Im not talking about the guys

Did a flush with reg ATF from valvoline, after driving 50 miles i went back home drained the valvoline and added amsoil ATF synthetic fluid. I must say this is the first time i am switching the ATF on my 09 tsx 5 speed auto and its like night and day. I'm used to only using the honda atf on my honda's but for 60.00 for 4 quarts (amsoil ATF) i think its worth it.

 

You realize that you only replaced a third of the fluid, right? The trans hold's about 9 quarts and you get 3 quarts out of a drain. Horrible procedure to do a complete (as possible) change, but the 3x3 will get most of it changed (drain, drive, drain, 3 times). I realize that the Honda fluid is expensive (though I've found it on ebay for like $9 a quart), but from what I've read here (and elsewhere) over the years, I wouldn't even consider using anything else in my AT's.

 

Correct. Honda transmissions are very sensitive and the Honda fluid contains special additives. If you have problems down the road, they may blame it on the use of non-honda fluid.

The OP may now require a complete tranny flush with the proper fluid.

 

$9 a QT on eBay, really?? That stuff is only $8.23 at my local acura/Honda dealer

 

Using unapproved fluids always puts your warranty at risk.

Using unapproved fluids that meet no standards (except the vague claim that it "exceeds specifications") is just plain foolish.

Don't get me started on amSOIL and Royal Poopie.

 

Honda transmissions have a rough history and i would assume using the correct fluid prolongs their life as long as possible.

 

how much does Acura charge for a full flush?

 

You're right, I mis-remembered. I got 9 qrts for $60.

 

I drain and fill mine at my shop every 15k miles. When i worked at honda and someone asked for a full flush..we would just take out drain plug from the transmission pump honda atf (from the gun) while someone was inside the car shifting the gears.

All shops do this.

 

Bought some DW-1 from Bernardi online and did it this weekend. Almost exactly 3 qts. came out, maybe an ounce shy. Wiped off the magnetic plug, reinstalled, and dumped in 3 quarts. I have 30k miles on my 2011 and it was pretty dirty. May have to start doing it every 15K instead of 30K. This is a really simple project anyone can do. Its easier than changing oil.

 

Actually, it's not really dirty (it better not be anyway; it's a completely sealed system), the fluid changes color due to repeated heat cycles. I realize that many here change their ATF fairly regularly, and I suppose as a feel good measure that's OK. It is kind of a waste though; even the severe service recommended interval is 60K miles. Much will depend on how the miles are accumulated. Constant slow speeds, short trips (which don't allow the fluid to reach operating temp) and/or stop and go traffic will tax the fluid much more compared to all highway driving (for instance). I'd suggest you're fine replacing 3 quarts every 30K miles. That's a third of the total, and should maintain acceptable fluid quality.

 

I wonder, instead of drain>filling>then drive x3, couldn't you drain the transmission fluid from the supply hose of the radiator? I know this is what you do for nissan's cvt altimas. Is is the same for tsx?

 

It is doable (it is for the 1st gen anyway, so I assume it's the same for the later cars). It's more work though, kind of messy, and may be beyond what many here would do.

 

Got a b13 service done yesterday at dealership and they charged me 300$ for it. And that was also not having them rotate my tires. Also i asked if they did the 3x3 change and he just laughed and said that would be pretty expensive. I dont know why the dealer doesnt know the correct way to drain and fill a tranny or is it really just not nesasary to do a 3 time drain

 

The 3x3 is the DIY'er mathematical way, not the dealer way. Of course he'd laugh at you. I don't think dealers actually do a full vacuum drain and fill anymore.

Look at your service bill. My money is on them doing a ~3qt ATF drain and fill.

 

Ok so it sounds like the people that do the 3x change are overdoing it then. If its not at all required than y spend so much money. It would be like washing your car 3 times in a day, or changing the oil three times. Some things are just not needed and clearly this is one of them

 

No one ever said it was overdoing or not needed. The 3x3 method is the only way for DIY'ers to get the most new ATF in and old out due to the design of the automatic tranny case.

