tuan209

Has anyone changed out their 6mt transmission fluid? If so could you give me a step by step how to?

project13TSX

remove bolt, drain, refill, good job

moda_way

Should be done ever 60k for severe conditions or 120k in normal conditions.
I suggest only Honda MTF.

You'll need 2 new plug washer (90404-RAR-M00)
1. Remove the fill plug on top side of tranny case.
2. Remove the fluid drain plug on the driver's side of the car.
3. Replace drain plug and new washer, torque to 29 ft lbs
4. Fill with Honda MTF (2.1 quarts)
- Note to Honda... ur a bunch of asses making us have to buy a 3rd quart to get the .1 quart.
5. Replace fill plug with washer, torque to 33 ft lbs.

Done.

moda_way

FYI, found the washers (90403-RAR-M00 & 90404-RAR-M00) are about $2.27 USD and $3.40 USD respectively.

NOTE, my first part number was only the fill washer.

peter_bigblock

Moda, do you have a photo or description of which is the drain plug? It's not in the owner's manual as far as I can tell, and I don't have the Helm's manual (I know, I suck).

curls

I'd just add 0.1 quarts of 5w30 dino (non-synthetic) motorl oil, instead of buying the extra quart of Honda MTF.

Since 0.1 quarts is VERY little in comparison to the rest of the fluid in the tranny, it won't harm anything and will become very diluted anyhow.

bngu1

that's weird, i did the transmission fluid change yesterday and i used like 2.5 quart. the car was leveled and i refill with 2.5 quart and fluid didn't even leaked out the filler hole so i just stop at 2.5. anyone have this problem or is it just me???

moda_way

I'll scan you one, but it isn't that obvious in the Helms manual either.

97AcuraCL

got those pics for us moda_way?

Master47

Moda - did 2.1q bring it to the bottom of the threads (full)? I only have two jack stands, so I can't have the car level to check the fluid from underneath.

moda_way

Here is a pic from the Alldata, but it is the same as the one in the manual:



A: filler plug, driver side behind the front wheel
D: drain plug, requires underbody shield to be removed

moda_way

You need to have it as level as possible to fully drain and fill the case.

globlctzn

You should never have to worry about that .1 of a quart, at least .2 - .3 is still left in the tranny after draining, don't overfill!

have fun.

moda_way

Nearly impossible to over fill because it will leak out of the fill hole.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

unless the car is jacked higher on one side.

Btw, I drained the case completely and filled about 2.3 qt.

moda_way

Did you just use a flexible spout? I was trying to figure out the best way to fill the case with the wheel of since I can't get the Honda quart bottle in there.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

I used a pump by sta-lube and just pump the fluid in the case from under the car.

moda_way

I should've figured you had the right tools for the job.

waTSX

JTso, did you notice any difference in shifting action with the synth fluid?

JTso

iTrader: (2)

The shifting is smooth (it wasn't bad before). The ultimate test is shifting fast from 1st to 2nd at high rpm ~7500 and it didn't grind like before. I guess it does work.

oaksnutz

Where is the fill plug?? Any diagram for this?? I want to do this soon. Thanks in advance.

waTSX

^^Search. There's several threads with diagrams.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Look up. There's pic in post #11.

oaksnutz

Sorry I'm blind. Thanks mang.

moda_way

Well, I just changed mine. Very simple and DEFINITELY feel the difference in shifting. Just like stock again, except with a Short Shifter now.

dookie1

it's easy to refill via gravity from under the hood using a funnel and tube long enough to snake down to the hole.

have about 10k on amsoil mtf and love it. shift quality is essentially unchanged, which is to say buttery. fuel economy up slightly, in conjunction with 0w30 motor oil.

peter_bigblock

I have about 6k on Amsoil synchromesh MTF and love it. 1-2 shift is smoother, so is 5-6 shift. Gas mileage is up about 1 mpg on avg. after Amsoil 0w-30 and Amsoil MTF (from 24.5 to 25.5 all-purpose mpg).

joerockt

Any good prices online for the Honda MTF?

PixelHarmony

I'm planning on getting some Amsoil as well. Is it safe to put 0w30 in our car? Also is their Synchromesh MTF the best in their line for our car as well?

peter_bigblock

Amsoil's Syncromesh tranny oil is their best for our 6MT, I'm very happy with it after 20,000 mi. Shifting 1-2 and 5-6 isn't as buttery as when the oil was brand new, it's about the same as it was at the same interval with Honda MTF in the tranny. I'll be changing it in 5,000 miles, it's extremely easy to do. Taking off that plastic underside faring takes as long as any other step...

