Dejan13

I have a 2000 TL with 118km (73 miles) on the original tranny. I am the second owner since 5 months. The ATF is a redish brown and none missing. Should i change it? Im pretty sure the prevouis owner changed it a couple times. Im thinking if i should do 3qartes (litres) one time. When someone says 3X3 drain is that 9 qartes total. Should i just do a 3 instead since fluid isnt that bad yet. Btw tranny is shifting good, 2nd and 3rd could be a bit smoother!

Skirmich

3x3 and give it a week between changes, that wont upset the old fluid so quickly.

01tl4tl

then replace the external atf filter
use Honda atf ZR-1, acura usually has it cheaper than honda
It drains 3 to 3.5 qts at a time- thats all the trans will give up of its 7.3 qt capacity
Read owner book for correct procedure on cking atf level
Should read BETWEEN the 2 dots at a specific temp, usually cold but some its 15 minute freeway drive yadayada,,see owner book.

get the filler plug loose, then breaker bar to loosen the drain- do those with it cold!

register with Acura of Canada for any recalls they need your address, there may even be something you need- they are free!

Skirmich

ATF ZR-1? you mean the old Z1? he should use DW-1 though.

Dejan13

What if i just do a 1x3 drain?

Skirmich

You should still remove the old fluid out.. Old fluid tends to overheat easily and protect less than new fluid.

01tl4tl

my bad- brain fart sorry group = the correct atf is DW-1 Honda.

Dejan you want to get all the old fluid out and run the new spec stuff. Doing it 3 times in 1 day - with 5 minute drives between to push fluid thru.
trans will only give up half its capacity at a time

Might be a bit upsetting to your untouched trans...cause you problems with large amounts of crud flowing around from the new fluids cleaning agents.
Doing it as 1 drain and refill a week- works better for some
There is an external filter thats wise to replace with the new fluid

Doing 1- 3qt drain and refill with the new fluid is worse than doing nothing!

HEAT is the enemy of our trans, old fluid does not carry away heat nearly as well as new stuff.

Dejan13

Why is doing a 1x3 bad? I dont think the car is on its original fluid. The fluid now is light brown. I bought 4 qaurtz and a filter. Ill do it once then in a week maybe do another! Thanks for the help!

Tosh

Get enough DW-1 and plan on doing 3 changes in the medium term. Start with one, and you'll see it's pretty easy.

Skirmich

You need 9q in total the car uses 3q almost dead exact so a 3x3 = 9q...
Never had to use more than that with 215K on the car, I change the ATF every year.

Dejan13

Another question, i check the fluid today(still didnt do the 1x3 yet) and it like a cm above the max dot. This was this morning and the car was cold. Is that normal or should i drive it then check?

Skirmich

Yes the ATF settles down in the night that is why when you fill it up cold the level will be on the top dot after 3q. To properly check the ATF level the trans must be HOT, the level will read then between both dots which is the correct level. Never use the COLD Reading to measure the ATF.

Tosh

1cm as in 10mm or 0.4 inch? That's quite a bit over, esp for cold. Level should be between the two dots when hot.