05PEARLTL

Hello, new to the board here. Spent the last two days reading all sorts of things. I made my way here because although I am really enjoying my car it doesn't shift as smooth as I would like. I made my way through the 19 page thread about the switches and changing to either Redline or Amsoil ATF fluid. I will be doing this ASAP but was wondering if someone could provide a direct link to the two products, I just want to make sure I am getting exactly what you guys are talking about.

These are the part numbers I found for doing the change on the switches as well as the transmission filter. I'm assuming these are correct?
25450-RAY-003 ELEMENT (ATF)
25803-RAY-000 SPRING, PASSAGE (ATF)
28600-RAY-003 SWITCH ASSY., AT OIL PRESSURE (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS)
28610-RAY-003 SWITCH ASSY., AT OIL PRESSURE (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS)
90471-PW7-A00 GASKET (10MM) X2
91301-RAY-004 O-RING (48.5X2.95) (ARAI)
91302-RAY-003 FILTER, GASKET
WASHER, DRAIN PLUG (12MM) X2

Bearcat94

RedLine D4 that meets Honda standards: http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

RedLine Type-F Racing ATF (does not conform to Honda standards, but the 'switch mavens' recommend it; or a mix of the two): http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=52&pcid=9

Amsoil ATF (meets Honda standards): http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx

05PEARLTL

Thanks!

Esanchez8701

Question Bearcat94, Ive got 51k on my 2008 TL. I always think about changing the ATF Fluid but I am afraid to. I hear its best to wait until 100k. I always maintain my car so it performs at its highest peak all the time. Can you please provide some advice for me ? Thanks in advance.

Esanchez8701

I was thinking of getting royal purple ATF from autozone and I need a filter too. How many quarts would I need to buy and is this operation cheap ?

06AMTL Gray Ghost

It all depends on if you're doing a 3x3 or not. I did a 1x3 last weekend and it took about 15 minutes (40,000 miles on the odo). The hardest parts were removing the splash shield and the fuse box. I only needed 3 quarts for the 1x3. I will be doing another 1x3 after I've put 7,000 miles on. And then another 7,000 miles after that. This way I should have @80% new fluid after 14,000 miles. Lots of guys choose to do the 3x3 which is doing three 1x3s in about an hours time. I went with Amsoil ATF. No filter change.

I definitely wouldn't wait til 100,000 miles.

Esanchez8701

Agreed, im not going to wait til 100k, Ill most likely get it done this sat. When you say 1x3 is that what shops like valvoline do for a transmission fluid change ? Rather then the full 3x3 ?

06AMTL Gray Ghost

I believe most of the shops do a mechanical flush that flushes out all the fuid and replaces it with new. Honda/Acura does not recommend this as it tends to cause many problems. 1x3 is basically a 3 quart flush and fill that you can do at home. When you open the trans plug all you will get out is @ 3 quarts. So in order to replace the whole system you have to do it 3 times. There is plenty of info on here about the process. Do not have your system mechanically flushed no matter what you do.

It's very easy to do yourself. There is a great DIY in the garage that explains the whole process with pics:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/rr-journals-atf-drain-refill-3g-garage-c-012-a-556044/

Esanchez8701

again thanks for this awesome advice, though i cant do it myself i dont have a lift or car ramps to peform the service. I understand what your saying though. Could I tell the service shop to drain it and pour in 3 quarts ? or is that not something they would do. What should i tell the shop guys to do?

Esanchez8701

is this ok to use in the car ? Im assuming yes but rather get your opinion

Esanchez8701

If i change the fluid to royal purple. the shop would have the drain the tranny and get the old fluid out which would be the Z1 fluid, correct me if im wrong. Since I would like to go with RP they would have to clean out the gearbox as well. But besides doing the 3x3 flush method, cant I just add the new quarts to the tranny after they do their flush. Ill provide the extra quarts of RP ATF fluid for the flush of course.

Bearcat94

Opinions vary, but for the most part everyone agrees to change before the recommeded interval.

Some say 30k miles, some say 45 or 60k miles. I think there are a few guys that do an ATF change (1x3 or 3x3 ) every 15k miles.

I'm a little over 60k miles now and really need to do this. I wanted to do it at 50k miles. A 3x3 complete drain/refill service, I mean.

06AMTL Gray Ghost

Yes explain to them what you want done. Don't let them hook the flush and fill machine up to it. If I were you I would have them do the 1x3 and then plan on going back in a few months to do it again. If you have a jack and jack stands you can do it yourself you don't need ramps.

Bearcat94

If the shop doesn't know how to do an Acura/Honda 1x3 or 3x3 drain and refill - or if they WON'T do it the way it should be done - find another shop.

Esanchez8701

Thanks again Bearcat and Gray Ghost very good knowledge im gaining here. I talked to my service guy at acura who has been helping me for about 3 years and he is like a friend, used to work for his pops. But anyway he said to tell the shop drain the fluid and then fill it with the RP my choice and then plug up the hole then make sure it hits all the gears, then drain it again and fill it up with the new fluid once more, and it should be good. So he claims the 2x method is good as well. I have 51k and i checked the dipstick the fluid is brownish (dirty I know) im glad i checked god forbid if i didnt.

