Hey guys, noob here & i just bought a 03 tl. I plan on changing my transmission oil & i was wondering whats the best oil i should use. & im curious whats the 3x3 fluid change.

 

Use only OEM Honda DW-1 don't get any off the shelf aftermarket ATF oils on your local AutoParts Store! only SOME Aftermarket oils works and they aren't readily available at local stores.
I cant stress enough how you should not use any other ATF oils regardless of how good you think they are.
Honda/Acura = ONLY USES OEM ATF OIL!! The manual states for Honda "ATF Z1" but that has been discontinued and replaced by the modern "DW-1" which is synthetic based.


3x3 means changing ATF oil 3 times by 3 quarts (3 quarts is the ATF change capacity).
Basically:


1st week = 3 quarts
2nd week = 3 quarts
3rd week = 3 quarts


3 changes by 3 quarts in a Month.
This is done to safely remove all the old ATF and replaced by new fresh ATF (The safe equivalent of a "Trans Flush")
Never do a machine based "Trans Flush" on a Honda AUTO! Guaranteed to destroy it.

 

thanks that helps alot! just one more question, would it hurt to do a 3x2?

 

as in 1st week = 3 quarts
2nd week = 3 quarts

 

It will help a lot! just try to make the third change ASAP.

 

Cool, thanks. Any suggestions on which spark plug to get?

 

Use only NGK!
The stock plugs are the Platinum Lasers but that's a 13dlls each spark plug. We use and highly recommend the NGK IRIDIUM IX at 7-8bucks a piece they have proven to be the BEST plug for the TL.



The part numbers are:

Laser Platinum:
TL-p = PZFR5E-11
TL-S = PZFR6E-11


Iridium IX:
TL-p = ZFR5FIX-11
TL-S = ZFR6FIX-11


Laser Iridium:
TL-p = IZFR5F11
TL-S = IZFR6F11

The Laser plugs are stupid high mileage longevity plugs. The 2G TL came stock with the Laser Platinums.. Then got changed for the Laser Iridium at the 3G TL. They all work great with the TL.
Don't use NGK V-Power/G-Power or any BOSCH Plugs.

 

Thanks, Much appreciated!

 

so do u know when I should change my transmission filter?
1st atf drain/fill
2nd atf drain/fill
3rd atf drain/fill

 

Change your filter in the last 3x3 otherwise you will waste it on the old ATF.

 

thanks, I think imma just buy two of them & change it on the first 3x3 and again on the last 3x3 for best results. good idea?

 

The main reason to do the 3x3 is to get rid of the old ATF and thus most of the crud in the trans. So you will be overkill by installing the first filter.


The 3x3 is already getting rid of most crap. Sure you can install the first filter but its a waste of money for the little time you will be using it. The filter already on your car is doing the same job.

 

yeah, its all the same but imma do it just to have nothing on my chest at the end of the day

 

Need to jump on here need some advice and u seem knowledgeable, when i took my tl 06 to get its transmission changed one of my acura dealer wanted to do a flush and the other said only do drain and refill so i went with the drain and refill but they never mentioned anything about 3x3 what your mentioning and when i asked if they changed the filter they also said no need its internal. Any remarks or helpful info on this need feedback and advise.

 

Will this fluid work? It's valvoline atf for honda/acura. But I want to make sure before I buy it.

 

I would only use Honda ATF. The transmissions are very sensitive on these cars.

You probably should look at the 3G side. They don't have the same transmission problems we do. A 3x3 will get you close to 100% fresh fluid in the system. Not sure if you guys have a separate internal filter.

 

Why would you risk it? Honda DW-1 is not that expensive....

 

K thank u.

 

As far as I Know your 3G does have an External Filter which should be the same as the on in the Accord V6 Swap trans.
Your DIY is here: https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...t-pics-787078/


And to answer your question.. Honda uses a Flush Machine specially made for Honda Trans which uses LOW PRESSURE refill as compared to the HIGH PRESSURE refill a lot of shops uses which cause damage to the trans.


The 3x3 term is used in the forums! Not in the Acura/Honda Dealerships, Honda/Acura does not make a "3x3" because they use their special Flush Machine to accomplish the same thing.

