I have about 38K miles on my '03 TLs, and after searching the forum, I think it's time for the tranny fluid change. I am thinking about taking it into the "stealership" just to make sure that they put in the right stuff. I don't want to get ripped off... at least not too much (since it is the dealership), how much should I expect to pay?

 

anyone could help me out?

 

Do it yourself. Its not that hard. If you can change the oil you can do it. You'll need approx 4-5 quarts of Honda Z1 ATF. If you wish you can do a flush as well. Do a search..there is someone here with pics and all.

 

Thanks benzo. After reading your post, I scoured the forum more and found more info about the Tranny Fluid change. It seems like it's a good DIY for me to try instead of getting ripped off by the dealership again.

btw. i found a lot of post describing the process, but none of them had any pictures... could you point me to it?

Thanks again.

 

Can you share that linkY ??

 

Going back to your original question ... I think I paid C$75 (labor included) to do the tranny fluid change (not flush) at the Acura dealership.

 

Just had it done last week. $69.95 at Acura.

 

my mechanic does it with a oil change for $60

 

Go to the local Honda dealer- they did mine (again drain and fill, not flush and fill) for about $45.

 

I am not sure if you were refering to what I have found. But the best description for the DIY that I have found was the following:


The tranny re-fill bolt/plug is a 22mm size. Use a 22mm socket with a long extension to get the ratchet wrench up above the clutter so that you can work on it. It's a piece of cake then.

The actual plug is ON TOP of the tranny. You access it from under the hood. Take a look with a flashlight down to the top of the tranny just behind the air intake and just towards the center of the engine from the brake reservoir. YOU CAN'T MISS IT IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO SEARCH AROUND A BIT. The BOTTOM DRAIN plug is a 3/8 inch SQUARE hole. Just use a short 3/8 inch extension on your ratchet wrench WITHOUT a socket attached and the square drive will fit exactly into the drain plug.

You can buy replacement crush washers from the dealer. In fact they give me new ones whenever I buy the HONDA ATF fluid from them. MAKE SURE YOU USE HONDA FLUID!!! They do not supply a new washer for the TOP re-fill plug. There is NO PRESSURE at that point in the system, and thus it does not need to be replaced when the fluid is replaced. Just replace the bottom drain plug washer.
You will also probably find that BOTH plugs are extremely tight to break loose. I have a piece of 3/4 inch pipe about 10 inches long that I slide over my 3/8 inch ratchet wrench for added torque when loosening the nuts. Works just great. Obviously I don't put that much torque back on the wrench when I re-tighten everything.

 

Newbie, thanks.

Another quick question to the TL pros, is there a tranny filter inside the TL transmissions?? If no, thats cool!!

 

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but from reading the past posts, there are no tranny filters.

 

That's correct. Its just a striaght drain and fill job, no filters. Easier than changing the oil. Just make sure you put in the honda ATF.