I have an 05 TL with 125k miles and auto trans. Ive owned it for 2 years and did a 3x3 transmission fluid drain and fill a few months after I got it at about 105k miles. I used Valvoline fluid for imports. I know I'll probably get flack for not using some more expensive fluid but it is what it is now. Anyway starting this past winter when I would start driving after the car sat outside in the cold all night, the shifting was alarmingly rough until it warmed up. Each time it shifted the whole car would bog down just like i forced a downshift at a high speed, except the rpms didnt spike. You can feel the car struggle as if something was sticking during the shift. For lack of a better way to descibe it, it felt like the fluid was as thick as maple syrup from the cold and wasnt flowing well. after 5 minutes of driving this goes away and the shifts are no longer noticeable. Now for the record I am talking sub zero temps here in Minnesota. Its been in the 50s lately and the problem is for the most part gone except occasionally I can still feel the bogging down when I go for the first drive of the day but its barely noticable now and is clearly worse the colder the temp. This isnt the first quirk ive had with the transmission, the reason I did the drain and fill a couple years ago was when I would shift into reverse there was a long delay where the trans would go into neutral and roll. Everyone told me then that there was no hope and I better start saving for a new transmission and that issue was fixed by the new fluid. So im wondering if I should be worried about this or anyones take on what the problem may be? thanks everyone

 

Replace the fluid with either Acura/Honda DW-1 or Redline D4/D6 ATF. It might also help to replace the transmission pressure switches - look up the DIY.

 

ok ill give that a shot. thanks for the reply

 

yeah definitely do a 3x drain and fill

drain, fill, drive a few miles, repeat 2 more times.

 

dude if you live in butt fuck Minnesota dont drive the car until its at operating temperatures. Get dressed, turn the car on, cook breakfast, have a cup of coffee, take your morning shit, and then drive. I live in California and I still let my car warm up before I drive. Even here, I can feel difference in the way the car runs with and without warming it up.

 

replace the ATF with OEM. I don't really like to use the generic "import" fluid for the AT, especially Honda AT.

 

If you did the fluid 2 years ago, I would definitely look at doing it again. I have been told by a guy who worked at Acura for 15 years or so to change the fluid every 15k miles. A lot of people on the forums have said this as well. He said since Honda/Acura changed the service interval to 60k was when the issues with their transmissions failing started popping up.

You can expect to experience slightly rougher shifts while the car is warming up though. I know mine will shift slightly harder when the engine is not up to temperature yet.

I would check the condition of your tranny mounts as well. My top mount was torn in half on one corner. Replaced and still was having some issues with rough shifts between first and second. Sure enough, the one lower, rear mount was completely torn in half as well. I will be ordering both lower mounts and replacing.

 

changing fluid yearly or every 2 years is definitely a good idea. Gets real expensive for you auto guys though.

 

It wasn't too bad. Considering the cost of a re-manned tranny, the approx $60-70 is not bad at all. I plan to do the pressure switches every 30k miles as well.

I've spent far more money on the other items that failed, like the battery and starter.

 

not needed per owner's manual. Acura sates to get in car and gently drive away and it is really cold wait 30 second or so and then gently drive away.

 

go out to the car and start it ?? absolutely not i have a remote start and not like a shitty factory one, one that can start the car from 2 blocks away. the issue is lesser the warmer the car is but it takes 25 mins of idling to get nice and warm when its below zero. ill do the drain and fill with oem fluid this summer.