I have 163000 miles on my original 04 TL automatic tranny. I have done 3x3 fluid and filter changes every 50K miles and 1x3 every 25K miles and have been running Redline D4 the entire time except the first change I used Royal Purple. I've changed the 3rd and 4th pressure switches 3 time.
I noticed a rough downshift when going downhill and braking around 30-40 mph so I just changed the pressure switches again which has solved it in the past but it continues to have the rough downshift. It also feels like it is slipping a little from 2nd to 3rd gear.
I was hoping to get about 6 more months out of the car but am getting a little nervous about the tranny, is it time to bail out while I'm still ahead, any thoughts???

 

You should have used the new oem fluid....or try it,it should improve your tranny if not good luck!

 

That's what the transmission did in my 2001 CL-S before it had to be replaced.

It got so bad with mine that the car would almost redline between gear changes, even when light on the gas, and then slam into the next gear.

Get it checked out asap.

 

Sounds like you've answered your own question. Bail!

 

I am still running the same orig. OEM tranny fluid Z1 ATF. I havent noticed slippin on mine like yours but I do have a slightly rough shift going downhill(e.g. tach going as high as 5-6k rpm for each shift=slippage).

I havnt seen that but when I go downhill it would shift hard, but i think thats the grade logic at around 30-40mph.

 

You guys are aware of the grade logic program on these transmissions correct? That will cause a hard shift when going downhill

 

I am aware though the OP IDK. lol but I think I will change to the new Honda ATF DW-1 over the spring break and pressure switches as I haven't had time to get that done.

 

This.

After reading a bunch of forums about tranny fluids, flushing, what it fixes, etc. I believe it's the Grade Logic working, as expected.

 

Sounds like you've got your additional six months Flick!

 

how many miles when you purchased the car? I wonder if the preventative measures didn't work

 

Bought the car brand new with 12 miles on it. My wife and I both drive the car to work, 160 miles a day, and drive it like normal adults.

 

Let's remember one thing: Acura (Honda) needs & wants $$$$!! So they build their transmissions to last BARELY 100,000 miles, when your warrantly is up the trans goes & you're back at the dealer for a new one at a BIG expense. My 98' accord V6 had the trans go at 112,000 miles, then again & again every 100,000 miles, I always changed the trans fluid every 15,000 to 20,000 miles but it didn't matter. Honda has crap transmissions, always have & always will. I'm guessing a new trans on my 07' TLS is an easy $4,500 if not more.

 

That is one of the biggest line of BS I have read in a while. Do you understand how companies make money? Have you considered that if this were true that Acura would not have people buying their $30K to $50K cars?

Does Acura transmissions break - YES. Do other cars have issues - YES. Stuff breaks when they get older.

Do you really think that the Acura R&D staff are sitting around a table thinking of the best way to make a transmission last until 100001 miles? I would like some of what you're smoking.

 

^

agreed.

don't mind him ravi, most of his posts are like that.

 

Have it checked out. The transmission on mine went at 68,000 miles, a friend of mine rebuilt it, I bought the car, and then it went again. From what my friend said who has been in business for 30 years and has a 12 bay transmission show said some Hondas have a flaw in the way the oil flows in the transmission. The week my car broke down there were two Honda Odesseys there as well. I've seen other guys on the forum recommend tranny coolers but this will not make any difference. This problem usually comes about around 120,000-160,000 miles.

 

Welcome to the club! Mine had your exact symptoms before it went about 1,000-2,000 miles later. Hard downshifts, which seem to be okay it seems....but I had very hard shifts into 3rd and 4th gear. Just like CLtotheTL said, my car wraps out the RPM's to about 3K and then drops like a rock to about 2,100RPM's, which makes for a pretty hard shift. Tosses ya forward and it's just unpleasant for the "sport luxury" this car is supposed to convey.

I'm about to replace my switches and use new ATF, but I'm less than 1yr out from my rebuild & it feels just as bad as it did before the rebuild. Pathetic. I'm seriously thinking about bailing on Acura

 

You know, I would to that staff if they could pinpoint that haha

 

It's unfortunate because I'm thinking the same too. But also consider the RL, I never really hear of anything bad with them besides that their butt ugly. I've never heard of a import maker without transmission problems though i.e nissan, honda, rarely but toyota.

 

Yeh....sorry for the rant. I blame it on my lack of sleep.

OP - If you're slipping between 2nd and 3rd I would take it in and have Acura look at it. CLtotheTL32 and I both experienced the same with our CL. Shortly after that my CL downshifted from 5th to 2nd while I was doing 55 mph and it was toast. I hope that does not happen to you, but take it in and see what Acura has to say.

 

OK, so I believe it is the grade logic and the slipping is sporadic depending on my rate of acceleration. I think I can get my six months. Thanks again.