prod619

Hey guys. I love my Acura and would hate to get rid of it but I'm having some problems now.

I recently changed my transmission fluid on my 03 TL-S (103,000 miles) and used a cheap transmission fluid from walmart. A few weeks later while going slowly up a hill I noticed the car revving higher than usual (about 3k) but the car was barely moving (maybe 5mph or so). I also believe I heard a light grinding noise while going up the hill, I'm guessing it was the transmission. I crawled up the hill and when I got to the top everything seemed normal again. Now when I drive, I intermittently feel delayed shifts or the engine will rev abnormally higher for a split second.

I think this was all caused by the cheap ATF I used. I never had a problem until now. I plan on replacing it again with HONDA ATF ASAP. The symptoms are not very bad at this point but do you think putting back the Honda ATF will prevent it from getting worse?

Also I tried going to http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/ to see if my 03 qualified for the warranty extension to 109k miles but it looks like they took the site down! Any other ways to verify if my tranny qualifies?

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

I would do a complete 3x3 drain and fill and hope for the best.

01tl4tl

register as owner with 1-800-382-2238x5 and ask about warranty
and/or here to http://owners.acura.com/registration...erstepone.aspx
need cars VIN for both of those--online you can look at your cars info tonight

Does your car have the recall installed oil jet kit?

you can internet search acura trans vin range- compare to your car

totaledTL

^ What he said. Why did you put cheapo fluid in it to begin with?? Do you have an owner's manual?

dudeinaTL

iTrader: (1)

How did you change the fluid? If you just drained the pan & filled it back up up, you didn't really change the fluid but "diluted" it with, as you say, "cheap transmission fluid".

Could just be a coincidence though & your transmission is showing signs regardless of fluid.

01tl4tl

no--cheap fluid and the TL are a known bad mix
It was probably dex3 to make it the worst possible thing,,the thing that acura requires a 12 qt 3x3 trans fluid change to get rid of all the wrong stuff if a little was added in ` an emergency top off`

trans holds 7.3 qts with the TQ capacity--need to move a lot of fluid thru to get old out!!

There are examples of ziners whose car would not even leave the shop after a fluid change with dex3!! machine powered flush even worse!
might make it a week,,,

get the info from the online account regarding inclusion in the 7/109 vins
in the account is a `recall` section
should say Recall `oil jet kit` DONE or Complete

if covered vin :
it will say trans warranty extension OPEN
that means covered

prod619

I just drained it and filled it back up.

prod619

Yea I have no idea why I put walmart atf in my TL. I've always used the best for my TL like mobile 1 filters and synthetic oil but when it came to the transmission i just got lazy.

Ill try the 3x3 drain and fill. Does the dealership know what that is? Ill probably just do it there. Any know how much this averages at the dealership?

prod619

on the my acura page right? mine says:

Your 2003 Acura is included in the 00-04 CL & TL A/T RECALL Campaign. Description 00-04 CL & TL A/T RECALL
Status Fixed

Nothing about warranty extension though. damm

01tl4tl

dealer will rip you off on a 3x3.. if they will even do it with your miles and condition now.
couple hundred at least- they get $100 for a basic 3 qt drain and refill!!!!

you can read about it here in the diy section
it involves draining the 3 qts the trans will give up at a time, add 3 new- drive 5 minutes shifting thru each gear to move fluid to drain, drain 3 add 3 drive 5 repeat

At this point I would go speak with the service manager about GOODWILL assistance from corp-- since you are a loyal owner- had car several years,,maybe since new..hopefully you had oil changes or other work done at dealer
AND its below miles limit !!
even if not covered Vin -
which they know was total bs to settle the court case,, and not an actual fix

go to main `tranny failure thread` and read last few pages for advice on goodwill