I am looking for a tranny fluid for my 2000 TL ? a great product but inexpensive that is available at Walmart, Part Source, Canadian Tires, big name stores.

When is it recommended to change the tranny fluid ?

 

I believe you're supposed to change it every 50k miles. A friend of mine told me it was because after that your tranny starts seeling itself, and if you change it then you might have leaks. I would stick to oem fluid but maybe someone else could give you better advice on that.

 

What would be the oem fluid ? I am guessing its only available at Acura/Honda ?

 

correct, but I'm pretty sure you could also find it on the internet somewhere.

 

I believe it's called ATF Z1 and it's a Honda fluid. I just bought a case at a Honda dealer. Acura wanted about $3/quart more. Crazy.

 

Walmart.......inexpensive........u can start saying buh bye to ur tranny...only use the one mentioned above..honda fluid for our trannies...spend the extra bux and get the correct fluid..

 

Dont use ANYTHING except for Handa / Acura ATF Z-1 fluid.
Its like 6-7 dollars at any honda/acura dealer.
$25 for 3 quarts of z-1 is alot cheaper then a new tranny!

 

only buy Honda/Acura fluid, and yes the stuff at the Honda dealership is the exact same and less expensive

 

I need to do my flush 3x3, so this is good to know.

 

can you use royal purple tanny fluid?

 

cars with higher miles (more than 30k) should stick with the acura method and do a simple drain and refill-
the trans will only give up 3.2 qts of its 7.something capacity at a time- the rest is tucked inside other parts

Doing a full~ `flush per acura description` is 3x3 with a 4th fill
thats supposed to be `in an emergency when you put dex3 in the trans` and need to remove all traces of it

While I dont agree with acura on a technical oil basis, there is no denying that a full 3x3 will often lead to failure of a higher miles trans
Toooo much cleaner and slippery stuff in the new fluid
Stick with Honda ZR1 at import parts stores or honda dealer for best price

Never hurts to ask the parts dept for a price match to honda is they are close together
30 bucks will do what you need for now- then in 6 months do another 3

Stay far away from machine suction or power based units that flush fluid thru and out- its not the right fluid and not the right method

 

what do you consider a higher mile trans?

i bought my car used at 68k last summer and its now at 73k. dealership got it as a trade in and didn't know its maintenance history. will my trans fail with a fluid change?

 

for example - I did a drain and fill (3Q out and 3Q in) 2 times at 65k miles and I have done this every 15 or 20k since (probably overkill but I don't mind). I now have 154000 miles on the original transmission and all is well. you should be fine at your mileage to do a simple drain and fill. if you do this 2 times then you will not get all of the old fluid out but most of it. I really think that will be just fine. As it has been said avoid the power flush that is offered at your local mechanic shop.

now if the tranny had well over 100k miles and everything was still fine, I would think it would be better to leave it alone.

 

Stick with OEM fluid or Amsoil. You cant buy fluid for our cars at walmart etc..

 

Not trying to jack the thread but I want to flush mine im at 88k, should I drain and fill 3 times? Or should I just do a drain and fill once?

 

I use GM Friction Modified Syncromesh MTF

 

Yea me too. But we are special

 

Has it ever been done before?

 

I really do not know, I got it used at 78 but by the way the air filter looked when I replaced it im guessing no. Does it matter?

 

yes- prior change matters and was likely never done- not required in book
So the basic 3 qt x1 now, and do it again in 15 or 30k miles

 

Has anyone ever seaformed their tranny? if so, could you tell a difference?

 

Tom probably has - he's the seafoam king. I think he even seafoams his leather.

 

If it where me I would only drain 3 and fill 3!
then do it again in like 5k miles if u want just DONT do the 3x3 if u dont know the history of the tranny!

 

Dealer here charged me ~13 per quart. You can buy it online much cheaper. I found it for ~8.88/qt shipped here

 

another one here 7.25/qt and 6.95 flat shipping fee

 

My dealer, Jerry Damson Acura in Huntsville, charged a little over $8 per quart. Their parts department is pretty good, they have offered me pretty much everything I've asked for at a discount, plus usually no waiting and no shipping charges/times, unless the part is out of stock and they have to order it (but they don't charge me any shipping either).

 

they shouldnt charge you shipping if its local pick up, especially restock . If they do youre getting ripped off..lol.

 

i'm doing a drain and fill this weekend. I go to UTI and i guess we get discounts at dealerships so i'm gettin 6.86 a qt. pretty sik. i've just gotten my car bak for a few weeks now w/ a re-built tranny. i'm guessing its pretty safe to do a drain and fill with my tranny that has 6k on it correct?

 

Honda sells the exact same stuff for less $ per qt

do NOT use seafoam or seafoam for trans in the TL trans!!!!!!!!!!!
Well - maybe if you want to say goodbye to it~

Remember all the talk about removing too much needed crud with a 3x3 fluid change??--imagine using seafoam to dislodge way more than that, -it will be clean but, IMO, would be headed for the shop soon

 

blak-
no need to start on a change so soon- 15k miles will do nicely for a straight 3 qt drain and refill
Or if you want to, because you have a fresh low miles trans- go ahead and start on a 3x3 when you hit 15 then every 15

Waste of money and oil to start at 5

 

how did you get 6k MILES? on it in 2 weeks?

 

Ok I see, I guess ill stick to the 3x1. My trans feels good I just like 2 maintain my car so I'm wondering I should do and it sounds to be safe the 3x1 is what ill go for and go from there. Thanks fellas.

 

well i kinda under exagerated bout the length of time she's been out of the shop. she's been out since 2nd week of january. plus i drive close too 70 miles everyday, and on the weekends damn i don't even want to mention it.

 

thats called enjoying your TL

 

So, if you dont know the history of the tranny...start with 3x1, then 3x3 in 5k miles?

 

no
what miles do you have NOW is the key

 

I'm at 88,000 now, so what should I do?? lol

 

I have 128,800 on mine-did a 3+3 at 125,000. Dont know the history of my tranny.

 

3x3 means 3qtz out (original fluid) and 3qtz in (new fluid) ? and done ?

 

it means 3 out, 3 in, drive around, 3 out, 3 in, drive around, 3 out, 3 in....