Time to change transmission fluid?
#41
Safety Car
cjj2d,
Please see link below for sensor info.
Very interesting conversation with my transmission builder on the TL (click here)
Please see link below for sensor info.
Very interesting conversation with my transmission builder on the TL (click here)
#42
5th Gear
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Southeastern PA
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Trans fluid
Hello everyone I have an 06 TL AT (bought it new in april 06) with 80k miles on it. the MID hasn't shown A3 or B3 for transmision fluid change yet but i'm reading few posts here and looks like it might be due for fluid change even though the MID hasn't say so. the car has mostly highway mileage. i'm not experiencing any transmission problems but i want to avoid it from happening. anyone with higher mileage than mine that hasn't had the fluid changed yet? What about timingbelt/water pump? i don't drive my car hard. only on the freeway when i need to pass up slow drivers...
#43
2014 MDX, 2011 Audi B8 S4
Had my 07 TLS Transmission done at 30K and now getting it done at 60K. The TLS is high performance with more stress on the Transmission. Don't wait!! Don't mess with Acura Transmissions they are EXPENSIVE to fix!!!!!!
#44
08 MDX, 04 TL (sold)
iTrader: (1)
Mine didn't come on till 100k, but I do nearly all highway driving. The dealer said she's never seen one come on that late and that I must have done it once before (or dismissed it once before), but I really don't think so.
As many have said, you do not want to do a machine flush on the trans, especially with higher miles. Talking to my local Acura dealer's service manager who I trust, she said that their dealership did use a machine and she did not recommend it!
Instead she had me do a sequence of drain and fills (essentially the 3x3, but with a couple thousand miles between each drain and fill). Another dealer had the exact same recommendation.
As many have said, you do not want to do a machine flush on the trans, especially with higher miles. Talking to my local Acura dealer's service manager who I trust, she said that their dealership did use a machine and she did not recommend it!
Instead she had me do a sequence of drain and fills (essentially the 3x3, but with a couple thousand miles between each drain and fill). Another dealer had the exact same recommendation.
#45
Intermediate
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Age: 43
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I'm at 90K and my light still hasn't come on. I spoke with the Honda dealer here and they said they don't do the 3x3, but will drain it and refill then redo it after about 30k. They said if you use a machine or too much attempting to flushing it, you can actually push more bad debris into the tranny and it can cause more damage. They said just gently drain and fill over a few times will get it nice and clean without forcing gunk everywhere and taking a chance of something bad happening.
#46
Intermediate
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
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I had my transmission fluid changed on 24-JUL-10, replaced with full synthetic Motul Multi ATF. Because I switched to a synthetic the mechanic hooked up to a machine to push all fluid through, actually used 15 litres to ensure completely exchanged. Pricey though it cost $565 in Toronto, I have 85KM and plan on draining 3 Litres every 2nd oil change, this way it is always fresh. I'll keep posted on transmission issues
#48
Team Owner
#49
I'm at 90K and my light still hasn't come on. I spoke with the Honda dealer here and they said they don't do the 3x3, but will drain it and refill then redo it after about 30k. They said if you use a machine or too much attempting to flushing it, you can actually push more bad debris into the tranny and it can cause more damage. They said just gently drain and fill over a few times will get it nice and clean without forcing gunk everywhere and taking a chance of something bad happening.
#50
the new TL-S uses the RL transmission and that is not the same one used in the 04-06 cars
#54
#55
Three Wheelin'
Sorry to revive an old thread everyone but having a dilemma here. I took my car for an oil change to a place I regularly go to since my car showed the "Service A1" on the MM. Its an Auto 06 TL with 61K miles. When he finished the mechanic asked when was the last time I had the tranny fluid changed since it looks "awful." I had it changed at an Acura dealer at 38K miles, not sure if it was the 3x3 method since it was done a couple years ago.
I did not get it done from the "quickie lube" since I wasn't sure and they were charging $129 for the service. Here is an attached picture of the dipstick.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
What do you guys think? Should I take it to an Acura dealer instead?
