myztix

@ 60K miles. MID says Service Required Soon A123.

3 refers to transmission fluid change. Performing a DIY using the guide provided by the forum. However, I have a lingering question. Do I need to also change the transmission filter?? If not, when do I need to do it?

JJH

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a MT or AT? If you have an AT, I would suggest looking at replacing your pressure switches.

Also, you don't change the fluid out all at once. The torque converter houses most of the tranny fluid making it impossible without dis assembly. I don't believe that it is possible nor recommended to remove the pan.

You will drain and fill a total of 3-4 times over the next 3000 miles. I would search the forum for redline fluid. It is highly recommended over the OEM honda tranny fluid for providing transmission longevity.

myztix

Sorry for any confusion. It is an AT.
I understand the 3x3.

Why the pressure switches? Is there any reason?
I read on the DIY, a compatible recommendation of Amsoil. Autozone doesn't sell it.
Called dealer, they are selling Z1 by quart for 11 after tax each.

I will look into Redline, I know Amazon sells that...

ez12a

the earlier TLs had a replaceable filter. I forget if it's only the 2004s, or the 04-06. The 2007-08s do not have the same design.

myztix

I guess I fall under the 2007 category of no filter???

ez12a

According to this thread, yup, no accessible filter:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=787078&page=2

The Machine

iTrader: (8)

Just curious about this 3x3 thing. If you take your car to the dealer to get the fluid changed I assume they just do a regular drain and fill and not this 3x3 thing that is discussed here on the forums? Is the 3x3 a must or something? Because if a dealership doesn't do this why is this the recommended procedure on here? It just seems like overkill an a lot of extra work and money to keep draining and replacing fluid several times.

myztix

I was priced for a transmission flush a month or two ago.
I gave them a call after being quoted 200 for this flush. They said, it's a drain and fill. Drain 3 quarts, fill 3 quarts. drive in reverse, then drive through the gears.
So it's a 1x3. 1 time, 3 quarts.
3x3 is 3 times, 3 quarts performed over a period of time, after going through the gears each time you drain and fill...
The point is when you drain, you don't drain all the quarts at once, you only drain 3. Given that, old transmission fluid is still in your car.

myztix

At home:
11 x 9 = 99$
At the dealer
200 x 3 = 600$ + tax.

If you were told to spend 600$ for a transmission drain and fill would you do it? People would just opt out for 1x3 and worry about it 30K miles later.

myztix

Doing it either 1x3 or 3x3. only helps your car, doesn't harm it. The dealer also told me: It's your car. Do what you want with it.

dannyboy10

200 dollars ?? The Acura dealer I go to charges 79 dollars for 1 drain and refill.

Grizzly Type S

why the hell are you guys taking it to a dealership? You do the 3x3 to get all the metal shavings out of your transmission and replace all tranny fluid. I just did my first swap and it made a huge difference in shifting. At easily a quarter of the price you guys are talking about.

Stop paying people to do the work you can do yourself.

erdoc48

Holy crap! $200 for a drain and fill??

I took my car to Goodyear recently and a 1 x 3 drain and fill was $29 with me providing the fluid. I did the 3 x 3 ~ 20K miles ago, and even that was something like $89 with me providing the fluid.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

No, you do not. There's an internal strainer that separates any larger media from coming in contact with the gears and will simply remain suspended in the fluid until changeout.

You cannot readily access the "filter", nor is there any reason to do so.

A SiQ TL

I thought z1 was discontinued and acura wasn't selling it anymore.

and for that price, you should just get redline.

pohljm

There was definitely some confusion along the way. That $200 was for a 3x3 change or they would not have mentioned driving thru the gears.

Yes no one is selling the Z1 fluid anymore, only DW-1 is available.

jaws12

Is Redline readily available at AutoZone or O'Reillys?

jonboy10

No. It is usually only carried in stock at performance auto shops, and thats only sometimes. I found a place near me that focuses on building track only Porsches and they sold me 12 (5 Racing ATF, 5 lightweight Racing ATF, 2 D4) for $120 even.