Yes, it's perfectly safe to put 0W-30 in the TSX engine -- especially in the winter it provides slightly easier starting than 5W-30. I use 0W-30 Amsoil Series 2000 year-round, with an EAO13 filter at 15,000 mile intervals.

curls

Yup. 0w-30 is perfectly fine for our engines. I run Esso XD-3 0W-30 on 12,000km intervals, currently with a Wix filter, and next time with an S2000 filter (get them at cost, otherwise I'd stick w/ the Wix as it's an excellent filter as well).

I haven't had to change the tranny fluid in my 6MT yet because it was changed with the OEM Acura stuff when I had the new short block (engine) replaced last spring. I like the stock fluid, although I haven't tried Amsoil or any other transmission fluid in any of my previous cars, aside from the OEM Acura/Honda MTF, which has been fine for me.

aaronng

5w-30 has the same viscosity as 0w-30. The only difference is that 0w continues flowing as it gets colder by 18 F . Unless you live in -40 F conditions, there is no difference between the two.

vollum

My 2004 6 manual transmission TSX will have 30,000 miles on it and will be exactly three years old soon. I just checked prices for the 30,000 mile regular maintenance with the three dealers in the Twin Cities. I got different price quotes...$250 to $420. But, I also got different quotes as to what would/should be done.

One dealer insists I should change the transmission fluid but does not think I should change the brake fluid until 40 or 45 thousand miles because brake fluid deterioration is linked more closely to wear and tear from use than from calendar time.

The other two dealers do not change the transmission fluid but do suggest that I change the brake fluid.

The owner's manual calls for a brake fluid change every three years and a transmission fluid change every 120,000 miles.

Does anybody out there have experience suggesting that the transmission fluid should be changed at 30,000 miles?

gftgrill

I've always been told that MT need to be changed ever 30k miles.

PJS

I know one other UK forum member done his at 45K.
I did mine at 78K (when it was due according to the manual) along with it's 75K service.
It'll be getting changed again as I'm not entirely happy with the shifting. Seems common practice to use the same engine oil (Castrol GTX 10w-40) in the gearbox.
It's getting replaced with Liqui Moly's Gear Oil, with their MoS2 additive added - soon.

curls

Change the brake fluid. The moron who told you its wear was more closely related to use of brakes is wrong. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. This lowers its boiling point and can cause problems not limited to brake failure when used intensely, and component (brake line, caliper, and master cylinder) failure due to corrosion.

You can change the MT fluid out now if you wish, or, DIY to save some cash. Its very easy and all you need is a drain pan and a lonnnng neck funnel (or a reg. funnel, a piece of hose that will fit into the fill hole, and some tape to attach the funnel to the hose!).

And, stay away from the dealer, or at least the "service (ill)advisor" who said that about the brake fluid. Stick closer to what the manufacturer, not their retarded service employees, tell you.

MN-TSX

I am also in the Twin Cities and I recently had the 30K service done on my 04 TSX 6MT. I got the same 3 price quotes, but none of them mentioned brake fluid or MTF. They all listed exactly what Acura recommends for the 30K. I had been to Bloomington Acura before, and had good experiences with their service department. They matched the lowest price ($259).

aaronng

Just check your brake fluid. Is it still yellow or turned black? Is your brake pedal spongy? If yes, then change the brake fluid. Transmission fluid lasts longer, but you might as well change it every 3 years to keep the synchros nice and happy.

scheißterhöffer

So I have an 04 6 speed and feel like the owner's manual has some inconsistent info in it. I generally adhere to the severe conditions intervals. On page 236 of the manual, the chart shows to replace the MT fluid at 60k miles and takes no consideration of the car's age. But on page 237, it says at 60K miles or 3 years, to do the items in A, B, C, D, E, and F. Section F is replace manual transmission fluid. So which is it? At 60K miles regardless of age, or 60K miles or 3 years, whichever comes first? I'm about 3 years old but only at 40K miles. Don't want to ask the dealer because I'm sure they'll tell me to change it now, maybe 5 times just to be safe, and also replace my johnson bar and get some rustproofing.

Does anyone's 2005-2008 owner's manual say anything different, perhaps provide consistent information?

Thanks for any input.

scheißterhöffer

Never mind, reread the chart, page 236 does generally say the same thing as 237.