Acura TSX: How to Change Manual Transmission Fluid

This article applies to the Acura TSX (2004-2014).

Your manual transmission is under a lot of duress, even in the day to day commute. The gears handle the load of the power of the engine, and lugging around the weight of the car. Much like engine oil, the transmission fluid begins to degrade, especially as the anti-wear additives begin to age, increasing the probability of internal transmission damage. Fortunately, the service interval for the manual transmission is pretty lax, as it tends to see lower temperatures and stresses versus engine oil. That said, changing it once every two years, or even annually is a good idea to keep your transmission happy as you row the gears.

The fluid you'll want to use is Honda manual transmission fluid, which most Honda and Acura dealerships have in stock. It can also be found on Amazon and eBay fairly easily, along with a new crush washer for the drain and fill plugs (PN#94109-20000 (Fill) 20mm, PN #94109-14000 (Drain) 14mm).

Step 1 – Prep the car

In order to reach the transmission, you need to jack up the front end of the car. Ideally, you would lift the whole car up, but that's not 100% necessary. Use your 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts on just the driver's side front wheel. Set the handbrake to lock the rear wheels still. Use the front jack point on the crossmember and lift the front end up, then secure the car with a jack stand on the reinforced part of the pinch weld on either side. With the car in the air, finish removing the driver-front wheel for better access.

Step 2 – Access the fill plug

Sounds a bit odd, right, why go for the fill plug first? Well, it's actually quite simple. If you drain the transmission fluid from the drain plug, and then can't access or remove the fill plug, you've just immobilized your own car. Always remove the fill plug first, this should be a 17mm bolt on rear of the transmission, facing the driver's side of the car.

If you're having trouble seeing, or reaching the fill plug, it may help if you remove the inner fender liner. To do so, remove the clips holding the plastic liner in place with your flat head screwdriver.

Step 3 – Drain and refill fluid

Now that you've got the fill plug out, use you 3/8" ratcheting wrench and remove the drain plug from the bottom of the transmission. Let the transmission fluid drain for the next 15 minutes or so until all of it has drained. Using your shiny new crush washer, refit the drain plug and torque to 25 ft/lb or until snug.

Now you may be wondering, "how do I refill the transmission? The drain plug seems like such a pain to reach!" Fear not, we are going to let gravity work for us. This is where the clear tubing and the funnel comes into play. Snake the tubing down the engine bay, and then get under the car and feed the end of the tube into the fill hole. It may help to use a piece of tape to hold the tube in place. From there, use your funnel and slowly pour in fluid down the tubing. You are done when the fluid begins dribbling out of the fill hole, this should take about 1.5 to 1.8L of fluid depending on how much you were able to drain.

With that done, grab that second crush washer and refit the fill plug, again to about 25 ft/lb of torque. Refit the inner fender liner if you removed it. Put the wheel back on and torque the lug nuts down to 85 ft/lbs. Remove the jack stands and lower the car down, off the jack. Go for a test drive to ensure the transmission shifts smoothly, then it's good done.

Featured Video: TSX Transmission Fluid Change

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