I brought my 05 TL in to have the Automatic Transmission Fluid changed and I am questioning whether or not they actually changed it. The fluid looks like the same shade of brown it was when I checked it the day prior to dropping it off. They said they put in ATF-Z1 fluid..... isn't all ATF pink because what is in there is brown and looks used

 

yea, it's pink. look on your service receipt and see if they did a 1x3 and filled with 3 quarts (one drain and fill) or did a full 3x3 with 9 quarts (3 consecutive drain and fills to get most of the old fluid out).

 

^most liketly that done a 1x3 drain fill.

Still need to do 2x drain/fills. DIY, its easy and will save you alot of money

 

The receipt says 3qt.... however wouldn't draining and filling it once make a differance in the appearance and odor of the oil because it doesn't appear to have been touched

 

It might not make a huge difference in color, especially if the fluid is pretty nasty.

 

The fluid wasn't nasty it was light brown like motor oil

 

Yeah doin a 1x3 wont help much at all if the fluid is already old and brown. get 9 more qts and do a 3x3 yourself, its very easy. I do my own work cause I dont trust any shop to do it right anymore.

 

I would have it drained again and refill twice. I have an 06 and I bought it used certified pre-owned with 61620 and the fluid was changed prior from purchasing the vehicle and mine looked like brownish red color but I had it drained and refill a week later and it looks pinkish red now. If your going to stick with factory fluid my suggestion would be to change the fluid every 10,000 to 20,000 miles prefered 10k to 15k and doing just one drain and fill

 

That is nasty for ATF.

 

After you do the first drain&refill, you will have 40% new fluid mixed with 60% old fluid. This is why you will do two more drain&refills. After doing three drain&refill, you will have 79% new fluid mixed with 21% old fluid.

The tranny holds 7.6 qts. With each drain, you are able to drain just 3 qts.

Here is the drain/fill percentage chart

1= 40%
2= 73%
3= 79%
4= 88%
5= 93%
6= 96%
7= 98%
8= 99%
9= 100%

Note - These percentages are for the Base 5AT TL. The Type-S 5AT might differ.

 

Should I change the filter too..... is there any good D.I.Y. threads on the granny flush and filter change..... ohh well I guess I got to drive around in a new TL for the weekend (in which now I want one) and got my car cleaned inside and out out of this deal

 

C-036: DIY Transmission Filter Replacment With Pics (click here)
C-036: Transmission filter change how to with pics (click here)
The RR Journals: ATF drain and refill 3G Garage #C-012 (click here)
C-026: DIY Changing ATF (with Pics) (click here)
Advice for my first ATF change (click here)
Time to change transmission fluid? (click here)
Tranny fluid change at 17k? (click here)
Auto-trans fluid change method? (click here)
Racing ATF (click here)
AMSOIL Synthetic Transmission Fluid VS Redline D4 ATF (click here)
Did a 3x3 today with Redline D4, with some first impressions (click here)
Very interesting conversation with my transmission builder on the TL (click here)

 

Thanks for all the input... I will attempt the other 2 drain and refills this weekend with a filter change on the backside

 

Update: I changed the filter and attempted the transmission fluid change however the plug was on so tight (from the dealer changing it the weekend before) that I couldn't get it to crack loose. So I yelled at the dealer and they changed it using my supplied fluid. Now it looks like a nice dark red like it did in the bottle. It also feels like it shifts a little quicker as well and I haven't noticed any shuttering either

 

Thanks for the helpful info.... how often do I have to do the 3X3 procedure and replacing of the filter. I travel 20k miles per year mostly highway miles and I just want to make sure this car is properly maintained

 

Don't waste your money on Z1. There is so much info out there on what you should use, I can't believe people still use OEM junk.

 

What else can I use and is it compatible withe z1

 

The link above titled "Racing ATF" says it all.

The short verion is every ATF is compatable with the 5at.

A racing "type F" fluid will greatly reduce clutchpack wear and extend the life of the trans. Z1 is about the worst fluid you can use. Honda should be sued for pushing this stuff and saying it's all you can use. Redline Racing is the preferred fluid but anything will do.

 

Not for nothing but I just did the 3x3 drain yesterday and the S went from shifting kinda rough and just really smooth, to driving and shifting like butter. Just as when i signed the papers and rolled her off the lot.

note: i did the 3x3 and then drained it again the third time, and added the Royal Purple ATF... simply amazing.