Hi,
I owned a 2007 TL TypeS and attempted to replace the transmission fluid over the weekend. I did get a good DIY from this site, but was not sure about how to fill back the fluid to the transmission. I did located the drain plug (a round bold with a 1/2" drive facing the passenger side wheel), right??? Please confirm that I have the correct drain plug. But, I was not sure how to fill back the new fluid. I saw a picture in this site that is fill thru the top part of the engine bay area, but I did not wanted to take a chance in filling in the wrong place. Therefore, I would like to ask to the experts if it is ok to fill thru the dipstick check tube. A friend of mine has a special funnel for this and he does this for his other cars (non-Acura TL). I just want to check before I mess up my car.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

Auto trans right? If same as my gen2:
on the passenger side of the engine is the ENGINE OIL drain and says OIL above it~~~

the trans drain is driver side and the letters ATF are stamped above it
The refill plug is on top of the trans- just look down in the engine compartment- there is a large (17-19mm head) bolt with the letters ATF stamped on it
Sometimes the refill plug is stuck on tight, use good tools- a long entension on a good ratchet works well

You can use the funel and dipstick tube but its very slow compared to the correct place
The fluid goes the same place- no problem there

 

check the owner book and the garage section here for a diy

 

Thanks for the response.. Yes, it is an automatic...I will check for the letter ATF on the bolts, but I don't recall seen that from the top engine compartment. If I dont' see the letter ATF, then I will fill it in thru the dipstick. I don't mind spending extra time. I just don't want to fill in the wrong place.. I did see the DIY, but the picture does not tell me location of the filling area.. I did find the similar bolt near the windshield, right behind the air filter box.. Is that correct??
Thanks
Andy

 

i dont think the bolt says ATF on it..i just filled through that bolt and it was fine.

 

my gen2 says atf so I guessed it would on gen3 as well

 

if the fluid you drain is reddish- thats trans fluid

 

Draining is not the problem.. The filling is where I have the problem. I am not sure where to fill it from. I do have a pretty good idea, but want to make sure before I tried to open the bolt and fill. Don't want to fill in the wrong place.. Worst comes, I am filling thru the dipstick hole...
Thanks

 

i VAGUELY remember my buddy at the dealer doing this...I wanna say that it's somewhere in FRONT of the engine bay?????!!??!!? or to the right...(sorry, I really can't seem to remember).

How'd you do it btw? Did you just do a drain and refill? I heard acura recommends using some sort of vacuum to flush everything out? or did you just run 3 quarts through the system and then drain it flat out?

 

from i could tell with the 07-08 type s, the atf fill plug will be under the fuse box marked ATF, unhooked the two little bolts or screws the unsecure the fuse box and move the fuse box over a little.
i was also trying to replace the tranny fluid on my 08 type s over this weekend but find that the bolt is f@@fing tight. i've try to break it loose with the 3/8" socket set but unable to. will try later this week with the 1/2" or larger socket with more leverage and that i think may break it loose.

 

^ make shift breaker bar my friend - for example, find a hefty pole that you could use to insert your wrench...tent poles work GREAT!

 

I am pretty sure you can fill it where the trans fluid dipstick is.

 

believed me, i've tried it with the galvanized steel pipe as an extension for leverage but the long socket extension from the bolt to the rachet was flexing too much that i'm afraid to put more pressure on it. so i figured i would use the bigger and stronger socket set to stop the flexing and break it loose.

 

I have seen from another forum () that you must drain and fill x 3. Is this Right? So I need to purchase 9 qts of Z1 AT fluid and first 6 QTs are for just flushing? If that's the case, I should just do it at the dealer. I believe the dealer charge $120 for the transmission service alone. The cost of the 9Qts of Honda Z1 trans fluid is around $80. Not much of saving by diy...

 

dude that sucks...
what rachet are you using? if you don't mind asking...jw

 

its craftsman from sears, 95 or 106 piece set, can't recall at this time, i know it kinda sucks, made in ole usa but when the extension is so long, it can only take so much pressure.
so going bigger like 1/2" or even 3/4" socket set is much strong in strength and leverage, and it cost quit a bit of difference in price wise going from 3/8" to 1/2" and up.

 

quick question guys, the following is a line on the instructions for flushing your transmission fluid:

Make sure that the trans shifts through all the forward gears and goes into torque converter lockup.

my question regards the torque converter lockup....what do they mean by that?

 

Did you loosen the drain bolt first.. it sounds dumb.. but on a rare occasion.. a little back pressure can build up. Make sure you're spec on the drain bolt too.. you don't want to strip the threads.

 

when you lightly press the gas, the rpms rise and then say constant at 2.5k for about a few seconds, and then they start climbing. Well the climbing part is when it is locked, when it is constant, its locked (during acceleration only...)

 

Pretty sure the $120 Dealer Service is only a 3 qt drain and refill. Not a full 3 x 3 "flush".


.

 

no, when it was apparent that i couldn't loosen the fill bolt because the lack of proper tools then i just put the splash plate back on at the bottom and wait to this weekend when i have a chance to gather the proper tools to break loose the fill bolt.