Comparing it to washing the car/oil change 3x is way off.

Dealers don't do the 3x3 if they are vacuuming the ATF out and refilling.

Again, look at your service bill and see how much ATF they put into your car. They should list the full details of the service provided.

 

Actually, washing the car three times isn't a bad idea. Take a clean sponge, drying cloths and water each time and I'd bet your water looks pretty bad after each was and the drying cloths need a wash too.

 

You bring up a point that many DIY'ers overlook - that the dealerships have specialized equipment and tools that are beyond the reach of the average curbside mechanic. Accordingly, DIY methods are often adapted to obtain similar results.


In some cases, the dealer results are better but in most cases the dealer methods merely save time or money for the tech.

 

I understand doing it three times gets more of the old fluid out. Why not do it 10x. The point is there is no difference from doing it one time...3 times or ten times.

 

You're not serious right?

 

Unfortunately, I think he is serious.


Let's see if we can explain it in a way that he can understand it.


Using the DIY method to drain fluid, only about a third comes out.


When you fill it back up, you end up with 1/3 clean and 2/3 dirty.


Drain a third, fill and you're left with 1/3 clean and the remainder is 3/6 dirty and another 3/6 clean


Do it one more time and the clean fluid is far greater than the dirty fluid.


Yes, he's right, doing it 10 times would result in cleaner fluid - but once is useless.

 

It's ok. He's never going to DIY the tranny drain/fill anyways. Keep paying the dealer's lube tech with a high school diploma and shrug your shoulders when anyone asks anything about your car.

 

I actually just drained until it stopped and then jacked the opposite side of car up and more drained out. Just keep it simple and cheap. No need to throw money down the drain. Of course if you want to brag about how clean your tranny fluid is than more power to ya id rather spend my money on beer

 

Wait .. you paid $300.00 for a B123 service, then came home and did a tranny drain and fill?

 

Ok i had to chime in , i work at an independent repair shop , i just wanted to clear something up with the flushing business , i just flushed mine today , never heard of this vacum ? refilling business , maybe some places do that but i doubt it . the flush machine connects to the trans cooler lines and the transmission pumps out the fluid and the machine pumps it in at the same rate , pretty simple .

i usually put more fluid in the machine than the trans actually holds just to ensure its really clean when done. anywhere from 12 to 14qts.

our fluid is a multi=purpose synthetic , i added some BG LS2 differential treatment in other words friction modifier.

we only charge $120 , but i'm in kansas.

 

Pretty sure this is exactly what Honda advises against doing (based on everything I've read here over the years). Also, regardless of how much (or how little) success others have had using ATF other than the specified Honda fluid, I'd never use anything but the latest Honda ATF.

 

Another example of why it is important to choose your independent garage carefully.


What is multi-use synthetic? Can you use it to fry fries and fish? Does it also double as brake fluid? Dish washing soap? Will it replace blinker fluid?


While you might get the 17 year old high school dropout doing oil changes at the dealership, unless it is his first day at work he'll know how to use the tools and will use the right fluids (not sure you can say that for all dealerships but with Acura they only have one type of fluid for each system)

 

i will make it short , my gilfriend took her car their for a oil change and to try to get them to fix a vibration on her 2012 under warranty ,

they couldnt duplicate vibration of course , but recommend flushes on everything , trans , coolant, brake, and Power steering ..and filters

all her filters are clean , this car has 50k miles , and extended life coolant that is perfectly clean.

her car is 4 gen. IT has electric assisted steering , but yet they said the fluid was dirty .

things that make you go HMM. so you guys can trust the all mighty dealerships ..

i have talked to way to many trans rebuilders , to me it seems strange that you wouldn't want to change all the fluid .

there are no magical properties in honda fluid , there is not enough friction material in it actually , hence the reason i put friction modifier in .

i know many will dis agree , but keep on paying the dealer .

i have fixed many a car , that the dealers were wrong about not just acura or honda . i am not the best by any means but , neither are most the dealer techs.