I went in for a 15k minor and they told me to get my transmission fluid changed so I did....is that normal for a tsx? I'm feeling a little puzzled...it seems too soon to get one done.

 

you got raped, no need to change it at 15k miles.

 

isn't the tranny fluid good for 100k miles?

 

I had my changed at when I hit 15,000... and I plan on getting it changed every 15k from now on.

It's very easy to do yourself, and doens't cost much, and is good preventive maint.

I know of people who's Honda/Acura Mechanic's change their own every 7500....

I guess it comes down to this, if you don't drive the car very hard, I would change it every 30k, but if you do drive it like it was meant to be driven ie above 5k rpm's, I would change it every 15k.

 

5k seems pretty high....maybe you should shift at 6k so you could hit vtec all the time =]

 

I have yet to change my Tranny fluid. I'm at 41k miles now....i think i'm due for one soon.

 

You better get one it!


If you plan on changing it yourself, you are going to be in for a shocker. The fluid coming out is going to be VERY dirty looking..... which makes me wonder how Acura can say wait 60k or 100k or whatever it is?

 

I plan on doing mine every 30K. I'm just over 10,000 miles so I still have a ways to go.

 

Talked to mechanic at my dealership while I was buying Acura ATF. He told me he changes fluid every 35k in his Odyessey. Told me Honda transmissions are not very robust and like clean fluid. He also mentioned that the Hondas/Acuras like Honda fluid. Take this for what its worth, he said when people wait to 100k to change the ATF fluid, they are generally in for a tranny rebuild by 120k.

Like someone else mentioned, there is really not to much to do with them other than drain and fill (there is no filter to service). You get 3 quarts out during drain while entire transmission holds nearly 7 qts. So figure every second time you are replacing all of the fluid.

Biggest time waster is taking the splash shield off. Other than that it was a breeze woth car on ramps. Easier than an oil change, just remember to get a new crush washer from the dealer and torque drain bolt to proper setting (36 ft-lbs). I bought Honda ATF fluid, I'm sure other stuff would work, I did not feel like researching that day.

 

manual says change it at 60k...so something like 45k should be good

 

Im at 90k and waiting until 100k because im lazy.

 

I recall in another thread that sodaluvr said the same thing. I guess to get decent fluid replacement I'm going to need 9 quarts.
1st drain/fill = 43%new fluid (3qt new, 4qt old)
2nd drain/fill = 67%new fluid (3qt new, 4qt*43%)
3rd drain/fill = 81%new fluid (3qt new, 4qt*67%)

 

interesting.. i've been feeling my 5at jerk a little from 1st-2nd gear sometimes... even on low rpms... weird? but i only got abotu 3k on the car so what do you guys think?

 

Same here, I think that is just how it is. I've noticed it since day one, and it's been a year since I got my car.

 

Not sure if this is an AT only thread, but I changed my MTF at 50k miles. It was definitely in need of changing without a doubt. Knowing that ATs have small passages and such, I would recommend changing it at least at 50k miles. For such an easy maintenance item, its worth it.

Another reason to visit a good shop, they will do a AT flush.. so they can get to all the fluid that a simple drain cannot.

 

I tell all my customers, the best way for them to extend their transmissions life is by a good PM(Preventive Maintenence) program. I manage a small Allison transmission rebuild facility and am constantly asked how often to change the oil in their equipment.

The problem is the environment is different for everyone, Power level, operating conditions, the oil used, so without an oil analysis I can't possibly be accurate. So you error on the safe side and change it before it is needed.

Here is a test for any oil you suspect to be breaking down prematurely.
Say it's a little dark but it hasn't been that long since your last change.

#1 Take a paper cup of water, pull the dipstick and place a few drops on the water. If the oil readily spreads out the Anti-dispersents are depleated and you need to change it.

#2 Take a white, nonwaxed business card and place a few drops on it, then set it aside for about 5 minutes. What we are looking for is the particulate debris that is floating around in the oil. This should show up fairly well on the card.

I didn't like the color in my 04 TSX 5AT so I changed it. Excess heat anywhere under the hood is our enemy and shortens the life of oil. A good operaing temp is 180-210*F. The oil will flow well and moisture can be evaporated and expelled out the breather as the trans shifts. In the engine moisture is pulled through the PCV valve.

In an automatic or standard for that matter we would really not want to see particulate matter floating around as 1 particle goes through and comes out 3, 3 will go through and come out 9.

