This may seem like a stupid q but here goes

I bought my 2000 3.2TL private and the guy before me was the only owner. He had changed the transmission at AAMCO and everything is fine...I went to check the fluid today (while the car was running and engine warm) and it seems normal from the level of fluid....however I noticed the color wasn't a RED color...did i check the wrong dipstick?

This is the one on the bottom RIGHT (if you are standing infront of the car engine) near the battery....

is something wrong with the fluid? Did AAMCO use a synthetic tranny fluid giving it a color similar to that of brand new synthetic oil?

pls help cuz now I'm worried

 

Sounds like you checked the correct fluid and when new it should be reddish in color. If you concerned, you can easily change it. Search the threads and you'll find how easy it is to change - I think it's easier than oil.

You'll need 3 or 6 quarts (depending on if you double change it) of Honda ATF fluid and the new crush washers for the drain and fill. You can do this yourself for under $50 and you'll at least feel better.

Rob

 

honestly I don't want to change it before I know where it needs changing....I mean are ALL transmission fluids red?

I've heard of synthetic transmission fluids....can this be a case of synthetic fluid? Cuz synthetic is usually a goldish color and this is what im seeing on the dipstick

 

First off- how many miles on the car and the new trans?
It must have been over 100k miles for someone to take it to Aamco

The Acura NEEDS Special Honda atf, not sold in stores

It is not uncommon for a private shop to replace a TL trans and
put in whatever Dextron they use in almost everything else made today.

It happens. You need to protect your $4000 transmission with the $60 3x flush method.

NOTE :
Per my 2001 TL owner book-
To check fluid level;
PARK on level surface with car at normal operating temp
Shut OFF engine- trans stick has Yellow handle
Remove-Clean- Insert-Remove and read- should be between the marks
Dextron 3 may be added as a TEMPORARY replacement
However continued use can affect shift quality
Have trans flushed and refilled with Honda ATF-Z1
using the 3x flush method

Sounds like you should read the Aamco invoice for oil used and even go ask them

Then go ahead and do the flush as per book and threads here

 

hmmm...pls elaborate on the 3X tranny flush method?
besides the dealer...where can i get the honda ATF-Z1?

car has 130,000 miles

 

1. Drain - Refill - Drive to warm up tranny
2. Drain - Refill - Drive to warm up tranny
3. Drain - Refill

Dealers are the only place. Why don't you want to buy from a dealer?

 

This is all done in one day? So pretty much drive around the block then come back to drain it and refill it? How many quartz of the ATF will I need for this? And I'm putting in brand new ATF everytime? Or can I drain the OLD ATF then refill with the new, drive then drain that and put it back in for another drive or no?

I just thought I might be able to do it this w/e and I know the dealership parts/service close on weekends....

 

Well you can do it all in one day but I took a few to do mine. The problem is that you can't get all of the old ATF fluid out in one shot. If you drain it, 3 quarts will come out of the 6 that are in the tranny. So by the 3x method you blend them all together then remove as much of the old stuff as you can. Yes, everything that you put into the tranny needs to be new not used. You will use 3 quarts on every drain and fill.

If you go to a Honda dealer you can buy the ATF fluid for less than if you go to an Acura dealer, I'm told. I'm sure that you can also buy it online as well.

Rob

 

That depends on how big your block is. The goal is to get the tranny warmed up and shift through all the gears a few times. A 5 mile round trip is plenty.

3

Yes, new tranny fluid each time. Why would you want to put used fluid back in?

Plan ahead. Stop by the dealer during the week and pick up 10 qts.

 

Search this as well. there are great DIYs on how to change it. Its easier than changing your oil