Yikes

Hello everyone, I joined this forum the other day because I recently bought a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL.

Here she is:


Anyway, she's got 201,400 miles. The transmission was replaced at 90,000 miles. Just for being thorough, I checked the transmission fluid and this is what I saw:



Fair enough, not the best picture, but to state the obvious the fluid is very dark. The transmission feels completely fine. No jerking, no slipping, ect. I read the DIYs for the 3x3 fluid replacement. I was wondering if I could get some advice whether or not to change it ASAP.

Secondly, for a motor with the mileage it has, I was wondering what the best type of motor oil is to use. Personal advice is always best. I want to get the most enjoyment and life out of my car. :P I've always been a Honda / Acura enthusiast. My family has been buying Hondas since the late 1980s so I know first hand that, provided they are taken care of properly, these cars go forever.

Thanks for the help! I look forward to being a part of this community in the years ahead!

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

The trans oil looks clean to me. Best way is to look at the dip. Should look red, like grenadine. Smell it, too.
A drain and fill with Honda ATF would never hurt.

I'd consider a complete flush of the brake lines. Start with the front drivers, and work around the car clockwise. I use Prestone.

Coolant. Probably looks fine, but if you do flush fill, take the time to remove not only the radiator plug, but the engine block plug. Use Honda coolant.

I syphoned/filled my PS reservoir as well. About 10 oz comes out. It was previously really, really stinky, and had a gritty feel to the fingers. I did four syphon/fills of my PS reservoir, and now the fluid feels and smells fresh.

01tl4tl

welcome
please register with www.owners.acura.com with cars VIN
get free owner book download with all maitenance questions answered there.
and 1 800 382 2238x5 tell them new owner and ask if all recalls are done

5-30 oil best for most conditions
get on honda dw1 atf
water pump timing belt new spark plugs due every 105kmiles,,plugs every70 good plan.
read seafoam diy for 03s --but works for all years,,has best pics
add 1 can to half tank and another thru vac port at tb
or 2 x 1 can in half tank to restore like new clean inside engine

also run in oil before next change,,lots of sludge we dont think about will be removed

brake fluid every year FLUSH DOT4 fluid

ps fluid change DONT suck master res--thats bsing yourself
follow owner book to drain entire system..twice

see the diy master list,, 3rd item down main list,,Official DIY LIST

again welcome to acurazine!

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

I run Mobile Super 5000 in my Acura and my Subaru.

Synthetic is a waste of money if it is not called for.

01tl4tl

synth has its good points, depending on how and where you drive
dino oil is fine too--for normal temps

you can go back and forth and the engine doesnt care

Skirmich

Thats darkish oil, That means REPLACE ME ASAP!
Do a 3x3 with Brand New DW-1..

You can use any Engine OIL but Syntethic isnt as Expensive as it was 5 years ago and the Good Points outweights its price point!
One of the Biggies = NO SLUDGE! so you can rest assure even you past its 7500K change point it wont start cooking itself leaving crap on your engine.

Me myself use MOBIL 1 EP Syn 5W-30 (EP = Extended Performance) it is designed to last 15000K with Engine Warranty! cant beat that for 7 bucks a Quart. So you are protected for 1 year, If you buy the Regular Mobil 1 Syn it lasts 7500K so is designed to be changed every 6 months of use....

Also dont skimp out on the Engine Oil Filter > (FRAM IS A NO GO!!!) This little fella alone can make your oil last a couple of Months/Miles More depending on Quality, I use K&N HP-1004 Filter.

Your Choice, Your Money, Your Peace of Mind.

3.2TLc

Congrats on getting a TL. You're at the right place for excellent advice.

First thing to do is learn as much as you possibly can about how the car has been maintained previously. The replaced tranny seems to have outlasted the original, that's good ! You could start by just draining the old fluid and replacing it with Honda DW-1, then change it again in a few thousand miles. I change mine every 10k. Check the "DIY" listings, then make your own wish list up. Make sure that the T-belt has been replaced at proper intervals. Get the car up on a lift and carefully inspect the suspension, brakes and exhaust. Have the cooling system and electrical charging checked out. Personally, on a higher mileage car, I'd suggest a quality dino oil such as Castrol. If you know that syn was previously used and there's no apparent oil leak seepage, then syn would be ok. Good luck and happy motoring !

01tl4tl

flush brake fluid
verify timing belt and water pump replaced at 105kmiles
see other new owner threads--register with acura care and owners.com has free owner book download with many answers in it

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

I just flushed my brake fluid. Brake response was like night and day.

01tl4tl

wiki hygroscopic for why
and flush it once a year from now on
the improved pedal feel is real action at the caliper
no more compressible water sitting at the end of the line
or heat damaged fluid with several years on it

brake fluid is cheap,,get 2 quarts, run at least 2-3 refills of master cyl thru each wheel
and for noobs= its special bleed/flush order LF RF RR LR