Hey guys,
Noob here. So, I was recently welcomed to the TL family about a month ago. I purchased an 04' TL (base w/navigation) with 115K miles. Unfortunately, you can tell this car has been neglected.. Anyways, I'm breaking my piggy bank getting this thing caught up on maintenance. I have done the spark plug, timing belt, pulleys w/tensioner, water pump, etc. schedule. However, I have been reading mixed reviews on whether or not to do the 3x3 (seeing how I have no clue if the transmission has ever been flushed/changed/replaced). I have the ever-popular "shutter" going into 3 and 4 gear (it's intermittent) and sometimes the transmission likes to take it's time finding the gear (no flaring), but I wouldn't say it's slipping. (P.s. I plan on replacing the 3rd and 4th pressure switches)

So, my question: Worse case scenario, if the transmission fluid has not been changed in 50K or 60K miles... Should I do the 3x3?

Also, would it be wise to do a 3x3, but space it out over a time period of a month? (I know the recommendation is to drive 5 miles, drain, fill, repeat).

Lastly, (thanks for your patience) if I do the 3x3 should I run the same mixture each time? (my plan was to run (1 qt.) Redline Type F and (2 qt.) Redline D4... I know that puts us around 39%-ish. I don't intend to drive the car hard..

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

if you dont know if/when its been changed than you should do it asap, especially if the tranny is acting up. change out the pressure switches and the fluid soon. as far as the mixture, you can spend days reading back and forth on what mixture to do but what you have planned doesnt sound bad.

 

Do both the fluid and switches ASAP. Every time it shudders you're causing excessive clutch wear. If you think it's been a long time since it was changed, do a 1X3 and give it another 1X3 in 1,000 miles or so. The reasoning is if you have a bunch of crap is in the trans, you don't want to introduce a bunch of fresh detergents all at once and break stuff up potentially clogging passages, solenoids, and valves. A 1X3 will be more diluted, less chance of causing trouble. It will clean more gradually and the "crap" will be drained out when you do the next drain and fill.

 

Thanks for the quick responses!

I've done some looking online, and it seems everyone has a different part number.. Where (online) would you recommend that I purchase the switches?

Thanks again!

 

Here are the part numbers:
3rd Gear Pressure Switch: HONDA 28600-P7Z-003
4th Gear Pressure Switch: HONDA 28600-P7W-003

Many people have gotten them here.
http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/jsp/home.jsp

You'll also want 2 sealing gaskets (HONDA 90471-PW7-A00) and 1 bushing (HONDA 01302-RAY-003).

Refer to the DIY on the forums for more info.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/110-diy-guide-replacing-3rd-4th-gear-pressure-switch-3g-tl-2004-2006-a-729149/

 

I read all the time on here about guys who did their 3X3's all the time, and the transmission still croaks on them at 100k miles. I'd change the fluid to get caught up on maintenance but skip the 3X3 deal. If it makes you feel better, though, go for it - no harm. (other than time and a little bit from your wallet.)

 

Replacing the fluid frequently does little to help premature failure if the problem is poor design. All it really does, it give you the best chance of having the transmission living as long as it can for your conditions. It's typically cheap enough that it's not a big deal.

I know of people running OEM fluid after 150-200K and the transmission still worked. This does not mean it's a good example, but sure, its entirely possible. However, even if the transmission was in great mechanical shape, you can damn near guarantee a failure eventually due to the fluid if you never change it. You also need to remember a simple drain and fill leaves the majority of the old fluid still in the transmission.

 

I don't see how it would hurt. Has it been slipping?