I did not get it done from the "quickie lube" since I wasn't sure and they were charging $129 for the service. Here is an attached picture of the dipstick.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
What do you guys think? Should I take it to an Acura dealer instead?
#56
BANNED
iTrader: (33)
^i've seen way worse. if you had it changed at 38k and now you're at 61k thats only 23k miles.
find out what they did when you had it changed at 38k.
i do a 1x3 every other oil change in mine, but that's probably overkill and i'm weird like that. i think you're fine where you are.
find out what they did when you had it changed at 38k.
i do a 1x3 every other oil change in mine, but that's probably overkill and i'm weird like that. i think you're fine where you are.
#57
Safety Car
Look like new ATF to me. Maybe the mechanic meant to say that his comissions are looking "awful" and he needs more work to do ($$$)
I would not trust that mechanic any longer if he said your fluid looked "awful"
I would not trust that mechanic any longer if he said your fluid looked "awful"
Last edited by Inaccurate; 04-12-2012 at 11:03 AM.
#58
Three Wheelin'
Maybe he was color blind....anyways thanks guys. That's what I didn't understand, the car still shifts smoothly and then I get this "recommendation" from him. Freaking guy got me paranoid all morning....Been reading Innacurate and IHC's discussion about oil all day lol.
#59
Suzuka Master
That looks an awful lot like fresh ATF fluid is what he must have meant!
#61
Intermediate
I have 68K miles on my '08, nothing signaled on message minder. Oil looks okay on the stick. Was in dealership for my free lifetime oil change this week and asked the service manager how they did their transmission oil changes. He said they use a pump and have never had a problem with it and their district manager is good with it. They charge $277 for the job. I am going to check with a reputable local transmission place for their pricing - this local company has a great rep and I'd bet they are about $50-100 less, and will use Honda fluid. My dealer also lists the timing belt and water pump job at $2,000 - that's crazy.
#62
Intermediate
I dont have much mechanical knowledge so just trying to learn about all these terminology in this thread.
What is a 1x3 or a 3x3? and what is the difference between the two??
Also, I'm going to attempt to do my own transmission fluid change, would a basic drain and fill be ok?
What is a 1x3 or a 3x3? and what is the difference between the two??
Also, I'm going to attempt to do my own transmission fluid change, would a basic drain and fill be ok?
#64
Registered Bunny
I dont have much mechanical knowledge so just trying to learn about all these terminology in this thread.
What is a 1x3 or a 3x3? and what is the difference between the two??
Also, I'm going to attempt to do my own transmission fluid change, would a basic drain and fill be ok?
What is a 1x3 or a 3x3? and what is the difference between the two??
Also, I'm going to attempt to do my own transmission fluid change, would a basic drain and fill be ok?
1x3 = 1 time 3 quarts
3x3 = 3 times 3 quarts
The 3x3 can be done in succession as long as you have the car change through all the gears a few times between drains and fills. In Honda transmission like these where it is not suggested to do a complete drain, what we're doing is essentially diluting the old transmission fluid with new one. Every time you do a drain and fill, you replace more and more of the old fluid.
#65
Intermediate
3x3 refers to the number of times (3) you drain and fill 3 qts.
1x3 = 1 time 3 quarts
3x3 = 3 times 3 quarts
The 3x3 can be done in succession as long as you have the car change through all the gears a few times between drains and fills. In Honda transmission like these where it is not suggested to do a complete drain, what we're doing is essentially diluting the old transmission fluid with new one. Every time you do a drain and fill, you replace more and more of the old fluid.
1x3 = 1 time 3 quarts
3x3 = 3 times 3 quarts
The 3x3 can be done in succession as long as you have the car change through all the gears a few times between drains and fills. In Honda transmission like these where it is not suggested to do a complete drain, what we're doing is essentially diluting the old transmission fluid with new one. Every time you do a drain and fill, you replace more and more of the old fluid.