 

I just did Valvoline Max Life 3 times with a new external filter on my 2002 type S. I will likely drop the 3.2 or so quarts once more making it a total 4x drain and fill.

 

Well I did mistakenly say I did my 3rd drain and fill when in fact I have now done 4 drain and Fills and will be doing a 5th drain and fill. I uploaded a video.




This is the fluid I used, cheapest I found it locally was at Walmart.

Valvoline MaxLife Dexron / Mercon Automatic Transmission Fluid, 1-Gallon - Walmart.com






17.87 plus tax for a gallon. 3 gallons may do 4 drain/fill. My 2002 Acura TL Type S has 310,000 miles.


Check out the fluid color even after 4 drain/fills!

 

That fluid will kill your transmission. Best get it all out asap.

 

tranny...

 

Honda DW-1

 

In his defense, that maxlife says that it's compatible with Z-1. But I would have still gone with DW-1

 

^ AMSOIL also said it was Z1 Compatible... Still foamed and burned my trans...
Valvoline ATF or ANY "COMPATIBLE" ATF? Run from it! Run far far from it.... DW-1 ONLY!

 

Honda dealer sells cases of DW-1 discounted. You'll get 12 quarts which is enough for 3x3 then another 3 quarts in 15-20,000 miles or whenever you choose. I get it for 90 bucks a case. Why risk it to save a few bucks? They make cheaper cars to own that have less picky trans and don't need premium etc.

 

Well Let me be a Guiney Pig on the Max Life. I racked up 1500 miles already and the dreaded PO740 is gone and has not come back and the transmission has not shuttering at all anymore. Shifting very well. I don't mind seeing how long it lasts with MAX life. When It dies, I'll update, and thanks to this forum, I see I can't just swap in a Newer Accord Transmission when it does.


But hell , why not ,lets test it out so there is more citations on this fluid, and give it a track record.

 

Why kill it on purpose?

 

And your basing this on what citations and sciences?

 

Basing it on the history and known issues with these transmissions. It's your car obviously so do as you see fit, but to do an "experiment" with trans fluid that isn't for our known bad trans isn't exactly ideal unless you're looking for a reason to swap your trans.

 

Thanks for testing... plz do keep us posted say every 10k?

Some Odyssey guys love it... V Max Life. Opps the cats out. Lol

Actually you are not experimenting, your tranny was dead already by Acuraziner experts... P0740 code so, noting to lose.

 

I put MaxLife in my trans last year. It still has MaxLife in it ~ 7000 miles later. The short answer is that it works just fine.

However ~

MaxLife is designed to be compatible with many different fluid types. Our transmissions are sensitive to the type of fluid that is put in it. Also note that it is compatible with Honda Z-1 ATF. Note that Z-1 was discontinued around the time that Honda was aggressively attacking the transmission problems that was plaguing almost all vehicles of the '00-'05 era. They replaced Z-1 with DW-1.

You really need to put DW-1 in your car - I plan to change out my maxlife for DW-1 very soon.

 

No one mention this.
Red Line 30504-12PK D4 Automatic Transmission
I found several threads use this and got good review.

 

^ Redline has been used before with good results.. though DW-1 is easy to get and cheaper.

 

Would somebody be so kind as to post a link to more information on proper transmission care? I have had my TL-S for about a month, still going through everything. I know the fluid in it is the Honda stuff based on the transmission rebuild receipt from 40K ago. Fluid level is good and the color is a freaky light reddish brown. (not dirty brown)

 

You need to do a 3x3 and a trans external filter change as soon as feasable. I would consider 40k a lot of miles In between changes.

The simplest way would be to do a 1x3 with every oil change or every other oil change... No more than 15k per 1x3 ATF change and change the Trans Filter with every engine Air Filter change (30k).

.02

 

Good info! Thank you. On my to do list.

 

Went to get the Trans oil yesterday, was overwhealmed by the options. So I am clear... Honda DW-1 is what I want?

I only ask because it was the cheapest one in the store, even store brand equivalent was more!

 

^ YES! You want Honda Genuine DW-1 on your Honda owned Brand car with its Honda Transmission