2003 Acura 3.2 TL - what transmission fluid do you like?
12-05-2018, 01:06 AM
#3
OEM
Saw some old threads of people using Amsoil, Valvoline Maxlife or a mix of different synthetic fluids but they're really old threads that haven't been updated in years so who knows what the long term effects are.
Just stick with OEM trans fluid and change it once a year imo. The Honda DW-1 Fluid is really good stuff since it's synthetic and has actually made the transmission shift better during the cold winters after taking out the old Z1 Fluid years ago.
Saw some old threads of people using Amsoil, Valvoline Maxlife or a mix of different synthetic fluids but they're really old threads that haven't been updated in years so who knows what the long term effects are.
Just stick with OEM trans fluid and change it once a year imo. The Honda DW-1 Fluid is really good stuff since it's synthetic and has actually made the transmission shift better during the cold winters after taking out the old Z1 Fluid years ago.
09-19-2019, 06:59 PM
#6
I’ll update this for my 2003 TL-S. Transmission rebuild at 95k miles. I have only used off brand when I get it changed. Valvoline Max Life works great. I had it done at Valvoline but it’s outrageously priced. The rebuild shop used Honda fluid. I’ve done it 3 times since (about every 25k).
I just did it again and the 1 Gallon bottle of Valvoline Max Life, was $24 at Advance Auto Parts. I see it’s $17.97 at Walmart. That’ll save you $125 over the Valvoline job, but they flush it and that’s a discussion for another day. That Never hurt my tranny but it’s drain and fill from now on.
I have 195k on the car now, so 100k on the rebuild, with 3-4 changes and the tranny is still smooth as butter. 75,000 on Valvoline.
I just did it again and the 1 Gallon bottle of Valvoline Max Life, was $24 at Advance Auto Parts. I see it’s $17.97 at Walmart. That’ll save you $125 over the Valvoline job, but they flush it and that’s a discussion for another day. That Never hurt my tranny but it’s drain and fill from now on.
I have 195k on the car now, so 100k on the rebuild, with 3-4 changes and the tranny is still smooth as butter. 75,000 on Valvoline.
09-26-2019, 04:40 PM
#7
I just did the first of a 3x3 trans fuild change and I bought the honda genuine fuild dw-1 from a honda dealership is the only place I could find it without ordering online and it was about 8ish dollars a quart. I hope that helps!! I also bought a trans filter from the parts store about 45 bucks for a wix filter
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09-27-2019, 05:25 AM
#8
1st Gear
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ATF change
Surely anything Dexron 2 or above is compatible.....?
I have used, (here in the UK)......Comma ATF in Honda's for the last 35 plus years without any problems. I change it, perhaps more than is necessary, every 3000 miles. Always allowing it to drain with the drain plug out for at least 15 minutes........just an arbitrary length of time on my part.
I have occasionally carried out changes on consecutive days......so two changes after driving the car for a day. This to remove any of the older ATF remaining in the torque converter when the ATF is changed. However, this is only a small amount.......and that's just me. I do it perhaps every third time of changing the fluid.
Incidentally, I did used the same fluid in a car we had over here in the UK in the 1980's.........This was called a Prelude and came on 1300cc & 1500cc versions. This was the first collaboration between the then British Leyland and Honda and was in effect fitted with the same transmission / engine as the Honda Civic Sport.....
Again, no problems with it....
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
I have used, (here in the UK)......Comma ATF in Honda's for the last 35 plus years without any problems. I change it, perhaps more than is necessary, every 3000 miles. Always allowing it to drain with the drain plug out for at least 15 minutes........just an arbitrary length of time on my part.
I have occasionally carried out changes on consecutive days......so two changes after driving the car for a day. This to remove any of the older ATF remaining in the torque converter when the ATF is changed. However, this is only a small amount.......and that's just me. I do it perhaps every third time of changing the fluid.
Incidentally, I did used the same fluid in a car we had over here in the UK in the 1980's.........This was called a Prelude and came on 1300cc & 1500cc versions. This was the first collaboration between the then British Leyland and Honda and was in effect fitted with the same transmission / engine as the Honda Civic Sport.....
Again, no problems with it....
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
09-27-2019, 06:37 AM
#9
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Surely anything Dexron 2 or above is compatible.....?
I have used, (here in the UK)......Comma ATF in Honda's for the last 35 plus years without any problems. I change it, perhaps more than is necessary, every 3000 miles. Always allowing it to drain with the drain plug out for at least 15 minutes........just an arbitrary length of time on my part.
I have occasionally carried out changes on consecutive days......so two changes after driving the car for a day. This to remove any of the older ATF remaining in the torque converter when the ATF is changed. However, this is only a small amount.......and that's just me. I do it perhaps every third time of changing the fluid.
Incidentally, I did used the same fluid in a car we had over here in the UK in the 1980's.........This was called a Prelude and came on 1300cc & 1500cc versions. This was the first collaboration between the then British Leyland and Honda and was in effect fitted with the same transmission / engine as the Honda Civic Sport.....
Again, no problems with it....
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
I have used, (here in the UK)......Comma ATF in Honda's for the last 35 plus years without any problems. I change it, perhaps more than is necessary, every 3000 miles. Always allowing it to drain with the drain plug out for at least 15 minutes........just an arbitrary length of time on my part.
I have occasionally carried out changes on consecutive days......so two changes after driving the car for a day. This to remove any of the older ATF remaining in the torque converter when the ATF is changed. However, this is only a small amount.......and that's just me. I do it perhaps every third time of changing the fluid.
Incidentally, I did used the same fluid in a car we had over here in the UK in the 1980's.........This was called a Prelude and came on 1300cc & 1500cc versions. This was the first collaboration between the then British Leyland and Honda and was in effect fitted with the same transmission / engine as the Honda Civic Sport.....
Again, no problems with it....
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
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