I might just get 9 quarts of the RP fluid$72 bucks and ill head to the shop for a full 3x3 full flush. Im not sure how much ill get charged since this is a repetative process. Cant be much though since im ditching out the cash for the damn fluid. How much do you guys think I should be spending on this ?

06AMTL Gray Ghost

Might be a stupid question but can't your buddy at Acura do it for you?

The places by me charge @ $100 for a flush and fill. Considering you're bringing your own fluid and they're going to be doing 3 changes maybe $50.

Esanchez8701

lol, I asked him and he said it would cost 120. Ok so basically same price, i might as well bring it to acura, maybe even bring down the price 20 bucks or so since im giving them 9 quarts of RP

06AMTL Gray Ghost

Should be able to knock it down a little more than $20 considering you're providing all the fluids.

Esanchez8701

Well lets hope so, I also hope Im making a good choice with choosing RP. Im already running RP 5W-20 and its a very good oil. I have faith in their ATF fluid

06AMTL Gray Ghost

Can't speak to Royal Purple. Personally I'm an Amsoil or Redline guy.

Esanchez8701

i hear ya, im sure the RP would better my tranny then the stock Z1 fluid.

06AMTL Gray Ghost

They don't make Z-1 anymore I guess it's DW-1 now.

Esanchez8701

mmm ok, well now ive got another issue i want to get this done on sat, but autozone doesnt carry RP in the store so I need to go with another brand. Im not sure which brand to get.

Esanchez8701

Got a great deal from carquest autoparts, total for 8 quarts of red line D4 $73 bucks !!! Cant beat that and its better then royal purple. I cant wait til sat guys. Also today at 4 im heading to the muffler shop going to eliminate the mid muffler for some nice sound (ive read info from the forums) Id say money well spent this weekend. My tranny will last since im doing things the right way. Thanks again for your advice Im now more knowledged on my car

06AMTL Gray Ghost

Better choice IMHO. Don't forget to do the 3rd & 4th gear pressure switches at some point too. I'm doing them and the ATF filter this weekend.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/110-diy-guide-replacing-3rd-4th-gear-pressure-switch-3g-tl-2004-2006-a-729149/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/c-036-diy-transmission-filter-replacement-pics-787078/

As far as exhaust the midmuffler/resonator delete (Stage 3) seems to be the consensus choice here. Need to replace the stock reso with a Dynomax or Magnaflow. I did it and it sounds very nice. Also had them take out the 3rd cat while they were cutting.

Esanchez8701

Good advice man, the filter will be done by acura, im just providing the fluid. As for the muffler situation yes im def getting rid of the stock ones and will eventually put on borla mufflers which are FTW !!!! Im just taking step by step as i dont want to hurt my pocket with bills to pay and paying money for the wedding its all about budgeting

06AMTL Gray Ghost

You're going to have to request that they change the ATF filter as it's not even on Acura's regular interval schedule. Guess they figure it's a lifetime filter.

06AMTL Gray Ghost

I'm going to retract my previous statement as I see you have a 2008 and I don't think they have an internal filter like the 04-06s do. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Bearcat94

They do.


The Type-S's do any way.


Edit: Yea, it's in the parts list of the Base as well.

06AMTL Gray Ghost

Thanks Bearcat. I read some conflicting posts in the ATF filter thread and couldn't tell whether they did or not.

Esanchez8701

Hey guys so the tranny fluid has been changed over to redline as stated before. I do notice the ride is more smooth. As your your comment on the atf filter good call, i actually asked my acura friend and he said it doesnt have a filter ?!?! I also checked acura online for the atf filter, but I did not see a fliter listed

06AMTL Gray Ghost

. Don't forget the pressure switches somewhere down the line. They have been blamed for many AT failures.

Esanchez8701

How much do you think that job costs ? or is it better to DIY

06AMTL Gray Ghost

$80 in parts. DIY for me. Pretty easy job.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729149

Esanchez8701

Awesome bro, though shouldnt i do this when im doing the drain/fill for the tranny ? or it doesnt matter when i do it ?

btw silencer and rear mid muffler cut out, exhaust sounds great !!!! rasp at first at around 3000rpm but eventually it goes away as the new piping filled with carbon. Now just waiting on my high performance rotors with my hawk hps pads woot woot !

Esanchez8701

Also quick question, i couldnt find an answer when searching for the ambient blue light. There are two, the one on the right went out, and according to acura there isnt just a plug and play bulb its the whole unit that needs to be replaced which is 300 bucks. Can you give me some pointers. I wish i could just change out that damn bulb

Esanchez8701

Ive also been reading about the 1st and 2nd gear pressure switches which are located on top of the tranny? to get to them you have to remove the battery and shift connector. Is this right ? 3rd and 4th are underneath the car. Dont forget i have a 2008 model