I just bought the 2002 TL...I read and saw a bunch of people here have tranny problem...Damn, I'm scared now...I want to replace the transmission fluid to (hopefully) prevent this problem..

Does anyone know where is the transmission drainage bolt is located? Thx.

 

Replaced it with what?? I don't know where the drainage is, but were you insert the fluid is a big nut with letters ATF on it.

 

I have heard that you are supposed to swap out the A/T fluid every year although I am not sure what the interval is for TL. As the fluid gets old and starts to break down from heat over time it starts to loose it's ability to lubricate. I got my A/T system flushed for $99 on my truck at midas.

 

I had mine done at 30K. It's just like changing oil. Just drain and fill. No filter needed....I believe it takes 3 quarts? A mechanic friend at a Honda dealership did it for me.

 

I changed my tranny fluid at 10k miles and it's at about 19k and it's being changed again as we speak...Call it overkill...but w/ access to free honda tranny fluid and a honda tech willing to do it w/ my oil changes for free...I don't care

 

So basically nobody does their own fluid change and so nobody knows where the drain bolt is?? okay...

 

It's under the car!
I don't exactly know where the plug is, but I do know it is on the drivers side.

 

correct me if i'm wrong, but my friend said that you actually have to take off the automatic transmission pan, there is no drainage bolt like engine oil.

according to him, you take off pan and dump the oil out (responsibly of course) and reattach pan to underbody, then refill with new tranny fluid.

honestly i've never looked under my TL myself but let me know what you find out, because it'd definitely be more cost effective to do it urself...

 

you dont need to jack up the car. its in front of the car, on the drivers side, with the head of the bolt facing the right, and the threads facing the left. (this is standing in front, facing the drivers seat)

its easier than changing oil

 

Mr tl is right, drivers side. It is a cadmium zinc plated bolt and will require that you use a 3/8" ratchet w/o a socket. Insert ratchet into the bolt and remove.

To do a proper trans flush you will need 9 qts of Honda "Z1" ATF and a new washer for the drain plug. Total cost, about $35. This replaces about 90%+ of your ATF.

Here is the procedure:

Warm up car.
Drain ATF
Replace drain plug
Refill w/2 qts ATF
Replace fill plug
Drive car for 5 minutes or so (all 5 gears)

Repeat this process 4 times. On the 4th time install the new drain plug washer, torque the drain plug to proper spec (contact dealer for torque. I'm not sure of spec) and refill with 2-3/4 qts of ATF instead of just 2 qts.
Warm up car and check fluid level.
Done

The Honda mechanics do this on a lift but it is easy to do at home especially if you have ramps.

It took me less than an hour and I was very leisurely about it.

 

I don't think that is necessary, just drain and put new ATF in.

You might want add THIS . I just did it on my car and the transmission is running like new. Very good product. Give it a try, if you are currently having tranny problems like slip/stuttering/hard shift, before you go complain at the dealer.

 

Y even change your fluid Just break the tranny and get it replace before you hit your warrenty

Mr.T

 

so.... no one knows exactly where the drain is for transmission fluid?

 

that couldnt be more wrong...i just changed the tranny fluid this past january and all you do is remove the drain bolt. the key is that you have to use Honda ATF fluid and not the commercial stuff they sell in auto parts stores. the honda trannies are very particular w/respect to the type of fluid you use. just look in the owner's manual and it'll tell you where the tranny drain bolt is.

 

Thanks rockinTLS for the instructions. I didn't realize it was that easy. I will pick-up some Honda ATF and give it a shot.

 

That does sound easy although more up/down and in/out than an oil change. :-)

 

great instructions, i'll try this......and it looks like what i heard was totally wrong...oops, ...thanks for all the clarification guys.

 

No problem.

In your case you would drive the car in all "4" gears. This procedure is correct for the 2000-2002 models. You might confirm with the dealer's service dept if it is the same for the 99. Also, make sure you have something that will hold 9 qts of fluid and can be used to dispose of it properly.

Oh yeah, to reiterate what TLover8888 said: Use nothing but genuine Honda ATF. While the commercially available stuff from the parts store may not ruin your trans in the short term, you will not be happy with it's behavior. Use Honda Z1.

Bitium, It's true that just draining the 2-3 qts of fluid from the transmission case can help performance if the trans fluid is really bad. However, there is still a good amount of fluid in the torque converter and elsewhere that is just as old. Doing a flush will put a much larger ratio of fresh fluid in the system.

Per the 2002 manual an ATF flush is recommended every 15K miles per the severe service schedule. I did mine at 11K. I look at it as cheap insurance and not very difficult.

 

ok, so now u guys got me paranoid...how often should we be replacing tranny fluid? mine is almost 2yrs old w/ 26k miles...

 

With the already "weak" transmission in the TL/CL, it is a good time to replace the fluid..in your case, NOW!

 

It's towards the front of the car, driver's side. The drain plug is on the under side of the tranny.

Just look under the car. You'll only see 2 plugs. One for oil and one for tranny. Shouldn't be too difficult to figure out which is which.

 

First of all, let me introduce myself to you guys..Im vanirl and Im new to this site. I've been a HUGE acura fan for years and I've owned a 93 Integra, 92 Legend LS and most recently....my 2000 Acura 3.2TL!! I've been researching and just looking around the site during almost all my free time for the past two weeks. I love this site; there is a wealth of helpful information that I havent seen in any other forum. You guys are great!
Now to the issue at hand...I just found the transmission drain plug. Face the ground and lay on the ground right behind the front drivers' side wheel. Look up a little at the transmission (gray colored) and you will notice two bolts, one larger than the other. The smaller one is a standard looking bolt. The arger one, however, is NOT. It is circular with a square shaped indentation inside it. This is the drain plug. I don't know the name of the tool you need to remove it, but the size is 3/8, as stated by RockinTLS. Good luck! That thing is tight as hell!!!

 

Welcome.

As far as teh tool needed, all you ned is a 3/8 socket and or extension with wratchet

 

I have a 2000 TL. I have the dealer change the fluid every year without fail.
My tranny just died last Friday, and i'm towing the car to the dealer tomorrow to have it worked on. Car has been great....until now. Wife was driving it, shifting was delayed, and car went from 80km an hour to 40km, and would not shift back up to speed despite stepping on gas. It is driven with care, never punched, tranny oil changed every year in hopes of not encountering this problem. Friend has his 2001 tranny replaced, and another friend has his 02 types replaced.....TWICE already.