#66
Intermediate
Originally Posted by chet03tl-s
10-19-2004, 10:01 pm
chet03tl-s
registered user
post #13
join date: Jun 2003
location: Castro valley, ca
age: 25
posts: 594
doing the math. I assume 3qts are drained and the tranny holds 7.6qts. Each time you run the car a short distance through all the gear to mix the new fluid with the old and that you get a perfect dilution of the old and new fluid. If you keep doing this you should eventually get all the fluid out. Here are the number of fills and their related % of new fluid now in the tranny at each stage of the flush.
Drain/fill
1=39.5%
2=63.4%
3=77.8%
4=86.6%
5=91.9%
6=95.1%
7=97.0%
8=98.2%
9=98.9%
so using just 4 fills will only get 86.6% of the old fluid out.
I found this in another thread.Someone also mentioned around 20k ish interval is an ideal time to do the other drain/fills.
thanks for your help!
10-19-2004, 10:01 pm
chet03tl-s
registered user
post #13
join date: Jun 2003
location: Castro valley, ca
age: 25
posts: 594
doing the math. I assume 3qts are drained and the tranny holds 7.6qts. Each time you run the car a short distance through all the gear to mix the new fluid with the old and that you get a perfect dilution of the old and new fluid. If you keep doing this you should eventually get all the fluid out. Here are the number of fills and their related % of new fluid now in the tranny at each stage of the flush.
Drain/fill
1=39.5%
2=63.4%
3=77.8%
4=86.6%
5=91.9%
6=95.1%
7=97.0%
8=98.2%
9=98.9%
so using just 4 fills will only get 86.6% of the old fluid out.
I found this in another thread.Someone also mentioned around 20k ish interval is an ideal time to do the other drain/fills.
thanks for your help!
#67
Registered Bunny
That's up to you. Honestly, it mixes quickly. 1 tank of gas is likely more than enough.
That's right. "Only" makes it sound terrible, but it's actually not bad at all. After 5 you get to a point with very little ROI.
Originally Posted by chet03tl-s
10-19-2004, 10:01 pm
chet03tl-s
registered user
post #13
join date: Jun 2003
location: Castro valley, ca
age: 25
posts: 594
doing the math. I assume 3qts are drained and the tranny holds 7.6qts. Each time you run the car a short distance through all the gear to mix the new fluid with the old and that you get a perfect dilution of the old and new fluid. If you keep doing this you should eventually get all the fluid out. Here are the number of fills and their related % of new fluid now in the tranny at each stage of the flush.
Drain/fill
1=39.5%
2=63.4%
3=77.8%
4=86.6%
5=91.9%
6=95.1%
7=97.0%
8=98.2%
9=98.9%
so using just 4 fills will only get 86.6% of the old fluid out.
I found this in another thread.Someone also mentioned around 20k ish interval is an ideal time to do the other drain/fills.
thanks for your help!
10-19-2004, 10:01 pm
chet03tl-s
registered user
post #13
join date: Jun 2003
location: Castro valley, ca
age: 25
posts: 594
doing the math. I assume 3qts are drained and the tranny holds 7.6qts. Each time you run the car a short distance through all the gear to mix the new fluid with the old and that you get a perfect dilution of the old and new fluid. If you keep doing this you should eventually get all the fluid out. Here are the number of fills and their related % of new fluid now in the tranny at each stage of the flush.
Drain/fill
1=39.5%
2=63.4%
3=77.8%
4=86.6%
5=91.9%
6=95.1%
7=97.0%
8=98.2%
9=98.9%
so using just 4 fills will only get 86.6% of the old fluid out.
I found this in another thread.Someone also mentioned around 20k ish interval is an ideal time to do the other drain/fills.
thanks for your help!
#68
Race Director
Hey guys,
Rather than starting a new thread, just thought I'd revive this one.
First the particulars: I've got a '07 TL (base, 5AT), which I bought about 7 yrs ago with 60.5k on the clock. Right off the bat, I did a 3x3 refill on the ATF. (A local mechanic informed me that looked like previous owner had never changed it, judging from the color of the old ATF,.) Since that initial 3x3, I've driven about 46k miles. I've got a long road-trip coming up, and figured it was well past time to drain and fill the ATF again. Been reading the related (and fantastic) thread on this and am thinking of replacing the pressure switches, too. I have next to no wrenching skills (lol), so am looking for an independent shop to do the work.
I've contacted two shops, both of which told me:
1) that they don't do "drain and fill" on the ATF, but would have to perform a "full transmission service," meaning a flush and refill; and
2) that unless there some problem with the tranny, they would not recommend replacing the pressure switches for 3rd and 4th gears.
When I replied that Honda didn't necessarily have an approved method for "flushing" the entire tranny, the one shop told me that maybe Honda didn't recommend that, but the maker of the ATF did (and that Honda didn't make the ATF itself, even the oem DW1).
Regarding replacing the pressure switches, another mechanic told me that in 25 years of servicing cars, he'd never heard of someone asking to replace the switches as "preventative maintenance."
Again, I've got next to no wrenching skills, so can't really go the DIY route. In any case, just wondering if anyone has thoughts about the situation?
TIA.
Rather than starting a new thread, just thought I'd revive this one.
First the particulars: I've got a '07 TL (base, 5AT), which I bought about 7 yrs ago with 60.5k on the clock. Right off the bat, I did a 3x3 refill on the ATF. (A local mechanic informed me that looked like previous owner had never changed it, judging from the color of the old ATF,.) Since that initial 3x3, I've driven about 46k miles. I've got a long road-trip coming up, and figured it was well past time to drain and fill the ATF again. Been reading the related (and fantastic) thread on this and am thinking of replacing the pressure switches, too. I have next to no wrenching skills (lol), so am looking for an independent shop to do the work.
I've contacted two shops, both of which told me:
1) that they don't do "drain and fill" on the ATF, but would have to perform a "full transmission service," meaning a flush and refill; and
2) that unless there some problem with the tranny, they would not recommend replacing the pressure switches for 3rd and 4th gears.
When I replied that Honda didn't necessarily have an approved method for "flushing" the entire tranny, the one shop told me that maybe Honda didn't recommend that, but the maker of the ATF did (and that Honda didn't make the ATF itself, even the oem DW1).
Regarding replacing the pressure switches, another mechanic told me that in 25 years of servicing cars, he'd never heard of someone asking to replace the switches as "preventative maintenance."
Again, I've got next to no wrenching skills, so can't really go the DIY route. In any case, just wondering if anyone has thoughts about the situation?
TIA.
#69
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (1)
#70
Race Director
Well, in the end, I've opted to go with a full-flush on the tranny. (This vehicle probably hasn't had one in its 17 years on the road!)
The procedure supposedly helps to clean the ATF filter, which might do some good since that part's inside the case on the '07-'08 (UA7) TLs.
Holding off on replacing the pressure switches for now.
The procedure supposedly helps to clean the ATF filter, which might do some good since that part's inside the case on the '07-'08 (UA7) TLs.
Holding off on replacing the pressure switches for now.
Last edited by nanxun; 04-12-2024 at 08:56 AM.
#71
Senior Moderator
Well, in the end, I've opted to go with a full-flush on the tranny. (This vehicle probably hasn't had one in its 17 years on the road!)
The procedure supposedly helps to clean the ATF filter, which might do some good since that part's inside the case on the '07-'08 (UA7) TLs.
Holding off on replacing the pressure switches for now.
The procedure supposedly helps to clean the ATF filter, which might do some good since that part's inside the case on the '07-'08 (UA7) TLs.
Holding off on replacing the pressure switches for now.
Do not use any sort of flush that involves chemicals, this will destroy the trans.
The person who said the oil co. recommends it is an idiot. Would you trust the folks that designed and made the object (honda acura), or the folks who were given specs (oil co) to make trans fluid for Honda/Acura.
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