.
Are the Acura TL handles interchangeable between doors?Each door within each Acura generation requires its own unique exterior handle. The lever style, for example, has keyholes for both the front driver and passenger side doors. The back left and right parts for this car are keyless.
Can just the lock cap be replaced on the TL?The lock cap is the small end portion of the exterior handle on the Acura TL car for model years 2004 through 2014. Yes, it can be replaced by removing the interior panel of the door. Again, the cap is specific to the door and generation. An example is that the drivers door requires a cap with a hole for the key. The exterior left rear door simply needs the cap.
How do you protect the paint on the door handles?The painted portion of these exterior door handles see a great deal of use from opening and closing the doors day after day. You can protect the lever-style exterior handles of your car with an invisible film that is provided with installation instructions. The film prevents scratches and minimizes smudging from fingerprints without yellowing or damaging the cars paint. The viscose film withstands exterior temperatures of -22 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit.