I recently purchased a 2000 TL and had the transmission rebuilt.

What type of fluid does everyone recommend?

 

Acura/Honda DW-1.
Don't even try anything else. Look up in the DIY for the 3x3 fluid change method.
Just change it out per the instructions and NEVER get a trans "flush"!

Who did the rebuild and what fluid is in there now?

 

Honda DW or Redline

 

Some rebuilders will fill it with Dextron. I advice you to do a 3x3 flush with DW-1 asap.

 

Local shop did the rebuild and when I asked about the fluid, the reply I got was "our own special synthetic."

That is why I am looking to flush and replace.

 

Yes, definitely get whatever they have out of there. Acura/Honda DW-1 is what I use. You will need to buy 9-10 bottles of it. It's about 10 dollars per bottle here in canada. Never do a flush like at mr lube or where ever, its not good for the tranny

 

"Our own special synthetic" is probably some dirt cheap ass penzoil valvoline castrol crap that will leave u needing a new trans in 10k miles.

 

I bought my 2000 TL used in 2006 with 80k and the original tranny with the recall "jet kit" installed by the original owner's dealership in 2002. After I bought it, I drained 3.2 qts. from the trannys pan, and refilled it with genuine "Honda" ATF fluid. I've done this faithfully every year since and I have had absolutely no transmission issues to date on the original factory installed transmission. The fluid is always fresh looking and has never went down in level. I'm at 170k now and I'm hoping to see 200k with no problems. Don't trust your quick lube service facilities to your car's better life ! This is really a simple "DIY" as fully explained within this site. These people know their TL's and how to keep them running !

 

I'd do one of two things. Either check out the exact type of fluid they use, or go to a Honda dealer for a case of Honda ATF fluid. Ask for the case price. Tell them you do your own work on the car, and want a 25% discount.

 

I am running a 65%/35% mixture of Redline Racing ATF and Honda Z1, tranny has been running strong for 15k miles(95k miles currently, original tranny). My next change will be a mixture of Redline Racing ATF and Redline D4 at 65/35 percent(optimal ratio) respectively. That's what many of the 3rd gen people run.

Optimal percentage thread:
http://acura-tsx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=834299

 

I'm running the redline racing, lightweight racing, and d4 mixture. The shifts are better than they were with any other fluid I've tried yet. Props to "I hate cars" and "Innacurate" for all the information on fluids, friction modifiers, etc..

 

I'd find out specifically what they used. There are several synthetics out there that I think are superior to either of honda's fluids. I would imagine they've got an idea of what works, and they are just as interested in keeping your trans healthy as you are.

 

Transmission shops only care about making money and dont care about your transmission... the more you come into their shop, the more money they make off of you! Of course the shop that rebuilt the tranny will tell you that they used the "proper" fluid, but in reality, they used the cheapest possible fluid that will destroy the tranny and that will force you to come back to them. So, to avoid all of that, use the ATF-DW1 or Redline Racing fluid, do the 3x3 drain and fill and call it a day! There's no need to shell out a few thousand dollars to some crack-shop that knows nothing about how picky Honda transmissions are.

 

I agree with everyone on this one!

Can someone post the 3x3 fluid change method?

 

3x3 simply means drain and refill 3 quarts (usually 3-3.5 quarts comes out), drive for a few minutes, and repeat the process two more times.

 

Thank you, EVERYONE, for the great advice.

Doing a 3x3 right away with Redline Racing and D4.

 

I think the biggest pain in the ass about this is the refilling. Getting at the bolt is super easy, but filling through the dipstick really pisses me off each time even though it's the simplest solution I believe. :P

 

come to think of it, I'm due for a 3x3 drain and fill pretty soon lol

 

I prefer to remove the oil jet out of the fill hole and to fill the trans that way using a long funnel. The 3 quarts go in super fast that way.

 

Filling through the dipstick is not easy or the easiest method. There's a bolt to remove and either pull out oil jet or not depending on your model of trans. Dipstick method is a waste of time.

 

Refilling atf through the dipstick is clumsy when you do 3x3, but how often do you do 3x3. ONCE, that is it; because after 3x3, you should do 1x3 every 15k, and I bet if I do 1x3 through dipstick vs 1x3 through filler plug, I will have it done quicker through the dipstick. Get the right funnel and that is all it is. the key is to choose however way you feel comfortable with.

 

Hi all, don't mean to hijack this threads with another question on atf, but since so many threads on atf already, i thought my question could fit in this thread, as well. My 03TL just have a new rebuilt trans. The local guy said he rebuilt it with a lot of modification to avoid the typical failure (not too much details provided and I wouldn't be able to understand his mechanical point, anyway). However, he used Dextron atf to fill after the rebuilt. Through many threads here, I suppose I need to 3x3 change that oil out with DW1 or Redline 65/35 mixtures from Inaccurate's threads. Question is, why Dextron oil would cause problem to the new (gears) parts in the trans, especially when the rebuilt parts are now in the original trans case? In other words, what made DW1 or the Redline mix help to reduce the wear and tear? Please shine the light for me. thanks!

 

I'll tell you this before others chime in. I had some dumb bastard transmission mechanic rebuild mine 40k ago & put dex3 in there. It's about to fail again. Sure I have DW-1 in there now, but it is too late. Just get it out - learn from my dumbass mistake! Your local guy chose the cheaper fluid he had around the shop. My local guy gave me the same horseshit story he told you(for the most part). I'll regret that day for the rest of my life.

In other words, leave a review wherever you can telling other Honda/Acura owners not to get local trans work done with that guy. Save others some money too.

 

Stop the car wherever you are....take the keys out of the ignition, and drain that dextron right now. I don't care if it's in the middle of the highway. Put in DW-1. Do not drive another mile.

I would do a 5x3 drain if I were you.

 

Oh boy! DW-1 will be in this Saturday. Thanks guys!

Webmastir, 40K ago perhaps is about 2 years ago, you said it was too late, so when did you drain it out and used DW-1? Mine was just done last week. Many here suggested to drain and fill, at least 1x3 every year with the dw-1.

I know that machine flush is a "NO NO" with Acura trans but since all dextron need to be cleaned out, would the machine flush in this case (new rebuilt parts) cause any harm to it? Thanks for your opinions.

 

I wouldn't take a chance with that machine flush. Nobody can say for certain whether it will or won't cause problems in your specific case. A 5x3 drain will do you good. Then I would do 1x3 drain every year or every 6 months if you drive high miles. But the color of the old fluid will be a good indicator as well.

Also, did they put on a new external filter after your rebuild? If not, get one and change it out soon.

 

Ya know...I was debating this myself. Sure it seems easy to change & fairly inexpensive, but is it really necessary? If the dealership doesn't even change them out, why would we need to?

And trust me...I say/ask that with as little respect for the dealership as possible

 

A shop in Moorestown, NJ described their trans service like this: Transmission Flush - BETTER
A Transmission Flush is started by running a chemical cleaner through the transmission. We then hook up the flush machine to the transmission cooler lines and, using your transmissions own pump, we flush 16 quarts of new fluid through the transmission completely replacing the old fluid. We finish the service by adding a BG conditioner to enhance the shifting characteristics, dissolve deposits, and help keep seals soft and resistant to leaks.

Pros - This service replaces all the fluid in the transmission including the torque converter and valve body. It also includes a conditioner to help remove deposits.

Cons - This service doesn't replace the filter.

I need all the Dextron oil out of the trans, would the above flushing method cause any harm? Anybody know what the additive "BG conditioner" they talked about is? Always appreciate the comments you guys provided!

 

It helps keep the fluid cleaner, especially with the clutch wear problems we have. It also helps extended the usable life of the internal tranny filter. If the internal filter clogs, the tranny will be toast. So yeah, I am all for external filters, but I wish they made it larger and hand-screw-on type, like an oil filter (Subaru has this).

All the dealers I asked for this part didn't have a clue there was an external filter. It's not even in their maintenance schedule. If the dealer knew about this filter, they would tell you to change it. More service work for them.

They are really cheap at amazon and rockauto.

 

Our tranny is so damn peculiar, that any additive can potentially be deadly. Just add DW-1 and nothing else. The unknown is never worth the risk. And the consensus of the experts here is to never use a flush machine with our tranny. Drain is always best. But after a 5x3 drain, you should have much less than 10% of the dextron in there. And you will continue to do more drains as part of your maintenance. I don't see a problem with this.

 

^^, thanks Victus1. Will do 5x3 and hope for the best. Do you have a DIY guide and pix of the external filter? (or point me to that thread if it's already posted). I'm a noob on TL, so not knowing much where it is and how to change it. And So far, this car has given me more headache and worries than the time to drive it.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=25450-P7W-003

 

Everyone is correct. NO FLush. Just by a case of DW-1 and swap out 3 qts every day until you get to the last 3 qts of the case and leave that in.
You will have replaced and "cleaned out all remnants of the old, wrong fluid.
Remember that case of fluid is a heck of a lot cheaper than another trans!
If you chat up your parts guy at Honda or Acura and tell him your situation -you should get a good discount on the case (unless he is a weenie).
Good luck Sir.

 

Just called up the dealer. $102+tax for the case. And yeah, he's a weenie, no discount for me.

 

Ouch. How many are in a case? 12 I assume?
3 individual qts = $30.40 at my local acura stealership

 

case of 12, that is. the stupid dealer even suggested to have them do it for $86.xx, one time drain and refill, even though I explained my story and wanted to get all the dextron fluid out. The service guy didn't even comprehend 3x3 drain refill method. They all make me mad with their ignorance!...I'm in an area that not allow to do car work on your driveway, but I guess I might have to deviate from that policy.

 

Ahhh...don't worry about that. It is not more than 15 min job. Easier than an oil change. You can also go to a buddy's house.
I drive one end of the car on the curb of the street at the end of my driveway. Easy to get under with no need to jack it up for oil & tranny fluid changes!

It's best to stay away from the dealer for stuff like this.

 

Call around and try the local Honda dealers- it's the same fluid.
I have been getting OEM parts from my Acura dealer since new (13 years, 202,000 thou and still going strong) and they have always been more than fair but realize I have built a long term relationship. And delivering my wife's christmas cookies at the holidays doesn't hurt either!
Any way you can acknowledge the forgotten parts guys it will be in your favor.

 

Just called local Honda dealership. The DW-1 there is 2$ cheaper/quart than Acura up the road. Nice. That's where ima be going from now on

(assuming I can make my tranny last a bit longer)

 

Always try Honda Dealer first for anything even the Smallest things!

Same Part No. Radiator Cap;
Acura: 7 Bucks
Honda: 2 bucks