1st timer

What is the best way to check the tranny fluid level?

MurdaZ

iTrader: (1)

dip stick? between the dots as closest to middle of it

01tl4tl

cmon 1st- I sent the owner book link before- here you go again
https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=acura
click year then model

Drive car on freeway 15 minutes at cruising speed
Get off the freeway and quickly find a safe level place to park- preplan this stop

Shut OFF the engine- remove dipstick and wipe clean- will be HOT
Insert dipstick fully and remove
Between the dots is what you want
Its a few ounces to adjust if needed- very small amounts of fluid

01tl4tl

the indicated level changes significantly when cold or hot
Driving in town makes it too hot and will give false reading
Too much oil and it foams- makes it worthless for lubrication

01tl4tl

how'd the trans fluid change go? how many qts did you use?

1st timer

I used 9 liters. If it's a BIT over does it really matter?

niju321

why take the chance?

01tl4tl

YES its a huge deal if its above the full mark when checked per the book method
Thats what I was cautioning about foaming the oil

Just let a little bit out of the drain plug and recheck

1st timer

Gonna let things cool off a bit and drain some out. The level is about 3/16 above the top hole.

andrew070489

9 liters? wtf..dont you mean 9 quarts? and i though you were only suppossed to put in 3-4 quarts after a drain and fill of the trans fluid

1st timer

1L =1.056 qts

01tl4tl

he's in Canada which uses metric,,about the only place that doesnt is the USA

the trans will only give up 3 of its 7 qts at a time
Some people want to change all the fluid so they do it 3 times with a 5 minute drive between each draining to force old fluid to drain

cmon andrew- you must have seen 3x3 mentioned on here before

01tl4tl

BETWEEN the dots or holes is what you want 1st

halfway between preferred, as the fluid will rise even more on extended drives, or stop and go commute makes it really hot

1st timer

I drained a bit ,went for a drive checked the fluid.Still too high. So i repeated the steps at this point the fluid was hot and burnt my fingers so i let go and the plug fell off so i drained the fluid completely went to the Acure dealer got 3L of ATF Z1 and refilled.Now the fluid is just under the top hole.I figured it's good there so i left it like that.I might drain a bit later on but does it really matter?

01tl4tl

yes- I would not ask you to go thru it again if it were not

Overfilling leads to literal FOAMING of the trans fluid and then it doesnt lubricate or cool
And MAY pump some out the overflow vent if it gets hot and overfilled, making a mystery smell and smoke...smell it once and you know~
(I am assuming the TL has a vent~)

If you check the level after an hour drive or stop and go in city it will read WAY above the full mark--it has a designed range- thats why the specified book 15 minutes cruise, no in town, immediatly check.. is written that way

Its differant than most cars. like many things on the TL,,the brake bleed order- the radiator burp etc
Just a little bit out this time!! do it when its dead cold not 15 minutes drive
Now you understand why they limit the in-between drain drive to 5 minutes, or it gets way to hot to work on!

01tl4tl

if its below the top hole it will be ok
I thought is was a tick over still- ooops
Hence the words in between the dots --anywhere there is ok

1st timer

No no,it's right under the top hole,if not on it a BIT.

01tl4tl

ok then- when its COLD- try letting out 4 ounces and you will be set perfect!
At least you got a full fluid change out of the deal~
Let us know how it shifts over the next few months

1st timer

So far I don't feel the shifts

01tl4tl

did you grab a sample of the old fluid for spectro analysis?

1st timer

No,the container it was drained in had engine oil!!

01tl4tl

aha!- well thats no good-

For those wanting to get a sample of oil or trans fluid- as its draining, stick a plastic cup in the stream of fluid- get 4 ounces and good to go

blackstonelabs will send containers and shipping bottle for free- see website