kmusic305

Everyone,

I just bought a 03 CL-S with 35,000 Miles. I was just reviewing the Maintenance Journal and It did not show that the Transmission fluid should be changes until after 120,000 or six years. (Page 23) If you have the same book. But I was told by a acura dealer that you should change the transmission fluid at every 15K or the most 30K. Who do I beleive? The book is saying one thing and the dealer is saying another. Plus I never heard a vehicle going 120,000 miles without an transmission fluid change. I wonder if acura would take responsibility if they got a complaint that a tranny went becuase of the dirty fluid they found. But the customer could defend themselves by showing them the maintenance book. What do you think? I am actually going to call Acura main headquaters cuz I'm not understanding this one. any advice is appreciated. I'm always open to learning something new about this car.

Smitty

I found out this past weekend that my dealer bought an pump/extractor machine that pumps new fluid into tranny while the car is running... when the fluid is bright red coming out they turn the tap off... a complete flush..

Told me it is about 115.00

you ask mileage... go with the book.. you have an auto or 6-speed?

you are the 2nd owner so I would check the fluid...just pull the dipstick out and use a white papertowel.... the fluid should NOT smell burnt or be discolored... you are looking for bright red... if it is kinda brown that means the fluid has seen better days...be safe and get it changed if you see brown or it smells burnt.

rchavis

120.000 miles, humm. Well, with the transmission in these cars, I'd change or have it change right away. May look into getting a transmission cooler. I changed mine myself using the instructions from the amsoil site. I also put amsoil ATF in there. Been 2 years now with no problems, Shifts nice. I have 42,000 miles on the clock. The fluid was changed at 33,500 miles. Some folks may say use Honda fluid. Up to you as to how you feel about it and warranty issues, as Amsoil is not honda approved. Have not heard of anyone using Amsoil, Redline etc having any problems.
You have a 2003, so you may be okay, but be aware that the transmissions have been failing in these cars and Acura/Honda extended the warranty to 100.000 miles. Not sure if yours is covered under this as it affects years 2001-2002 and some 2003's. Hope this helps.

kmusic305

I will look into checking the color. So I guess if it's not bright red, I guess if it need to be changed, then it needs to be changed. Does it being brown mean thatthe car has been driven hard. I know that was a lease from NJ. Not sure what town so I don't know if the car was driven alot on the highway. I already did the recalls on the tranny, and everything is good! Yes I do have the extended 100K warranty. But why is acura saying to change the tranny oil at every 15k to 30k? But the book says something different. ?

skgarach

how often do people with 6 speeds have to worry about changing tranny fluid?

Smitty

is it an 6- speed or auto?

kmusic305

I have a automatic

andre

i bought my 02CL (auto) in july 03 (8Kmiles) and since hearing about all of the tranny issues, i had mine flushed at 10K. they said that the fluid looked good, but the magnetic drain plug had a lot of metal shavings stuck to it. they said that it was GREAT that i changed it.

at 25K, i flushed again, then took it in for the recall (jet kit) and havent touched it since (31K now). i'll probably flush again at 40K (every 15K).

kmusic305

Andre, When you talk about (flushed) your talking about drain and fill right?

Smitty

flush.... just like the machine i spoke about above....

the fluid gets forced in... gets all inside the torque converter and everything,...

andre

well, my friend didnt have the 'machine', but he has a shell rapid lube.

he drained all of my old fluid, cleaned the drain plug, ran some new fluid through (with engine off), then put the drain plug back on and refilled the fluid.

good to go!


i've done it twice already...he charges me $10 and does my oil too...

hope this helps!

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

I check mine for color everytime I change the oil. I just had the tranny replaced and they checked it again a couple weeks ago and said everything looks fine. I was told that it should be OK for at least a year before I have to get it flushed.

andre

so it seems like flush every year or 12-15K miles...as opposed to 120K in the manual.

i guess a little preventative maintenance cant hurt