BigMiko

Wow that seems like a little over kill and waste of money.

BradE

It's cheap insurance. I'd rather pay for fluid than $3,000 for a new trans, wouldn't you?

grodri02

Amsoil or Redline???? Going to do a drain and fill soon. Im at 20k btw.

Inaccurate

"I Hate Cars" stated in another thread that "[Redline] seems to have the best base oil". He didn't say anything negative about Amsoil ATF. So, I assume the Amsoil ATF is good stuff too.

BradE

Either is fine. As stated, Redline does use better base stock. Redline uses Group V ester, Amsoil uses Group IV PAO. Both are superior to the Z1 factory fluid.

grodri02

^^^^^Thanks!

I'm planning to do a ATF drain/fill everytime I do my oil change at about 5k miles (I use mobil 1)...but after ther 3rd fill Im going to leave the synthetic ATF (either Amsoil or Redline) for a longet time period...maybe 30k miles or 4 years! Comments?

CubanLynx84

iTrader: (2)

So here's another question if I'm gonna do a 3x3 for the 1st & 2nd changes should use the oem fluid then on the final refill use either redline or amsoil. Cause obviously you don't use the fluids your flushing the system with over right?

Inaccurate

You add the new expensive Amsoil or RedLine oil ($$) with each of the flushes. Add $$, and flush the $$ after just a few miles... do this 3 times. You will be flushing the new expensive Amsoil or RedLine oil ($$) three times.

Please read this thread to learn why.

The RR Journals: ATF drain and refill 3G Garage #C-012 (click here)

Be sure to see my post (Post #62 on Page 2) in that linked thread. This explains how your new fluid gets mixed with the old fluid.

I hate cars

The Amsoil has been great. The Redline *should* be a little better but that's all theory. I'm changing partially out of boredom.

Those of you changing your synthetic every oil change, I only suggest that for Z1. It's not necessary to change the synthetic as often.

Red Voodoo

The TL tranny fiasco has yet to cease to amaze me. 15-20k change intervals for OEM "recommended" fluid is outrageous for any vehicle. I can't complain much about the problem, tho... I did not do my research on this before I chose this car. It was kind of an impulse buy. As much of a love affair I have with my TL, this information would have probably been a nail in the coffin for the car. I need to check the condition of my fluid now...

BradE

For those thinking of switching to Redline D4, the link below is where I got mine. $99.99 for a 12 quart case. After shipping it came out to $109 and change. I got mine in 2 days, pretty fast shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-D4-AT...6536358&sr=1-8

yienkou

glad I saw this thread, I'm at 58,000 and thought it was good for another year, I can't believe people are doing it at every oil change, is it really necessary? My 07 tl-s still drives like the day I bought it but I'm taking it to the dealer as soon as posibble, this thread scared me straight

yienkou

oh and I never go into v-tec maybe twice in 3 years cause my wife grabs the door handle and sticks her legs out whenever someone cuts us off or drives by us really fast so I just promise to drive safe I guess its good for the car anyways

Fresh23

iTrader: (2)

If I was to go synthetic what would be good intervals to change the fluid after a 3x3?

Inaccurate

No, it is not necessary. I am one of the few that does it at every engine oil change. It is done just for peace-of-mind (aka, anal retentive behavior).

arrogantbastard

Isn't the 07/08 TL-S tranny a different design? Are there the same concerns with the fluid in this one that there is with the earlier models?

Red Voodoo

It was suggested to me to siphon the ATF with a pump from the dipstick tube under the hood. Thinking about this, it sounds logical since I have known people to use this method for oil changes. Has this been attempted? To be honest, I don't have the equipment or room to facilitate doing this myself the way it is described in the Garage.

Since I believe that this will be the first time the fluid has been changed (at 45k miles), I'm guessing that the filter should probably be replaced at this point? If that is this case, I'm going to leave the job to a competent transmission shop.

But, about the siphon method... Would that gain me satisfactory results for a DIY project in the future?

mikehenryjr

I am just about to hit 12,000 miles on my 2008 automatic TL-S and it shifts into 4 gear a little hard. I have taken it to the dealership and they said there was nothing wrong. I was thinking about doing a 3x3 change at 15,000 miles and a 3x1 change every oil change. The every 15,000 miles do a 3x3 change. I know it is most likely overkill but I want to keep the transmission running as smooth as possible. What do you guys think of this plan?

grodri02

anyone? Thanks

grodri02

Just bought the Redline D4 ATF! I was torn between it and Amsoil...but for 99 for 12 qts. I decided for the Redline. Hope it turns out to be good!

Red Voodoo

^ I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but it's in the works soon. I can't see why this wouldn't be as effective as draining it from the pan, with the exception that it's probably going to take longer and I will have no access to the filter (which probably needed to be replaced at this point). Let me know how you go about it.

I hate cars

I would drain it from the drain bolt. There's a magnet in it that catches a good bit of metal, especially if this is your first time. Besides, it's not likely that you would get all the fluid out with the suction style drain. Definitely drain it from the bolt.

To those of you torn between the Amsoil and Redline D4, I honestly can't recommend one over the other based on shift performance. Keep in mind I've always run the ATD, not ATF because the ATD is a heavier duty formula and I've *heard* that it uses less FM.

Going by theory the Redline should be slightly better at slowing wear with it's base stock but who knows. It's safe to say that they both perform great.

Red Voodoo

Understood. I'm probably going to get a basic service done at a shop who can put this beast on a lift and access the underside. This way the filter can get replaced and a general prognosis of the condition of the tranny can be made by a professional.

Now, in regards to pumping the fluid from the dipstick tube, I would believe that I would get the same results (sans the magnet cleaning and filter replacement) as if I did a drain from the bolt if I was to do the same procedure one would use for the 3x3 flush (i.e., drain, add, drive vehicle using all gears, etc). It might take longer as I might be able to only get, say, two quarts out at a time, but this would probably be better than doing nothing at all. Am I right? Keep in mind that the reason behind this unconventional method is my lack of tools and workspace to do this myself.

CubanLynx84

iTrader: (2)

I went to the dealer and had it done. Right now with this weather I really don't have anywhere to do it myself. They did a drain and refill. Probably in the summer I'll do a 3x3 myself.