Try this-http://www.redlineoil.com/dealers.aspx?z=30040&r=50

Then try amazon, or some of the other dealers. And try google...

And if you can change your engine oil, you can change your ATF fluid.

Read this, page 3, post 95. http://www.redlineoil.com/dealers.aspx?z=30040&r=50

And here is a good DIY- https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/rr-journals-atf-drain-refill-3g-garage-c-012-a-556044/

sddale

I've never seen their oil or trans fluid there...just some of their additives. You can find it on Amazon. Check Redlines website and call some of the specialty shops to see if they carry it.

avs007

Both the Autozone by my work, and the one by my house sell Redline D4 and Racing...

jonboy10

Maybe thats a pacific thing.

teeeejaay

I had a few questions and need some help please.
I changed out my filter the other day, but my filter cover didn't come off easily. I had to pry it off. When I was putting the filter cover back on with the 3 screws I lubed it up again and put a new O ring then tried to put it back in with the spring and the new filter.
The cover did not go on easy, tried to tigheted the 3 screws very little bit one by one thinking that would help to put even pressure and the cover would go on after.... WRONG I ended up BREAKING the filter cover. Did I do something wrong here in the process it seems pretty straight forward, but the only thing is that my cover didn't pop off as described above. My car currently is leaking fluids when I start it because the "Filter cover" is cracked and only 2 screws go in instead of 3 so its not flush. I ordered a new part and it will be in tomorrow afternoon. Any help or suggestions putting the piece back on? Cant drive it to a show im scared the fluids will leak out or smoke when engine gets hot.
Hope you guys have some opinions. Sorry for the troubles.

MadmazC6

Yeah it's called the Acura Tax

MadmazC6

Yeah, I hear you... it was hard to realign the cover for me. Was the trans completely cooled down?

MadmazC6

2004 Acura TL - Yeah almost all of the dealerships said that it was an internal filter and would have to drop the trans to get to it???

Bought filter online and installed it yesterday.... it was dirty as hell!

puttpal

With all the troubles that had been posted about trans problems I changed to a better fluid and added Lucas Trans fluid starting at 60K and got to 261k before I had my problems.

YeuEmMaiMai

There are 2 filters on that trans, One is internal and not accessable until you remove the trans and then take the case off. The other one is under your airtube and is replaceable.

Alexns05

Do you know the part number for the external filter?

TouringXLuxury

These are the parts you need to do it right.

25450-RAY-003 ELEMENT

25803-RAY-000 SPRING

91301-RAY-004 O-RING

91302-RAY-003 FILTER GASKET

Honestly this procedure for the 3x3 drain doesn't cost too much and definitely a preventive measure for auto trans. I have used Eneos synthetic ATF costs about $10 a quart shipped. Consider $90 for the fluid, $30 for filter and gasket rings, $10x3 for mechanic to do each drain, $40 for mechanic to install the new filter. That is a total of $190 every 30k miles. Not a bad investment compared to the money you would end up spending on a rebuilt tranny. Also make sure to change out the switches every 50k miles as many AZ members say. It makes a significant difference.

Alexns05

Awesome thanks for the info. I'll have my mechanic change out the filter when I have him do my pressure switches.

SHaFT7

I bought this for my auto 2004:


amazon's part checker said it was the correct part, but this doesn't match what others have shown. Guess their part checker is wrong?

teeeejaay

Mine didnt look anything like this. Mine was the filter, then I got the O ring.
I would check out curryacura.com or oemacuraparts or acuraoemparts

teeeejaay

To save some money the pressure switches was really easy, almost the same level as a oil change.
changed my 3rd and 4th pressure switches and did the trans filter replacement also. Just make sure who ever does your filter, to make sure the spring is all the way pushed in. If not it will go in crooked and break the filter cover.

SHaFT7

thanks guys, I found the correct parts and ordered. time to send this one back