So it's been a little over a year since I've owned my 08 TL-S (auto). The dealership where I take my car for maintenance (Acura of Bellevue) says after 1 year or 15,000 miles that a Transmission Flush amoung other checks are due. I've done some research through Google and on here of course and there's lots of do's and dont's that I'm seeing. Is getting the trans fluid done necessary after 1 year??

Thanks in advance!

 

our transmissions have always had problems...
oh and hi cary, it's been a while! haha
my transmission blew a little while ago @ 72k~ish. i'd recommend taking care of that transmission via flushing religiously...
i hate to do this to bellevue...but my transmission went out after having them service my transmission last - either they didn't put enough transmission fluid in, or something of the sort but then again, who knows. i never even knew the transmission was on its way out (no clues of any sort). i'd recommend lynnwood. speak with Rick, Kevin, or Charles (service manager). tell them eric recommended you to him, because they ROCK (replaced my transmission under goodwill). they'll ease up on you, and they'll even give you a small discount even if you ask.

 

Eric, what's up buddy? You should see my car it looks like I drove through the mountains for a couple weeks straight. Anyway, are you implying even though Acura of Bellevue F up your trans that they weren't going to take care of you?

 

read the owner book- what acura calls a flush is not what the rest of the world calls a flush- meaning with a pressure forced machine to change the fluid

Acura says to drain and refill the 3.2 qts the trans will give up at a time- the rest is hiding in the torque convertor
You can do that once and meet acuras recomendation for warranty purposes
Some do it 3 or 4 times - thats what acura calls a flush

see 3X3 trans flush in gen2 or 3 for more info- you have to drive 5 minutes between each drain to push fluid forward.
Dealer will run it on the rack to simulate the drive

 

Not really, but some owners do it that frequently.

Acura uses maintenance minder code "3" to signal a change of the trans fluid, IIRC.
The manual says change at 60K under heavy use conditions, but I personally erred on the side of caution and changed out the trans. fluid @ about 30K miles.

 

do the 3x3 drain and refill about every 30-35K.

 

On the 08 Autos I believe the OEM book calls for the very first flush at 60 thousand. To have it changed at 15k seems a little unnecessary. I wouldn't change it at 60k either. Every 30k seems most efficient to me.

 

the book-- and experience in the real world -- are far different!

With the 2nd gen experiences and now gen3 having its share of trans problems...changing the trans fluid every year or 2 depending on how you drive--
is a wise investment.

WITH ONLY A 50K MILE TRANS WARRANTY YOU BETTER DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP IT HEALTHY- In my humble~

read gen2 Tranny Failure thread--cars with 60-70 on them and trans failure

Check the book again and see if you are in the Severe Service useage, that shortens interval on everything
most people driving on Earth are~

 

Thanks everyone

 

so whats your decision- start now at 15k and do a simple drain and refill 3 qts- or the
3x3 method or the 3x3+1 method or at the dealer with car on the lift
or wait till 30 or 50

If there is a trans prob after warranty- acura likes to see receipts that show you tried your best- that often gets a `goodwill warranty` trans

 

I'm going to bite the bullet and get it changed just because I know the auto trans doesn't hold up as well as the manual. Besides I need an oil change too and that's part of the service.

 

you will save a tranny if you keep your transmission service every 25k to 30k miles. because if you never change the fluid then it will kill you torque converter and then the damage torque will clog up you transmission filter inside and kill your tranny. use honda fluid only. after you drain and refill it let it run till the engine gets warm then turn it off and check the fluid to make sure it's enough.