my trans fluid is a bit dark so I was told I need to do a 3x3 drain/refill. but I'm confused because some say you just drain and then refill once but others say you do it three separate times?? which one is the proper procedure? and also .. would it hurt if I only did it once? would my fluid still be dirty? I'm not trying to spend an arm and a leg on 9 quarts of fluid I'm only 16! thanks

also .. people say Acuras need to use regular OEM/Honda trans fluid. if I use Valvoline or Royal Purple is it HONESTLY gonna mess up my trans? I live way too far from an Acura Dealer to even get any and ordering online would take over a week.

 

Most people do a 3 x 3, but you can do a few miles between each if you want. So drain 3 and replace 3. Drive around going through the gears. Pop it back up and repeat. After the third you are all set. The more you do the more you dilute the old fluid. I sometimes just do a drain and fill and then do the other two later (I drive a ton of miles per week, so after a week or two or three I do it again, and then again. The key is to get the fluid to be clear red. I do it every 30,000 miles and usually at the same time as an oil change or tire rotation since the car is up on stands anyway. BTW I use the dipstick to fill and not the fill hole.

I would only use OEM fluid but I know that others have done other wise. My current TL has over 300,000 miles because I spend the money to replace fluids on time or early. I had 2 transmissions in my 2G TL fail, so the price of fluid is worth it IMHO.

Good luck

 

Here's the thing about non-OEM ATF formulations; while they may or may not have a superior base oil, that, in and of itself is irrelevant for proper transmission operation; of foremost importance is the Coefficient of Friction (CoF), which varies for virtually every manufacturer on the planet. If you opt to use Valvoline or Royal Purple, you will be gambling on whether that "Once Size Fits All" ATF formulation happens to have the correct CoF; if it does not and is too slippery, then the clutches in your transmission will take too long to engage and they will prematurely wear, ending up in premature transmission failure. Conversely, if the CoF isn't slippery enough, the clutches will grab too quickly and transmit extra shock to the rest of the transmission and drivetrain, once again, eventually resulting in premature transmission failure.

Are you willing to gamble the health of your transmission to save a couple of dollars?

 

but your account says you're 27

also, trying to save money and then buying royal purple trans fluid..?

 

Just curious, what kind of 'set-up' do you utilize to fill at the dipstick?
TIA

 

Under the assumption the dipstick tube is located in roughly the same place as the dipstick in my 2001 V6 Honda Accord, and under the second assumption it is also roughly the same diameter, I just got one of those long tapered funnels from a local auto parts store, pulled the dipstick, snaked the funnel down into the tube, and poured (very slowly) the new ATF into the transmission.

 

LOL, yeah I've read various ways. One guy used the top of a condiment dispenser and was able to couple it to a larger container, used as a measured reservoir, and just let it gravity bleed down. There is an 'oil jet' occupying the fill hole space on my project car's tranny. It's pretty tight working down there, with big hands, so I'd rather not needle dick trying to remove it and use the dipstick tube if possible.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Clear-P...2-Oz/190299996

 

I picked up some clear flexible tubing at Home Depot. I connect that to a funnel and then hang the funnel from the hood release hook. Pour in a quart and it fills....kinda slow but works well. I push the tubing into the dipstick tube...so no leaks, no hassle. Dipstick hole is pretty small but you can find tubing pretty easily.

I think that this is the funnel and it has a handle so hangs easily from hood release hook.

 

This funnel works, but the round fitting where it shuts and opens the funnel started leaking on mine after a few years of use, just letting you know. I now use a long thinner body funnel and just shove it in between the intake tube and the fuse box into the fill hole. The fill plug is rather easy to open with a breaker bar.

 

Wow....I have been using mine for probably 8 or 9 years and have had no problems. I love that I can just hang (with carabiner) on hood and let it fill. I hate that cars now offer neither a dipstick or a fill plug under the hood. Trying to toss service $$$ to their dealers no doubt.