Does anyone know of a way to take the best care of the fragile transmission? I just got my TL last May, it has 170k. My parents bought it for me so I never got a chance to look at the carfax and I have no idea when or if the transmission was ever changed. I'm trying really hard to baby it, but its hard to not to let the 3.2 v6 loose. I've been watching videos of people showing whats wrong with their transmissions and from what I noticed most of the blown transmissions would only kick into gear when the driver lifted their foot off the gas. So pretty much since I've owned the car I 100% of the time drive in sport shift and every time I shift I lift my foot off the gas and wait for the gear change and don't apply gas until at least 0.5-2 seconds after the clutch has engaged. Almost like driving a stick but with a computer controlled clutch. I have totally mastered this technique, But I don't know if this really worth it or not. Does anyone know what the best way to take care of these transmissions is?? This seems like a good way to keep it healthy but I won't really know until the transmission gives out. Any other ideas would be great to hear.

Thanks, and I'm new to this forum so I'm a little lost.

 

Keep the fluid changed, the spin on filter on top, and don't use sport shift to do high rpm downshifts

 

There really isn't much of anything you can do. The best thing to do is clean the shift solenoids and keep the fluid clean.

 

Call up Acura and ask them. They can tell you if your transmission was replaced and when.

 

Ease on the gas when the gears shift is a perfect technique to avoid hard engagement. Avoid sudden brake with an immediate acceleration, as it will jam the gears hard. Drain and fill fluid every 15-20k miles, change filter every 100k, add BG Transmission Act Plus; dealer used it on odyssey with good results. Picking up the speed slowly is not always good. You must pick up the speed accordingly so that the gears shifts smoothly, otherwise it will jerk hard. The speed varies when the car is cold and already warmed up; you just have to know your car as I believe every car is different from many aspects eventhough it came from the same mold.

 

Hey Carson-TL, go to your local Acura dealership's service dept. and ask them to look up the recall history of your car's vin#. They should be able to tell you if the tranny was replaced or if the oil jet was installed at the original time of recall. It's possible that another owner had replaced it at some time.

As these guys previously stated, .......just perform a drain & fill using Honda fluid, replace the filter and clean the solenoids if you're experiencing shift problems.

Personally, I'd just let the tranny do it's own shifting, instead of the temptation of using the sport shift.

What makes you think that it is fragile ? Are you experiencing shifting problems ?

 

The reason why I shift like its a manual is because if I shift without letting off the gas it seems to grab the gear a little rough and the clutch drops pretty quick, sometimes so quick I peel out. Its not a super rough shift though (nothing out of the ordinary), its more the point right after it shifts and before the clutch engages that the rpms build and the clutch doesn't seem to grab right. I don't really know, I just found that If I let off the throttle its like it slows everything down and shifts smoother.
I'm just trying to be cautious because its almost at 200k and I'm only 17 and I want this car to last me a while. I am basically just asking everyone what they do to take care of their transmission, or if they know of any tricks to expand its life, but it sounds like everyone is saying the same thing.
I am pretty sure the ATF hasn't been touched for ages so I will definitely drain it and clean out the solenoid my next oil change.
Thanks everyone!

 

shifting quick will add less stress and heat than a slow shift. A slow shift will mean the clutches are slipping to create a smooth shift but its what adds the heat and the wear and eventual failure.

 

Oh seriously?? damn okay I didn't know that! well I guess the best way to drive it is to drive it like normal.

But I'm stuck in the habit of doing this soooo I might just continue...we'll see.

But is it really that bad to let off the pedal when the gears change? I mean I guess I don't understand how an A/T really works. I know how to drive a stick and you obviously don't want to apply any gas when shifting, soooo why would you want to keep your foot planted when an A/T shifts?

 

You asked how to prolong the tranny but when you are given a way to do so you just disregard it? The longer the shift takes the longer the clutches are engaged the more friction is created. More friction means more heat. Heat is not good for transmissions. When driving a manual you don't let the clutch out THEN gas it. It's simultaneous. The TL transmission is an automatic transmission. They shift themselves, you just press the gas.

 

i guess that ended this thread.

 

ooohhh...Okay you make a valid point...

What I meant by continuing to drive this way is it's going to be really hard to get out of this habit because lifting off the gas when shifting is so automatic to me. But when I drove to and from work today I see what you mean and it makes a lot more sense to just drive it like normal....aaaannnnd it is a little bit smoother which now totally contradicts this whole thread I started...

I'm just a big idiot haha.

 

Well Carson-TL, you're not an idiot !
It appears that you are only trying to learn about the TL's tranny issues. I think that this is all good and part of the learning curve for a new owner wanting to fully utilize the "sport shift" feature of our cars. The temptation to unleash the power is buffered by thoughts of blowing the tranny. That creates mixed emotions, bummer man !

 

Don't beat on it and another tip is when you start the car let the engine warm up with the trans for at least 3 to 4 minutes. If you want a trans I will be selling mine in the spring. Out of a 03 TL-S. No issues but a little jerks from 1st to 3rd once in a long while. 130K miles currently and still running strong. Let me know if you're interested

 

You should look into a transmission cooler. They're relatively inexspensive and will help your tranny run a lot cooler. I recently had my tranny go out...got a used one with 80,000 miles on it for $1000 with $300 for labor. I'm looking into getting one ASAP. I think you can get a Comptech cooler for like $150..or go with a B&M cooler for about $60. Also look into high performance fluid..a lot of members recommend Amsoil synthetic.

 

Also USE THE OEM Honda/Acura Fluid!

 

Cool thread. I bought my 02 TL-S @ 114, 000 kms. An Acura dealer confirmed the tranny was repaired @ 83, 000 kms. I'm now @ 247,000 kms, and so far am ok. The tranny survived a flush and fill at a trans shop. I had read it would destroy the thing. It was an impulse since the guy did it for $40 cash on a Saturday when the shop was closed.

No problem. Admittedly, I was a bit worried for a few kms afterward, LOL

I have since used only the drain and fill factory fluid change method........

I drive it mostly highway. The sportshift is an excellent winter driving option, esp in the city.

All in all, I drive it normally, with a bit of aggression on ocassion....can't resist sometimes !

I think the transmissions fail regardless of driving style, but proper maintenance will keep it going longer than if none is done. Frequent ( every 30 or 40K kms ) fluid changes will help, using the factory fluid. Avoid beating the car around when it's still cold for sure.

It's a fun car, so have fun with it and worry less....if you can. A new trans is still less than what a replacement vehicle of this calibre will cost you.

Enjoy your car !
Mike

 

Okay so I some how stumbled onto the wikipedia article about the TL. I know it's wikipedia, but this is confusing me now...it says "Transmissions replaced prior to March 2005 usually fail again. Transmissions replaced on 3/2005 and later include a redesigned 3rd gear clutch pack reported to fix the problem." Here look for your self, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_TL Under 2001, its the last sentence of the second paragraph. I've never heard this but I really want to believe it since I know mine was replaced after 2005.

 

where are these "solenoids" located.???

 

Here it is; 99 and newer models are slightly different.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...solenoid+clean

 

How do you clean the solenoids?

 

Hey man, once ya find the solenoids and pull them off to inspect......you learn to improvise the cleaning procedure accordingly ! Not all that difficult to do, if ya take your time.