My grandfather would change his engine oil filter once a month and add a quart. This would keep the fllter working 100% and keep the additives level up. Never drain the oil completely. Grandma said the oil always was as pretty as honey.

Stick refrigerator magnets on the outside of your engines filter so anything magnetic will stick to the inside and extend the pleated paper.

Some of this obviously applies to your engine but oil serves the same purpose in many instances and breaks down with heat in the same manner.

Hope it helps
Bull

 

Moda_way, how do you do a AT Flush on the TSX? I know when you drain and fill, you're only getting 1/3 or 1/4 of it out, Ive heard stories of people drain and fill, drive around 10 mins, then drain and fill, drive around 10 mins, then drain and fill....I think I heard somebody post that they're acura mechanic did this...anyway, why would one do this if you could flush and fill it, and get it done in one shot? Just curious, as I would like to completley flush and fill the AT fluid! Thanks

 

Even in the manual, it says the shop does a triple fill and drive but if there's a way to purge more out, that'd be awesome.

Would one of those home oil pumps suck more fluid out (through vacuum)?

 

planning on changing the mtf every 25000kms

 

I don't do AT flushes b/c my TSX is a 6MT, so that's a different story. The reason why most don't do a flush is because the machines require some $$ and a little bit of training.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/RTI-ATX2.html

(and I would call this the basics)

Its simply easier to just do the fluid change and drive method.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but won't the clean and dirty fluid just mix and all become contaminated? I don't understand how draining and adding clean fluid two or three times makes all the fluid clean. Hope that makes sense.

 

You are correct. One would have to drain and refill many times in order to end up with new fresh oil unless you do a complete flush and fill (but don't go to Jiffy lube!). Therefore, the key point of regular drain and fill is only to "maintain" the oil at a "serviceable" level. I feel sorry for folks who use extended service intervals. Actually... I don't. People who treat fine machinery poorly deserve to spend more money on repair cost down the road.

 

jiffy lubes a jip!

 

Did mine at 18K or the 1 year mark. Will continue to do it every year. The tech that serviced my car said he services his wife's TL transmission every 7,500 miles.

 

Ok, this thread took me into the local honda dealership today to get a complete flush at 92k and I think it was worth it. they dumped 12qts into the machine and hooked it up and put the car into reverse and let it do its thing. also the guy pointed out i had a possible oil leak around the crank pulley I thought it was just a bad oil filter, but this sounds more believable. He also mention that there was some water around my water pump and that I should keep an eye on that. So overall, it was good to pay the $158 to get a flush and some feedback on whats going on under my car.

 

I get it changed very 15K, perhaps a little frequent, but to me, its a cheap insurance. doesnt cost much but good for the car.

 

ya be safe keep changing it Hondas and tranny don’t go well

 

some people do MTF change after the first 5000 miles because they say it has alot of break-in metal and stuff in it.

is this true? or waste of money?

 

Why Honda in the owners manual would recommend to change the trans fluid once in 100,000 miles ?
Would they really wish that their customers would wreck all transmissions and ruin their reputation

 

Probably a good idea to do it with the first oil change (or thereabouts), especially since theyve come out with a new Honda MTF that is supposedly better anyway.

 

I usually go with the recommendations in the service manual, not the owner's manual. I also go with the fluid change intervals for Severe Conditions. Service manual says to change ATF at 60k miles, or three years - a bit too long for me, so I change mine (three times) at 20k intervals. Change the oil at no more than 5k intervals, and ignore Honda's Service Manual recommendation that you only need to change the oil filter every other oil change - change it at every oil change. Magnetic oil drain plugs or filter attachments are a pretty cool idea too. I know that Honda's trying to sell the idea of extended service intervals and reduced maintenance costs, but in New Mexico, we have the worst possible conditions (dust, heat, and high altitude). My first Honda ('86 Civic Si) ran for 16 years, and never had a problem - ran as good the day I traded it as the day I bought it. Fluid changes are cheap insurance (considering what you paid for your car).

 

i was wondering, is a washer needed for the fill plug (for tranny fluid)? i replaced the drain plug washer, but couldnt find one that fit the fill pan, so just used the black one it came with.

is this okay? i asked the dealer, and they said they only use one washer for the drain plug and thats it.

 

i'll do my first complete system flush at 60k ... going full synthetic!