Modassir

I just got a 2005 6 Speed Manual Acura TL and have noticed that it likes to pop out third gear or have trouble going in to third gear I read up on it and found that "GM Synchromesh Friction Modified" transmission fluid helps this issue. However, I would like to know if there is any other option that works similarly that I can buy at an AutoZone or PepBoys rather than ordering the fluid online, Thanks!

colindunn

I know there is a bulletin for this. 3rd gear syncro or something.

ez12a

GM dealers have an AC Delco fluid that is the same thing. Make sure you specify friction modified Syncromesh.

there's a TSB but dealers aren't obligated to do the work for free like a recall. Fluid is way cheaper.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

The GM fluid doesn't just help with the third gear issue, it completely eradicates it. Surely, you have a GM dealership fairly close to you?

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

I thought the fluid helped make for smoother shifts and made it so there was no grinding going INTO 3rd gear. I didnt know fluid had anything to do with the tranny popping out of third gear. Are you guys sure he doesnt need to have the synchro TSB performed? Sounds like his issue wouldnt be fixed just by changing to the GM fluid.

colindunn

Interesting. Iv'e planned on changing my fluid soon. So thats the exact fluid I need? I work at a chevy dealership so that makes this convenient haha

ez12a

nope, see post #6:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/gm-synchromesh-oil-3g-tl-shifts-nicely-now-833039/

the bottle i got from the GM dealer is:

stvtec

iTrader: (2)

The fluid will resolve the popping out, as well as the grind going into gear. It is night-and-day difference and the fluid change is really easy. Do it. Don't put it off, don't debate it, don't drag your feet. Do it. It's amazing.

This is what I used.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

If the fluid doesn't help. There IS a bulletin on the 3rd gear assembly. If you can get the dealer to duplicate it,they may goodwill the repairs. Also, if it does come to this. You should drop the cash for a new clutch kit while they are in there.

FCVadi

iTrader: (3)

hahahhahahahahha ... goodwill repair from dealership ... sorry i had to laugh

Ken1997TL

Sorry to hear your dealer sucks

I've experienced the complete opposite.

stvtec

iTrader: (2)

Dealer sucks here, too. Too bad.

My"S"exyUA7

It's not that it's popping out but you think it's in but it's not (realizing when you let go of the clutch)...if you get what I mean. Since I changed to GM Syncromesh, I've never had 3rd gear issues or any issues for that matter. I know it might sound stupid but it works. OP make the switch.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

^^^ oh I know that stuff works magic I used it in my 07 and 08 6mt Type S's and solved those issues in both of them. It's pretty shitty though that like 98% of the 6mt trannys have issues.

My"S"exyUA7

^^ yep...I'm just glad it was a cheap and easy fix.

SouthernBoy

The part number I show for the 12377916 replacement is 10953509;

http://www.google.com/search?q=gm+sy...4%3B768%3B1024

SouthernBoy

There are two things you can do to eliminate the 3rd gear problems with the Acura/Honda 6MT transmission. One of these must be done from new... either with the original owner or after a rebuild or replacement of the transmission. 1) Always double clutch your downshifts... always. 2) Use the GMSFM fluid. The item that should be done from new or after a rebuild/replacement is double clutching downshifts. If you do this, you should never have any 3rd gear problems.

I am the original owner of an '04 manual TL and have never experienced any of the transmission, or clutch, problems which have been reported on these forums. It is as pristine and sure shifting now at 98,200 miles, as it was when I bought it. I first used the GMSFM fluid at 15,500 miles and have used it since. But the real fix is double clutching. This is what's going to save your synchronizers from undue wear. If you need help with this, I have written a ton of postings on these forums so a search will turn up a lot of information for you.

talmadgeryan

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem in my as you Modassir, switched my 05 TL to Gm sycromesh FM. 3rd gear works perfect and it also seemed to help the overall shift quality.

ez12a

according to the GM dealer I went to, their computer showed the bottle I got as the superseding part.

MSGross

How many quarts are required?

SouthernBoy

Do you think they could have changed something and therefore gone with a difference part number? Which one is now current?

