kupros7

Hey guys just wanted to get some of your opinions.. I replaced my tranny oil (1x3) 2 days ago and my tranny has been shifting harder since. You can feel a bit of hesitation when accelerating also (maybe due to improper shifting). I used redline D4 oil and this was my third time replacing my fluid in about 10k miles (3x3). The first two times it actually shifted smoother. The only difference this time is I used two containers of D4 that were sitting in the shed for few years and also 1 new bottle of D4. I figured oil is oil and shouldnt matter how old it is.. when i poured it in my tranny i noticed it was a bit more red and thicker then the new batch of D4 but didnt think much of it. Anyway today I called Redline and they confirmed few years old shouldnt matter and the color diff is because of different batch.. Im starting to worry a bit due to the harder shifts and hesitation, maybe I can do something now in case it gets worse.. any suggestions?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

did you check the fluid level afterwards on solid ground?

Slpr04UA6

Damn. Now you have me worried. I am about to switch from the stock Z-1 (BS fluid) to redline D4, and replace again (replaced ~30K ago) new 3rd & 4th gear pressure sensors, and the external ATF filter. I don't have any problems, just preventative maintenance.

Below is a link to the pressure switch thread......

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/very-interesting-conversation-my-transmission-builder-tl-721508/

leedogg

I would suggest sticking with the oem DW1 and stop playing chemistry with your tranny.

Lucky_Teenager

It's not always good to change all of the fluid out of the car if that particular fluid has alot of miles on it.

JJH

iTrader: (1)

Link to info on external ATF filter?

Incrementally introducing new fluids is fine.

JJH

iTrader: (1)

Honda stopped using their own fluid due to so many failed transmissions and various other issues.

I don't think the majority of us on the forum would be tinkering with any of our vital fluids if Honda had a good history behind their V6 transmissions. But they don't...

I don't think there is anything wrong with sticking with the DW1 fluid either.

Slpr04UA6

^External ATF filter is only on the '04-'06 models.

IntactACK

iTrader: (1)

Recheck the oil level, why have you changed it three times in 10k miles? Seems cray cray. I just changed mine and didn't notice much of a difference, i'm sixxxx speed though

UA6

MandoTL

Im about to do a second drain/fill on my car with D4.

Buy 4, just in case. Do a 4th drain/fill to make sure the old crap fluid is out. Im doing mine incrementally, so I dont scare the tranny with the new fluid. Im at 143k miles, and my first Redline D4 drain/fill was about 8k miles ago.

Im due for an oil change soon so plan to get a drain/fill done too. OP try another drain/fill after 2-3k miles.

Acura-OC

I think that is the problem. You've drained 4 quarts every time and refilled with 3 and after 3rd drain/fill you are short by about 3 quarts.

leedogg

You're talking about the old fluid. DW1 is the new reformulated fluid resolving that issue.

LaCostaRacer

Kupros7 - did you replace the 3/4 sensors yet? If not I would suggest doing so and seeing how things go. You didn't indicate which shifts cause harshness. You might want to run in sequential mode and see if you can pinpoint when this happens easier.

Good luck! I use the Type-F and my shifts are 'harsher' than with the OEM but I like that- there is little hesitation between gears.

kupros7

I have 115k miles on 04 TL so far.. I checked my oil level on solid ground and it is fine. Also every time I drained my oil I replaced it with 3 quarts of D4. there should only be 3 quarts of oil being drained every time. I have replaced my 3rd and 4th switches already as well. I heard about the harsher shifts with the racing fluid but not with the D4 fluid. For those of you with the D4 fluid have you felt harsher shifts? For those that switched to dw1 have you had any issues with it so far?

Nick216

Just a guess but, reset the ecu.

MandoTL

I can answer both regarding them since I have dealt with this.

Around 105k miles after service my car still drove crappy. Put new 3/4th pressure switches and nothing, so switched to the new DW-1 fluid, did continuous drain/fill up until 133-135k miles.
The car was a bit better but after 4-5k miles the tranny would become a major slouch but something I realized is when I felt it that way the fluid got dark so called for another trip to shop for fluid change.

Takeaway: DW-1 is not what I expected. lagged which left unresponsive tranny making it not fun to drive in the hilly San Diego area and freeways etc.
--------
then around 135k decided to try the Redline D4 fluid since I wanted something to last and help my tranny live longer out of fear of tranny failure. Well initially it was much more responsive off the line(crisp, a bit harsh), but its still mixed with DW-1 since it was the first 1x3. So my next drain/fill is when I need to get an oil change after nearly 8k miles. For higher mileage you want to change fluid incrementally e.g. 2-3k miles.

I have yet to do that on mine since havent had the time to take it in.

Takeaway: Crisp, quick shifts, no lag in flooring it. Safe on tranny and helps it live longer. I am never going to use the DW-1, unless you want to regularly drain/fill. At least with the Ester/synthetic Tranny fluid like D4 you have longer intervals.

Sorry for the long message, typed it up on my cellphone, so expect errors.

Acura-OC

First thing that I've done when I got my TL is replaced transmission fluid with D4 and each time I drained close to 4 quarts, Yes I measured to make sure to use as much as was drained. There are a lot of members that have drained more than 3 quarts every time.

If you refiled with 3 quarts each time I am certain you are running on low fluid. Get under your car remove level bolt and make sure it is full.

JJH

iTrader: (1)

No, I was talking about the DW1 (new fluid). Anyone that uses the ZW1 fluid still is crazy! I don't think there is much wrong with using the DW1 fluid though, just preference vs running something aftermarket like Redline.

Majofo

ALarsh

Go read this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/optimal-percentage-racing-atf-834299/

Harsher shifts are better for your transmission. Harsher shifts = less slipping between gears = less wear in your transmission.

You want a firm disengage, shift and firm reengage to put it simple. The 'final verdict' was to use a quart of Light Weight Racing, a quart of Racing ATF and a quart of D4. Post #378 has the formula you should be using.

Make sure you are measuring the amount of fluid that is draining from your transmission and replace with the same amount. I only jack up the front of my car and I get 4 qts out of a drain, so obviously I would replace with 4 qts.

A lot of information and time was spent on the thread above, read it and you will have all your questions answered.

ezilonis

no bueno

kupros7

Your right from what I was reading in the forums seems like ppl have been measuring about 3 quarts and 400ml (+-100ml). Each quart has about 975 ml so being I drained 9 (3 drains) quarts that would be about 1200 ml (400 x3) ..~1.5 quarts.. ill add in an additional 1.5 quarts. Also I did an ecu reset and the shifts seem much smoother now and less hesitiation. Thanks to Nick216 for that suggestion. Hopefully it stays this way.. how often should ecu resets be made?

kupros7

Correction..946 ml for 1 quart

alan_rich

How do you reset the ecu?

alan_rich

Anyone? I am having the same issues and would like to see if resetting the ECU would be a quick fix. How do I do that?