1999and2013TL

I bought a 2012 Acura TL Manual with 64k miles. This is bit hard to shift it into gear, particualy 1,2 and 3. The clutch seems fine. Do you know what is the cause? Will manual transmission fluid change help? How much will dealer charge to check it out?

Riboflavin

I've been running ACDelco GM Synchromesh 10-4014 Friction Modified fluid for almost 10 years, and it's a night and day difference from the OEM Honda MTF.

I used to have 1-2 and 2-3 shifting problems until I switched, and a bunch of other people also had similar issues switched to Synchromesh as well.

BROlando

Does the transmission shift OK with the engine off?

And is there more than 1/2" of "slop" or freeplay at the top of the clutch pedal travel. As in...when you go to push the clutch in, does the pedal free travel for more than 1/2" before you feel resistance?

When you are letting the clutch out in order to get the car moving, does the clutch start biting as the pedal just barely leaves the floorboard?

If so...

Step 1: Check clutch fluid level and condition.
Often, people don't maintain the clutch fluid. It should be flushed every 2 years max. Otherwise, it becomes laden with water and will start leaking past the seals in the master cylinder.

Once enough fluid leaks out, the level goes low, air is introduced into the system and your clutch will no longer fully disengage when you push the pedal down.

Check the fluid level and condition. If the fluid is dirty or low, you need to flush the system with fresh fluid.

Step 2: Pedal freeplay adjustment
ONLY AFTER the clutch fluid is fully bled out of any air....check the operation. Did it fix your problem?

If so, then live your life. I would recommend using a turkey baster or syringe to change the clutch fluid in your master cylinder every few months, moving forward. After a year or so of doing that, you can revert to the 2 year flush.

If the problem still persists, you should adjust the clutch freeplay via the master cylinder preload rod. Freeplay should be approximately 1/4" to 1/2".

If these don't cure the problem, something else is up.

As far as fluids go...there's no fluid that works as well overall as Honda MTF. Its downside is that it wears out pretty quickly. You'll need to swap it every 5-10K miles if you want the shifts to feel incredibly smooth.

Redline MTL is alternative whose shift feel won't feel as good as Honda MTF, but will last longer.

GM synchromesh uses a lot of friction modifiers. But they also wear out fast. 5K miles or so.