SouthernBoy

2.3 quarts for a drain and fill. Make sure your car is level when you do this and use new washers and a torque wrench.

nj2pa2nc

The majority of the vehicles I have owned over many years had manual transmission. I never had to replace a clutch or transmission. Many of the vehicles went way over 100k miles. I never double clutch. Yes I know what it is. Guess what I do is ok.

ez12a

I bought that fluid back in 2011 in San Diego. I've read that the other ac delco part is for Canada.

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2314764

Ua6AspecSF

I believe 3qts

SouthernBoy

Nope. 2.3 quarts, that's 2 quarts, 10 ounces, for a drain and fill.

SouthernBoy

That explains it. Thanks buddy.

SouthernBoy

I you are not doing this when downshifting;

• Remove foot from throttle.
• Depress clutch.
• Move shifter into chosen lower gear.
• Slowly release clutch

then you are not doing one of the major reasons clutches wear out prematurely. The other major no-no is holding the car on a hill or rocking it back and forth with the clutch. Obviously drag racing is a whole different thing of its own.

nj2pa2nc

To be honest that is how I do it. As I stated it works for me.

SouthernBoy

There are a number of factors that can prematurely wear out a clutch assembly and a few are beyond the control of the operator. Faulty or poor quality parts, improper installation, fluids leaking on the friction surfaces... Any of these can bring a clutch to the end of its life in short order. However, the majority of factors lies with the operator. And there are a bunch of them.

Some years back, maybe 6+ or so, I read an article written by a man who lived in either Chicago or Detroit (don't recall which city). He wrote an calls column for a news rag and the article I read was about him. He had a '92 Acura Integra as I recall with a 5-speed manual. His commute was long, about 120 miles each day. At the time of him writing this article, he had racked up 315,000 miles on his Integra and it still had the original factory installed clutch. He described his technique he employed, which pretty much mirrored my own, and expected to get a bit more mileage before replacing his clutch.

While this is pretty high mileage, most people replace their cars well before this, it didn't surprise me. Like you, I have never replaced a clutch under normal conditions (did replace one at 8,000 miles when a seal broke and leaked engine oil on the clutch). I am a firm believer in the idea that people should do what they want and wish with their own property... after all, it is theirs to do as they see fit. I will offer suggestions when questions arise as to how they might improve some things.

Best to you and thanks for posting.

geekybiker

The GM SMFM fluid worked a miracle on my 3rd gear. I lived with a touchy 3rd gear for so long, and I'm sorry I didn't change fluid sooner.

tudtran

Pennzoil synchromesh worked for me. How often should I change the fluid?

sauceja

iTrader: (2)

GM synchromesh immediately solved my 3rd gear problem

Buy it, use it, love it.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

I didn't have a 3rd gear problem, but I just put the AC Delco Friction Modified Synchromesh anyway. Duuuuuuuuude. The shifter literally feels like butter with a really hot knife. I can almost hear my synchro's saying thank you! I changed MTF about a year ago with Acura stuff. It wasn't too bad, but this stuff is way better. So +1 to everyone who said do it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

30k intervals for tranny fluid.

nj2pa2nc

changed the MTF when the code appeared-110K miles

colindunn

Yup. Mine hadn't been done before. got the fluid for $8 a quart instead of the $20 retail cost so it was very cheap and easy to do. Hardest part was breaking the drain and fill plugs loose.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

Haha yeah man that fill plug is a bish. I use Craftsman socket extensions and they twist so much before it breaks loose! I almost broke the windshield the first time I was doing this because my cheater bar flew off when the plug broke loose lol. The drain isn't so bad since you don't need extensions.

Millimus

This forum has really empowered me. I have an 05 TL Aspec MT 3rd gear has done the same for a long while. Two days ago I ordered the shifter bushings from coresport and replaced them myself. The result is a very clean transition throughout all gears and the third gear is perfect. I also ordered the short shifter which requires taking apart the entire console I hope to do that tomorrow. If you can follow instructions and give yourself adequate time these mods are pretty straight forward.