Here's the thing. I bought a used 04 TL and wanted to get some maintenance out of the way since I don't know if the previous user took care of the car.

Is it safe to have an independent mechanice or some place like Jiffy Lube run this machine that's supposed to flush your engine oil and clean the sludge?

After that I'm going to have the tranny fluid and filter replaced, breaks bled and refilled and then the coolant. Not all at once though one after the other. Oh yeah and air filter. The spark plugs last.

 

I wouldn't let one of those Jilly Lube workers sit in my TL let alone work on it.

(Dont mean to offend anyone, heard some bad stories and had a bad experience)

Go to someone you know and trust or do the work yourself.

 

Flush brake fluid every year- good plan!
Coolant- not required till 5 years
Trans- read owner manual for proper procedure of drain refill x 3
Air filter- once a year
Cabin air filter- once a year

To clean the engine- read gen2 thread- Seafoamed the Ol TL, add 1 can of Seafoam cleaner to crankcase- run 5 to 15 minutes and change oil- will remove crud
Same stuff goes in intake vac line and gas tank, works like magic~

 

That was quick. Thanks guys. I wish I can do it myself but I don't have the space. Okie Dokie. I'll find a good indy shop around.

 

You can do the seafoam anywhere, it takes about 2 minutes to pour and about 10 minutes to run thru the system. This way, you can save the 100 dollars for the engine cleaning as this is the stuff they use. I would personally do the following:
Change Engine air filter
Change Cabin Filter
3X drain/refill of transmission fluid
Brake Fluid drain and fill
Change the plugs (after seafoam treatment ONLY)

 

When you say 3X drain/refill of transmission fluid

Is this done the same day? I don't get it. Is it drain .... fill .... run car .... then repeat process all over? (scratching my head)

 

The deal is that when you drain the fluid once, only 30% of it is replaced, second time, about 60% and third time 92% is replaced. This is the procedure, drain as much as possible, fill with proper fluid and switch thru the gears, Park, reverse, nuteral and drive, this will ensure that the transmission has fluid flowing, but won't make the motor hot. Drain again and refill, switch thru gears and do it one last time. The third time, don't drain and you'll be good to go.

 

correction- per azine and acura book
Warm car with 15 minutes freeway drive
drain 3 qts- thats all it will give up at a time of 7.something total in system
refill 3 qts
DRIVE 5 minutes, drain 3 add 3 drive 5 repeat 3 times
for 9 pts total used in process
use ONLY Honda ATF- same as acura but cheaper at honda dealer

Seafoam is done standing next to the car and inthe gas tank- you have room for that!

Jiffy may do the trans the way you want if you bring fluid- easy to drive in drive out there
versus dealer uses a rack- time consuming
Can be done by most at home with ramps $30

 

Thanks guys I really appreciate the input. I know I should read the owner's manual for some guidance but unfortunately since I bought the car used it didn't come with it. I just saw the link to the manuals from the garage link, I'm going to start reading.

 

Don’t do any of that. Just wait for regular maintenance. Use saved money to go for vacation. Enjoy your car, don’t spend your time washing it.

 

Seafoam or whatever fuel system cleaner you like should be a part of regular maitenance, like every few months with the winter blend fuels coming out soon

Keeping the injectors spraying nice (there are shops that clean and flow bench tune injectors for race cars,) and the valves sealing and piston top clean for full combustion-
thats all reallly important!

Maybe Petrol is cheap above the border, but here- I try to get all the economy out of the car I can for regular driving. Thats my carbon footprint offset for track days