Like any ATF, Honda ATF looks red in the bottle, but it looks very pale when I checked with the dipstick. Is it normal? The fluid has been changed regularly.

 

It's normal for ATF-Z1 to turn light to medium brown. This does NOT indicate that there's a problem. This isn't true for every fluid, however.

 

Clean, uncontaminated fluid has a pinkish or reddish color .

Fluid that has been overheated turns darkish brown or black, or it could mean that you have some wear and tear in your tranny.

A white, milky appearance can mean the engine coolant is leaking into the transmission or you have water contamination.

 

Not necessarily. These guidelines are more applicable to the transmission fluids of the past than those of today.

The newest transmission fluids, ATF+4, SP-III, and ATF-Z1 to name a few, have very specific guidelines set by the OEM regarding fluid condition.

Discolored fluid does not constitute the need for a fluid change. It is perfectly normal for certain transmission issues.

 

Thanks for the info. It was a surprise for me because it's different from my experience with other cars.

As far as I know my newly bought 2000 TL with 60K miles has tranny fluid changed only twice. The fluid looks clean though.

 

thats unusual for the fluid to have been changed at all at 60k because thats the first time suggested in the book- normal useage schedule

Was the owner extra good about servicing? receipts for such?

The fluid level should be checked after 15 minutes of steady speed freeway driving,
then park and shut OFF engine
Pull yellow handle dipstick on driver side of car, wipe, insert fully- remove
should read between the dots and not have any burned smell

 

Really not unusual if the owner had the vehicle serviced at the dealer. Most dealers that I know will bundle an ATF change with the 30k service pkg.

 

According to Acura owner's manual, cars in Canada should be maintained based on schedule for severe condition. That means tranny fluid change at 30K. This may be overkill for my area, which has mild climate (temperature from 40-85F range most of the time).

 

Driver: I'd like the tranny fluid flushed.
Mechanic: If it's still pink and smells good, it should be fine.
Driver: Pussy can be pink and smell fine, but can still give you herpes
Mechanic: Good point. We'll flush it out

 

If it wasnt sooooo wrong for me to do so i would SOOOOO make that my sig

 

+1

 

LOL, that was great.

 

I have a question: why are there no reps system in the TL forums like there is in Off Topic?

 

Cause thats the way they want it.