THTL

iTrader: (2)

I just called my local Acura dealership and asked about the flush, the price that i got is $199.00. I also mention that the FLUSH is not recommend by Acura, and the service adviser told me the machine they use is different than the one other shops have. Any opinions.
thanks.

Bearcat94

You need to show the dealer the Acura Service News Articles and/or TSB's that state Acura's position on the 3 x 3 (preferred) to the "flush" (not recommended) - There are at least 2 or 3 that I've read.

I'd be concerned with a dealer serivce dept that did not follow manufacturers recomendations on items like this.


Oh, and how is it this dealer happened to end up with the one unique machine that is OK? Not likely. Everybody in the business will use the same 2 or 3 or 4 machines to do this kind of work.

01tl4tl

service writers are so full of- well---I used to be one, so figure it out from there!!
Acura new dealer service bulletin has a way for them to do the same 3x3 method that we have to drive 5 minutes to get the fluid out of the hidden parts then drain some more- repeat etc
Their new shop method is to put it on the lift and run it thru the gears up and down- then drain and refill just like we do
All they have done is eliminate the actual putting the car up and down on the lift and driving time- reduced tech time for whole job but still charge a lot,
and for newer cars of other models- with different torque convertor lockup points- thats needed to push the fluid forward in the system- they can ensure a better job that way.
In the directions is says- since we havn't updated this for a while and certain cars need yadayada
It does not say our DIY 3x3 is improper on a gen 2 or 3 TL

They CANT use a machine as acura has installed a blocking plate of metal just below where they would try and suck fluid from- just to prevent speedieriffic shops from doing that to the TL transmission!!
so we get far more results by opening the drain plug (made just to drain trans fluid and has a magnet to grab metal shavings that are normal part of wear-- imagine that!!)
and allowing the 3 qts in the pan to drain out- thats all the trans will give up at one draining
note!! the shifter valves and torque converter are holding another 4.3 qts- they only way to get it out, is drive and shift thru each gear- that pushes the fluid from them and allows new stuff to fill the system
Drain and refill- drive 5 minute thru all the gears and repeat
9 qts does a good job of pushing out 7....

Do it yourself at home- honda zr1 atf is 6-7 bucks a qt at honda- probably more at acura for same exact stuff- some private-local import parts places carry honda fluid as well.
Do not use anything added to it- and dont try other brands- honda has secret sauce in their ATF and power steering- and the coolant too!
Parts store will happily sell you ramps for $30- a drain pan $10 and some rags too- then you can do the trans and engine oil at home -
and look at the CV boots for tears- inspect the car underneath for damage from road debris etc

SRT-11

dood, save 100 bucks and get the better fluid too!

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/atf.aspx

Get the 2.5gallon container, that's enough for three changes. I changed it, only took about two hours. not bad. Plenty of how-to's. it's actually easier than changing oil, as there's no filter to replace.

avs007

Not really. Somebody already did a chemical analysis of the coolant, it looks just like the other Japanese Big-3 coolants. Most people like the Toyota-Red coolant, since it's the cheapest of the three....

The main difference between japanese coolants and american coolants, is that japanese coolants are phosphate, borate, and silicate free. European coolants are phosphate free.. Typical american coolants have all of these.

Phosphates will east the seals on waterpumps used by japanese companies. However, Peak (and now Prestone) have "All-Vehicle Formulas" that have the same composition as the japanese coolants. (Somebody did a chemical analysis on the Peak Global.)

So no secret sauce in the coolant

01tl4tl

ok you got me- I was including the coolant because megamod and superguru fsttyms says to use the OE coolant- and he has 250,000 miles on his Tl so far

I have something else in my car- did a 5 year change based on info that the stuff in coolant breaks down and goes acidic- not something I thought was a good plan in an aluminum enviroment--
but I have been wrong 5- no 6 times already this year- and its only may

01tl4tl

srt
how long have you been running amsoil in the automatic trans of a TL?
- I know its a great product, but heard mixed results (like everything discussed here) on its use in the transmission on a long term basis. Smoother shift and protecting the clutches may not be the same goals

We used redline and amsoil in the race cars- so thats my only referance- not street uses

SouthernBoy

Gentlemen;

I'm getting close to needing an ATF replacement in my "other" TL - an '05 automatic.. the wife's. Since I don't buy or use cars with automatic transmissions for myself, I have never done an ATF change on an automatic (another reason to own a manual).

Would it be a safe bet to take her car to a Goodyear Tire and Auto shop, which is close by, for this? I think they flush out the tranny but I'm not certain.

Thoughts/comments are most welcome.

01tl4tl

NEVER take it to goodyear or anyplace that is not an acura -honda specialty shop
They are likely to use dextron fluid- that not good! and there is no magic suction machine that works on the TL- they lie!!!! ask how they get the hose past the special blocking plate inside the trans ---- built to resist such operations!!!
If you can change your own oil you can do this- there no spin on filter to deal with.

Bearcat94

You can do this yourself if you want to. Sounds pretty straight foward.

C-012: DIY: 5AT tranny fluid change and fluid level check procedure
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/anybody-good-xp-89064/


What ever you do, make sure it is 3 x 3 drain (not flush) and refill with Acura/Honda ATF.

Acura3GTL

how do u fill the atf? do we need to pump it in?

Bearcat94

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...707O00288A.pdf

TL1999

tell your service adviser to go back to do some more ACURA training.

SRT-11

I replaced it in February or March and it's worked flawlessly, and shifted absolutely great ever since. I know that isn't long term, but so far I really like it!!!

RR said he likes it too and he did his a good while back

01tl4tl

go back and talk with the SERVICE MANAGER about the lies being told by the advisors.
Then tell acura corp too

SouthernBoy

Thanks for the link. I seem to recall seeing that back when it was written. Looks very simple and straight forward and I do have an '04 Service Manual to boot.


One last question for you automatic people. I have read where a few people on this site recommend waiting until 50,000 miles to do the first drain and fill. Is that right?? What do y'all generally recommend/do for an automatic drain and fill?

(you can see I am really green with automatics - had to learn all over again how to drive one - been with manuals all my driving life).

Legend2TL

I change the ATF on Honda/Acura's at every ~15-20K miles with Honda ATF, but I only do the single drain and fill. You'll be surprised how much metal fillings will be on the drain plug magnet. Even with the gear lube kit on my wife's Pilot it take's ~15 minutes to do a drain and fill. Also the drain plug is a 3/8" square drive, so all you need is a ratchet (not even a socket) to loosen.

In the past I've done the 3 drain and fill, but thought the single changes more frequently would be better for transmission life.

SouthernBoy

Oops. She's over 35,000 miles on the factory fill. Guess I should plan to do this soon.

Will Y.

Our TL manual calls for changing the auto trans fluid when either A3 or B3 shows on the MID, or otherwise at 60K miles initially, then every 30K miles thereafter.

Due to the problems with the V6/auto trans combo on the 1998-2004 Accords and Odysseys and the pre-2004 Acuras, many people change out the auto trans fluid @ every 30K miles. Our independent Honda/Acura mechanic's shop includes a trans fluid change on the 30K service for the non-MID Ody and V6/auto trans Hondas. I had my mechanic do the drain-and-fill (which I understand the Honda/Acura literature call a "flush," although they recommend AGAINST using any fluid evacuation machine) on the TL at the B2 service, which was about 29K miles.

SouthernBoy

Thanks to you and the others who offered info about this. When it comes to automatics, I am d-u-m-b.