Personally, I'm paranoid as hell around these transmissions. I would change 3 quarts at each oil change until the fluid looks and smells ok. What would I use? My own car has redline racing atf, half of it is the lightweight stuff. I haven't quite got the nerve to sell it to the general public yet. I worry about going to small claims court and having to defend myself against a tech or writer from Honda who would no doubt expertly testify that only Honda fluid must be used.
You're in a position where your trans might fail tomorrow, no matter what you do. Honda fluid never gets blamed......it's the trans. Any other fluid, and the trans dies.... blame the fluid.
Read the thread "redline racing atf", then decide. By the way, my trans has recently started to flare going into 3rd and 4th. I'm at about 105,000 mi.

 

thats a good service history on the trans,,do another 3 qt change (may drain up to 3.4)
and keep it healthy

maybe try the new honda fluid

 

yeah. just bought the new honda fluids. I was just wonderin if i should continue the drain and fill or i am better off doin the flush in the video and totally replace all the fluid out.

 

i just went to the d4 and it has improved the shift quality dramatically, no more shutter between 2 and 3 and more of a solid feel between all of the gears. very happy.


i did the 3x3 with a drive up and down the highway in between all of the drains and i will be doing it one more time now that i am at 1000 since switching.

 

keep us posted on the long term effects of redline type-f and d4.

anyone could dump new fluid in and see a temporary improvement, what will be the test is if long term use is suable for 2g TL trannys. i doubt you could ever switch back to honda fluid after going redline, but we will see, i still need to see more evidence before i start dumping redline in my tranny. but so far it not looking bad.

 

With the method mentioned here what would you use as for the first fill instead of dexron. If this method is use would you only have to use 3 Quarts of Redline ATF?

 

Uhh, no. It changes out ALL of the ATF, so you would need ~8.4(?). Do NOT put dexron in the tranny! Just put in Redline straight up. When it changes color, stop because your done. No need to do it again (Unless you have lot of money to waste).

If you have a 2004 TL, your tranny might be different. I'm not sure about the 3G transmissions.

 

supposed to be 7.3 qts total capacity, including torque convertor

I would run shift lever thru the gears with the above method too, get fluid pumped out of everywhere

 

If you are doing a multiple Drain & Fill, all you need to do is drive the car long enough to use all the modes....Forward, Reverse, Overdrive lockup, etc. Engine must be at normal operating temp for the ECU to allow overdrive.

I drive to the nearby freeway and get up to speed...takes me maybe 15 minutes. Then I'm ready to do another drain. Negotiating the driveway takes care of reverse.


PS: i felt the difference with the first drain installing DW-1. Then I did it one more time.

 

there seem to be a lot of differing opinions here. so I need some nisight on my situation. my 99 tl has 155K miles, and I have only used honda ATF. I am tempted to switch to redline, but should I do the 3x3, 3x1, or should I just stick with the honda fluid?

Also, is there a general 150K mile checkup list that is out there, that I can hand to my mechanic. want to get everything checked out. thanks!

oh and btw I am on my original tranny. neve really had any issues, knock on wood

 

I say, if your trans is doing OK on Honda fluid, why change?

Regards a comprehensive list of service items: Look no farther than your owner's manual. See what is due by Miles or Months...and instruct your tech to do those things.

Our '99 needs brake pads every 75K miles, might be worth an inspection at 150K.

 

thanks buff. should I do the 3x3, or am I asking for problems?

 

A good baseline (over 90% fresh fluid) can be obtained with the 3X drain and fill. No issues will be created with a D&F, IMO.


If you still have issues, it's time to start cleaning all the little screens under the solenoids and in the controller under the battery box.

But eventually the Torque Converter clutches (am I right here?) will wear out and fail... Much sooner if you don't do regular fluid changes.

 

I actually had 3 qts of DW1 sitting in the garage, so I did a quick 3X1 change this weekend. fluid looked pretty clear, and the plug was fine, so I don't think I'll be doing a 3X3. I usually change the tranny fluid every other oil change. we'll see what happens

 

Maybe some of you can help me with this. I just picked up a 02 tls and decided to change the trans fluid just cause i didnt know what was in there and I figured some new fluid would hurt. The weird things is that I drained close to 4 qts if not more. I heard the most that should come out is 3.4? Anyway I filled with 3 qts. and checked the stick and its actually a little high. So my question is am I supposed to fill what I drained? Or should I leave it to where I have it now or drain a little bit since its actually high right now (past the second hole). As of now I only drained and filled once because I wanted to see how it reacted and I don't know its its just me but I don't really feel a difference. Maybe I have to drive it more. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

 

Dont add more if its showing high on the dipstick. You should drain a little out if its still a little high.

 

Are you certain you drained 4 qts., or just a guess?
Did you chk. it per the o/m- warmed up, parked on level ground, eng. off ?

 

Yup I'm sure. I used one of those 2qt containers. Drained it into the container I use for oil changes and poured it out 2 qts at a time. Did that twice and there was still I little left. I suppose there could have been some left over motor oil but I know for sure not that much.
And yes I checked it on a level surface with the engine warm. I even parked at a different spot and checked it. I tried drove it around then checked it and it's still the same.
Is it possible that the previous owner filled it too much and the trans working just fine with that much more fluid?
Sorry for all the questions even though nothing is wrong. I just don't want this trans to go since there's so many failures. Thanks!