My (new to me) 08 tl auto has 24k on it. Only had for a few weeks but noticed the transmission doesn't seem to be as smooth as you'd think a transmission would be with this milleage. Im aware of the downshift in the 07-08 but I think a fluid change would be beneficial. I've read ALOT of this recently and have noticed that most of you recom. the 3x3 change, possibly with the redline d4. I understand the reasons behind the 3x3, but without doing that am I really hurting the car? Also without much argueing, what ATF are you running and your experience with.

 

No it's not necessary. You can do a 1x3 every other oil change if you want.

I prefer to do a 3x3, keeps it simple and use Redline Racing Type F.

 

If you have read a lot about it you should read more because all the answers are out there. I'm telling you this because you'll get better information by reading the old threads than by starting a new one as a lot of people who have been thru it are tired of repeating the information again.

Yes, do the 3x3. Read the threads and decide which fluid you're comfortable with.

 

Believe me i've done my research. Some questions still are very much in the gray though. I'd assume that when switching to Redline it would be better do at least do a 2x2 due to getting the old kind of fluid out and have mostly the new Redline fluid in. I've heard that the 3x3 is only necessary if you have a "emergency situation" and added something different.

Again, with such low milleage I just find it overkill to fill it 3 times and pretty much waste the 5 minute old fluid.

Is there anything else to know when switching to a different ATF product?

 

Theres really nothing else to know, its as simple as drain and fill thrice. The reason for doing it the same day instead of when doing an oil change is the convenience of having everything ( tools) out already.

 

So technically your okay if a little of the original ATF is combined with the Redline. Everyone knows without taking everything apart there IS going to be leftover fluid after draining regardless.

 

Yes, it takes around 10 drain and refills to get rid of the fluid. So there will always be some in the transmission.

 

why would it be better to do a 2x2 instead of a 3x3? why is a 3x3 only necessary if you have an "emergency situation"?

the idea is to get the Honda Z1 ATF out of your system as soon as possible. that's it.

a 3x3 will get you a high % of new fluid. then, afterwards, if you like the way it feels with the redline fluid...do a 1x3 every oil change until you eventually have 100% new fluid.

 

If I had an auto (and I did this with my Prelude) I would do 3x3 the first time with Redline or DW-1 which ever one you prefer (you may want to stick with OEM stuff for Warranty purpose because I don't think the Redline Type F is approved to be Honda fluid replacement).

Once the 3x3 is done (I'd also do the switches) then do a drain and fill of transmission fluid every 3rd or 4th oil change.

 

It's quite simple. Someone had posted the numbers but at 3 drains and fills you have mostly all new fluid. At 2 drains and fills there is still quite a bit of old fluid left. People tend to stop at 3 because after the "gains" in new fluid are minimal.

 

Drain and fill percentage:
1=39.5%
2=63.4%
3=77.8%
4=86.6%
5=91.9%
6=95.1%
7=97.0%
8=98.2%
9=98.9%
10=99+%

 

You would change the switches at 25,000 miles too?

I was on here until 3:45am last night reading reviews of AT fluid. Seems IHATECARS loves the type F but the majority of you are running the D4.

With that ratio a 3x3 makes sense, that will be my next route.

 

I would actually disagree. I think the majority is certainly Type F. Those people that are wary of putting in an ATF that isn't "approved" use D4. However, so many people have used the Type F (myself included) with no complaints, I think that that is the majority.

 

After running both Redline D4, Type F and even Mobil 1 Synthetic for at least 10,000 mile each, none of them leave any wear residue on the plug. They all also shift identically except that the Type F is a bit harsh (beyond firm) at WOT from 1st to 2nd some of the time. In my cars, all three were interchangeable. I will probably finish up the cases of D4 and Racing that I have and then just use the Mobil 1 which is cheap and available locally at any time.

Do the switches. Is it worth the risk? You cannot undo the wear.

I do a 1x3 every other oil change (about 10K, or so), except when I switched fluid types and then I did a 3x3. Probably overkill to 1x3 every 10ishK, but fluid is cheap insurance for me.

 

The majority of us are not using D4. Don't waste your money on D4. Use Type F.


(it's not a waste of money but I'm trying to get the point across.)

 

You found the D4 and Type F similiar but Type F a little more harsh? I'm not really looking for that in my 08 automatic.

I was also hesitant on the switches b/c it seems most people doing that has

1.Higher milleage
2.Serious Transmission already....

 

It was only harsh every once in a while at wide open throttle - not a big deal. I found all three fluids mentioned to interchangeable. Also, my cars are well over 100K and have much more wear on them than yours.

You cannot got wrong here.

 

I think im going with the D4. Should I just buy 10 quarts for the job?

 

Is this the best deal? http://www.outdoorpros.com/Prod/Red-.../64916/Cat/140

 

UPDATE:

Did a 3 qt change yesterday and another one today. I plan on doing the third next week. Def felt a difference doing the first change (24,000 miles on my car). Upshifts are faster and less noticable. Even the downshift has felt better. Thumbs up for a good product and even better members on here to point me in the right direction.

BTW im running Redline D4...

 

Would of been better with Type F but whatever, still better than OEM.

 

i hate dumping brand new fluid and hence i do a 3x3 over 3-4K miles....

drain and refill every 1000 miles....i have the z1 fluid for 147K miles on the original tranny and am switching the redline....i did the first drain and refill the other day...dont see much of a difference.....will be doing the 2nd drain and refill in another 500-700 miles....

also i switched to redline engine oil, 5w-30....

here is what i thought and am doing....

147,000 - tranny drain and refill (redline racing type F, not lightweight )....engine oil change (redline syn)
148,500 - tranny drain and refill
150,000 - tranny drain and refill....engine oil change...
157,500 - tranny drain and refill....engine oil change...

So the next tranny drain and refill will be due @ 205,000 miles