I called about my B12 maintenance and I was asked if I would like to have my brake fluid and transmission fluids changed while they were in there. The import repair shop (not a dealer) said they preferred a 30k interval on these fluids even though Acura does not suggest it. Any thoughts on the subject? I've read a few posts where people have changed trans fluid at 30k but they were sporty racer types and others said they went 60k or more. Just trying to get a feel for the shop and whether or not this is a money opportunity or really a good thing. [08 TL]

 

thats not a bad idea. the factory intervals are long to give the illusion that the cost of ownership is low. the fluids are cheap and changing sooner will not have any downside at all except a few dollars

 

I like 30k miles for the transmission. For brake fluid, I do it once a year.

 

Acura's 3G TL maintenance schedule actually requires a change of brake fluid every 3 years, regardless of mileage.
Many people recommend a change of auto trans fluid every 30K, rather than waiting for the MM code to appear, due to past issues with 1998-2003 Acura & Honda auto trans.

The shop is probably using the pre-MM, mileage-based maintenance schedule for Hondas & Acuras, but that's not a bad thing.

 

I thought it was once you reach 3 years then you do it every year after that.

I still like to do it every year regardless of what the interval says. Just my personal preference.

 

Nope, every 3 years. Pg 211. I stick with the Acura recommended interval and haven't had a problem.

 

I would do at least a single drain and refill on the transmission every 15K if you are still using the Honda Z1. If you are using a good fluid, then every 30 or 60K might be OK.

I changed 1 year old brake fluid and it was hardly dirty. I might go back to changing it when I put pads on.

 

Thanks guys. I'm just getting into doing things myself on my TL (thanks to this community) and since I'm at my interval now and it's pretty wet and cold here I think I'll have them do it this time but will try these next time DIY.