2000tee.el

my TL is at 169k, I had the car for 5 months now and ive noticed the transmission shifts a little hard from 1st to 2nd, and also on down shifting. When i bought the car I was given a carfax report with the car and I dont see anywhere on the report about transmission fluid have been changed, i've read on the forum with high mileage it may be bad to change the transmission fluid? and if safe will a 3x3 be safe as well to do?
by the way no spikes in RPM or anything, original transmission.
please help ! thanks!~

Skirmich

Its always safe to change ATF... Its worse to have in there an Already worn out ATF.

Do a 3x3!

victus1

With high mileage, take the safe route and do a single 1x3 drain & fill. Drive it for a couple of weeks to get the clutches acclimated with the newer fluid and then do another 1x3. Repeat for the last one. Slowly introducing the newer fluid is always the best option in high mileage cases.
There is also an external tranny filter located below the air intake that you should change as well.

gold2003tl (90)

^ I agree, change it out slowly and change the filter.

Whats the color of the fluid? Black is bad, should be red. Pull the dip stick out and smell it. If it smells burnt sugar, bad.

3.2TLc

Hey 2000Tee.el, check with your local Acura dealership to find out if all the recall work has been performed. All they need is the VIN#. Does your tranny have the "jet kit" installed on the tranny's top fill bolt ? Car faxs are not always 100% accurate.

Check the tranny's fluid level and condition, then proceed to do as Victus1 previously suggested. Buy the filter and a case of Honda DW1 fluid. Do the initial drain & fill, after which will require approximately 3 quarts to refill.

Also, inspect the motor and tranny mounts as they tend to wear out and can cause hard shifts. Run it a month and do the next drain & fill, then if all's well....do the final 1x3, and your tranny fluid will be refreshed for better shifting and hopefully will last longer !

2000tee.el

hey thanks for the quick replies, im going to order a case off amazon of the honda dw1 fluid would you guys say this is a great deal on the case? I also checked owners.acura.com to see if my transmission has been replaced and installed with the jet kit and it has;
Description 2001-2003 3.2CL; 2000-2003 3.2TL; 2004 TL Automatic Transmission 2nd Gear TypeRecall Customer LetterStatusFixed

and im pretty sure my transmission mounts are wearing out because when i go from park to d5 it clunks a bit. as well as in reverse. And the fluid color is red by the way, didnt smell any burnt sugary smell or anything.

EDIT: how many hour(s) job is it to replace all mounts at a shop? engine&transmission mounts. i want to get this done soon as well after i resolve the transmission matter.thanks!

victus1

The front, side and tranny mounts are VERY EASY to replace yourself. If you can turn a ratchet you can do it. You can do each within a half an hour to an hour. Check out the diy we have. After you do these, the rear will be easy to do as well, within an hour or two.

Here’s my diy for the rear mount. Very easy if you get the right tools and follow each step:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...diy+rear+mount

By asking shops to replace these you will get quotes from all over the map. Be prepared to pay a lot.

TLJoe44

Hey all, new to the forum. I have a 99 TL with high mileage and am also going to be doing a 1x3 fluid change soon. I was told the 99 tl has an internal filter and cannot be changed easily. Is this true?