Took my 05 TL to my mech. Drained the sump, added 3 qts. Dipstick level shows overfill, 2 inches above fill mark. Drained a half quart, still way to high on dipstick. What am I missing guys? Seems to be shifting ok.

 

Guess you're speaking of the transmission fluid. Checking the fluid with the engine OFF?

 

Yes, tranny fluid. We ran it in drive and reverse on the lift and checked dipstick with engine running. We didn't check exactly how much drained and added 3 quarts Amsoil. Is it that important to check with engine warmed up but not running? Thanks.

 

Don't think you're supposed to check the fluid with the engine running. The owner's manual for my 08 TL says park the car on a level surface, start the engine and wait for the radiator fan to come on. Shut the engine off, wait at least 60 seconds but no more than 90 seconds, pull the dipstick and check the fluid level. I have tried this method and I've waited at times for over 5 minutes and the radiator fan will not come on. I just drive it around for a few minutes and park it and check it. I still wait the time the manual says though.

I can't imagine checking the fluid level in the earlier year TL's would be different.

 

Get the Amsoil out of there as fast as you can; it is very unlikely that ATF has the correct coefficient of friction necessary for the proper operation of your transmission. The only ATF which is guaranteed to have the correct COF is Honda ATF.

 

Check owner's manual:
Check at normal operating temp
Park on level ground
SHUT OFF ENGINE
Within 60-90 seconds remove dipstick and clean with cloth
Insert all the way into the transmission
Remove and check

 

I'm a firm believer in the syhthetic oils and fluids. Thanks but I'll take my chances with Amsoil or Redline.

 

When it comes to ATF, the most important element is NOT the base oil, it is the coefficient of friction (COF); if the ATF is too slippery the clutches slip and will fail prematurely, if the ATF isn't slippery enough then the clutches will grab too quickly and will fail prematurely, even if the base oil is superior. I am a firm believer of synthetic oil as well, but I will ONLY use factory ATF or ATF which has been certified to meet the standards set forth by the factory. I repeat, get the Amsoil out of your transmission as soon as you can; leaving it in there will result in a shorter life.

One final thought, the Honda ATF is in fact synthetic.

 

Mystery solved. Brought the engine to operating temp. Shut it off, waited 75 seconds, checked the stick.... voila! Accurate reading of a half quart low. Thanks to all.

 

i can't find any documentation that Honda DW-1 is synthetic. When i searched around someone said it was labeled synthetic in Canada, but it was unclear for the USA.

 

To each their own regarding brand of oil.

 

There are plenty of other threads that beat on the most best'est fluids to use. I am not an auto owner so I have absolutely no idea what is and is not good for the transmissions in the TL. I just know the old Honda stuff was bad and the new stuff was good. I know there is a couple of threads with some very in-depth useful discussions regarding actual real world testing of various fluids. I think it was from someone who is in Texas...but can't remember off the top of my head.

 

Other than having your own preferences to oil, mixing it is asking fo trouble. AUTOs ony drain 30% of the fluid on each drain.
so now you have 70% of Honda and 30% Amsoil.